Jiang Han's office was unusually quiet as he pored over the latest reports from his operations team. The fallout from the exposé on Rajveer Krishnan was seismic. Across Petraling Jaya's business circles, whispers about Rajveer's underhanded tactics had reached a deafening crescendo. Former allies now kept their distance, and clients threatened lawsuits for breach of trust. Jiang should have felt triumphant, yet there was a faint unease in the air. A predator cornered was at its most dangerous.
System Notification:
Mission: Defend the Family Business from Escalating Attacks.
Objective: Neutralise Rajveer Krishnan's attempts to destabilise operations.
Reward: Crisis Management Skill (Advanced).
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Failure Consequence: Severe financial repercussions and loss of reputation.
Jiang's jaw tightened as he read the notification. If there was one thing the system had taught him, it was that rewards didn't come without proportional risks. He leaned back, letting the cold reality settle in.
"Rajveer won't take this lying down," he murmured to himself.
Hours later, Jiang received an urgent call from his logistics manager, Chen Wei. "Jiang Han, we've got a situation," Chen said, his voice tight with anxiety. "A rival firm is aggressively undercutting our routes. They've hired our former drivers and are offering discounted rates to our major clients."
Jiang frowned. "Let me guess—Rajveer?"
"Most likely. The timing and strategy are too precise to be anyone else."
Jiang nodded. "Understood. Pull up the affected client list and send it to me. I'll handle this."
As the call ended, Jiang turned to Jiang Yu, who had been observing silently. "Ge, do you think Rajveer has someone feeding him insider information?"
"It's possible," Jiang admitted. "But we'll need proof before making accusations."
Jiang Yu hesitated before speaking. "Then we need to play this carefully. If we show our hand too early, he'll adjust his tactics."
Jiang Han's lips curved into a faint smile. "Exactly. Let's lure him out into the open."
Jiang Han quickly devised a plan to turn the tables on Rajveer. Using dummy contracts and decoy negotiations, he created the illusion of significant vulnerabilities in his operations. The bait was simple: false information suggesting that Jiang's firm was on the verge of losing key distribution contracts. If Rajveer had a mole, they wouldn't be able to resist passing on the "intelligence."
Within days, the trap bore fruit. Rajveer's company launched an aggressive bid for the false contracts, revealing not only his tactics but also implicating his insider. Jiang had what he needed.
System Notification:
Progress Achieved: Identified Rajveer's mole within the company.
Bonus Opportunity: Negotiate the mole's departure strategically to gain leverage.
Jiang summoned Chen Wei and a senior HR officer to his office. "The mole is one of our assistant managers in the logistics department," Chen reported, his expression grim.
"Have they been confronted?" Jiang asked.
"No, we waited for your directive," Chen said.
Jiang considered his options. Simply firing the mole would send a message, but it wouldn't be enough to secure an upper hand. He needed to use this as an opportunity to strengthen his position against Rajveer.
"Call them in," Jiang said, his voice calm but firm.
When the assistant manager—a nervous man in his mid-thirties named Alvin—was brought into the room, Jiang wasted no time. "Alvin, I know you've been passing information to Rajveer Krishnan."
Alvin's face turned ashen. "Sir, I—"
"Don't bother denying it," Jiang interrupted. "I have the evidence, and so does HR."
Alvin stammered, "I... I was desperate. Rajveer promised me a better position if I helped him."
Jiang's expression didn't soften. "You've betrayed not just this company but the livelihoods of countless employees who depend on it. However, I'm willing to make you a deal."
Alvin blinked in surprise. "A deal?"
"Yes," Jiang said. "You'll provide me with everything Rajveer instructed you to do. Every detail, every conversation. In return, I'll ensure your departure from this company is discreet. Refuse, and I'll ensure you never work in this industry again."
Alvin's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'll cooperate."
System Notification:
Bonus Objective Completed: Secured inside intelligence from the mole.
Reward: Enhanced Negotiation Techniques.
Armed with Alvin's testimony and intelligence, Jiang launched a counteroffensive. He reached out to his firm's key clients, sharing evidence of Rajveer's interference while reaffirming his company's commitment to ethical business practices. The move not only shored up client loyalty but also earned Jiang praise for his transparency.
At the same time, Jiang orchestrated a campaign to discredit Rajveer's latest ventures. Anonymous tips to regulatory authorities highlighted the irregularities in Rajveer's bids, leading to investigations that stalled his operations.
While Jiang's strategy was proving effective, Rajveer wasn't one to admit defeat easily. Late one evening, Jiang received a call from an unknown number.
"You've pushed too far, Jiang Han," Rajveer's voice growled. "This isn't over."
Jiang's grip on the phone tightened. "Rajveer, you brought this on yourself. You can't win through deceit and expect no consequences."
Rajveer chuckled darkly. "Let's see if you can handle what's coming next."
The line went dead, leaving Jiang with a sense of foreboding.
Determined not to let Rajveer's threats shake him, Jiang doubled down on fortifying his company's defences. He implemented stricter data security measures and conducted thorough checks across all departments to ensure no further leaks.
Jiang Yu, ever the supportive brother, stepped in to handle the morale of the team. "Ge, everyone's looking up to you. They trust your leadership. We'll get through this."
Jiang offered a faint smile. "Thanks, Yu. We'll weather this storm together."
System Notification:
Mission Progress: Defended the family business from escalating attacks. Final confrontation pending.
Jiang Han's next move was to go on the offensive in a way that would hit Rajveer where it hurt most—his reputation among his high-profile clientele. With Alvin's testimony in hand, Jiang carefully crafted a series of anonymous leaks to key business publications. The information painted a damning picture of Rajveer's unethical practices, including his attempts to sabotage Jiang's family business through underhanded tactics.
The leaks were timed to perfection. By morning, the headlines were ablaze:
"Rajveer Krishnan Under Fire: Allegations of Corporate Espionage Surface!"
Jiang observed the media frenzy unfold from his desk, his lips curling into a smirk. He knew Rajveer would scramble to control the damage, but the seed of doubt had already been planted among his allies.
By midday, Jiang received confirmation that several of Rajveer's clients had pulled out of negotiations, citing "ethical concerns." The ripple effect was immediate; Rajveer's company's stock price took a hit, and whispers of discontent spread among his investors.
System Notification:
Bonus Progress: Successfully destabilised Rajveer Krishnan's business network.
Reward: Enhanced Strategic Planning Skills.
Just as Jiang was savouring his small victory, he received a call from Chen Wei. The urgency in his tone made Jiang sit upright.
"Jiang Han, we've got a problem. There's been an accident involving one of our key delivery trucks. The cargo was sabotaged, and the driver is in the hospital."
Jiang's grip on the phone tightened. "Sabotaged? Are you certain?"
"Positive. The brakes were tampered with. This wasn't an accident—it was deliberate."
Jiang's mind raced. Rajveer was escalating his tactics, moving from financial and reputational attacks to physical threats. This wasn't just business anymore—it was personal.
"I'll head to the hospital to check on the driver," Jiang said. "In the meantime, gather any evidence from the scene and notify the authorities."
When Jiang arrived at the hospital, he found the driver, Mr. Leong, resting in a private room. The man looked shaken but thankfully not severely injured.
"Mr. Leong, I'm glad you're okay," Jiang said, his voice steady despite the storm brewing within him.
"Thank you, sir," Leong replied, his voice weak. "I don't know who would do this... but I swear I checked the truck thoroughly before leaving the warehouse."
Jiang placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about that now. Just focus on recovering. We'll get to the bottom of this."
As Jiang left the room, he was approached by an investigator from the police, who handed him preliminary findings.
"The sabotage was deliberate," the investigator confirmed. "We found evidence of tampering, but it's clear the perpetrator was skilled. This wasn't amateur work."
Jiang nodded grimly. "Thank you. Please keep me updated on the investigation."
Back at the office, Jiang called an emergency meeting with his core team. Jiang Yu, Chen Wei, and other department heads gathered around the conference table, their expressions tense.
"Rajveer has crossed a line," Jiang began, his voice firm. "This isn't just a business rivalry anymore. He's endangering lives, and we can't let this go unchecked."
"What do you propose, Ge?" Jiang Yu asked.
Jiang's gaze hardened. "We double down. Strengthen our security measures across all operations—drivers, warehouses, and delivery routes. Make sure everyone knows to stay vigilant."
He turned to Chen Wei. "Coordinate with legal and the authorities. I want Rajveer held accountable for this."
"And what about the media?" Jiang Yu asked.
"We use this to our advantage," Jiang replied. "But we tread carefully. If we're too overt, it could backfire. Let the facts speak for themselves—leak only what's necessary."
Later that evening, Jiang received an invitation to a high-profile networking event. He knew Rajveer would be there—it was exactly the kind of stage he thrived on.
Dressed in a tailored suit, Jiang arrived at the event with Jiang Yu by his side. As expected, Rajveer was holding court among a group of executives, his laughter echoing across the room.
Jiang approached with a calm confidence that belied the tension in the air. Rajveer's smile faltered as their eyes met, but he quickly recovered.
"Jiang Han," Rajveer greeted, his tone dripping with false warmth. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Jiang's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I thought it was time we had a proper chat."
Rajveer's expression darkened. "Is that so? Well, I hope you're here to apologise for the baseless accusations tarnishing my reputation."
Jiang chuckled lightly. "Baseless? That's an interesting choice of words, considering the evidence piling up against you. But I'm not here to argue."
"Oh?" Rajveer's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Then what are you here for?"
"To remind you," Jiang said, his tone steady, "that actions have consequences. You've made this personal, Rajveer. I hope you're prepared for what's coming next."
Rajveer's smirk wavered, but he quickly masked it with bravado. "Careful, Jiang. You don't know who you're dealing with."
Jiang leaned in slightly, his voice low but resolute. "Neither do you."
As Jiang walked away, he felt a renewed sense of determination. This battle with Rajveer wasn't just about business—it was about protecting the people who relied on him and proving that integrity could triumph over deceit.
System Notification:
Mission Update: Defended against Rajveer's escalation. The final stage is pending.
Reward Progress: Crisis Management Skill (Advanced).