Chapter 6 - THE ARTICLE THAT NEVER EXISTED
“I did not write this.”
Ava’s hands shook as she refreshed the page.
The article remained.
Her name remained.
Even her staff photograph appeared beside it.
“They accessed the newspaper system,” I said.
Ava logged into the administrative account.
Her password no longer worked.
Within minutes, the false article had been shared thousands of times.
People who had watched the graduation video began arguing online.
Some believed me.
Others believed my family.
The truth was becoming entertainment.
Agent Grant contacted the university’s digital security team.
I stopped her.
“The university team uses Bennett software.”
She stared at me.
“Then who can secure the records?”
“I can.”
We returned to the campus media office under police protection.
The building was nearly empty.
Most students were still outside discussing the ceremony.
Ava opened the main server room while I examined the access logs.
The fake article had been uploaded through her account.
But the login came from a device connected to the university network.
“Can you identify it?” Agent Grant asked.
“Not directly.”
I ran Lighthouse through the traffic records.
The program isolated unusual data patterns.
One device had repeatedly connected to the academic database, the newspaper server, and the graduation sound system.
The device identifier belonged to Dr. Lane’s university tablet.
Agent Grant called the officers holding him.
His tablet was missing.
“When did he last have it?” I asked.
“This morning.”
“Who was near him?”
The answer came several minutes later.
Ethan.
Ava turned toward me.
“He took Lane’s tablet and used it to enter the network.”
“Or Lane gave it to him.”
A message appeared on my screen.
An unknown user had entered the media server while we were watching.
I attempted to block the connection.
The user moved faster.
Files began disappearing.
Ava disconnected the main cable.
The screen went black.
“Did we stop them?”
“No.”
I pointed toward a second connection.
Someone was inside the server room with us.
A small wireless transmitter had been attached beneath the equipment rack.
It was sending information through a private mobile network.
Agent Grant called for a technical evidence team.
Before they arrived, the transmitter received a final message.
DELETE FAILED.
BEGIN PHASE TWO.
The device erased itself.
Ava leaned against the wall.
“What is phase two?”
My phone rang.
The number belonged to Professor Hughes.
I answered.
Her breathing was uneven.
“Emily, where are you?”
“In the media building.”
“Do not leave.”
“What happened?”
“I found the original scholarship authorization forms.”
“Where?”
“In the university archive.”
My heart began pounding.
Those forms could prove the money had been approved for specific students before it was redirected.
“I am bringing them to you,” she said.
“No.”
I looked at Agent Grant.
“Stay where you are.”
“It may already be too late.”
A loud crash came through the phone.
Then Professor Hughes screamed.
The call disconnected.
May you like
We ran toward the archive building.
Smoke was already rising above the campus trees.
