Chapter 120: Confidence is Key

October 7th, 2025.

Under the scorching sun of New Clark City, Michael Reyes, CEO of SolaraTech, stood overseeing the expansive construction site earmarked for the new solar panel installation project. With a hard hat on and blueprints in hand, he watched as cranes hoisted large, gleaming solar panels into position.

Around him, a symphony of construction noises echoed—a mix of heavy machinery operating, commands being shouted, and the occasional beep of vehicles moving backward.

As Michael scrutinized the blueprints, he cross-referenced them with the actual progress on the ground. He was keenly aware of the importance of this project, not only for SolaraTech but also for the future of renewable energy in the region. New Clark City was to become a showcase of green energy, powered entirely by solar panels designed and installed by his company.

"The alignment on sector four needs adjusting," Michael said, pointing to a section on the blueprint. He then raised his voice to address the site engineer who was overseeing the installation process a few meters away.

"Jericho, ensure the panels in sector four are aligned according to the optimized angle for maximum sunlight absorption."

Jericho, spotting Michael, jogged over, wiping sweat from his brow. "Got it, Mr. Reyes. I'll have the team recheck the alignments right away."

Michael nodded, his gaze returning to the construction site.

He moved towards a group of technicians installing the advanced tracking systems that were integral to the high-efficiency solar panels he had invented.

"Are the azimuth and elevation angles set according to the morning calibration data?" Michael asked one of the technicians.

The technician, a young woman with a tablet in hand, double-checked the figures before responding. "Yes, Mr. Reyes. The current settings are at 23.5 degrees for azimuth and 65 degrees for elevation, exactly as the morning data suggested for optimal performance."

"Good, but keep an eye on the weather forecast. If cloud coverage increases, we might need to adjust the angles to compensate for diffused light conditions," Michael instructed.

"Well it's true, we obtained it through illegal means," Juliet said.

"But we can still use that evidence to threaten them. If it's not going to be admissible, which it will be, then our only course of action is to release it on social media," Michael said.

That's right, there are a lot of cases like this where evidence will be posted on social media for public opinion. Such cases like this where a top company would try to steal data from another company would be damaging

to their reputation. The public backlash could be immense, especially in today's climate where ethical business practices are highly valued and demanded by consumers. If CinkoSolar's activities were exposed to the media, it could lead to several significant consequences.

Firstly, there would be a severe loss of trust among CinkoSolar's customers and partners. Trust is a critical asset for any business, especially in industries reliant on technology and innovation. Once lost, it's incredibly hard to regain. A scandal involving unethical practices such as data theft could lead to customers moving to competitors, which would directly impact CinkoSolar's bottom line.

Moreover, the potential for a public relations disaster is high. In the age of social media, news spreads fast, and the narrative can quickly spiral out of control. CinkoSolar would need to engage in damage control, deploying significant resources to public relations efforts to try and mitigate the damage.

However, the effectiveness of such efforts can be uncertain, especially if the public perceives the company as inherently dishonest.

Another consequence could be the impact on CinkoSolar's stock prices. Investors are increasingly sensitive to ethical concerns and the sustainability of the companies they invest in. A scandal could lead to a sharp decline in stock prices, affecting not only the company's valuation but also its ability to attract future investments.

Furthermore, there could be legal repercussions. Depending on the jurisdiction and the specifics of the case, CinkoSolar could face lawsuits, fines, and sanctions from regulatory bodies. These legal challenges could divert resources away from productive business activities, further hampering the company's performance.

Lastly, the internal impact on CinkoSolar cannot be overlooked. Such a scandal could lead to a demoralized workforce, unsure of the company's direction and its role within it. Top talents may start looking for opportunities elsewhere, in organizations with untainted reputations.

Michael knew this, and the CinkoSolar may not have realized the full extent of the potential fallout from their actions.

"Well if they are so confident in that approach, let them," Michael said, smirking. "Our response to them would surely make them want to meet us."