Otim Calls.

After lunch, Anushka found herself in the company's main conference room, seated at the head of a long, polished table. Around her sat the heads of Cyber Genesis's various departments, including Stacey from Pen-Testing and Ethical Hacking. The room buzzed with quiet conversation as everyone settled in, their laptops and folders open in front of them.

Anushka took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. This was her first official meeting as the interim head of Cyber Genesis, and she couldn't afford to mess it up. She glanced around the table, meeting the eyes of each department head. "Thank you all for being here," she began, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "I know this is a big adjustment for everyone, but I'm committed to making sure we continue the great work Mark started. Let's dive in."

One by one, the department heads presented their reports. Stacey went first, detailing the Pen-Testing team's recent projects. "We've completed security assessments for three major clients this quarter," she said, her tone confident and professional. "Our biggest project was for a financial institution that wanted a full-scale penetration test of their systems. We identified several critical vulnerabilities and helped them patch them before any damage could be done. The project brought in 900 million shillings."

Anushka nodded, jotting down notes as Stacey spoke. She was impressed by the team's efficiency and the significant revenue they had generated. "Great work, Stacey," she said when the presentation ended. "Let's make sure we follow up with the client to ensure they're satisfied and explore opportunities for future collaborations."

Next was the head of the Network Security Department, a stern-looking man named Victor. He outlined the team's efforts to monitor and protect the company's digital infrastructure. "We've successfully thwarted three major cyberattacks this quarter," he reported. "Our proactive measures have saved the company billions in potential damages. Additionally, we've secured contracts with two new clients, bringing in 1.4 billion shillings in revenue."

Anushka listened intently, asking questions to clarify certain points and offering suggestions for improvement. She was determined to prove herself, and the department heads seemed to respond well to her leadership style.

The Incident Response Team head, a sharp woman named Elizabeth, was up next. She detailed the team's rapid responses to several high-profile breaches. "Our quick actions minimized downtime and data loss for our clients," she said. "One of our clients, a healthcare provider, was particularly grateful. They've already signed a contract for ongoing support, which will bring in 1.1 billion shillings annually."

Finally, the head of the Threat Intelligence Division, a quiet but brilliant man named Raj, presented his team's findings. "We've identified several emerging threats that could impact our clients," he explained. "By sharing this intelligence, we've helped them stay ahead of potential attacks. This has strengthened our relationships with existing clients and attracted new ones, contributing 1.3 billion shillings to this quarter's revenue."

By the time the meeting ended, Anushka's head was spinning with information. She thanked everyone for their hard work and assured them that she was there to support them in any way she could. As the department heads filed out of the room, Stacey lingered behind.

"Hey, Anushka," Stacey said, her tone casual but friendly. "You handled that like a pro. I know it's a lot to take in, but you're doing great."

Anushka smiled, feeling a flicker of relief. "Thanks, Stacey. I'm just trying to keep up. There's so much I don't know yet."

Stacey shrugged. "You'll get there. And if you ever need anything—advice, a sounding board, or just someone to vent to—I'm here. We're all in this together."

Anushka felt a warmth spread through her chest. She hadn't realized how much she needed a friend in the company until now. "I appreciate that, Stacey. Really. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this."

The two women chatted for a while longer, their conversation shifting from work to more personal topics. Stacey shared stories about her time at Cyber Genesis, and Anushka found herself laughing for the first time in weeks. By the time they parted ways, she felt a renewed sense of confidence.

Back in her office, Anushka began organizing the data from the meeting into a comprehensive report for Jacqueline the CEO. She worked late into the evening, meticulously compiling the figures and summarizing the achievements of each department. When she finally finished, she leaned back in her chair, feeling a mix of exhaustion and accomplishment.

The report highlighted Cyber Genesis's strong performance over the past three months, with total revenue exceeding 4.7 billion shillings. Anushka included detailed breakdowns of each department's contributions, along with recommendations for future growth. She attached the document to an email and sent it to Jacqueline with a brief message:

Subject: Cyber Genesis Quarterly Report 

Message: Hi Jacqueline, 

Please find attached the quarterly performance report for Cyber Genesis. Let me know if you need any additional information or have questions. 

Best, 

Anushka 

As she hit send, Anushka felt a small sense of pride. She had stepped into Mark's role and was already making a difference. But her moment of satisfaction was short-lived.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, startling her. She glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number. Frowning, she picked up the call. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end was calm, measured, and instantly recognizable. "Anushka. It's been a while."

Her breath caught in her throat. "Dr. Otim?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Where have you been? Where's Mark?"

Otim's tone was steady, almost unnervingly so. "Mark is fine. He's safe. But we need to talk. In person."

Anushka's mind raced, her heart pounding in her chest. "What do you mean? Why are you calling me now? It's been four months—four months of silence! Do you have any idea what we've been through?"

Otim sighed, his voice softening slightly. "I understand your frustration, Anushka. But this is bigger than you realize. Meet me tomorrow at noon. The old coffee shop downtown. And tell no one. Not the family, not the police. No one."

Anushka gripped the phone tighter, her knuckles turning white. "Why should I trust you? After everything you've done—"

"Because if you want to see Mark again," Otim interrupted, his tone firm, "you'll do as I say. This is your only chance."

The line went dead before she could respond. Anushka stared at her phone, her hands shaking, her mind reeling. Otim's voice echoed in her ears, his words a mix of threat and promise. Mark was alive. But what did Otim want? And why now?

She sat there for what felt like an eternity, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind. Part of her wanted to call Jacqueline or Emily, to tell the family, to involve the police. But Otim's warning rang in her ears: Tell no one.

Anushka clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. She didn't trust Otim, but she had no choice. If there was even a chance of bringing Mark home, she had to take it.

Tomorrow at noon. The old coffee shop downtown. She would be there.