Chapter 389 I am coming for you first!



389 I am coming for you first!

Michael Reyes stood at the heart of Reyes Corporation's executive boardroom, the panoramic view of Metro Manila's skyline stretching behind him. The glow of the city lights reflected the quiet storm brewing within its business landscape. In front of him, Juliet stood ready, holding a tablet displaying intricate data charts and bullet-pointed strategies. This was no ordinary meeting. It was the beginning of an offensive move that would redefine the rules of corporate warfare.

"Lance Gokongwei," Michael said, the name rolling off his tongue with deliberate intent. "He's the linchpin to the conglomerates' unified front against us. Take him down, and the entire alliance weakens."

Juliet nodded, swiping through her data to bring up a detailed profile of JG Summit Holdings. "Gokongwei has influence across multiple sectors: aviation, telecommunications, food manufacturing, real estate, and banking. His empire is vast, but it isn't without its vulnerabilities."

Michael crossed his arms, eyes narrowing as he studied the screen. "Start with his most vulnerable sectors."

"Aviation is the weakest point," Juliet replied. "Cebu Pacific is under pressure due to rising operational costs, fluctuating fuel prices, and increased competition from low-cost carriers. It's their crown jewel but also their Achilles' heel."

Michael leaned forward, a glint of determination in his eyes. "What about telecommunications?"

Juliet shifted the display to Globe Telecom's portfolio. "Strong, but their infrastructure is aging. Their 5G rollout has been slow and costly. If we outpace them with our advanced, cost-effective network, it'll push them to the edge."

Michael's mind worked through the implications, connecting dots faster than most could follow. "And food manufacturing?"

"They rely heavily on their established supply chains and partnerships with local agricultural producers," Juliet said. "There's been tension there in the past over pricing and sustainability. If we can secure stronger relationships with those same suppliers, we could create enough disruption to rattle their operations."

Michael's jaw tightened as the plan took shape. "So, we target their aviation, outmaneuver them in telecommunications, and destabilize their supply chain. We make them play defense."

Juliet nodded, her face set with determination. "This needs to be executed flawlessly. Any slip, and they'll come back harder."

A knock at the door interrupted them. Bridget stepped in, her eyes sharp with urgency. "I've just finished reviewing the resources for 'Project Soar,' our passenger jet initiative. We can accelerate development, but we'll need to allocate additional funds and secure a few more key partnerships to hit the twelve-month timeline."

Michael gave a brief nod. "Do it. We can't afford delays."

Michael's expression was unreadable, his mind calculating. "Good. We need to show them that every step they take will be met with two of ours. Reinforce our contracts with suppliers and add performance incentives for loyalty. We'll make it costly for anyone to break ties with us now."

The 5G rollout began with a city-wide event in Metro Manila. Billboards and digital screens displayed Reyes Corporation's promise of the fastest, most affordable 5G network in the region. The response was immediate—consumers flooded social media with excitement, and tech publications praised the move as a bold disruption.

Cebu Pacific executives, meanwhile, struggled to mitigate the growing rumors about 'Project Soar.' Press releases attempted to quell the anxiety, but the public and investors had already caught wind. Shares dipped, and internal meetings turned frantic.

Gokongwei's phone buzzed during one of these meetings. It was a trusted advisor. "We have to move faster, Lance. This is spiraling, and Reyes' new partnerships with local farmers for exclusive supply agreements are undermining our food and manufacturing arms. We're losing ground."

He slammed the phone down, frustration boiling over. Reyes' strategic push was relentless and perfectly timed. The public, seeing a surge of new innovations and services, lauded Michael as a revolutionary, while Gokongwei's empire fought to stem the tide.

Back in the Golden Topper, Michael stood by the window, watching the city lights that hid the intense rivalries playing out. Juliet approached, a rare look of admiration crossing her usually composed features. "Reports show public sentiment is overwhelmingly on our side. Gokongwei is scrambling."

Michael's eyes narrowed as he nodded. "This is only the beginning. If they thought I'd only defend, they've underestimated me."

The battle was on, and for the first time, it was clear who was dictating the terms.

Michael turned away from the window, his expression steely and determined. The noise of the city outside felt distant, a mere backdrop to the silent war he was waging. Juliet watched him, knowing that this victory was just a chapter in a much larger conflict that would continue to test their resolve and strategy.

"Ensure our next steps are airtight," Michael said, breaking the silence. "We're not letting up the pressure. If they want a fight, we'll give them one they won't forget."

Juliet nodded, already anticipating the flurry of actions that would follow. Meetings with new partners, negotiations for fresh contracts, and strategic PR moves would keep them ahead. The battle for dominance was not just about business—it was about legacy, a reshaping of the entire corporate landscape.

"Understood. I'll have the teams double down on initiatives and set up a public outreach campaign emphasizing our community projects," she said.

Michael took a deep breath and smiled faintly, a rare moment of calm breaking through. "Good. Let's make sure that when they think of Reyes Corporation, they remember not just who we are, but why we can't be stopped. Gokongwei, I am coming for you first."