Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 238: The Prelude to Duel

The journalists and media personnel murmured among themselves, their eyes shifting back and forth between Michael and the detailed slides displayed behind him. Just as Michael was about to wrap up, a hand shot up from the back of the room.

Michael beckoned the man to stand. "Yes?"

The man, dressed in a sharp suit and exuding an air of confidence, stood up. "I am from VirtuReal Innovations, and I have some questions for you."

Michael's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you are?"

The man stepped forward, the crowd parting to allow him through.

"My name is Dr. Rajesh Patel, one of the founders of VirtuReal Innovations." He paused, letting the weight of his introduction settle in the room. "Mr. Reyes, your presentation was impressive, but there are still some points that need clarification."

Michael gulped a mouthful of saliva after hearing that name. It's fast, how could they send someone so quickly? He collected himself quickly.

"Of course, Dr. Patel. What would you like to clarify?"

Dr. Patel walked to the front, positioning himself beside Michael. The cameras zoomed in, capturing the confrontation.

"First, I would like to address the claim that our prototype is not as advanced as your product. While it is true that we have not brought our product to market yet, that does not diminish the originality and innovation behind our designs."

He gestured to the screen, where the schematics of VirtuReal's prototype were still displayed.

"Our technology, as you can see, shares a remarkable number of similarities with yours. This goes beyond mere coincidence. Can you explain how these similarities came to be?"

Michael took a deep breath, his mind racing. He needed to handle this carefully to maintain his credibility.

"Dr. Patel, as I mentioned earlier, while there may be superficial similarities, the core technology and execution are entirely different. Our development process is well-documented, and we have extensive records to prove the originality of our work."

Dr. Patel didn't seem convinced. "Then you wouldn't mind providing access to these records for an independent review, would you?"

The room grew even quieter, the tension thickening. Michael knew that agreeing to an independent review could expose aspects of his work he wasn't ready to reveal. But refusing could make him look guilty.

Looks like he'll have to go with the latter.

"The part of the technology that I disclosed is already public knowledge," Michael said firmly and added. "However, there are certain aspects that are classified and proprietary. Revealing them would not only compromise our competitive advantage but could also lead to VirtuReal Innovations copying our technology."

Dr. Patel raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "Are you suggesting that VirtuReal Innovations, a company known for its innovation and originality, would resort to copying your work?"

Michael maintained his composure, meeting Dr. Patel's gaze steadily. "I'm suggesting that the details of our technology are crucial to our success, and sharing them openly would jeopardize our position in the market. We have a responsibility to protect our intellectual property, just as any company would."

Journalists scribbled notes and cameras captured every moment of the exchange. Michael knew he had to tread carefully, balancing transparency with protecting his company's interests.

Dr. Patel nodded slowly. "I understand the need to protect proprietary information, Mr. Reyes. However, the similarities between our designs cannot be ignored. We will pursue this matter through the appropriate legal channels to ensure that our intellectual property is respected."

Michael gave a curt nod. "We welcome any investigation that follows due process. Reyes Corporation operates with the highest standards of integrity, and we are confident in the originality of our work."

"Very well, that answers my question. I will take my seat now and allow the others to proceed," Dr. Patel said, returning to his place amidst the crowd.

Michael took a moment to compose himself, scanning the room for the next question. The journalists were eager, hands shooting up almost instantly.

A reporter from a major tech outlet was the first to be acknowledged. "Mr. Reyes, do you have any plans to collaborate with VirtuReal Innovations to possibly resolve these issues amicably, outside of court?"

Michael nodded thoughtfully before responding. "Reyes Corporation is always open to dialogue and collaboration. If VirtuReal Innovations wishes to discuss this matter further and seek a resolution that benefits both parties, we are willing to engage in those conversations.

However, our primary focus will always be on protecting our proprietary technology and ensuring the integrity of our innovations."

Another journalist from a prominent business magazine stood up. "Given the current situation, what measures will Reyes Corporation take to reassure its shareholders and customers of the company's stability and ethical practices?"

"We are implementing additional measures to enhance transparency and communication with our shareholders and customers. Regular updates will be provided, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards of ethical practices. Our commitment to innovation and excellence remains steadfast, and we believe that our actions will reflect that."

The questions continued, ranging from technical inquiries about the VR system to broader concerns about the company's future strategies. Michael handled each of them with care.

After the press conference concluded, Michael retreated to his office with Juliet, Bridget, and Antoinette. They needed to debrief and plan their next steps carefully.

"We managed to handle the situation well today," Michael began, addressing his team. "But the real challenge comes from the independent review."

"There's nothing to worry about if you have done nothing wrong, right?" Bridget asked, looking directly at Michael.

Michael hesitated, then nodded. "Of course."

Juliet leaned forward. "We should start by organizing all our development records and ensuring everything is in order. If we have to present them, we need to be ready."

Antoinette added, "We also need to manage the narrative in the media. If the story gets twisted, it could do more damage than the actual investigation. Ms. von Reimann, can you coordinate with our PR team on this?"

Bridget nodded. "I'll get on it right away."

"Alright, everyone. Let's get to work. We're in a challenging situation, but I have confidence in our team. Let's show everyone what Reyes Corporation is made of."

Of course, Michael had to appear strong in the front. They can handle and win this. So long as the VirtuReal Innovations hasn't found something incriminating in their architecture.