### Arc 3: The Rise of the Rival
#### Chapter 20: **A New Era Begins**
The echo of Jae-min's footsteps reverberated down the pristine corridors of Noah Corp's headquarters. He could feel the weight of his decision pressing down on him. The confrontation with Min-jae was a bitter one, and the aftermath of it still loomed large in his mind. But there was no turning back now. He had seen the truth for what it was: Min-jae was no longer the friend he had once trusted.
With the guards subdued and Min-jae's cold dismissal hanging in the air, Jae-min had left the building, but the sting of betrayal still lingered in his heart. He wasn't just fighting for AstraLux anymore. This was personal. Min-jae had crossed a line that could never be undone, and the damage he'd caused wasn't something Jae-min could easily forgive.
As Jae-min stepped out of the elevator, his mind began to race. The meeting had given him the answers he needed, but it had also opened up a Pandora's box of questions. What would Min-jae do next? Who else in his inner circle was involved in this conspiracy? The game was far from over, and Jae-min knew that if he was going to come out on top, he'd have to play smarter, harder, and faster than ever before.
---
Hours later, Jae-min was back in the safety of his penthouse, staring out over the city's skyline. The lights below flickered in the distance, a sea of neon that mirrored the chaos he felt inside. Elyra had been in constant contact since the confrontation, providing updates on the situation and helping to clean up the mess Min-jae had left behind. But Jae-min wasn't just going to sit back and let things settle. He had plans—big plans.
"I'm not going to let Min-jae destroy everything," Jae-min muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he looked at his reflection in the window. "It's time to take control."
With a swift motion, he reached for his phone and opened a secure channel to his trusted allies. Elyra's face appeared on the screen.
"You handled it well, Jae-min," Elyra said, her expression serious. "But the fight is far from over. Min-jae won't give up so easily."
"I know," Jae-min replied, his tone unwavering. "But neither will I. We've got to strike first. We can't wait for him to make his next move."
Elyra's brow furrowed. "What are you planning?"
"We hit Noah Corp where it hurts," Jae-min said. "Their financials. Their stocks. We can make them bleed without them even realizing it."
Elyra nodded. "I can get us access to their internal systems, but we need to be careful. Min-jae's not the only one watching."
"We'll have to be quick," Jae-min said, a wicked smile curling on his lips. "But once we've destabilized their position, we can leverage that for our own advantage. It's time for AstraLux to rise again—and this time, we'll do it on our terms."
---
The next day, Jae-min and Elyra began their attack. They infiltrated Noah Corp's financial systems, planting false data that would cause confusion and uncertainty within the company. They funneled money into the wrong accounts, altered projections, and made it appear as though the company was facing a massive liquidity crisis. The result was immediate.
Noah Corp's stock prices began to plummet, panic spread through the boardroom, and Min-jae was left scrambling to cover his tracks. He didn't know who was behind the attack—he only knew that someone had made a move, and now he was in danger of losing everything.
Meanwhile, Jae-min sat back, watching the chaos unfold from his penthouse, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. His plan was working. But it wasn't just about revenge—it was about power. And now, he was closer to claiming it than ever before.
As the days passed, Jae-min's influence began to grow. With Noah Corp in disarray, other companies took notice. They began to view AstraLux not as the underdog but as a legitimate threat. Investment started pouring in, and soon enough, Jae-min was being approached by some of the most powerful people in the corporate world. The system had given him the tools he needed to rise to the top, and he was determined to use every advantage to build an empire that would rival even Min-jae's.
But as the stakes grew higher, so did the risks. With every victory, there were more enemies to deal with. Not just from Noah Corp, but from all sides. Jae-min knew that if he was going to maintain his position at the top, he couldn't let his guard down for a second.
---
It wasn't long before Jae-min found himself once again surrounded by a new group of allies—people who shared his vision of success, wealth, and power. Among them were the women who had entered his life, each with their own story, their own talents, and their own reasons for supporting him.
Elyra had become his most trusted advisor, her sharp mind and hacking skills an invaluable asset. Then there was Lena, the charismatic business strategist who had a way of reading people and making deals. Riho, the quiet but fiercely loyal former soldier who now served as his bodyguard. And Hana, a brilliant scientist whose innovations had helped AstraLux stay ahead of the competition. Each woman had her own place in Jae-min's growing empire—and each one had her own unique connection to him.
Jae-min knew that he couldn't afford to get too close, but there was something about these women—something more than just business—that made him feel alive. He wasn't just building a company. He was building relationships, alliances, and, whether he liked it or not, he was falling for them.
"I think it's time for us to make a statement," Jae-min said to Elyra one evening, his voice filled with determination. "We're not just going to let Min-jae slip away. We're going to show the world that AstraLux is back—and it's stronger than ever."
Elyra nodded. "And what's the first move?"
"Take down Min-jae," Jae-min said, his eyes flashing with resolve. "We're going to crush him once and for all."
The war for control of the corporate world had only just begun—and Jae-min was determined to come out on top.