Chapter 8 - chapter 8

Adrian sat in his sleek office overlooking the city skyline, his thoughts racing as he processed the latest piece of information his private investigator had uncovered. It was no surprise that Benson, his half-brother, was working against him. Adrian had expected as much. Benson's ego would never allow him to acknowledge Adrian's success, let alone admit to their father, Richard, that the estranged son he had cast aside was now a rising titan in the tech industry.

What Adrian hadn't anticipated was Richard's sudden interest in Giga Tech. According to the report, his father had quietly launched an investigation into the company's origins and leadership. Adrian leaned back in his chair, a grim smile tugging at his lips. So, the old man is curious, is he?

He couldn't afford to let his guard down. Richard's influence in the industry was unparalleled, and if he discovered Adrian's identity, it would trigger a storm unlike any other. Adrian's past would become ammunition in Richard and Benson's arsenal, and they would use it to destroy him.

Adrian summoned his most trusted advisor, Olivia, to his office. Olivia was a sharp, no-nonsense strategist who had been with Giga Tech since its inception. She entered, her tablet in hand and an inquisitive look in her eyes.

"We have a problem," Adrian began, gesturing for her to sit. "It seems my father has taken an interest in Giga Tech. He's digging into our history."

Olivia's eyes widened slightly, but her composure remained intact. "Do you think he suspects anything about you?"

"Not yet," Adrian replied, "but it's only a matter of time if we don't act fast. I need you to do two things. First, tighten security on all our records. Anything that could trace Giga Tech back to me needs to be either locked away or erased. Second, I want a counter-investigation into Williams Corp. If they're coming for us, we need leverage."

Olivia nodded. "Consider it done. But what if Richard finds out the truth before we're ready?"

Adrian's expression hardened. "Then we make it clear that I'm not the same desperate kid he threw out all those years ago. Giga Tech is mine, and I won't let anyone take it from me—not even him."

Over the next few weeks, Olivia worked tirelessly to fortify Giga Tech's defenses. She ensured that all documentation tied to Adrian's initial funding and ownership was airtight. Meanwhile, Adrian focused on strengthening the company's public image, positioning Giga Tech as an industry leader driven by innovation and ethics. Every move he made was calculated to keep Richard and Benson at bay while preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

Despite their efforts, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. His suspicions were confirmed when a trusted insider informed him that Richard had hired a top-tier investigator to uncover the identity of Giga Tech's enigmatic CEO. The revelation sent a chill down Adrian's spine.

It wasn't long before Richard's investigation began to yield results. One by one, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, painting a picture that even Richard couldn't ignore. The Giga Tech CEO's meteoric rise, his deep understanding of the industry, his unrelenting drive, it all pointed to one person.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, a sly grin forming as he reviewed the latest update from Olivia. His meticulous planning was paying off. All evidence pointed to him being deeply involved with Giga Tech, but not as its owner. Instead, Adrian had carefully orchestrated a scenario where the company's documentation identified someone else as the majority shareholder: Grace Walker, a highly competent and trusted figure from his past.

Grace had been Adrian's mentor during his early days in the industry. Brilliant and unassuming, she was more than willing to help Adrian execute his plan when he approached her years ago. On paper, Grace appeared to be the mastermind behind Giga Tech, a name deliberately chosen to shield Adrian from unwanted scrutiny. While Grace had a real stake in the company, her primary role was to serve as its public face, ensuring Adrian's identity stayed hidden.

When Richard and Benson finally uncovered Grace's name, they were certain they had unraveled the mystery.

"Grace Walker," Richard said aloud, the name rolling off his tongue with a mix of curiosity and contempt. "She's the one behind Giga Tech."

Benson scoffed. "Figures. Adrian couldn't have built something like this alone. He probably latched onto someone else to carry him forward, just like he used to."

Richard's lips curled into a faint smile. "If Grace is the power behind Giga Tech, then Adrian's influence is minimal. He's just a cog in her machine. We don't need to waste resources worrying about him."

Benson smirked, relief washing over him. "Exactly. Grace is the real threat, and if we can discredit her, Giga Tech will crumble."

Their arrogance was exactly what Adrian had anticipated. He had banked on their need to undermine him, to diminish his accomplishments. By dangling Grace's name in front of them, he knew they'd shift their focus entirely.

Grace was well-prepared for the storm that followed. When Richard's team began probing into her history, she calmly provided carefully curated details that painted her as a shrewd, self-made businesswoman with a spotless reputation. She even granted a few interviews, presenting herself as the public face of Giga Tech, further solidifying the narrative Adrian had created.

Behind the scenes, Grace kept Adrian informed of every move Richard and Benson made.

"They're predictable," she told him during one of their encrypted calls. "They're trying to dig up dirt on me, but they won't find anything substantial."

Adrian chuckled. "Good. Let them chase shadows. The longer they focus on you, the more time we have to strengthen Giga Tech and launch our next project."

Grace's tone turned serious. "But what happens when they figure out the truth, Adrian? You can only hide behind me for so long."

Adrian's smile faded. "By the time they figure it out, it won't matter. Giga Tech will be untouchable, and they'll realize too late that I've been controlling everything from the start."

As Richard's team delved deeper into Grace's background, they began to encounter inconsistencies—not in her story, but in their assumptions.

"Something doesn't add up," one of Richard's advisors told him. "Grace's track record is flawless, but the connections to Giga Tech's founding are... vague. It's almost as if someone else was pulling the strings."

Richard waved off the concerns. "She's the face of Giga Tech. That's enough. Focus on finding vulnerabilities we can exploit."

Benson, however, wasn't entirely convinced. His gut told him there was more to the story. As much as he hated Adrian, he couldn't shake the feeling that his brother's fingerprints were all over Giga Tech's rise.

Determined to get to the bottom of it, Benson launched his own covert investigation—not into Grace, but into Adrian. He was sure his brother had a role in Giga Tech's success, and he was going to prove it, no matter what it took.

Adrian anticipated Benson's growing suspicion. He knew his half-brother wouldn't let the matter rest. With Olivia's help, he prepared the final piece of his misdirection: a false trail leading Benson to a dead end.

"It's time to tighten the noose," Adrian told Olivia. "Let Benson think he's outsmarted me. When he gets too close, we'll show him exactly what I want him to see."

Olivia smirked. "And Grace?"

"She's untouchable. By the time they realize she's just a figurehead, Giga Tech will have already launched the project that will make us unstoppable."

Adrian sat in the conference room of Giga Tech's headquarters, surrounded by his core team of brilliant engineers, strategists, and innovators. On the table lay the blueprint for his next big project—a revolutionary artificial intelligence system codenamed "VisionTech AI." This project, once unveiled, would not only redefine how industries utilized AI but also cement Giga Tech's place as the leader in cutting-edge technology.

Adrian's plan was ambitious. VisionTech AI wasn't just software; it was an ecosystem that seamlessly integrated into businesses, healthcare, and education, offering unparalleled efficiency and adaptability. Its ability to learn and evolve would make it indispensable across industries.

"This is it," Adrian said, addressing his team. "VisionTech AI will set us apart. It's not just about innovation; it's about domination. Once this launches, there won't be a company in the tech world that can challenge Giga Tech."

The room buzzed with excitement as the team discussed the project's rollout. Olivia, as always, was at the forefront of strategic planning.

"The launch has to be perfect," Olivia said. "We'll need a demonstration that showcases VisionTech AI's full potential. A live presentation to show the world what it can do."

Adrian nodded. "And while we're at it, we need to ensure every patent and trade secret is locked down. I wouldn't put it past Benson or Richard to try and sabotage us."

Even as Adrian poured his energy into the VisionTech AI launch, he hadn't lost sight of his ultimate goal: clearing his name and exposing Benson's schemes. He had been cast out of the family years ago under a cloud of lies and accusations orchestrated by Benson, who saw Adrian as a threat to his own position. The betrayal still stung, but Adrian was determined to set the record straight.

He tasked a separate team of investigators to dig into Benson's financial dealings, business practices, and connections. Adrian knew his half-brother wasn't clean. He had seen glimpses of Benson's corruption during their time in the family business, and now he needed solid proof.

"Focus on anything that ties him to illegal activities," Adrian instructed his investigators. "Shady deals, tax evasion, bribery—whatever you find, I want it documented. If we're going to expose him, it has to be airtight."

At the same time, Adrian began collecting evidence from his own past. Old emails, contracts, and witnesses who could corroborate his side of the story. He needed to prove that the accusations Benson had leveled against him were fabricated.

As the launch date for VisionTech AI approached, the tension grew. Adrian knew that once VisionTech AI hit the market, it would attract even more attention from his father and Benson. He needed to be ready for the fallout.

Olivia voiced her concerns during one of their late-night strategy sessions. "Adrian, launching VisionTech AI and going after Benson simultaneously is risky. You're going to be in the spotlight. If they connect the dots before you're ready…"

"They won't," Adrian said firmly. "By the time they figure it out, VisionTech AI will have already made its mark. And once we have the evidence against Benson, I'll be the one calling the shots—not them."

The day of the VisionTech AI launch arrived. Media outlets from around the globe gathered at Giga Tech's state-of-the-art auditorium. Adrian took the stage, his presence commanding yet enigmatic. He unveiled VisionTech AI with a live demonstration that left the audience in awe. Businesses marveled at its potential, investors clamored to get on board, and competitors were left scrambling.

The launch was a resounding success, and Giga Tech's stock soared overnight. Adrian's name remained hidden, but his influence was undeniable. The world was captivated by VisionTech AI, and Giga Tech was now an unstoppable force in the tech industry.

With VisionTech AI dominating headlines, Adrian turned his focus back to Benson. The investigators had uncovered several damning pieces of evidence against him: fraudulent contracts, offshore accounts, and connections to shady dealings that could ruin his reputation.

Adrian smirked as he reviewed the files. "This is it," he said to Olivia. "Once we release this, Benson will have no choice but to come clean—or go down trying to deny it."

Olivia gave him a sly grin. "And Richard? What about him?"

Adrian's expression darkened. "Richard will know the truth soon enough. Let him see the son he discarded rise above the lies and take back everything that was stolen from him."