A Second Chance at Forever ( Eleanor Shultz )
A Second Chance at Forever Chapter 1404

Chapter 1404 

After six long months, Bryson’s eyes brimmed with tears as he saw a flesh-and-blood Bernard return home. The wrinkles on his aged face seemed to deepen with emotion. 

“Mr. Laurence, you’ve finally come back. I feared the worst…” 

“I’m fine, Bryson.” 

Bernard lifted his hand and patted Bryson’s shoulder with a comforting gesture before turning and heading straight into the study. 

Realizing that Bernard appeared preoccupied, Bryson didn’t dare to disturb him. Instead, he composed himself and instructed the cook to prepare a feast before heading out to pick up little Nina from school. 

Ever since Bernard and Eleanor had left, Nina couldn’t stop talking about them. The ordeal they had been through was perilous. 

To keep the child from worrying, Bryson had told her they were on a business trip. But Nina was a sharp cookie – she didn’t buy the story that people on a business trip couldn’t even make a call or video chat. 

Just as Bryson was running out of excuses, Bernard returned, allowing Bryson to breathe a sigh of relief and finally give Nina a proper explanation. Bernard had kept the secret of the chip in his brain from everyone, including Aidyn. When he noticed Aidyn following him into the study, he frowned slightly. 

“Aidyn, I’m back and safe. You should go home and look after your family.” 

During Bernard’s absence, Aidyn had become a father. His newborn and wife needed him, but Aidyn was reluctant to leave. 

“Mr. Laurence, I know you’ll need to strategize with the team to mount a comeback. Count me in, please delegate some tasks to me.” 

After a moment’s thought, Bernard walked over to his desk, scribbled the name of the organization ‘Darkness’ and a woman named Pauline on a piece of paper, tore it off, and handed it to Aidyn. 

“Find out why they want Pauline dead. Dig deep.” 

“Yes, sir!” 

With a mission in hand, Aidyn eagerly took the note and left the study. 

Bernard watched Aidyn’s retreating figure, then his tall frame slumped into the sofa. The tension he had been carrying for half a year finally began to ease. But his respite was short-lived. Bernard rose again, pulled out a chair at his desk, and sat down in front of his computer, rapidly typing in the chip’s program he had memorized. 

He knew his adversary, Yates, had altered the program. The code he was entering now might not be effective, but his current goal was to reverse-engineer the updated program from what he knew of the original. 

Bernard was smart and had a photographic memory, but he knew he was outclassed by Yates in both programming and hacking. 

He hadn’t wanted anyone to know about the chip, but as he stared at the encryption on the screen, he realized he had no choice but to call Cedric Laurence. 

Cedric was a computer prodigy, known for his hacking prowess and a renowned figure in the cybersecurity world. With Cedric’s help, Bernard hoped they could rewrite the program. 

Meanwhile, Cedric was at home, massaging his pregnant wife Hailey’s legs to ease her varicose veins when Bernard’s call came through. Recognizing his brother’s unique voice, Cedric leapt up, his excitement palpable. 

“Bernard, you’re back! Hold on, I’m coming to you!” 

Before Bernard could even explain why he had called, an ecstatic Cedric had hung up the phone. 

Cedric put his phone away, looked at Hailey and said, “Honey, are you feeling better? I can finish up here before I go to him…” 

Knowing Bernard was back and that she could let go of her worries, Hailey glanced at him, “I’m much better. Go to your brother. Don’t worry about me.” 

With a tender kiss on her forehead, Cedric said, “My wonderful wife, wait for me at home and call me immediately if you feel unwell.” 

Once Hailey nodded her assurance, Cedric grabbed his keys, hopped into his car, and floored the accelerator, racing toward Fiord Roundabout before bursting into Bernard’s study. 

“Bernard!” Seeing Bernard safe and working at his computer just like old times, Cedric’s emotions surged like a rollercoaster. 

! 

“I knew you’d be okay!” Cedric, who had never lost faith in Bernard’s safe return, could finally release all his pent-up worry and fear. He spread his arms wide, ready to envelop Bernard in a bear hug, but the latter simply raised a slender finger and pushed him aside. 

“Spare me the drama. Get over here and work.” 

Bernard’s finger moved from his face to the screen, his well-manicured nails flicking through the lines of code, stopping at the original program. 

“This chip’s program can listen, track, and explode. Can you shut it down?” 

Cedric, still eager to ask his brother about his experiences in the shadowy Area Opaca, saw Bernard’s serious and urgent demeanor and swallowed his questions. 

He leaned in, scrutinized the code for a moment, took the laptop from Bernard, and got to work beside him.

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