Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 177: The First Hard Decision to Take

Same day, that evening.

"Mr. Reyes, Mr. Carter is outside and wants to see you," Juliet informed.

"Let him in," Michael said, his eyes not leaving the monitor.

As the door opened, John Carter entered the room with a measured stride, his demeanor as serious and controlled as ever. Michael finally turned away from the screens, acknowledging Carter with a nod.

"John, good to see you. I assume there's a reason for your visit at this hour?" Michael asked.

"Yes, Mr. Reyes, there is," Carter replied, his face betraying no emotion. He pulled out a tablet and handed it to Michael. "We've had a development that you need to hear. We just nabbed your hunter."

"So all those charades that we have been working paid off? He is really watching me," Michael commented.

"That's true, if a hitman failed in his first attempt, he will make another attempt," Carter continued, "but we anticipated his moves, and we were able to intercept him before he could make a second try."

Michael leaned forward. "What did we get from him? Any leads on who might be behind this?"

Carter tapped on the tablet, pulling up a detailed report. "The man who hired the hitman is Mr. Wei Chen from China. Founder of the CinkoSolar company and apparently one of your rivals in the photovoltaic company. It seems that he wanted you down out of fear that your innovations in solar technology might overshadow his company's market share."

Michael's expression hardened at the mention of Wei Chen. "Wei Chen... I should've suspected as much. His company has been aggressive in the market, but I didn't think he'd resort to something this drastic. Well, he did conduct one, he tried to hack our systems to obtain the blueprint of the solar panels."

Carter nodded, "It's a cutthroat business, Mr. Reyes. But now that we know who's behind it, we can take appropriate action."

Michael sat back, processing the information. "And the hitman, Ghost? What's his status?"

"I neutralized him, we don't want any loose ends, and it's better if we contain the situation quickly," Carter replied.

"I like the way you can say that to me with a straight face."

"Well killing is part of my job sir, to protect and serve my clients," Carter responded with a shrug, his expression unchanging.

Michael nodded slowly, the reality of his dangerous position settling in. "Make sure his disposal was clean. We can't afford any links back to us."

"Completely sanitized, Mr. Reyes. We left nothing to chance," Carter assured him. "The operation was clean and there are no traces that can lead back to you or to Sentinel."

"Good," Michael replied. "I am still confused as to why Wei would want me killed. It's not like if I have been taken down, there will be others who will take my position. And not all of them will be as cautious or difficult to approach as I have been."

Carter nodded, his face solemn. "Indeed, Mr. Reyes. But you should consider that while some may be cautious, others might be more gullible or desperate enough to strike deals with Wei, potentially leaking critical information or technology to him."

Michael's brow furrowed in concern. "That's a chilling thought. Imagine you worked on something so hard only to get it stolen or compromised because someone else was careless or malicious. It's why our security needs to be airtight."

"Exactly," Carter replied. "And there's another thing—your innovations in solar technology aren't just a threat to Wei. They're revolutionary, and that puts you on the radar of not just your competitors but potentially hostile entities that see your advancements as a disruption to their own markets or national interests."

Michael leaned back, his mind racing with the implications. "So, you're saying the threat landscape is broader than just Wei?"

"Much broader," Carter affirmed. "Which is precisely why your partnership with Sentinel is crucial. We're not just guarding against known threats like Wei; we're preparing for unknown ones as well. Our global intelligence and security network ensures you get the most comprehensive protection possible."

"So paying a premium was worth it then?" Michael chuckled.

"You get what you pay for, and in this case, it's top-tier security that not only reacts to threats but anticipates them," Carter confirmed, matching Michael's light tone with a slight nod.

Michael's expression became serious again. "Let's make sure it stays that way. I can't afford any surprises. Our projects are too important, and the stakes are too high. Now since we know Wei was the attacker, what to do?"

"Sentinel not only offers protection but assassination as well, in case you want him taken care of," Carter suggested.

"Well, I will not deign to do something as drastic as Wei has attempted. But knowing that the threat could escalate, I need to consider all options carefully. The balance of being proactive versus reactive is thin," Michael responded thoughtfully.

Carter nodded understandingly. "It's a difficult decision, Mr. Reyes. But remember, in business as in security, sometimes offensive moves are necessary to ensure long-term safety and stability. If Wei is willing to go to such lengths to eliminate competition, it's logical to assume he might not stop at one attempt."

"That's a fair point," Michael conceded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I need to think about the future of my company and the safety of my team. Wei's actions could embolden others who think they can take similar paths."

"Exactly, Mr. Reyes. It's not just about retaliation but about sending a clear message to anyone else who might consider targeting you or your business," Carter explained. "Your inventions and advancements in solar technology are critical not just for your company, but for the industry and global environment. Protecting that isn't just business; it's a necessity."

Michael looked at Carter, his resolve hardening. "Wei has decided to kill me, so I have decided to kill him as well. It's fair and it's just. This is a challenge I must overcome if I want to dominate the solar panel market, which I have been doing for a long time."

"You might be able to achieve it when Wei is dead," Carter nodded, showing approval.

Michael sighed, his gaze distant as he weighed his next words carefully. "Come up with a plan, and inform me of the plan you are going to take to neutralize Wei."