Chapter 40 - The Trap is Set
Jack paces back and forth in his office, phone pressed to his ear as he listens to Mia. The urgency in her voice tightens the knot in his stomach.
"Lisa's been moving assets all morning," Mia says. "She's pulling money from Horizon Holdings and redirecting it to new accounts. Offshore."
Jack's jaw clenches. "She's preparing for a takeover."
"Or a major acquisition," Mia corrects. "And I just found out what it is. She's buying out one of our key suppliers – PrimeTech Logistics. If she controls their distribution, she can choke our supply chain overnight."
Jack slams his fist against the wall. "Damn it."
\[Mission Unlocked: Prevent Lisa's Takeover of PrimeTech Logistics. Reward: Asset Acquisition Lv. 2.]
---
Jack gathers his inner circle – Chris, Mia, and now Marcus Lin. The tension is palpable as they sit around the conference table.
"We need to act fast," Jack says, pointing at the projection screen displaying a map of PrimeTech's assets. "Lisa's using Marcus to funnel money through Horizon Holdings to secure the buyout."
Marcus shifts uncomfortably. "I don't have full control of the accounts. Lisa's got her own people watching me."
Jack leans forward, eyes cold. "You're going to distract her. Make her think you're still working for her while I move in from the back."
Marcus nods reluctantly. "What about PrimeTech? They're a stubborn lot."
"Leave that to me," Jack says, glancing at Chris. "I need you to dig up dirt on PrimeTech's CEO. Anything we can use to negotiate a better deal."
Chris nods. "I'm on it."
---
That evening, Jack meets with Emily at the café. The place is bustling, and Emily looks exhausted.
"Hey," she says, wiping flour off her hands. "You look tense."
"Just business," Jack mutters, running a hand through his hair. "Lisa's making her move."
Emily's expression darkens. "I hate her. She's always been ruthless."
Jack nods, his eyes distant. "Yeah. But this time, she's going too far."
[Mission Update: Prevent Lisa's Takeover of PrimeTech Logistics. Progress: 50%]
---
The next morning, Jack arrives at PrimeTech's headquarters, a nondescript building in the industrial district. The CEO, Paul Jenkins, is a burly man in his late fifties with a gruff demeanor and a penchant for cigars.
"You've got five minutes," Jenkins says, lighting a cigar. "Why should I sell to you instead of Lisa Thompson?"
Jack slides a thick folder across the table. "Because if you sell to Lisa, she's going to dismantle your company piece by piece."
Jenkins snorts. "You're bluffing."
"Am I?" Jack says, opening the folder to reveal incriminating photos of Jenkins meeting with Horizon Holdings execs – meetings that Lisa secretly recorded to use as blackmail.
Jenkins' face pales. "That snake..."
"Sell to me," Jack says, voice low and firm. "I'll keep PrimeTech intact. You walk away with your dignity – and your money."
Jenkins grits his teeth. "Fine. You've got a deal."
[Mission Completed: Prevent Lisa's Takeover of PrimeTech Logistics. Reward: Asset Acquisition Lv. 2.]
As Jack walks out of the building, his phone buzzes. It's Mia. "Jack, it's done. Lisa's deal just collapsed. She's furious."
Jack smirks, eyes gleaming with cold satisfaction. "Good. Let her fume. This is only the beginning."