Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 965

The two childish men fell back into their bickering routine, and Mira couldn't be bothered to entertain them.

Owen shot Dominic a glare. "Aren't you too busy to be lounging around here? Go home."

"It's been ages since I visited, and you're already kicking me out? Some friend you are," Dominic shot back.

"Visit all you want, just keep your distance from my lady."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Mira snapped. "If you two want to bicker, leave me out of it."

She was genuinely annoyed now.

Both men exchanged identical glares before snapping their mouths shut. They looked exactly like a pair of scolded schoolboys.

Mira kept her expression stern, but inwardly, she was holding back a laugh.

She knew their bantering was just how they blew off steam together; there was no real malice behind it.

Reaching for her phone, Mira prepared to dial James Barlow, but Caleb Brooks from the software division called her first.

"Boss, if we don't get our hands on that cutting-edge overseas tech soon, our research is going to hit a brick wall."

"Understood. I'll push for it," she replied.

All major technological advancements were built on existing foundations. No project could simply ignore current innovations and start entirely from scratch.

Nexus Core Systems' proprietary Aegis OS was inherently built utilizing framework concepts from Android Inc. over in the Javenaire Federation.

Thanks to an insider leak, the Javenaire Federation had implemented a strict technological blockade against Mavaria. Even routine updates for the dominant market operating systems were being deliberately withheld.

Developing their own independent system was no longer just a goal; it was an absolute necessity.

Hanging up, Mira finally made her call. "My dear James. Tell me you have the latest system data."

"My lovely Mira. I just secured it. I was planning to send it over tonight."

"Perfect. Thank you, James. What's the final invoice on this?"

"No charge necessary. You promised to bring me in on the big money, remember?"

"I did, and I always keep my word. But I still insist on paying for this specific favor."

"In that case, let's call it an even million."

For exclusive access to the world's most advanced proprietary tech, a million dollars was practically a steal.

The following afternoon, Mira was absorbed in a vintage pharmaceutical text when Celine Ward called. She sounded utterly defeated.

"Mira... Sienna is missing."

"What do you mean, missing?"

Mira frowned, needing clarification.

"I mean she's gone. Her phone is completely dead, and no one knows where she went. Adeline already contacted the police.

But it doesn't look good. The police analyzed the timeline, and they think it's highly likely..."

Celine choked up, unable to finish the sentence.

"Highly likely what?"

"Highly likely she was trafficked to the Balkan Underworld..."

...

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