Jiang Han's success in negotiating with Rayyan Hakimi had put his company in a formidable position. The influx of resources and the newfound connections gave his business an edge, but the alliance came with an undercurrent of tension. Rayyan's family, though agreeing to silent partnership terms, was not known for staying in the shadows.
Meanwhile, Rajveer Krishnan's attempts to sabotage Jiang's logistics empire continued to escalate. With every day that passed, it became evident that Rajveer was playing a deeper game. Jiang couldn't afford to rest, not when enemies were circling from all sides.
One evening, as Jiang was working late in his office, Jiang Yu burst in, his face alight with urgency.
"Ge, you won't believe this," Jiang Yu said, dropping a folder onto the desk.
Jiang glanced up from his monitor and opened the folder. Inside were reports detailing Rajveer's alliances with smaller, struggling logistics firms. These firms were acting as intermediaries, funnelling deals that Rajveer had poached from Jiang's client base.
"This is why our smaller clients have been hesitant," Jiang said, his brow furrowing. "Rajveer is using them to undercut us while hiding his direct involvement."
Jiang Yu nodded. "But here's the twist—one of these firms just reached out to us. They're offering to expose Rajveer in exchange for a deal."
Jiang leaned back in his chair, considering the implications. "If we accept, it could undermine Rajveer significantly. But we also risk being seen as underhanded."
System Notification:
Mission: Handle the Intermediary Firm's Proposal.
Objective: Extract useful intelligence without compromising your company's reputation.
Reward: Deception Resistance Skill (Advanced).
Failure Consequence: Reputation damage within the logistics industry.
Jiang smiled faintly. The system never failed to complicate things. "Set up a meeting with them," he said to Jiang Yu. "Let's hear what they have to say."
The intermediary firm's representative, a wiry man named Lim Kiat Seng, met Jiang and Jiang Yu at a quiet teahouse in Petraling Jaya. His demeanour was nervous, but his intentions were clear.
"We don't want to work with Rajveer anymore," Lim admitted. "He's squeezing us dry and forcing us to take unethical risks. But if we back out, he'll destroy what's left of our business."
"And you think we can help you?" Jiang asked, his tone measured.
Lim nodded. "You're the only one standing up to him. If you protect us, we'll give you everything—client lists, communications, proof of his tactics."
Jiang exchanged a glance with Jiang Yu. It was a tempting offer, but he couldn't ignore the risks. "If we take you on, you'll need to clean up your operations. No shady deals, no cutting corners. Can you commit to that?"
Lim hesitated before nodding. "We can. Just... don't let him crush us."
System Notification:
Progress: Intermediary Agreement at 50%.
Unbeknownst to Jiang, Rajveer had caught wind of the meeting. True to form, he retaliated swiftly and viciously. By the next morning, social media was ablaze with posts accusing Jiang's company of engaging in unethical practices. Fake reviews flooded online platforms, painting his business in a negative light.
"What's the damage?" Jiang asked his PR manager during an emergency meeting.
"We've managed to take down some of the fake reviews, but the rumours are spreading," the manager said grimly. "Clients are starting to ask questions."
Jiang's mind raced. If he didn't address this immediately, it could snowball into a full-blown crisis.
"Launch a transparency campaign," Jiang instructed. "Showcase our operations, highlight our client testimonials, and invite journalists to tour our facilities. We'll drown out the lies with the truth."
Jiang Yu hesitated. "What about Rajveer? He's not going to stop."
"Let him try," Jiang said, his eyes hard. "We're not just going to survive this—we're going to turn it into an opportunity."
As the transparency campaign rolled out, Jiang shifted his focus to Lim Kiat Seng's promised intelligence. The documents provided a treasure trove of information, including Rajveer's communication logs with other logistics firms and his strategies for undercutting Jiang.
Using this information, Jiang crafted a counter-strategy. He identified Rajveer's weakest links—clients who were dissatisfied with his aggressive tactics—and approached them personally. With his characteristic charm and strategic thinking, he persuaded many of them to switch back.
One client, a mid-sized e-commerce company, was particularly sceptical. The CEO, a stern woman named Datin Suraya, demanded proof of Jiang's integrity.
"I've heard good things about your services," she admitted. "But how can I trust you when these rumours are everywhere?"
Jiang leaned forward, meeting her gaze. "Datin Suraya, I can't erase the lies overnight, but I can offer you something better—transparency. Visit our facilities, speak to our employees, and see for yourself. If we don't meet your expectations, you're free to walk away."
Her eyes narrowed, but she nodded. "You've got yourself a deal."
By the end of the week, Jiang's transparency campaign had borne fruit. Clients who had wavered returned, and new inquiries poured in. However, the battle had taken a toll on his team, who were exhausted from the relentless pace.
Jiang gathered them for a meeting, his tone both firm and reassuring. "We've faced challenges that would have broken lesser companies, and we've come out stronger. But this is just the beginning. Stay focused, stay united, and we'll continue to rise."
His words had the desired effect, reigniting their determination.
System Notification:
Mission Complete: Handle the Intermediary Firm's Proposal.
Reward Unlocked: Deception Resistance Skill (Advanced).
While Jiang celebrated his victory, Rajveer seethed in frustration. His plans had been thwarted, and his reputation was taking a hit. But Rajveer was nothing if not resourceful.
"I underestimated him," Rajveer admitted to his father, Krishnaraj Bala, during a tense meeting. "But he's not invincible."
Krishnaraj's expression was unreadable. "If you can't beat him through business, find another way. Exploit his weaknesses—his family, his alliances. Everyone has a breaking point."
Rajveer's eyes gleamed with renewed determination. "He won't see it coming."
Jiang Han sat in his office, fingers steepled under his chin, eyes locked on the intelligence spread across his desk. The insight from Lim Kiat Seng was invaluable, but Rajveer's escalating tactics made it clear that Jiang couldn't rely on a defensive strategy alone. He needed to strike back—boldly, decisively, and in a way that left Rajveer with no room for retaliation.
"Ge," Jiang Yu said as he entered, holding a steaming cup of tea. "The transparency campaign is doing well. Clients are reaching out with positive feedback. But…" He hesitated.
Jiang raised an eyebrow. "But?"
"Rajveer has ramped up his smear campaign. He's roped in a few media outlets, offering them incentives to run hit pieces on us."
Jiang sighed, the weariness of the past few weeks creeping into his posture. "It's a pattern with him. He can't win fairly, so he resorts to mudslinging."
Jiang Yu frowned. "So, what's the plan? Another campaign? Legal action?"
Jiang leaned back, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Neither. This time, we're taking the fight to him."
Jiang called his trusted advisors for a late-night meeting. Around the table, his team exchanged concerned glances as Jiang laid out his plan.
"Rajveer thrives on his reputation," Jiang began. "He's known for being cutthroat but effective. If we dismantle that façade, he'll lose the confidence of his allies and clients."
"And how do we do that?" asked Jiang Yu, leaning forward.
Jiang pointed to a chart on the projector screen. "We expose his double-dealings. We've got proof that he's undercutting his own partners to secure quick wins. If we make this public, he'll have to answer to his allies."
"But won't that paint us as vindictive?" one advisor asked.
Jiang shook his head. "Not if we position it as a cautionary tale. We don't accuse him directly; we share the evidence anonymously through a trusted journalist. Let the facts speak for themselves."
The next morning, a detailed exposé appeared in Malayuna Daily News. The article outlined Rajveer's unethical practices, complete with supporting documents provided by an anonymous source. Social media buzzed with speculation, and Rajveer's name trended for all the wrong reasons.
By mid-afternoon, Jiang's phone buzzed with a notification.
System Notification:
Mission Update: Rajveer's operations were disrupted. Bonus opportunity detected.
The exposé hit Rajveer harder than expected. His allies demanded explanations, and several of his clients severed ties. For the first time, Rajveer felt the sting of public humiliation.
As Jiang watched the fallout unfold, he knew this was just the beginning. Rajveer wouldn't back down easily—but neither would Jiang.