The air was tense in the Jiang family's conference room. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the grim expressions on the faces of Jiang Han's most trusted advisors. A holographic projection hovered above the polished table, displaying the latest financial reports and alarming red indicators that pointed to a coordinated corporate assault.
"This isn't an isolated attack," Mikhail Darmawan said, his tone sharp. "They've infiltrated our supply chains, bribed our key partners, and spread rumours among stakeholders. Whoever's orchestrating this knows where to hit us hardest."
Jiang Han leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. "They're testing our resilience, but they underestimate one thing—our ability to adapt and fight back."
Colonel Yusof, seated at the head of the table, spoke next. "Aegis Sentinel Corps has already deployed countermeasures to safeguard physical assets. The Bodyguard Division and Security Guard Division are reinforcing all critical locations."
"Good," Jiang said, his eyes narrowing. "But this is a war of influence and numbers. We need more than brute strength—we need strategy."
Adrian Yong, leader of the Intelligence Division, stood up. His calm yet commanding presence silenced the room. "Our enemies are a coalition of financial tycoons, corrupt officials, and opportunistic corporations. We've identified three primary players leading this offensive."
A flick of Adrian's wrist brought up profiles of the culprits.
1. Tan Wei Cong: A powerful real estate magnate with deep connections in Seladang City's political circles.
2. Datin Rosmah Salim: Head of a conglomerate specialising in logistics, known for aggressive acquisition tactics.
3. Darren Holt: A foreign investor with a history of hostile takeovers.
"These individuals are leveraging their networks to destabilise Jiang Logistics. From misinformation campaigns to outright sabotage, their goal is to cripple our operations and force us into submission," Adrian explained.
Jiang Han's expression hardened. "Submission isn't an option. How do we counter this?"
Adrian glanced at Captain Elisa Tan, his assistant. She spoke with a sharp, no-nonsense tone. "We counter by turning their strengths into weaknesses. If they're using connections, we sever them. If they're spreading rumours, we flood the market with the truth."
The leaders of the Aegis Sentinel Corps began mapping out their roles in the counteroffensive.
Support Division:
Idris Zakaria, the division leader, outlined plans for cybersecurity fortification. "Dr Imran and Sophia are already tracking potential data breaches and unauthorised access attempts. We're reinforcing firewalls and launching counter-surveillance operations."
Sophia Liew, seated beside Idris, added, "We've also identified several online forums and media outlets where misinformation is being spread. I'll infiltrate and neutralise those narratives."
Bodyguard and Security Guard Divisions:
Lieutenant Colonel Razif Syahmi and Captain Nizam Salleh discussed the protection of key personnel and facilities. "We'll ensure that every shipment, office, and individual tied to Jiang Logistics is under our watch," Razif assured.
Intelligence Division:
Adrian and Elisa committed to uncovering the deeper strategies behind the attacks. "We'll focus on identifying the key decision-makers within their networks. Once exposed, their alliances will crumble," Elisa said.
Three days later, the counteroffensive began. Jiang Logistics launched a public relations campaign, led by Mikhail Darmawan and his newly formed legal team. Press conferences, interviews, and carefully crafted statements flooded the media, countering every rumour with hard evidence.
Simultaneously, the Intelligence Division struck from the shadows. Adrian's team intercepted confidential emails, financial records, and meeting schedules from their adversaries, exposing underhanded tactics to regulatory bodies.
"We've got a hit," Elisa reported one evening, her voice tinged with excitement. "Holt's financial backers are pulling out after our leaks revealed his history of fraud. His position is weakening."
Jiang allowed himself a rare smile. "Good. Keep pressing. A collapsing empire can't rebuild if we keep striking its foundations."
But the enemy wasn't going down without a fight. As Jiang Logistics regained footing, new challenges emerged. Hackers attempted to breach the company's servers, and anonymous threats began arriving at their offices.
During a late-night meeting, Dr Imran brought grim news. "We've detected malware embedded in one of our legacy systems. If activated, it could corrupt vital data."
Sophia was already typing furiously on her laptop. "I'm isolating the infected system. We'll neutralise it before it can do any damage."
"Make it quick," Jiang said. "Every second we delay gives them an advantage."
Amid the chaos, the divisions worked in unison, demonstrating the strength of the organisation Jiang Han had built.
The Training Division, under Major Azlan, adapted their drills to include cyber and psychological warfare scenarios, preparing operatives for the new battlefield.
The Support Division monitored every digital and physical movement of the opposition, ensuring no attack went unnoticed.
The Bodyguard and Security Guard Divisions intensified their efforts, thwarting several attempts to intercept shipments and disrupt operations.
Jiang Han remained at the centre of it all, coordinating efforts and making critical decisions. His calm under pressure inspired confidence, even as the stakes continued to rise.
A breakthrough came when the Intelligence Division uncovered a hidden connection between Tan Wei Cong and a government official involved in granting lucrative contracts. Armed with this information, Jiang Logistics filed a formal complaint, prompting an investigation that threw Tan's operations into disarray.
Meanwhile, Datin Rosmah Salim faced public backlash after leaked documents revealed unethical practices within her conglomerate. Mikhail's legal team capitalised on the scandal, launching lawsuits that further weakened her position.
By the end of the week, Darren Holt's international partners severed ties, leaving him isolated and vulnerable.
As the dust began to settle, the Aegis Sentinel Corps gathered for a brief debriefing. Colonel Yusof addressed the team, his voice filled with pride. "This was a victory not just for Jiang Logistics, but for everyone who stood against corruption and greed. Each division played a vital role, and your efforts will not be forgotten."
Jiang Han stood beside him, his expression one of gratitude. "We've won this battle, but the war is far from over. They'll come at us again, stronger and more determined. But I know we're ready for whatever comes next."
The room erupted into applause, a rare moment of celebration amidst the ongoing storm. But even as they celebrated, Jiang's mind was already focused on the next move. The enemies they had defeated were only part of a larger network, and the road ahead was fraught with danger.
That night, as Jiang Han sat alone in his office, his phone buzzed with a new notification from the system:
System Notification:
Mission Completed: Counter the First Corporate Assault.
Reward: Enhanced Strategic Planning Skill (Level 2).
New Mission: Prepare for the Media War.
Jiang exhaled deeply. The next challenge was already on the horizon, and he knew it would test them in ways they had never imagined.
The Aegis Sentinel Corps operated like a finely tuned machine in the days following their decisive counterstrike. While Jiang Logistics enjoyed a brief respite, everyone knew the victory was merely a stepping stone in a much larger war. The enemy coalition wasn't broken—it was regrouping.
Adrian Yong was in the Intelligence Division's command centre, surrounded by live data streams and surveillance feeds. Captain Elisa Tan stood next to him, her eyes darting across a screen displaying communication logs from Tan Wei Cong's network.
"They're shifting their strategy," Elisa noted. "Instead of direct attacks, they're spreading their influence through proxy companies and third-party contractors."
Adrian leaned closer to the screen, his brow furrowed. "Diversion tactics. They want us chasing shadows while they prepare their next move."
Elisa turned to him. "What's the play?"
"Prepare the division for deep-dive operations. We'll need to infiltrate these proxies and map out the connections. Also, coordinate with Support. This level of obfuscation could involve advanced cyber warfare."
In the Support Division's headquarters, Idris Zakaria and Alina Tan worked tirelessly to dissect the digital evidence provided by Adrian's team. Alina's fingers danced across her keyboard as she tracked suspicious patterns across financial records and communication trails.
"Look at this," she said, pulling up a network of transactions. "They're funnelling resources through offshore accounts."
Dr Imran Rahman and Sophia Liew joined the discussion, examining the anomalies. Dr Imran adjusted his glasses. "This level of obfuscation suggests high-level involvement. They're not just wealthy—they're politically connected."
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "Which means they'll retaliate the moment we expose them."
Idris nodded grimly. "Then we hit them fast and hard. Let's see if they can withstand the combined might of our divisions."
Meanwhile, Jiang Han held a meeting with Colonel Yusof, Lieutenant Colonel Razif Syahmi, and Major Azlan to discuss their next moves.
"We've weathered the first wave," Jiang began, "but the second will be more sophisticated. How prepared are we?"
Colonel Yusof responded first. "The Bodyguard and Security Guard Divisions are tightening protocols around high-risk assets. We've also assigned additional personnel to protect your family."
Razif added, "We're running specialised drills for close-quarters protection. Any attempt to target our personnel will meet immediate resistance."
Jiang nodded, appreciating their diligence. Turning to Major Azlan, he asked, "What about recruitment?"
Azlan's tone was confident. "We're selecting candidates with specific skill sets—urban combat, counter-intelligence, and reconnaissance. By the next attack, our field units will be better equipped to adapt."
Just as the meeting concluded, Adrian walked in, holding a tablet. "We've intercepted something critical," he announced. "Darren Holt's remaining assets are being mobilised for a smear campaign. He's targeting our reputation in the media."
Colonel Yusof's expression darkened. "A media war."
Jiang leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "They're trying to weaken public trust in us. Mikhail, how's our legal team holding up?"
Mikhail, who had joined via video call, replied, "The team's ready to counter any defamatory claims. But this won't be easy—Holt has deep pockets and friends in the right places."
Jiang looked around the room, his determination palpable. "We don't wait for them to strike. We go on the offensive."
Jiang devised a multi-layered strategy. The Intelligence Division would track Holt's media partners and identify vulnerabilities in their network. The Support Division, led by Idris and Alina, would fortify Jiang Logistics' online presence, ensuring the company's reputation remained untarnished. Meanwhile, Mikhail's legal team prepared to file injunctions against any false claims.
To rally public support, Jiang decided to release a documentary showcasing Jiang Logistics' community initiatives and sustainable practices. "If they're going to throw dirt, we'll give people something worth believing in," he said.
As the team dispersed to execute their roles, Jiang lingered in the conference room with Colonel Yusof.
"Yusof," he said quietly, "this isn't just about business anymore. They're attacking our integrity, our people. If we let this go unchecked, it won't stop."
The colonel's eyes met Jiang's. "We'll hold the line, Jiang. No matter what."
Outside, the skyline of Seladang City gleamed against the night, a stark reminder of both the opportunities and challenges ahead.