Jiang Han sat in his office, fingers interlocked as he carefully reviewed the new developments. The exposé had achieved its intended impact, leaving Hafiy Zafran's empire on shaky ground. The scandal continued to make waves, with news outlets and social media abuzz with updates. Yet, Jiang Han knew better than to rest on his laurels. Hafiy was cornered, and cornered predators tended to lash out.
A sharp knock at the door broke his thoughts. Jiang Yu entered, holding a file and looking concerned.
"Ge," Jiang Yu began, placing the file on the desk. "Our contacts are reporting unusual activity. Hafiy's been mobilising his remaining resources. It looks like he's planning something big."
Jiang Han opened the file, scanning its contents. The reports detailed a series of secretive meetings involving Hafiy and his remaining allies. Jiang Han's jaw tightened. "He's desperate. That makes him dangerous. But desperation also breeds mistakes."
Jiang Yu nodded. "What's our move?"
"We'll stay ahead of him," Jiang Han said, his tone steady. "If Hafiy wants to fight, we'll ensure he fights on our terms."
Meanwhile, Hafiy Zafran sat in his opulent home, surrounded by his remaining loyalists. His expression was one of cold fury as he slammed a fist onto the table. "I refuse to let that upstart Jiang Han destroy everything I've built!"
One of his associates, a wiry man named Faiz Aqil, leaned forward. "The regulators are tightening the noose around us. We need a diversion—something to shift the narrative."
Hafiy's lips curled into a predatory smile. "Then let's give them a story they can't ignore. If Jiang Han wants a war, we'll show him what real power looks like."
The next morning, Jiang Han received an unexpected visitor at the office. Syed Fariz walked in, his usually calm demeanour replaced by an air of urgency.
"You've rattled Hafiy, Jiang," Syed said as he sat down. "He's planning to retaliate, and he's not playing fair."
Jiang Han raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Syed leaned in, lowering his voice. "Word is, he's targeting your family. He's planning to disrupt your family's logistics hubs through underhanded means—sabotage, bribery, even staged accidents."
A cold anger settled in Jiang Han's chest. "Targeting my family is a mistake he'll regret."
Syed nodded. "I thought you'd say that. I've got people keeping an eye on his movements, but you'll need to act fast."
Jiang Han stood, his mind racing as he formulated a plan. "Thank you for the warning, Syed. I owe you one."
Jiang Han wasted no time. That evening, he gathered his family, including Jiang Yu, in their home to explain the situation.
"Ge, are you sure Hafiy would go this far?" Jiang Yu asked, his concern evident.
"Desperation makes people irrational," Jiang Han replied. "We can't underestimate him."
Their parents listened intently, their expressions a mix of worry and resolve. Jiang Han's father spoke up. "Son, what do you need us to do?"
"Stay vigilant," Jiang Han said. "I've already arranged for additional security at our logistics hubs. Jiang Yu and I will handle the strategy."
Jiang Yu nodded, his determination matching his brother's. "We've got this."
Jiang Han spent the next few days working tirelessly to counter Hafiy's moves. Using his connections and the resources of the Begging System, he bolstered security measures and established contingency plans. The system chimed in his mind as he reviewed his progress.
System Notification:
Mission Update: Neutralise Hafiy's Sabotage Attempts
Reward Progress: Advanced Strategic Command Skill
Bonus Hidden Reward Progress: ?
Jiang Han smirked. "Hafiy doesn't realise he's already lost."
Despite Jiang Han's preparations, Hafiy managed to execute a series of attacks. One of Jiang Logistics' major hubs was temporarily shut down after a suspicious fire broke out. Another shipment was delayed due to tampered documents.
Jiang Han's phone buzzed constantly as reports poured in. Each setback only fuelled his resolve. "He's throwing everything he has at us," Jiang Han said to Jiang Yu during a late-night strategy meeting.
"But he's spreading himself too thin," Jiang Yu pointed out. "If we keep our focus, we can turn this around."
Jiang Han nodded. "Exactly. It's time to strike back."
Using the intel provided by Syed Fariz, Jiang Han identified Hafiy's remaining weak points. He focused his efforts on exposing Hafiy's illegal activities to the public, using independent journalists and whistle-blowers to highlight the full extent of Hafiy's corruption.
The results were immediate. Public opinion turned sharply against Hafiy, and his remaining allies began to distance themselves from him. Even the regulators, already under scrutiny, were forced to take action.
Hafiy's empire, once a formidable force, was crumbling before his eyes.
Late one evening, Jiang Han received a call from Hafiy. The man's voice was laced with venom. "You've won this round, Jiang. But don't think for a second that this is over."
Jiang Han's response was calm but firm. "Hafiy, your downfall was inevitable. You built your empire on lies and corruption. This is just the beginning."
The call ended, leaving Jiang Han with a sense of closure. He had emerged victorious, but he knew the fight for transparency and fairness in the industry was far from over.
As the dust settled on Hafiy Zafran's crumbling empire, Jiang Han couldn't shake the feeling that the final chapter in their rivalry hadn't been written. The moves and countermoves of the past week had felt too much like an overture to something larger. Hafiy's last call replayed in his mind—bitterness, rage, and desperation lacing every word. Jiang Han knew better than to let his guard down.
The next day, Jiang Han and Jiang Yu sat in their shared office, poring over plans to further reinforce their logistics operations. Jiang Yu's quick thinking had already prevented two more potential acts of sabotage, and the brothers had developed a rhythm of seamless coordination.
"Ge, this came for you," Jiang Yu said, passing over a cream-coloured envelope. The handwriting on the front was bold and slanted, the kind used by those who exuded confidence.
Jiang Han opened it, scanning the contents. His brows furrowed. "Hafiy's calling for a meeting."
Jiang Yu's eyes widened. "A meeting? Is he serious?"
"Deadly serious, from the tone of this letter. He's proposing a truce."
Jiang Yu leaned back in his chair, scepticism written all over his face. "Do you believe him?"
"Not for a second," Jiang Han replied. "But I'm going. Hafiy's cornered, and he's dangerous. If I refuse, it might provoke him into something reckless. Better to meet him on neutral ground and control the narrative."
Jiang Han replied to the letter, agreeing to the meeting under specific conditions. It would take place in a public venue, with security provided by a third party. Hafiy's acceptance came swiftly, and Jiang Han prepared carefully for the encounter.
"You think he'll pull something underhanded, Ge?" Jiang Yu asked as they reviewed the final details.
"It's Hafiy. Of course, he will. But this time, I'll be ready."