### Arc 3: The Rise of the Rival
#### Chapter 13: **The Counterstrike Begins**
The early hours of the morning brought a sense of tension in the air. Jae-min sat in his office, a steaming cup of coffee on the desk as Elyra displayed the latest data from Noah's counterattacks. The holographic screen showed a flood of articles, social media posts, and news reports aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
"Impressive," Jae-min muttered, scrolling through the reports. "Noah's pulling out all the stops. False allegations, doctored evidence, even fake interviews."
Elyra nodded, her expression calm but focused. "It's aggressive, but expected. He's trying to turn public opinion against you while you're still riding the wave of the gala exposé. If we don't respond strategically, it could cause long-term damage."
Ji-ah burst into the room, her phone in hand and her usual composure replaced by annoyance. "They're playing dirty, Jae-min. Two of our major investors just called. They're being pressured by Noah's people to withdraw support."
Jae-min leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Did they seem convinced?"
Ji-ah smirked. "Hardly. They trust you, but they wanted to let us know what's happening. Noah's putting his network to work."
Yeon-hee entered behind Ji-ah, a folder in hand. "If he wants a war, we'll give him one. I've already started gathering evidence to counter his claims. And I've contacted some journalists who are on our side. They're willing to publish the truth."
Jae-min smiled, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Good. If Noah thinks he can win this with lies, he's in for a rude awakening. Let's get to work."
---
Later that day, Jae-min held a press conference. The room was packed with reporters, their cameras trained on him as he stood confidently at the podium.
"Good afternoon," he began, his voice steady and commanding. "Over the past few days, there have been numerous allegations made against me. Let me be clear: these accusations are baseless and malicious attempts to discredit me. The truth will always prevail, and I have nothing to hide."
He gestured to the screen behind him, where Elyra had prepared a detailed presentation. "What you're seeing are pieces of evidence we've uncovered about the source of these false claims. It's clear that they originate from individuals with a vested interest in destroying my reputation."
The presentation included timestamps, emails, and even recordings that exposed Noah's efforts to manipulate the narrative. The reporters were visibly intrigued, their questions taking on a different tone.
"Are you implying that Noah Corporation is behind this smear campaign?" one reporter asked.
"I'm not implying anything," Jae-min replied, his gaze unwavering. "I'm stating facts. My team has been working tirelessly to uncover the truth, and this is only the beginning."
---
As the press conference wrapped up, the mood in the room shifted. Reporters who had initially come to grill Jae-min now seemed more sympathetic, their articles reflecting the evidence he had presented.
Back at Noah Corporation, the atmosphere was chaotic. Noah paced his office, fuming as he watched the press conference replay on the news.
"How did he turn it around so quickly?" he demanded, glaring at Soo-min.
"He's smarter than we gave him credit for," Soo-min admitted, her expression tense. "But we still have options. If we can't beat him in the public eye, we'll have to attack him where it hurts the most—his business."
Noah's lips curled into a malicious grin. "Then that's exactly what we'll do."
---
Meanwhile, Jae-min and his team celebrated a small victory. Ji-ah poured champagne as Yeon-hee raised her glass. "To a flawless counterattack," Yeon-hee said, her voice filled with pride.
"To teamwork," Jae-min added, clinking his glass with theirs.
Elyra appeared beside him, her holographic form glowing softly. "Don't celebrate too much. Noah won't back down. He's likely planning his next move as we speak."
Jae-min nodded, his expression serious. "I know. But for now, we've bought ourselves some breathing room. Let's use it wisely."
---
That night, Jae-min sat alone in his penthouse, the city lights twinkling outside the window. Elyra materialized beside him, her gaze thoughtful.
"You handled today well," she said. "But Noah is more dangerous than ever. You need to be prepared for whatever he throws at you next."
"I will be," Jae-min replied, his tone resolute. "This isn't just about me anymore. It's about everyone who believes in me. I won't let them down."
Elyra smiled faintly. "Good. Because the storm is far from over."
As the night deepened, Jae-min's resolve hardened. Noah might have been a formidable opponent, but Jae-min had something he lacked—a team that believed in him, a system that gave him an edge, and an unwavering determination to win.