"Chak, Niran, get here now!" Kit shouted.
Chak and I exchanged a glance and headed toward Chak's office without a word. When we entered, Kit was sitting at the computer, furiously typing, while Taeng stood next to him, watching with concern.
"What's going on?" Chak asked, his tone serious.
"Someone hacked into the company's security system," Kit replied without looking up. "They're retrieving confidential data — about you and me."
"Can you stop them?" Chak asked, clearly worried.
"I'm trying," Kit muttered, flinching as something shifted on the screen. "But this guy is good. He's always one step ahead."
"What kind of data are we talking about?" I asked, stepping closer.
"Everything about the company — plans, contracts, even internal notes and security protocols. If this gets into the wrong hands, it'll be a disaster."
"Kit can do it," Taeng said firmly, placing a supportive hand on Kit's shoulder.
Chak began pacing back and forth across the room. The pressure was evident in every step.
"Someone has access they shouldn't have," Kit said, frowning. "And the worst part is... it's coming from inside. That means someone on our team might be involved."
A heavy silence fell over the room. We all exchanged glances — each filled with suspicion.
"Check all access logs from the last 48 hours," Chak ordered. "And find out who has permissions they shouldn't. If this is really someone from inside... I want to know exactly who."
Kit nodded. "Give me one hour."
---
An hour passed in tense silence, broken only by the clacking of keys and frustrated sighs. Chak stood by the window, arms crossed. He wasn't watching the street — his mind was clearly elsewhere.
"I've got something," Kit finally said, snapping our attention to him. "The access was made using the login of one of the senior managers — Rattan."
"Rattan?" Chak repeated, his voice calm but dangerous. "He's in marketing. Why would he have anything to do with the security system?"
"That's what's strange," Kit said. "His login shouldn't include credentials for the server archive. Someone either used his credentials… or he's involved."
"Is he in the office now?" I asked.
Kit checked his phone. "He was logged in, but signed out fifteen minutes ago. According to our data, he already left the building."
Chak was silent for a moment before suddenly turning to me. "I'm not waiting. This guy could ruin everything we've built."
He turned to the intercom connected to security.
"Somchai?" Chak said. "Find Rattan. Not at the company — check where he lives. Bring him here. Don't make a scene, but if he resists, you're authorized to use force."
"Understood, Mr. Chak," came the voice from the other end.
As Chak ended the call, the room fell silent again.
"Do you think he'll talk?" I asked quietly.
"If not, I'll make him," Chak replied without hesitation. "If he really betrayed the company… he'll regret every breath he ever took in it."
---
Half an hour later – Chak's house, entry hall
We heard a car door slam outside, then footsteps. Chak stood by the door, watching the camera feed. Arms crossed, jaw tight.
"They're here," he said coldly. "Somchai has him."
The doorbell rang, and Chak opened the door. Somchai stepped inside, followed by Rattan — visibly confused, no jacket, holding his phone, slightly out of breath.
"I found him at home, took his bag — found all this inside," Somchai said. "He didn't want to come. Kept saying he had no idea what this was about."
"Perfect. Leave him with us," Chak said, turning to Rattan. "Sit."
Rattan didn't move. His gaze darted around the room — from me to Kit to Taeng, and finally to Chak. "Can someone please tell me why I was dragged here like a criminal?"
"Because you're acting like one," Kit said, closing his laptop. "Your user profile was used to break into the company's security system. Accessing archives, contracts, camera feeds. Everything."
Rattan turned pale. "That's not possible. I... I didn't—"
"Don't lie," Chak snapped. "Someone hacked my system using your ID, and you want me to believe you have nothing to do with it?"
"I swear, boss! I'd never do something like that! Maybe someone stole my credentials. My password—"
"The one you were required to change two weeks ago," Kit interrupted. "And the login was confirmed by biometric authentication."
Rattan froze. All color drained from his face.
"Rattan," Chak began calmly. "This is your chance to tell the truth. Who convinced you to let them in?"
"I-I don't know anything about hacking!" he burst out. "Someone just told me to leave my laptop on and walk away. They promised money. Said it would only take a few minutes."
"Who?" I demanded sharply.
Rattan looked down. "I didn't know him. He wore a delivery uniform. Said he was a friend of someone in the company…"
Kit chimed in: "On the flash drive — we found contracts, internal files, security protocols… And oddly enough, they're all marked with a specific logo. I think I know who's behind this."
Rattan collapsed onto the chair, burying his face in his hands.
Kit was already typing, while Taeng stood quietly by his side, offering silent support.
"This isn't just some random hacker," Kit said. "It's GlobalTastes. The company owned by Raeng."
"Raeng will pay for this," Chak said with an angry tone.
"And you'll pay for your part in this," he added coldly. Turning to Taeng, he ordered, "Call the police now."
"Wait please, don't call the police!" Rattan pleaded, panic rising in his voice.
Rattan collapsed into the chair again, his face hidden in his hands.
"I didn't want to do it," he said hoarsely. "But they didn't give me a choice."
Chak narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Rattan looked up, his eyes full of fear. "They knew things about me… about my family. They sent pictures of my daughter's school. Told me if I didn't cooperate, something might happen to her."
A chill passed through the room. Taeng took a step back in shock. Kit stopped typing.
"They offered me money. A ridiculous amount. Enough to pay off my debts, buy a new house. But that wasn't what convinced me. It was the threats. They knew my weak points."
Chak clenched his jaw. "You should've come to me."
"I wanted to!" Rattan said, voice cracking. "But they said if I told anyone, they'd go after my daughter. I thought if I just did what they asked, it would be over. But I see now… it was never going to stop."
He looked at Chak desperately.
"Please… don't call the police. Fire me, do whatever you want — but don't let my daughter grow up thinking her father is a criminal."
Chak stared at him silently for a long moment.
"You've worked for me for years, Rattan," he finally said, voice low. "You were one of my best employees. But you crossed a line."
I stepped forward. "Chak… what if Rattan helps us? What if we use him to get to Raeng? If he cooperates, we can take Raeng down — and protect his family."
Chak turned to look at me. For a second, something shifted in his eyes.
"Good idea, Niran," he said softly. Then he turned back to Rattan.
"If you cooperate with us — say exactly what we tell you, and help us bring Raeng to justice — then I won't fire you. We won't call the police. And your daughter will stay safe. That's a promise."
Rattan looked at all of us — overwhelmed, scared… and relieved.
"Okay," he said quietly. "I'll cooperate."
Kit looked over at Chak.
"This means someone out there has more than just access to our files. They've been watching us."
"And they're not done yet," Chak said darkly.