Rebirth of a Billionaire Heir

Ethan sat in the Zenith Tech war room, surrounded by glowing screens displaying every detail of Alistair Wren's career, investments, and connections. The Cheat Investment System had unearthed a trove of actionable data on Wren's financial ties to Carter Holdings' competitors, painting a damning picture of corporate misconduct. This was the weapon Ethan needed to strike a decisive blow, not just against Wren, but against Chloe as well.

As his team entered the room, Ethan turned to face them, his expression cold and resolute. "This is it," he began, pointing to the screen. "Wren's been funneling resources into an external competitor while leveraging Carter Holdings' assets to cover his tracks. Once this goes public, he's finished, and Chloe's plans will collapse with him."

Leonard frowned, crossing his arms. "Going public with this won't be subtle. You'll be declaring war on Wren, and by extension, anyone aligned with him."

"That's the point," Ethan replied. "If they retaliate, they'll be exposed. The longer they operate in secrecy, the harder it'll be to dismantle them."

Sophia's expression was guarded. "And when they retaliate? You know Chloe will spin this to paint you as the villain."

Ethan smirked. "Let her. By the time she tries, she'll have no ground to stand on."

The plan began with a carefully orchestrated media campaign. Ethan's team, working with trusted journalists, leaked snippets of Wren's dealings to reputable outlets. The initial reports were vague but tantalizing, hinting at financial irregularities and undisclosed conflicts of interest within Carter Holdings. Simultaneously, Zenith Tech's legal team quietly filed a formal complaint with Carter Holdings' ethics committee, accompanied by a detailed dossier of evidence. This ensured that the board would be forced to investigate Wren, putting him on the defensive.

Ethan's allies within Carter Holdings, Sarah Clarke, Daniel Greene, and Victor Hale, seized the opportunity to sow internal doubt. During board meetings, they raised concerns about Wren's leadership and financial mismanagement. The pressure was mounting, and Ethan could feel the momentum shifting in his favor.

As expected, Chloe retaliated swiftly. She held a press conference, condemning the leaks as a coordinated attack against Carter Holdings. Her composed demeanor and sharp rhetoric were enough to sway public opinion temporarily. The media buzzed with speculation, but Ethan remained unshaken. Hours after Chloe's press conference, a second wave of leaks hit the media, this time including undeniable evidence of Wren's financial ties to a foreign logistics conglomerate that had been poaching Carter Holdings' clients.

The headlines were devastating. Wren's silence only added to the scandal, and within days, Carter Holdings announced an emergency board meeting to address the allegations. While Ethan wasn't allowed to attend—Jonathan had ensured that—his allies kept him updated in real time.

During the meeting, Sarah Clarke presented a scathing report detailing Wren's misconduct. Daniel Greene followed with an analysis of the financial losses caused by Wren's actions, and Victor Hale demanded an immediate vote to remove him from the board. Chloe, seated beside Wren, fought fiercely to defend him, framing the allegations as a baseless attack orchestrated by Ethan. But the evidence was overwhelming, and Wren's attempts to deny the claims only made him look desperate.

When the vote concluded, Wren was removed from his position, effective immediately, and an internal investigation was launched to determine the full extent of his misconduct. Chloe's plans, tied so closely to Wren's influence, were left in shambles. The Cheat Investment System chimed softly in Ethan's vision, confirming the outcome: Key Rival Neutralized. Chloe Carter's influence significantly weakened.

Later that evening, Ethan received a call from an unknown number. He answered, already suspecting who it was.

"You think this is over?" Chloe's voice was sharp, her anger barely contained. "You've made a mistake, Ethan. A big one."

"Have I?" Ethan replied, his tone calm. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're out of moves."

Chloe's laugh was bitter. "You have no idea what you've started. Wren was just the beginning. You've made enemies you can't even see yet."

The line went dead. Chloe's words lingered in the silence, but Ethan refused to let them rattle him. He had come too far to stop now.

Sophia came to his office later that night, her expression troubled. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it as she crossed her arms. "Do you ever stop to think about the cost?"

Ethan looked up from his desk, frowning. "What are you talking about?"

"This," she said, gesturing vaguely. "The leaks, the scandals, the constant war. You're winning, sure, but at what price? Wren's gone, but you've just painted a target on your back for everyone in Carter Holdings who benefited from his power."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. "You think I don't know that? This is the game, Sophia. You play to win, or you lose."

"Maybe," she said quietly. "But if you keep burning bridges like this, don't be surprised when there's no one left to stand with you."

She left without another word, leaving Ethan alone with the silence. For the first time, he felt the weight of her words pressing against him, mingling with the thrill of victory. The system chimed again, pulling him from his thoughts: Jonathan Carter's financial activities suggest covert involvement in competitor acquisitions. Investigate further.

Ethan's eyes narrowed. His father wasn't just observing from the sidelines—he was part of the game. And if Jonathan was making moves against him, it meant the stakes were about to rise higher than ever.