Marcus Lyle wasn't the kind of man to be caught off guard for long. He prided himself on being a step ahead of his competition, always ready to retaliate with a well-placed strike. But Kevin's counterattack wasn't just a strike—it was a masterstroke of corporate warfare.
Kevin's system had provided him with more than just defensive measures. With the covert technology unlocked, Kevin had access to data that could ruin Marcus from the inside out. He used his newfound knowledge to orchestrate a series of financial maneuvers that destabilized Marcus's business holdings. Stocks plummeted. Investors panicked. And most crucially, Marcus's credibility in the eyes of the Shadow Consortium was severely damaged.
The ripple effect was immediate. Major news outlets reported on the "unexpected downturn" of Marcus's empire, speculating on everything from poor management to hidden scandals. Kevin knew Marcus would retaliate again, but this time, the damage was done. The Shadow Consortium valued power, and Marcus had just shown a significant weakness.
Kevin sat in his office, watching the news roll in, a satisfied smile on his face. His assistant, Laura, walked in, holding a tablet.
"Mr. Wright, the stock reports from Lyle Industries have just come in. They've lost 14% of their market value in the last hour. And the board is considering removing Marcus from his position as CEO."
Kevin leaned back in his chair, his smile widening. "Good. Let them bleed."
Laura glanced at the screen. "Do you think this is the end of Marcus?"
Kevin's eyes flickered with amusement. "Oh, no. This is just the beginning."
Just as he said that, his system pinged with a new task.
"Task complete: Destabilize Marcus Lyle's empire. Reward: Influence within the Shadow Consortium increased. New task available."
He tapped the notification, curious about his next move.
"New Task: Establish new alliances within the Shadow Consortium. Suggested Target: Caleb Sterling."
Caleb Sterling was one of the most powerful men within the consortium, a reclusive billionaire with stakes in nearly every major industry worldwide. If Kevin could win Caleb over, it would solidify his position within the consortium, giving him the leverage he needed to not only fend off Marcus but also to dominate the inner circle.
"Caleb Sterling," Kevin murmured. "Looks like we're making some new friends."