Chapter 143: The Forgotten Player

Viktor Gravsen, sitting in his expansive office, watched the stock numbers tumble, his face a mask of controlled concern. Each screen displayed real-time data, charting the declining fortunes of his oil empire, Standard Oil, and its peers.

The new resolution from the United Nations, promoting aggressive shifts towards renewable energy, had sent shockwaves through the global oil market, prompting a rapid decline in investor confidence.

As he pondered his next move, the door to his office swung open. Maria, his executive assistant, entered with a sheaf of papers in her hand. Her expression was calm, but her eyes betrayed a hint of tension as she approached his desk.

"Mr. Gravsen, I have the yearly profit report for Standard Oil," she announced, placing the thick document on his desk. The pages were filled with numbers and analyses that, until recently, would have told a story of unassailable strength and profitability.

"Do you expect me to read all that?" Viktor said. "Report it to me."

Maria nodded. "Of course, Mr. Gravsen," she responded her tone professional and composed. "This year, Standard Oil has experienced a 4% decline in net profits compared to the previous year. Our revenue streams have been significantly affected by the global shift towards renewable energy sources, with a notable reduction in demand for oil and gas."

She paused, allowing the information to sink in before continuing.

"Our exploration and production sectors have faced the steepest declines, with a 6% drop in profitability, partly due to increased operational costs and stricter environmental regulations. On the downstream side, refining and marketing margins have also tightened, reflecting the worldwide trend of decreasing oil consumption."

Maria flipped to a section of the report, pointing to a graph illustrating the year-over-year performance.

"Here, we see the impact of market dynamics on our stock performance, with a downward trend that aligns with the sector-wide movements. Additionally, investor sentiment has been wary, influenced by the UN's new resolution and the rapid advancement in alternative energy technologies."

She looked up at Viktor, gauging his reaction.

How do we deal with him?"

"I don't know, unless you are planning something illegal, which I cannot explicitly say, you can do that."

"Hoh....so for someone as smart as you, you can't think of a logical and legal way to counter this threat?" Viktor questioned, his tone laced with both frustration and curiosity.

Maria met his gaze with a calm demeanor. "Mr. Gravsen, I didn't mean we're powerless. We need a multifaceted approach. Legally, we could invest in research to develop our own advanced technologies or enhance existing ones to compete effectively. We can also explore strategic partnerships or acquisitions that align with our long-term vision and provide us with a competitive edge."

Viktor nodded slowly, absorbing her suggestions. "Strategic partnerships and acquisitions, huh? That's a more constructive approach. Identify potential partners or acquisition targets that can help us leapfrog in this technology race. I want a list on my desk by tomorrow."

Maria acknowledged the directive. "Understood, Mr. Gravsen. I'll coordinate with the strategy and research teams to compile a comprehensive list of potential candidates."

"Okay, we'll confront this Michael Reyes, he thinks about the world around him because he is so lucky that his technology caught Tesla's eye. But luck doesn't run the world, strategy does. Keep me updated on every move Tesla and Reyes make. We need to be ready to act, not just react," Viktor stated, his voice firm and decisive.

Maria nodded, her expression serious. "I'll ensure we have continuous monitoring of their activities. We'll gather all the intelligence we need to stay one step ahead."

"Do you have any reports on me?" Viktor asked, his gaze sharp, shifting the topic abruptly.

Maria, slightly taken aback by the sudden change in conversation direction, regained her composure quickly. "There's nothing, Mr. Gravsen. I will leave you to your thoughts then. But please remember, we are monitoring the situation closely. I'll update you with any new information as soon as it comes in."

Viktor nodded, his expression still contemplative. "Thank you, Maria. That will be all for now."