Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 243: The Beginning of the Legal Battle

February 8th, 2028

Michael Reyes stepped off his Boeing 787 Dreamliner onto the tarmac of San Francisco International Airport. The cool breeze of the Bay Area was a stark contrast to the tropical warmth of the Philippines. He took a moment to breathe deeply, steeling himself for the days ahead.

This trip, his first to the United States, was not one of leisure or celebration, but a critical battle for his company's future.

Juliet followed closely behind, her expression serious but supportive. "Welcome to California, Michael. The car is waiting to take us to the hotel."

Michael nodded, appreciating her efficiency. They walked briskly across the tarmac to the waiting black SUV. As they drove through the bustling city, Michael's mind was occupied with the upcoming court appearance. He replayed the key points of their defense strategy over and over, ensuring he was prepared for any questions that might arise.

Upon arrival at the hotel, they were greeted by the concierge, who escorted them to a private conference room where their U.S. legal team was already assembled. Thomas Collins, the lead counsel, stood up to greet them as they entered.

"Mr. Reyes, welcome. I hope your flight was comfortable," Collins said, shaking Michael's hand firmly.

"It was, thank you," Michael replied. "Let's get started. We have a lot to cover."

They settled into the conference room, the table strewn with documents, laptops, and coffee cups. Collins began the meeting by outlining the agenda.

"We have three days until the preliminary hearing. Our primary focus will be on solidifying your testimony and ensuring all our documentation is in order. We'll also go over potential questions from VirtuReal's legal team and the judge."

Sarah Thompson, who had flown in from the Philippines with them, added, "We've compiled all the development logs and internal communications. Everything is organized chronologically to show the independent progression of our technology."

"Okay, are there any photos, or CCTV cameras?" Thomas Collins asked, looking at the documents spread before him.

Michael shook his head. "No, there are no photos or videos. The nature of our work is highly confidential, so we didn't allow cameras or recording devices in the development area. You'll have to trust the timestamps and dates in our logs and documentation."

Collins nodded, though his expression was one of concern. "We'll need to ensure that the metadata for all these documents is intact and can be verified independently. The lack of visual evidence may make it harder, but if we have strong chronological data, we can still build a solid case."

"Why do you sound so concerned? Would the judge not trust our documentation?" Michael asked

Collins sighed. "It's not that simple. In cases like this, especially involving cutting-edge technology and proprietary information, judges and juries tend to rely heavily on tangible evidence. Without photos or videos, we're leaning heavily on the integrity of our digital records. We need to make sure there's no room for doubt."

Michael rubbed his chin, "We have extensive email threads and internal communications that corroborate the development timeline. I think that should help."

Sarah nodded in agreement. "Those communications are critical. We need to highlight the consistency and detail in our documentation. The more thorough we are, the stronger our case."

Collins leaned forward, his tone resolute. "We'll cross-check all the metadata to ensure it's airtight. Any discrepancies could be exploited by VirtuReal's legal team, so we have to be meticulous."

Juliet added, "I've also instructed the team back home to be on standby in case we need additional information or clarifications. They're prepared to assist us at any moment."

Michael felt a sense of relief at the thoroughness of their preparation. "Alright, let's make sure everything is in perfect order. We can't afford any mistakes."

The team spent the next several hours reviewing and organizing the evidence. Collins and his team meticulously verified each document, cross-referencing metadata and timestamps. They rehearsed potential lines of questioning and refined their defense strategy, ensuring Michael was well-prepared for the preliminary hearing.

February 9th, 2028

The day before the hearing, Michael woke early, unable to sleep with the weight of the upcoming confrontation on his mind. He reviewed his notes once more, then headed to a final meeting with his legal team.

At the law firm's office, Collins greeted him with a reassuring smile. "You're ready for this, Michael. We've covered everything. Just stay calm and stick to the facts."

Michael nodded, appreciating the confidence. "I will. Let's go through it one last time."

They spent the day refining the details of their strategy, leaving no stone unturned. As the sun set over the Golden Gate Bridge, Michael felt a sense of resolve. He knew the next day would be challenging, but he was prepared to defend his work and his company.

February 10th, 2028

The morning of the preliminary hearing, Michael dressed carefully, choosing a dark suit that conveyed professionalism and confidence. Juliet accompanied him to the courthouse, where they were met by Collins and the rest of the legal team.

As they entered the courtroom, Michael breathed in.

This was it—the beginning of a legal battle that could shape the future of Reyes Corporation.

"Good morning," Collins said quietly as they approached the defense table. "Remember, stay calm, and answer each question clearly and confidently. We've prepared thoroughly for this."

Michael nodded with determination. He took his seat, arranging his documents neatly in front of him. The courtroom buzzed with activity as the VirtuReal legal team arrived with stern and serious expressions.

The judge entered the room, and everyone stood. "Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Anderson presiding."

Judge Anderson, a woman in her early fifties with a no-nonsense demeanor, took her seat and reviewed the case file briefly before looking up. "We are here today for the preliminary hearing in the case of VirtuReal Innovations v. Reyes Corporation. Let's begin with opening statements."

James Carter, lead counsel for VirtuReal, stood up first. "Your Honor, VirtuReal Innovations alleges that Reyes Corporation has unlawfully utilized our proprietary algorithms in their VR technology. We have substantial evidence, including development logs and code comparisons, that show clear infringement.

We seek to protect our intellectual property and request a thorough examination of all related documents from the defense."

Carter's statement was concise, and he sat down confidently. Collins then stood up, addressing the court.

"Your Honor, Reyes Corporation vehemently denies these allegations. Our technology was developed independently, and we have comprehensive documentation to prove this. We welcome the opportunity to present our evidence and demonstrate the originality of our work."