Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The European Counterstrike
Ethan Carter sat at the helm of the Zenith war room, the glow of data streams illuminating his sharp gaze. The Cheat Investment System had flagged Jonathan's latest maneuver with chilling precision: Jonathan Carter aligning with European AI firms to counter Zenith's market dominance. Immediate action recommended. It was a bold and calculated move. By forming alliances with established European AI firms, Jonathan wasn't just challenging Zenith's expansion—he was positioning Carter Holdings to leapfrog Zenith entirely in the AI logistics race.
Sophia placed a dossier on the table. "Three firms have been flagged as part of Jonathan's coalition. Axion Technologies in Germany, Vortek Analytics in France, and Sentinel AI in the UK. Each specializes in a critical aspect of AI integration."
Leonard frowned as he scanned the dossier. "If these firms combine forces with Carter Holdings, they'll develop a logistics platform that could rival anything we've built."
Jessica tapped her pen against the table, her expression grim. "And they're not just going after logistics. Sentinel AI's recent patents suggest they're developing predictive modeling tools. If Carter Holdings gets access to that, they'll disrupt supply chains globally."
Ethan leaned forward, his jaw tightening. "Then we make sure this coalition never materializes."
The first step was understanding the motivations of each firm. The system provided detailed profiles of their leadership, financial health, and market strategies. Each had something to gain from an alliance with Carter Holdings, but they also had vulnerabilities Ethan could exploit.
Axion Technologies was facing internal dissent over recent layoffs, with several key engineers leaving for competitors. Vortek Analytics was struggling to secure funding for its next-generation AI platform. Sentinel AI, while technically advanced, was heavily reliant on government contracts, making them sensitive to public perception.
Sophia pointed to the screen displaying Axion's internal metrics. "If we can sow doubts about Jonathan's ability to deliver on his promises, we can amplify the existing tension within their leadership."
Leonard nodded. "And Vortek? If they're strapped for cash, they might jump ship if Zenith offers them a better deal."
Ethan's lips curled into a cold smile. "Sentinel will be the hardest to move, but they're not untouchable. If we shift the public narrative against them, we can force them to reconsider their position."
The first phase of the plan targeted Axion Technologies. Ethan's team reached out to one of the disgruntled engineers who had recently left the company. The engineer, frustrated by Axion's leadership, was more than willing to share details about internal discord.
Using this information, Zenith discreetly leaked stories to industry insiders, highlighting Axion's internal struggles and questioning their readiness to undertake a major partnership with Carter Holdings. The result was immediate. Axion's stock took a slight dip, and whispers of instability began to circulate in European tech circles.
The system chimed softly:
Target Vulnerability Amplified. Projected Impact: Reduced confidence in Axion leadership.
Next, Ethan turned his attention to Vortek Analytics. The system identified an opportunity: Vortek's founder, Pascal Moreau, was hosting a private investor dinner in Paris to secure funding for their new platform. Ethan saw an opening and took it.
Through an intermediary, Zenith arranged to have a representative at the dinner. The pitch was subtle but effective: a potential partnership with Zenith, offering immediate financial support and access to cutting-edge AI tools. By the end of the evening, Moreau was intrigued, enough to delay signing any agreements with Carter Holdings.
Sophia reported back the next day. "Moreau's holding off on the deal. He wants to explore our offer first."
Ethan nodded, his gaze sharp. "Good. Keep him interested. We don't need to sign him—we just need him to hesitate long enough to derail Jonathan's plans."
The final target was Sentinel AI. Unlike the other firms, Sentinel's strength lay in its reputation as a government contractor and industry leader. To undermine them, Ethan's team launched a sophisticated PR campaign, subtly raising questions about Sentinel's reliance on government contracts and their ability to adapt to commercial markets.
The narrative gained traction, with industry analysts debating whether Sentinel was truly ready to compete in the fast-paced world of private logistics. The pressure mounted, and Sentinel's leadership began to show cracks, with board members privately voicing concerns about overcommitting to Carter Holdings.
The system chimed again:
Public Confidence in Sentinel AI Reduced. Projected Impact: Increased internal scrutiny of Carter Holdings partnership.
Jonathan, predictably, didn't sit idly by. Carter Holdings announced a high-profile tech summit in Berlin, featuring all three firms. The event was framed as a showcase of their "revolutionary AI alliance," designed to solidify the coalition and counteract the disruptions Ethan had caused.
Jessica frowned as she read the announcement. "This summit is a direct response to us. If Jonathan pulls it off, it'll be a PR victory that erases everything we've done."
Sophia leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Then we crash it."
Ethan smirked. "Not just crash it. We turn it into a spectacle."
The plan for the Berlin summit was ambitious. Ethan's team orchestrated a multi-pronged strategy to disrupt the event and shift the narrative. It began with targeted leaks to the press, revealing the tensions within Axion, Vortek, and Sentinel. The timing was precise—the stories broke just hours before the summit began, ensuring maximum coverage.
At the same time, Zenith's European representatives quietly reached out to key attendees, planting doubts about the viability of Carter Holdings' promises. The goal was to create an atmosphere of skepticism and unease.
The climax came during the summit itself. As Jonathan delivered his keynote address, a breaking news story hit the airwaves: Vortek Analytics was entering "advanced discussions" with Zenith Tech. The announcement, though not yet finalized, sent shockwaves through the summit.
The system chimed softly:
Rival Coalition Destabilized. Projected Outcome: Reduced confidence in Carter Holdings' European alliances.
Jonathan's fury was palpable. Ethan received a direct message that evening: "This isn't over, Ethan. You're out of your depth."
Ethan read the message with a smirk. His father's anger was a sign that the plan had worked. The European coalition was fractured, its members questioning their loyalty to Carter Holdings. But Ethan knew Jonathan wouldn't back down. The next move would be more aggressive, more dangerous—and aimed directly at Zenith's core.
The system displayed a new insight:
Critical Threat Detected: Jonathan Carter leveraging US tech firms to undermine Zenith's AI dominance. Immediate counteraction recommended.
Ethan exhaled, the weight of the battle settling over him. Europe had been a victory, but the war was far from over. As the lights of Berlin twinkled outside the window, Ethan steeled himself for the next phase. The stakes were rising, but he wasn't about to fold.