h4Chapter 22: Coping Mechanism/h4

The white-washed wall seemed to be bleeding profusely like Ewan’s right fist when Sandro stepped into Ewan’s home office.

He stood as he always did—when Ewan got this way—and watched his friend.

Ewan was sitting miserably on the floor with his head in his hands; hands stained with blood.

Sandro didn’t bother to ask for a first-aid kit or hurry to get one because this imagery right here was as consistent as business in Ewan’s life; a side of Ewan, many people didn’t get to see.

This was the only way Ewan got rid of frustration and unexinable feelings.

Yet Sandro was observant to note that it had increased since Athena’s banishment six years ago.

And with her return, Sandro feared for his friend’s knuckles.

Sighing tiredly, he shut the door behind him.

Ewan showed no indication that he knew someone was in his office with him, until Sandro sat down beside him.

"What do you have for me, Sandro?"

Sandro had a lot, but he just didn’t know how to get into it without pushing Ewan to punch his office walls again and again.

He didn’t want that to happen, because he wouldn’t be able to bear it. He would rather choose to be the punching bag.

"Did the shareholder speak? Which shareholder did you visit?" Ewan continued, breaking into Sandro’s thoughts.

Although he understood Sandro’s silence, he wanted the truth, so that he could process things better and put this bad day behind him.

He knew Sandro was holding back on the reports, because thetter believed making the reports now would trigger him to punch the walls again.

He knew his friend and assistant was avoiding the gue of guilt.

Ewan wanted to tell him that he was okay now, that there wasn’t anything to trigger, but he kept silent.

Sandro understood him, even more than Zane did. And the former knew that the punching activity was a coping mechanism for him.

Sandro knew he would go crazy with the riotous feelings and thoughts in his head if he didn’t punch walls. The pain helped him to focus.

"I visited Ethan. He was the only one that agreed to meet us." Sandro finally said, stretching his legs before him. This might be a long night.

"And what did he say?"

Sandro sighed. "He showed me the decrypted text. The long message exined in detail the closing down of thepany, citing that our creditors are on our necks. It also painted the picture that we are down on funds, that everyone should find their way out of thepany. Worse, there were curse words to ungrateful clients and entitled shareholders, written in italics, and attributed to you. Basically, it was a nasty text."

Ewan exhaled harshly, his mind concocting the best way to retaliate against Athena and Zane.

"I don’t exactly know how Athenaes to y in this, considering she’s just a doctor..."

"She’s a counselor too. She’s many things. Who says she can’t even be a hacker?" Ewan interrupted, lifting his head.

Sandro opened his mouth at Ewan’s frustrationdened statement, then finally settled on a question. "She’s a consultant? Medical, I presume?"

Ewan shook his head. "General consultant, especially on financial issues, to Zane’s father. I did a little research. He’s not the only one. She counsels many wealthy people, consorts with them. I won’t be surprised if she’s in government too."

Sandro’s jaw ckened.

"But Sandro, my question is: who is backing her up? We both know Athena for god sake!"

Ewan’s eyes were alight now.

"Yes, she had striven for education after the banishment, yet covering the grounds she has in six years is almost impossible! Did you find out who her husband is?"

Sandro shook his head.

Ewan turned to Sandro when he heard nothing.

Sandro shook his head again. His tongue was heavy.

"I saw her daughter today. Very beautiful, innocent, unlike her. She had startling blue eyes..."

Sandro jerked. "Blue eyes??"

"Yes. Must be from the father."

iWhat if you are the father? /iSandro wanted to ask, but kept quiet.

He would need to confirm first, before raising Ewan’s hopes up. They already have enough problems on their hands as it stands.

"So, who could be backing her?"

The million dor question with no reply.

But Sandro was sure that Athena had something to do with the cyber attack.

The first time the hack-in had urred wasst year, after Ewan had publicly announced Fiona as his fiancée.

A message had been dropped in his email—i’Unfaithful man.’—/iafter they had survived the cyber attack and the resulting consequences.

Now, a yearter, a more serious hacking had urred on the same day the ex-couple met to talk over an issue.

Did Ewan threaten Athena? Was it because of the shares?

"Why did Athena demand that amount of shares?"

"She just wants it. It’s part of her payment for epting to treat our people."

"Athena really asked for that?" Sandro couldn’t believe it.

The Athena from six years ago wouldn’t hurt a fly, not to mention putting the lives of innocent citizens at risk because of an old feud!

Ewan was right. The new Athena was something else.

Sandro didn’t like it.

"So, will you give it to her?"

He got his answer when Ewan red at him.

"Did Ethan tell you anything else, like why he agreed to meet you?"

"Not really. I think it’s because he came from the States. He doesn’t pay attention to our media."

Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. "When did he step into our city?"

"A few weeks ago."

Ewan nodded, "I see. A new rich person who loves investments. I will thank him specially, after this blows over. What’s the situation now?"

"Well, the media is blowing it out of proportion as usual. By tomorrow we should have a better handle of things. I promise."

Ewan nodded his thanks, and stumbled to his feet.

"What do you have in mind for Athena and Zane?" Sandro mirrored Ewan’s movements.

A pause.

"I’m not sure. I have to meet Zane’s father first. I have to know if he knew about this setup. If he knew about it, I would decide my next step from there." Ewan responded, noticing a frown on Sandro’s face the next second.

"What’s the matter?"

"The hackers, I just remembered... they couldn’t be traced. We lost them again."