Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 245: Backed Against the Corner

In the quiet corner of the courtroom. Michael glanced at the spot where the VirtuReal legal team was huddled, speaking in low tones. He turned to Collins, his expression tense.

"Collins, what do you think they have up their sleeves?" Michael asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Collins sighed, rubbing his temples. "They're playing hardball, Michael. The surprise evidence about the facility is a strong move. We need to make sure our counter-evidence is airtight. But it is going to be a tight defense because there's no such thing as temporary structures. Mr.

Reyes, is it true that there is nothing?"

Michael nodded gravely. "There isn't and there is. I know it's confusing, but I am developing the technology from a place that is kept secret from everyone. Only I know."

"Then this would put us at a disadvantage because you already told the court there were temporary structures. If we deviate from that story now, it will damage our credibility further," Collins responded, his frustration clear.

Michael started thinking of a way. "Since they wanted video footage or images where I develop the VR technology, then I will just have to show them."

"Mr. Reyes, so you have this documentation? Is it something we can present in court?" Collins asked a flicker of hope in his eyes.

Michael nodded. "Yes, I have some recorded sessions and images that document the development process. They were kept secure, but given the situation, I think it's necessary to reveal them."

Collins looked relieved. "That could turn the tide in our favor. But we need to be very careful about how we present this. It has to be irrefutable."

They returned to their seats as the recess ended and the court reconvened. Judge Anderson took her place, and the room settled into a hushed silence.

"Mr. Collins, do you have anything further to present?" Judge Anderson asked.

Collins stood up. "Yes, Your Honor. We have additional evidence that directly supports our claim. With the court's permission, we would like to present video footage and images documenting the development of our VR technology."

Judge Anderson raised an eyebrow. "Proceed."

Collins motioned to Michael, who grabbed his cellphone containing a video and an image of him working on the technology from inside the Virtual World features of the technological system.

"Is it okay if I present the phone directly, Your Honor? The files are stored securely on this device, and I can walk the court through them step-by-step."

Judge Anderson nodded. "Yes, you may present the evidence directly from your device."

Michael approached the judge with his phone, showing the relevant video and images. As he did, Collins provided a narrative.

"Your Honor, these videos and images were recorded in a highly secure environment, documenting Mr. Reyes' work on the VR technology. Each file is timestamped and corresponds to our development logs and communications."

The first video showed Michael in a high-tech lab, surrounded by advanced VR equipment. He was seen interacting with various components, explaining their functions, and demonstrating the development process. The timestamps clearly indicated the footage was from two years ago.

Though it was just a simple edit, those fabricated timestamps were made in a way that correlated exactly with the documentation made by Reyes Corporation.

Judge Anderson examined the evidence closely. "Mr. Carter, do you have any objections or questions regarding this new evidence?"

"Your Honor, I have several questions regarding this new evidence," Carter said, his tone pointed. "First, Mr. Reyes, can you specify the exact location of this high-tech lab shown in the video?"

"Mr. Reyes, please answer the question," Judge Anderson prompted.

Michael gulped, feeling the weight of the courtroom's gaze. He knew revealing too much about the secret facility could jeopardize everything.

Before Michael could respond, Collins stood up quickly. "Objection, Your Honor. The specific location of the lab is irrelevant to the authenticity of the video evidence presented. What matters is the documented development process and the timestamps that correlate with our logs."

Judge Anderson considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Sustained. Mr. Carter, please focus your questions on the relevance of the evidence provided."

Carter's expression tightened, but he nodded. "Very well, Your Honor. In this case, we have no further questions regarding the video evidence at this time."

Judge Anderson looked between the two legal teams before making her decision. "Given the new evidence presented by the defense, I will take some time to review all documentation and footage thoroughly. We will reconvene tomorrow at 9 AM to discuss the findings and decide on the next steps."

With a firm rap of the gavel, Judge Anderson adjourned the session. Michael let out a slow breath, feeling the tension in the room ease slightly. He and Collins gathered their documents.

Back at their hotel, Michael and Collins sat down to debrief.

"We've managed to buy some time, but we need to prepare for tomorrow. But to prepare, you have to be honest with us, Mr. Reyes. Because we can't save you without knowing everything," Collins said, looking at Michael intently.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Collins but I think it would be impossible to tell you where I developed that technology. Can you just focus on another aspect? Things like our relationship with VirtuReal, which is basically nonexistent? Look, I haven't met them. It's all a coincidence."

"Mr. Reyes, can I ask you something?" Collins asked.

"What is it?"

"The technology you invented, the solar panels, the Medipod, the cure for Alzheimer's, the electric vehicles that are more advanced than any automotive industry in the world, everything that you have introduced. Was it developed from where the video and image were taken?" Collins asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Michael hesitated, then nodded slowly.

Collins sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright. So it's a secret laboratory. In the case of a secret laboratory, the challenge is that we can't reveal its location without compromising its security. But we need to establish its credibility somehow."

What do you suggest?"

Collins thought for a moment. "We need to find a way to corroborate the existence and operation of this facility without giving away its location. Perhaps we can focus on the personnel who worked there. Are there any team members who can testify to the conditions and security measures in place, without disclosing the location?"

"There was none. Only I was allowed to enter the facility," Michael admitted, looking troubled.

Collins rubbed his temples again, clearly stressed by the complexity of the situation. "This complicates things. We need something tangible Mr. Reyes. What we need is a witness. We can't invite the people that you have in your facility.

We need a person that was in that laboratory."

Shit…I don't know what to do.