Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 114: Conclusive Evidence

Bridget quickly dialed Michael's number. She held her phone tightly, her fingers hovering over the screen as she initiated the call. The familiar tone rang in her ear for a few times until the call was connected.

"This is Michael Reyes," Michael replied from the other end of the line.

"Michael…this is Bridget, I just received an intel about the hackers who've been attempting to infiltrate our network," Bridget started, her voice steady but filled with an intensity that demanded attention. "It's crucial information that could potentially lead us to mitigate the threats they've been posing."

Michael's interest was immediately piqued, a sense of urgency evident in his response. "Bridget, that's great news. What did you find out?"

Taking a deep breath to compose her thoughts, Bridget continued, "I've been in touch with a contact from China, someone with deep ties to the cybersecurity world there. They've identified the hacker, or rather the lead hacker, as someone operating under the alias 'Shadow.' More importantly, it seems this person was hired by CinkoSolar Holdings."

There was a moment of silence as Michael processed the information. "CinkoSolar?" he repeated. "We were guessing who could have done this, and it must be from the same industry of ours. CinkoSolar was the first in the list given that they are the world's largest photovoltaics company with a shipping capacity in gigawatts."

Michael's tone shifted as he contemplated the ramifications. "This information changes everything. If CinkoSolar is indeed behind this, we're not just dealing with a security breach; it's corporate espionage. But do we have conclusive evidence that Shadow was hired by the CinkoSolar?"

At that moment, Bridget realized she had overlooked a critical aspect of her conversation with the Architect. She had not specifically asked for conclusive evidence of Shadow's employment by CinkoSolar Holdings. The oversight momentarily unsettled her, but she knew she couldn't let Michael know about her lapse.

"Michael, let me ensure everything is meticulously documented and verified. I'll get back to you with all the necessary details. It's important we're absolutely certain before taking any further steps," Bridget responded, carefully sidestepping the question.

"Understood," Michael said, sounding reassured by her response.

After ending the call with Michael, Bridget immediately dialed the Architect's number again. Her heart raced as she waited for him to pick up, knowing the importance of securing tangible proof of CinkoSolar's involvement.

"The Architect," came the answer, his voice as neutral as ever.

"It's Bridget von Reimann again. I realized we didn't discuss one crucial aspect. Do we have concrete evidence linking Shadow directly to CinkoSolar Holdings?" Bridget asked her voice firm yet slightly anxious.

There was a brief pause. "Ms. von Reimann, I was wondering when you would follow up on that. Yes, we have secured concrete evidence of the link between 'Shadow' and CinkoSolar Holdings. It took some maneuvering through various channels, but we managed to obtain communications that explicitly connect Shadow to their operations."

"That's excellent news. How soon can you get that evidence to me?"

"I'll have it encrypted and sent to your secure email within the hour. The data is sensitive and potentially volatile, so I advise discretion in its use. It's potent enough to warrant legal action, should you choose to pursue that route," the Architect advised.

"Thank you," Bridget said, already strategizing the best way to present this information to Michael and the SolaraTech legal team. "Your assistance has been invaluable. We'll proceed with caution."

After they ended the call, Bridget spent a moment collecting her thoughts. Armed with this conclusive evidence, she knew the next steps involved legal considerations and possibly a confrontation with CinkoSolar Holdings. The evidence provided a solid foundation for their case, but it also escalated the stakes.

Bridget composed herself before calling Michael again. This time, she could provide him with the assurance he sought.

"Michael, it's Bridget. I've just confirmed with my contact that we have irrefutable evidence linking CinkoSolar Holdings to the hacker known as Shadow. It's solid enough for us to take legal action," she informed him, her voice exuding a calm confidence.

"That's incredible, Bridget. This gives us the leverage we need. I'll set up a meeting with our legal team first thing in the morning to discuss our options. With this evidence, we can not only protect SolaraTech but also hold CinkoSolar accountable for their actions."

"Exactly," Bridget agreed. "I'll forward the evidence to you and the legal team as soon as I receive it. We need to handle this delicately but assertively."

***

A day later, Michael received the evidence from Bridget through email. He carefully reviewed the encrypted files, each piece of communication clearly tying the hacker known as Shadow directly to CinkoSolar Holdings. The evidence was damning, not just mere implications but direct connections and agreements between the hacker and the solar energy giant.

Michael knew this was the kind of evidence that could not only protect SolaraTech but also potentially lead to significant legal repercussions for CinkoSolar.

With the evidence in hand, Michael convened a meeting with SolaraTech's legal team, which is a firm named Reyes, Salonga, and Associates, renowned for its prowess in corporate law and intellectual property rights in the Philippines. At the helm of the legal team was Atty. Maria Lourdes Salonga.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Michael began as he shared the encrypted evidence with Atty. Salonga and her team. "This evidence suggests a clear case of corporate espionage by CinkoSolar Holdings, facilitated by a hacker known as Shadow."

Atty. Salonga reviewed the documents with keen attention, occasionally nodding as she absorbed the information. After a thorough examination, she looked up at Michael.

"This is indeed substantial evidence. It not only establishes a direct link between Shadow and CinkoSolar Holdings but also indicates a deliberate attempt to undermine SolaraTech's market position."

"We need to consider our next steps carefully," Atty. Salonga continued. "Given the international nature of this case, we may need to collaborate with legal experts in other jurisdictions. Additionally, we should also think about the potential repercussions of taking legal action against a company as large as CinkoSolar Holdings."

Michael nodded, understanding the complexities involved. "What would you recommend as our first course of action?"

"At this point, our priority should be to protect SolaraTech's interests and intellectual property. I suggest we begin by sending a cease-and-desist letter to CinkoSolar Holdings, outlining the evidence we've gathered and demanding an immediate halt to their unlawful activities. This will serve as a formal notice of our intentions and possibly open a channel for negotiation."

"In parallel," Atty. Salonga added, "We should prepare for the possibility of litigation. This involves gathering additional evidence, consulting with cybersecurity experts, and potentially filing a lawsuit. However, we should also remain open to resolving the matter out of court if CinkoSolar Holdings is willing to engage in meaningful negotiations."

Michael agreed with the plan. "Let's proceed with the cease-and-desist letter for now and prepare for all eventualities. I trust your judgment, Atty. Salonga and I'm ready to support whatever actions you deem necessary to protect our company."

Atty. Salonga nodded, her expression resolute. "We'll begin drafting the cease-and-desist letter immediately and keep you updated on our progress. Rest assured, we'll do everything in our power to resolve this situation in SolaraTech's favor."