Strategic Timing

As the CEO of Todd Corporation, I always knew managing a multinational firm would come with its fair share of challenges. But nothing could have prepared me for the slew of media attacks that suddenly began to tarnish our reputation overnight. Allegations, one after another, unfounded and vicious, threatened not just our stock price but the morale of our entire team. I immediately organized an emergency task force, determined to trace the origins of these destructive rumors.

Deep down, a gnawing suspicion tugged at me, leading my thoughts to one unlikely yet possible source: my own mother, Helen. Her company, Titan Ventures, had always been a competitor, but it was the subtleties in the attacks that bore her signature. The strategic timing of the allegations, the intimate knowledge of our operations—it all pointed uncomfortably towards her.

After rigorous investigation, the evidence was irrefutable. Titan Ventures was indeed behind the smear campaign.

Determined to address the issue head-on, I arranged a meeting with Helen. As I drove to her office, my mind raced with the potential outcomes of our confrontation.

The bitch!

Sitting across from her in the stark, modern office that had always seemed a reflection of her business-first ethos, I laid out the evidence before her. Her initial reaction was one of denial, but as the reality of the proof settled in, so did a reluctant acknowledgment.

"Mom, it seems your company is behind the attacks on Todd Corporation. Can't say I'm surprised," I started, my voice tinged with resignation. "You've always played to win, no matter the cost."

Helen looked up, her gaze steady and unflinching. "Alex, you know the stakes in our business. If your survival threatens my company, I will take necessary actions. It's nothing personal," she responded.

I nodded, the reality of our cutthroat industry settling in. "I understand, but where do we draw the line? This isn't just aggressive competition—it's personal sabotage."

"In this game, the line is where you draw it. I've drawn mine," she replied coldly. "You should be prepared to draw yours, regardless of our relationship."

I sighed, knowing this conversation was inevitable yet still hoping it would never come. "I guess I always knew you could do something like this. I just hoped you wouldn't."

"That was dumb."

"I'm aware of that. What does this mean for us moving forward?"

"It means we both continue to protect our interests," she stated flatly. "I respect you as a businessman, Alex. You should use this as a learning opportunity."

Firmly, I replied, "I will. And I'll also make sure Todd Corporation recovers and thrives, despite this. I hope the cost isn't too high for you in the end."

As I left her office, the echo of my steps seemed to mark the widening rift between us. The personal and professional lines were now indelibly drawn. We would both safeguard our empires, even if it meant the battlefield was drawn through the last thread of our family.

On the ride back to Todd Corporation, my mind was ablaze with vengeful thoughts. Helen's audacity to strike just days before our critical deal with the Azure family was finalized had shifted something fundamental in me. It wasn't just a business maneuver anymore; it was personal, deeply so.

What had to be done was absolutely clear to me: I would not just defend Todd Corporation from her onslaught—I would dismantle her entire empire, Titan Ventures. Every resource at my disposal, every connection I had fostered, would now pivot towards a singular goal: to see her company crumble.

This wasn't about revenge for the sake of revenge; it was about sending a clear, unambiguous message to anyone who dared target me in the future. My actions would ensure that the cost of attacking Todd Corporation was catastrophically high.

"Are you okay?" Jasper's voice was laced with concern, pulling me from the whirlwind of strategies and scenarios playing out in my mind.

I let out a bitter laugh, more a scoff than anything jovial. "My mother hates me," I said flatly, the words tasting sour as they left my lips.

Jasper shifted uncomfortably next to me. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I'm going to destroy her," I replied without hesitation, my voice steady with resolve.

Jasper winced at that, a flicker of worry crossing his face. "Just... make sure whatever you do isn't illegal, okay?"

I glanced at him, a half-smile playing on my lips, tinged with irony. "I make no promises."

He sighed deeply, knowing well the depth of my resources and my capability to make impactful moves. "Just think it through, Alex. There's a lot at stake, not just for you but for everyone involved in Todd Corporation."

As the city lights streaked past, illuminating Jasper's earnest expression, a sudden realization hit me. "Jasper, Mr. Thompson—he's been too quiet. And he had meetings with Titan Ventures last month. He's definitely in on this with her."

Jasper's eyes widened, a mix of shock and realization mirroring my own. "Are you sure? That could change everything in how you handle this."

"Yes, I'm sure," I said, piecing together the last few weeks' odd behaviors and disconnected puzzles. "It's all too coincidental. I need to consider every angle, and Mr. Thompson's betrayal might just be the key to unraveling how deep this goes."

Jasper nodded, his usual calm demeanor edged with tension. "We need to tread carefully, Alex. This isn't just about corporate revenge; it's about preserving your legacy and protecting what you've built. Whatever you plan, keep it clean. You're better than stooping to their level."

I appreciated his support, his steady hand in my tumultuous world. "You know I'm not, Jasper. And I appreciate you trying. I'm extremely petty and my revenge spares no one."

As I mulled over our strategy, I recognized Jasper's unique position. His role in my life, while intimate and personal, had often been underestimated by my business rivals, including my mother. This oversight could be a strategic advantage for us.

"Jasper, you know, you could be a key piece in this whole situation," I suggested, turning to look at him, gauging his reaction to stepping more directly into the fray. "No one sees you coming, despite your pivotal role in my succession."

He raised an eyebrow, a mixture of surprise and intrigue in his eyes. "I've always been behind the scenes, Alex. Are you sure that's a smart move?"

"It's exactly because you've been behind the scenes that this could work," I explained. "You have access, you know the inner workings, and you're underestimated. We could use that to our advantage. Everyone's eyes are on me, expecting my move, especially Mr Thompson. But with you, we could maneuver more subtly."

"Be careful with Mr. Thompson," he advised, his tone earnest. "He's not just any executive; he's woven deeply into the fabric of both companies."

I glanced over at him, sensing an opportunity to solidify his support. "Jasper, I can't do this without you. You're the only one I trust completely," I confessed, letting the sincerity bleed into my words. It was true; amidst the chaos and the betrayals, Jasper had remained steadfast regardless of his wild feelings.

He was my most loyal ally, regardless of his obsession.

His expression softened, and I could see the resolve form as he processed my words. "Okay, sugar" he finally said, his voice firm, his decision made. "It's risky, but if you think it can help protect Todd Corporation, then I'm in no matter what. Just guide me on what you need, and I'll do it. We have to be smart about this."

His agreement was a significant relief. With Jasper's involvement, we could create unexpected plays that might just tip the scales in our favor. His loyalty and insight, combined with his unique position, could indeed prove to be the turning point in our battle to safeguard the company and retaliate against the sabotage we faced.

"We'll be careful," I assured him, feeling the weight of responsibility. "And we'll plan every move meticulously. This isn't just about retribution; it's about ensuring the long-term stability of what I've built."

Together, we began to outline potential steps, using Jasper's unassuming but strategic position to gather intelligence and execute plans that no one would see coming. In the chess game of corporate warfare, Jasper was set to become my unexpected knight.

Walking back into the office hand in hand, the weight of the journal's revelations seemed to diminish in the face of the challenges that lay ahead. As we crossed the threshold of Todd Corporation, Jasper squeezed my hand slightly—a small, comforting gesture that grounded me.

The lobby was buzzing with an unusual frenetic energy. Employees clustered in tight groups, speaking in hushed, urgent tones, their eyes flicking nervously to the elevators as if expecting trouble to descend at any moment. The air was thick with tension, a stark contrast to the unity and calm we had fostered within these walls.

"What's going on?" I murmured to Jasper, my senses heightening.

He shrugged slightly, his expression turning serious. "Let's find out," he replied, leading the way toward the gathering crowd.

As we approached, the snippets of conversation became clearer—words like "leak," "scandal," and "urgent meeting" floated "they left" towards us, each one like a strike of a gong. Something significant had happened, something potentially disastrous for Todd Corporation, and here we were, about to dive into another crisis, hand in hand, fortified by our recent personal revelations yet very unprepared for the corporate storm that was brewing.