Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

388  Survive and Counterattack

The Senate hearing had finally concluded, and as the gavel hit the sound block, Michael Reyes stood from his seat, the weight of the past weeks gradually lifting from his shoulders. The air in the chamber buzzed with low murmurs and the shifting of chairs as senators and attendees began to disperse. Juliet, standing nearby with a composed expression, met Michael's eyes and gave a small nod of approval. Luis, his legal counsel, moved briskly to his side.

"That was a clean exit," Luis said, keeping his voice low as they gathered their documents. "They pressed hard, but they didn't have enough to dent your credibility."

Michael's expression remained neutral, masking the sense of relief bubbling beneath the surface. "They wanted a show, and we gave them the facts," he said. "Let's make sure we keep it that way in the press."

As they stepped out into the marble hallway, reporters surged forward, microphones extended and questions fired like bullets. Security held them back just enough to let Michael and his team move through, but not without the clamor reaching their ears.

"Mr. Reyes, how do you feel after the Senate cleared your operations?"

"Do you believe the scrutiny will end here?"

"Is Reyes Corporation planning any major announcements now that this is behind you?"

Michael paused briefly, allowing Juliet to step in. "Mr. Reyes has no comments at this time beyond expressing gratitude for the thorough review process and for the continued trust in Reyes Corporation's commitment to innovation and transparency," she said, her tone firm yet diplomatic. The reporters' questions continued, but the team pushed forward, making their way out of the building and into the awaiting convoy of black SUVs.

The ride back to the Golden Topper was quiet, each person in the car lost in their own thoughts. Michael gazed out at the cityscape, the skyline filled with buildings bearing the marks of the very conglomerates that sought his downfall. He knew the tycoons wouldn't stop here. They had watched the hearing, just as invested in his failure as they were in their own corporate empires.

Back at Reyes Corporation's headquarters, the executive floor was bustling. News of the successful Senate hearing had reached every corner of the building, and there was a palpable sense of victory among the staff. Bridget was waiting for them as they entered the main conference room, her eyes scanning the reports on her tablet.

"Congratulations," she said, her voice even but with a hint of a smile. "Initial reports show public sentiment is overwhelmingly in your favor. The media is framing you as resilient and transparent, and that's playing well."

Juliet took a seat beside Michael and set her notes down. "We need to double down on this momentum. Let's get a statement out before they have time to twist the narrative."

Michael nodded, the exhaustion from the day starting to settle in. "Make it clear that we're moving forward, that this isn't just about surviving scrutiny but about pushing forward with our vision."

As the statement was drafted and sent out to media outlets, Michael's mind turned to the tycoons. They would be reeling, but not for long. He knew their kind—they were already plotting their next move, probably in a room filled with silent resentment and whispered threats.

And he was right.

Across the city, in Villar's boardroom, the tycoons gathered once more. The atmosphere was colder, more calculating.

"He got through it unscathed," Sy Jr. said, breaking the silence. "The hearing didn't touch him, not the way we hoped."

Villar's jaw clenched. "He's more resilient than we gave him credit for. If he is not stopped, he will devour us one by one, and the legacy that we have built for decades will crumble before our very eyes."

Pangilinan leaned forward, his fingers steepled as he spoke. "Then we need to change our approach. Public hearings and smear campaigns won't be enough. We need to think strategically—focus on areas where he's vulnerable."

Gokongwei nodded, his eyes sharp with determination. "His expansions are aggressive, and that comes with risk. If we can't beat him in the court of public opinion, we need to hit him where it truly matters: his ventures and supply chains."

Jaime Zobel de Ayala, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke up, his voice measured and deliberate. "Michael Reyes has positioned himself as the public's champion. Any move we make that's too overt will only bolster that image. We need to be subtle, create disruptions that appear natural, even accidental."

A moment of silence followed as the men exchanged glances, their expressions steeled with resolve.

"Agreed," Villar said at last. "We need to sow the seeds of doubt—not just among the public, but within his organization. If we can destabilize his internal operations, it won't matter how resilient he appears on the outside."

Sy Jr. smirked, an idea forming in his mind. "Then we start with his supply chain. I'll reach out to our contacts abroad. If key suppliers suddenly become unreliable, his operations will suffer delays. Delays that we can amplify through strategic partnerships and pressure."

Pangilinan's eyes lit up with approval. "And we'll ensure his financial backers start seeing risks. A whisper campaign among investors will plant the doubt we need. If even one major backer pulls out, the rest will follow."

Across the city, unaware of the new wave of scheming aimed at his empire, Michael stood in his office, watching the glow of the city lights below. The adrenaline from the hearing had worn off, replaced by a weariness that seeped into his bones. But as he gazed out, his resolve solidified.

"Let them come," he murmured under his breath, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He knew this was only the beginning, and he was ready for whatever came next.

The tycoons' plan unfolded over the next few weeks, targeting the critical veins of Reyes Corporation. Calls were made, deals were struck in secret, and whispered doubts spread among the supply chains like wildfire. Michael's partners overseas began receiving subtle, persuasive offers to redirect their resources or delay shipments. Investors, too, felt the undercurrent of doubt; reports hinted at instability, fabricated murmurs about regulatory scrutiny or unsustainable growth.

Michael's executive team noticed the ripples first. Juliet and Bridget were in constant communication, their voices calm but eyes betraying the tension as they tackled sudden delays and shifting supplier commitments. Reports of partners withdrawing support, albeit temporarily, piled onto Michael's desk.

"They're testing us," Juliet said during an emergency meeting. Her voice was measured, though it carried a steely edge. "They think they can pressure us into a corner."

Bridget nodded, a sharpness in her gaze. "We anticipated pushback, but this level of coordination is more intense than before. They're trying to choke our operations from the inside out."

Michael remained silent for a moment, fingers tapping a steady rhythm on the table as he considered their options. "Then we need to remind them why Reyes Corporation is different. Juliet, I want every division on high alert. Bridget, ensure our alternative supply routes are ready to go. Luis, reinforce our contracts and make it clear to any wavering partners that shifting away now is not without consequence."

The days that followed were a masterclass in corporate resilience. Reyes Corporation activated backup plans crafted months in advance. Alternative suppliers from emerging markets, eager for the prestige of partnering with Reyes, filled the gaps left by the wavering primary sources. Investments were subtly rerouted, reinforcing the company's stability and reaffirming confidence among stakeholders.

The tycoons waited for cracks to show, expecting delayed projects, missed deadlines, or investor panic. But weeks passed, and Michael's operations held steady. If anything, the show of adaptability bolstered his reputation further. Media outlets caught wind of the pressure Reyes Corporation was under and instead spun it as a testament to Michael's foresight and leadership. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Villar's brow furrowed as he read the latest reports. His boardroom was tense, the usual confidence replaced by muted frustration. "How is he still standing? We've pushed every angle," he muttered.

"He's using new suppliers we didn't account for," Sy Jr. said, slamming a report onto the table. "And it's working. Investors are seeing him as even more reliable now."

Pangilinan's jaw clenched. "If we can't touch his business, then we're running out of options."

Meanwhile, back at Reyes Corporation, the mood had shifted from tense to triumphant. The early signs of crisis had passed, and operations had not only stabilized but surged ahead, fortified by the loyalty of new partners and reinforced alliances.

Michael stood in the heart of the executive floor, surrounded by his team. The room hummed with quiet confidence, their eyes reflecting his own unyielding resolve.

"They thought they could break us," he said, voice calm but carrying through the room. "Instead, we showed them that Reyes Corporation doesn't just survive challenges. We grow stronger because of them."

A round of affirming nods followed, and Juliet allowed herself a rare, small smile. Bridget's eyes were sharp with the satisfaction of victory, already planning the next steps to further entrench their dominance.

Across the city, the tycoons were left contemplating their failed gambit. Michael's defiance, instead of cracking, had become a beacon that attracted more allies to his cause. Their schemes, once a formidable threat, now seemed more like the desperate flailing of a fading legacy.

And Michael, as he watched the sun set over the city that had become his battlefield.

"They are too committed to taking me down, and I have been on the defensive. How about I go on the offensive now."