### **Arc 3: The Rise of the Rival**
#### **Chapter 4: Pressures of the Game**
The soft chime of a notification pulled Jae-min from his thoughts as he sat in the sleek conference room of his newest tech firm. His phone displayed an encrypted message from Elyra, marked with high priority.
"Check your inbox. Noah made his move," the message read.
Jae-min frowned. Noah's retaliation had come faster than expected. Swiping through the documents Elyra had sent, he saw the details of Noah's latest maneuver—a hostile takeover attempt on one of Jae-min's critical supply partners.
His eyes scanned the data quickly. Noah's method was bold, even reckless, but it could cripple Jae-min's current project if allowed to succeed.
So-ra entered the room with her tablet in hand, her expression grim. "I just got the update. This is bad. Noah's leveraging his connections with the Grayson family to push this through."
"The Graysons?" Jae-min leaned back, his tone cold. "That explains why he's so confident."
The Grayson family was one of the most powerful players in the finance world. Their influence was vast, and their resources nearly limitless. If Noah had their backing, this wasn't just a financial battle—it was a declaration of war.
Elyra's holographic form flickered into view. "We can still counter this. I've already begun compiling the vulnerabilities in Noah's plan. With the right timing, we can turn this attack into an opportunity."
Jae-min stood, his mind racing. "So-ra, gather the legal team and get them working on securing our contracts with the supplier. Elyra, send a message to our media contacts. I want an exposé on the Grayson family's history of underhanded deals. We'll show the world who they're aligning with."
---
By midday, the wheels were in motion. So-ra and the legal team worked tirelessly to solidify the supply contracts, ensuring that Noah's takeover attempt would hit roadblocks. Meanwhile, Elyra orchestrated a strategic media campaign to expose the shady dealings of the Graysons.
Jae-min, however, knew this wasn't enough. Noah was too calculating to rely solely on brute force. He needed to anticipate the next move.
---
Later that evening, Jae-min found himself at an exclusive gala hosted by the Grayson family. The event was a display of power, with wealthy elites mingling under the glittering chandeliers of the grand ballroom. Jae-min's entrance didn't go unnoticed. Heads turned, whispers followed, and the atmosphere shifted.
As he moved through the crowd, his eyes landed on Noah, standing confidently by the bar. Their gazes met, and a smirk tugged at Noah's lips. He raised his glass in a mocking toast before turning back to his conversation.
Jae-min ignored the provocation, instead focusing on his true target—Vivian Grayson, the eldest daughter of the Grayson family and one of their key decision-makers. She stood near the center of the room, surrounded by admirers.
"Vivian," Jae-min greeted her smoothly, stepping into the circle. "It's been a while."
Vivian's sharp green eyes studied him, her smile polite but guarded. "Jae-min. I didn't expect to see you here tonight."
"I wouldn't miss the opportunity to catch up with old friends," he said, his tone charming. "But I have to admit, I'm curious about your family's recent activities. It seems Noah's been keeping you busy."
Her smile faltered slightly. "Business is business, Jae-min. You know how it is."
"Of course," he replied, his tone light. "But aligning with someone like Noah… well, let's just say I hope you've done your due diligence."
Vivian's eyes narrowed. "And what exactly are you implying?"
Jae-min leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Just that Noah has a habit of burning bridges when things don't go his way. If you're not careful, your family might find itself holding the ashes."
Before she could respond, a commotion erupted near the entrance. Reporters had managed to slip past security, cameras flashing as they bombarded guests with questions about the Graysons' latest dealings.
Jae-min smirked inwardly. Elyra had timed the release of the exposé perfectly. The sudden media attention threw the gala into chaos, and Vivian's expression darkened.
"I see you've come prepared," she said coolly, her voice laced with irritation.
"Always," Jae-min replied. "And I suggest you do the same. The game we're playing isn't one you can afford to lose."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Vivian to deal with the fallout.
---
Back at his penthouse, Jae-min watched the news coverage of the gala, satisfaction evident on his face. The Graysons were now under scrutiny, their reputation taking a hit. It wasn't a decisive victory, but it was a step in the right direction.
Elyra appeared beside him, her holographic form glowing softly in the dim light. "That was a bold move, Jae-min. But Noah won't take this lying down."
"I know," he said, his voice firm. "But neither will I. This is just the beginning."
As the city lights twinkled outside the window, Jae-min's resolve hardened. The battle with Noah was far from over, but he was ready for whatever came next.