The sound of his footsteps still echoed in Layla's head, even though she had already left the ZK Tech building. Her breathing was erratic. Every time she took a breath, her chest felt like it was being stabbed. She didn't know if it was because of fatigue... or because of the panic that hadn't subsided yet.
She looked back, again.
No one was following.
But the feeling of being watched was still there. It was like a shadow was following her every step.
At home, Layla threw herself onto the bed. The USB she had smuggled out of the ZK Tech office was on the table, glistening in the night light.
She looked at the ceiling.
"Why Kamal?" she asked slowly. "Why you?"
She opened the crappy computer that hadn't been cleaned in years. The screen was dusty, even the keyboard had a damaged letter 'A'. But Layla didn't care. The contents of the USB were more important than anything right now.
She slowly inserted the USB. The 'ding' sound that appeared startled her a little — something so small could carry the weight of the world.
A folder opened.
CONFIDENTIAL – EYES ONLY
Layla clicked.
Slowly. Her computer felt like it was about to explode.
But finally, the files started to appear one by one.
PDF. JPG. Video.
She opened a PDF file.
Her eyes widened.
— Weapon purchase? For whom?
— Funds coming in from an overseas account — over RM12 million?
— 'Tempest' project? What is this?
Her heart pounded. She scrolled again.
Picture.
An old man. Standing in front of a whiteboard with the ZK Tech logo. But that wasn't what made Layla feel like throwing up. The man… was in an old picture of her family. In a frame that Mom kept under the cupboard.
She never knew who the man was.
Only… now, he must be related.
Layla's hands trembled.
She opened a video.
A faint voice. A recording from CCTV, probably.
"—if that kid knew... we were all finished."
"I've taken care of it. The file has been deleted from the main server."
"Not enough. He has a copy. He's... Azman's son, right?"
The recording stopped.
Layla closed the laptop. She pressed her hand to her chest.
Azman?
Her father?
Her father died in an accident 10 years ago?
No... Wasn't it an accident?
Everything in her head was spinning like a hurricane. It didn't make sense. But it all... started to connect. Little by little.
Layla bowed. Her hair fell over her face.
She knew... her life had changed tonight.
And she knew... the person she trusted the most was probably the most dangerous person.
The bed felt cold. The night was getting late. But Layla couldn't sleep.
She knew one thing now.
She couldn't trust anyone.