The plush interiors of Vir''s boardroom were quieter than usual, with the familiar faces of the country''s most powerful business tycoons gathered once again. The atmosphere was different from theirst meeting; it was more focused, more intense. Today, instead of discussing strategies or uing projects, they were watching a live broadcast of the Senate hearing where Michael Reyes was being questioned.


    On the wide screen, Michael sat confidently, answering the senators'' probing questions one after another. The tycoons had been waiting for this moment, hoping the Senate hearing would be the tform that would expose cracks in Reyes Corporation''s meteoric rise. Yet, as they watched him skillfully deflect each question, it became clear that Michael was not just surviving the scrutiny—he was thriving.


    "He''s handling himself well," Jaime Zobel de Ay admitted, his arms crossed as he observed Michael''s calm demeanor. "Better than we expected."


    Vir, who sat at the head of the table once again, nodded grimly. "I hoped this would shake him, but it seems he''s well-prepared. We''ve thrown everything we can at him—scrutiny on his acquisitions, pressure through regtory bodies—and he''s stilling out unscathed."


    Henry Sy Jr., usually the most calcted of the group, leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the screen. "The senators are ying right into his hands. Every question they ask gives him a tform to highlight his achievements. Look at him—he''s spinning this to his advantage."


    On the screen, Michael was addressing a question about Reyes Corporation''s rapid growth and its potential monopoly in multiple sectors. His response was measured, emphasizing how hispany''s innovation and investments had created jobs and pushed industries forward. The senators, clearly hoping for a slip-up, were instead receiving well-rehearsed andpelling answers.


    Lance Gokongwei shook his head in disbelief. "This hearing was supposed to be about putting him on the defensive. Instead, he''s turning it into a PR win. The more they press, the more he talks about job creation and public benefits. He''s painting himself as the hero."


    Pangilinan, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "He''s mastered the art of public perception. Even when they tried to question his academic background, he turned it around. Made himself look like a rtable underdog who overcame the odds. The public loves that narrative."


    Vir clenched his fist on the table. "It''s not just about perception. He''s smart, too smart for his own good. But we need to remember—public sentiment can change quickly. He''s walking a fine line between being a visionary and being seen as too powerful. We need to exploit that."


    Sy Jr. nodded in agreement. "He''s still vulnerable. His rapid expansion, especially in tech and energy, is creating a lot of pressure points. If we can find a way to shift the narrative—make it less about his innovations and more about the dangers of onepany holding too much influence—it could start to turn public opinion."


    As they continued watching the broadcast, the camera panned to Senator Moreno, who was gearing up for another round of questioning. Moreno had been the most critical of Michael throughout the hearing, but even he seemed to be running out of angles to attack from. Despite his best efforts, Michael had deflected every attempt to undermine him.


    Ay let out a deep breath. "He''s good. Too good. He''s framing this hearing as an opportunity to position himself as a visionary, someone who''s not just leading a corporation, but leading a national movement toward progress."


    Gokongwei spoke up, his voice tense. "This is exactly why we need to ramp up pressure. He''s using this tform to solidify his image as untouchable. If this continues, no amount of regtory pressure will stop him."


    Vir steepled his fingers, deep in thought. "The problem is, we''re fighting on his terms. The more we focus on these hearings and regtory challenges, the more time he has to consolidate his power. We need to hit him where it hurts—his public image."


    Pangilinan nodded. "Public sentiment is the battleground we need to focus on. We have to create doubt about the man behind thepany. There are still questions about his rapid rise, his academic record, and the way he''s managed to stay one step ahead of everyone. We need to feed that narrative—make people wonder if he''s too good to be true."@@novelbin@@


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    Vir tapped his fingers on the table. "Agreed. The key is to start nting seeds of doubt. Use the media, push stories about the risks of monopolies, the dangers of overreach, and how unchecked power can harm consumers. We need to make sure people see the risks in allowing Reyes Corporation to grow unchecked."


    Ay chimed in, "We also need to start quietly supporting thepetitors he''s overshadowed. If we can help those smallerpanies push back, even a little, it will create cracks in his narrative of being the only innovator in the market."


    Sy Jr., who had beenrgely silent, finally spoke again. "He''s ying a long game, and so should we. We can''t defeat him with one swift move. But if we can slowly erode his support base, chip away at his credibility, and create enough distractions, we can slow his progress."


    Vir stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "It''s time to ramp up our efforts. We have the resources, the connections, and the influence. Let''s make sure we use them. Reyes may have won today''s battle, but this war is far from over."


    "But I realized something," Gokongwei spoke. "Well if we are fighting Michael Reyes on a legal term, then the possibility of us winning won''t be as high. We have to do illegal things…"


    The room fell silent after Lance Gokongwei''s remark. Everyone in the room knew that the line between legal and illegal was often blurred in business, but outright acknowledging it was something else.


    "Illegal, such as what, Lance?"


    Gokongwei nced around the room before continuing. "We''ve all dealt withpetition before, but Reyes is different. He''s operating on a scale and speed that we''ve never seen before. Regtory pressure and media maniption won''t be enough to bring him down. If we''re serious about this, we need to hit him where he can''t defend himself. We need to disrupt his operations—not just through red tape and public sentiment, but through more direct means."


    Henry Sy Jr. remained silent for a moment before speaking. "You''re suggesting sabotage?"


    Gokongwei nodded, his face emotionless. "Not just sabotage—intimidation, infiltration, whatever it takes. His infrastructure is growing faster than we can contain it. But it''s still vulnerable. We can hit his supply chains, disrupt his partnerships, and destabilize his workforce. If we can create enough chaos, he won''t be able to maintain the same level of control."