Mr. Baskerville

"Our legal team has begun reviewing Sys Comp.'s contracts, analyzing the company's weaknesses," Ada said.

Aiden smiled.

"Perfect. I want all reports and projections sent to me by the end of the day. Let's play offense now."

Aiden turned his attention to the monitors displaying Sys Comp's financial data. He knew that attacking directly would not be enough. The strategy needed to be detailed, gradual, and precise.

"Show me Sys Comp's shareholder distribution."

The AI ​​responded quickly

〔Shareholder Distribution:

Lyco (CEO): 31%

Minority Investors: 59%

Reserve Fund (unavailable): 10%〕

Aiden studied the data carefully. The key to controlling the company was to weaken Lyco, the main shareholder, while destabilizing the minority investors. He activated the direct channel with his chief investment officer.

"I want our team to start buying Sys Comp. shares discreetly. No sudden moves, just accumulate. Focus on minority shares. I want at least 15% by tomorrow night."

The other party responded immediately.

"Understood, Mr. Baskerville. We will start buying through intermediaries. This will avoid attracting attention."

Aiden nodded, satisfied.

While the stock market worked in favor of his plans, Aiden began the second phase: a carefully orchestrated legal attack. He called a meeting with his legal team via videoconference.

"Gentlemen, we will expose all the irregularities of Sys Comp. in record time. I want thorough investigations into money laundering, tax evasion, abusive practices... Everything that can be used against them."

One of the lawyers took the floor.

"Mr. Baskerville, we already have preliminary reports on bribery and judicial manipulation involving CEO Lyco. With two more days, we can finalize the dossier."

"Great. As soon as it's ready, I want the information leaked to the press. Make sure it has maximum impact on investors. I want panic."

The lawyer smiled confidently.

"Consider it done."

The next step was to weaken the inner core of Sys Comp. To do that, Aiden needed to play on the ego and greed of his executives. He called Arthur, his assistant.

"Arthur, I need you to contact the top executives of Sys Comp. Make them believe they have a future at Star Comp if they collaborate with us. Offer them positions, generous bonuses... And make sure the information gets to CEO Lyco. I want him to distrust everyone around him."

Arthur laughed.

"You really are a ruthless strategist, kid. Leave it to me. These guys will jump ship faster than rats fleeing a sinking ship."

Aiden leaned back in his chair, satisfied.

"Good. Let me know as soon as you make progress."

With chaos beginning to spread within Sys Comp., Aiden turned his attention to acquiring the remaining shares. He checked the numbers on the screen:

『Star Comp. now holds 18% of Sys Comp. stock.』

It was solid progress, but still not enough. He decided to take action himself. He called one of Sys Comp.'s major minority investors, a man named Victor Lang.

"Mr. Lang, this is Aiden Baskerville. I'd like to discuss an offer for your Sys Comp shares. Can we schedule a meeting?"

Victor hesitated, but Aiden's reputation was undeniable.

"I... Sure, Mr. Baskerville. We can meet tomorrow."

Aiden smiled.

"Perfect. Have a good day."

After hanging up, Aiden turned to Ada, who was off to the side organizing new reports.

"Prepare an irresistible offer for Victor Lang. I want those shares before the end of the week."

Ada nodded.

"It will be done, young master."

With all the pieces moving as planned, Aiden prepared the final blow. He organized a press conference to unveil a new Star Comp. project, one that would overshadow any attempt Sys Comp. made to recover.

The next day, in an impeccable suit, he took the stage in front of cameras and journalists.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great excitement that I announce the launch of Project SC, an artificial intelligence system that will transform entire industries. This is just the beginning of a new era for Star Comp. and our partners."

The journalists cheered as Star Comp.'s stock soared. At the same time, Sys Comp. sank even further, its investors seeing the new technology as a direct threat to their survival.

Later in the day, Aiden checked the numbers again. His team had acquired another 12% of the stock, and Sys Comp.'s stock was in freefall. Aiden's phone rang. It was Victor Lang.

"Mr. Baskerville, I'm willing to sell my shares. We need to meet."

Aiden smiled triumphantly.

"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Lang. Set a time and I'll be there."

Across town.

Lyco slowly opened his eyes, the white overhead lights momentarily blinding him. The cold, sterile environment of the hospital left him disoriented. When he tried to move his body, a throbbing pain shot through his chest, forcing him to cry out and put his hands on his head.

Within moments, a nurse and a doctor rushed into the room, concerned about the patient's vital signs.

"Mr. Lyco, please don't try to move. Your body is still very weak, and any effort could worsen your condition," the doctor said, as he adjusted the machines beside the bed.

Lyco, still confused, looked up at the doctor with heavy eyes and asked groggily, "Where am I? What's going on?"

The doctor, remaining calm, answered as he checked the monitors:

"You're at Star Hospital. You were brought in as an emergency after suffering a heart attack."

Upon hearing the answer, Lyco widened his eyes and let out a hoarse cry of disbelief:

"Heart attack? Is this some kind of joke? I'm perfectly healthy!"

The doctor finished checking the machines and approached with a reassuring tone. "Unfortunately, Mr. Lyco, extreme stress has caused this situation. Your condition is now stable, but you will need to remain hospitalized for a few days to avoid complications. We will monitor your progress before releasing you."

Lyco sighed, trying to process the information, before asking, in a weaker voice

"Is my butler here?"

The doctor nodded as he headed for the door.

"Yes, the man who brought you is anxiously waiting outside. I will call him."

The bedroom door opened again, and the butler hurried in, his eyes red from crying. He approached the bed, holding a already soaked handkerchief.

"Mr. Lyco! Thank heavens that you are okay! I thought I would lose the most dignified and imposing boss in this world!"

Lyco closed his eyes, trying to remain calm, but the butler's hysteria was too annoying.

"Stop it. I have no patience for your melodrama right now," he grumbled, but his voice lacked its usual authority.

The butler ignored the tired tone and continued, now holding Lyco's hand.

"Sir, I would never forgive myself if something had happened! How could I live without your impeccable leadership? Without your shining presence? The world without you would be a gray and empty place!"

Lyco slowly opened his eyes, staring at him with a mixture of irritation and exhaustion.

"If you keep talking, I'll have another heart attack. Sit down and be quiet."

The butler, still sniffling, complied with orders and sat down in a nearby chair, holding the handkerchief as if it were a reliquary.

The room was silent for a few minutes. Lyco tried to close his eyes, seeking some rest. But his mind, even weakened, was restless. A growing worry began to form in his subconscious.

After a while, the silence was broken by an abrupt shout.

"WHAT ABOUT MY COMPANY?"

The butler jumped in his chair, dropping his handkerchief and looking at Lyco in alarm.

"S-sir?"

Lyco tried to sit up in bed, but his effort was thwarted by a sharp pain in his chest. He snorted and glared at the butler with furious eyes.

"Sys Comp., you idiot! How is my company? Why haven't you told me anything about this yet?"

The butler began to sweat and stuttered as he replied:

"S-sir... I was waiting for you to be more... recovered before I broached this delicate subject."

"Speak now, or I swear I'll get out of this bed and find out for myself!" Lyco roared, despite the obvious pain.

The butler hesitated, but eventually stood up and picked up the tablet he had brought. He handed it to Lyco with trembling hands.

"Here it is, sir. The stock has fallen... dramatically. Many investors are abandoning ship. Rumor has it that Aiden Baskerville is behind all this."

Hearing Aiden's name, Lyco gripped the tablet tightly, nearly crushing the device.

"That damn brat... He's trying to destroy everything I've built."

"Sir, perhaps we should seek a peaceful solution, a negotiation..." the butler suggested cautiously.

Lyco glared at the butler.

"Negotiation? No. He wants war, and that's what he'll get. Call my legal team. I want everyone working to save the company. We'll counterattack immediately."

The butler nodded quickly and left the room, leaving Lyco alone, seething with rage and helplessness.