Chapter 14: The Breaking Point

The air in Jared's office was thick with tension as he stared at the latest news reports. The SEC investigation had gone public, sparking a media frenzy. The headlines were ruthless: "Donovan Enterprises Under Fire: Allegations of Bid Manipulation Raise Questions About CEO Jared Donovan."

Nina paced near his desk, her phone buzzing constantly with updates. "The board's already asking for a meeting," she said, her voice tight. "They're nervous, Jared. This kind of publicity—"

"Is exactly what Victor wanted," Jared interrupted, his voice ice-cold. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he stared at the ceiling.

Nina hesitated before continuing. "We need a strategy, and we need it now. If the investors lose confidence—"

"They won't," Jared said sharply, sitting up straight. "But I won't let Victor dictate the narrative. Schedule a press conference for tomorrow morning. I'll address this head-on."

"And what's the message?" Nina asked.

"That Donovan Enterprises operates with integrity," Jared said, his tone resolute. "We've done nothing wrong, and we have the records to prove it. This is nothing more than a desperate smear campaign from a competitor who knows they're losing."

Nina nodded, though the worry in her eyes lingered. "Understood. I'll make the arrangements."

As she left the room, Jared turned his attention to his laptop. He pulled up the encrypted files Linda had sent earlier in the week—evidence that Victor was behind the interference in the bid process. The time for subtlety was over.

He picked up his phone and dialed Linda.

"Get in touch with our PR team," he said. "I want this information leaked to the right outlets. If Victor wants to fight dirty, we'll bury him in his own mess."

Meanwhile, at Bellmont Holdings

Victor stood at the center of his opulent office, the Manhattan skyline sprawling behind him. Angela sat across from him, her tablet in hand, scrolling through the latest developments.

"Jared's going public," Angela said, her tone clipped. "He's holding a press conference tomorrow to address the allegations."

Victor smirked, sipping his whiskey. "Of course, he is. Jared's always been predictable—too proud to let anyone see him sweat."

Angela didn't share his amusement. "He's also leaking information about our involvement in the bid interference. If that gets out, it won't just be bad for Bellmont—it'll be catastrophic."

Victor's smile faded, his expression hardening. "What's our exposure?"

"Significant," Angela admitted. "If he has enough to tie us to the sabotage, the SEC could come after us next."

Victor set his glass down, his mind racing. He had underestimated Jared's resilience. This wasn't the calculated CEO he was used to outmaneuvering—this was a man fighting for survival, and that made him dangerous.

"Activate the contingency," Victor said finally.

Angela looked up, surprised. "Are you sure? That's—"

"I'm sure," Victor interrupted. "If Jared wants a war, we'll give him one. And when this is over, he'll wish he'd stayed in his lane."

Angela hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I'll handle it."

As she left, Victor turned back to the window, his jaw tight. The game was spinning out of control, and the stakes had never been higher. But Victor thrived in chaos.

The Next Morning

The conference room at Donovan Enterprises was packed with reporters, cameras, and bright lights. Jared stood at the podium, his expression calm but resolute.

"Good morning," he began, his voice steady. "In recent days, Donovan Enterprises has come under scrutiny due to allegations of bid manipulation. Let me be clear: these accusations are baseless and unfounded."

He glanced around the room, his gaze meeting those of the reporters. "We have always operated with the utmost integrity, and we will continue to do so. This smear campaign is a desperate attempt by a competitor to undermine our success."

Jared paused, letting his words sink in. "We have evidence to support our position, and we will cooperate fully with any investigation to clear our name. Donovan Enterprises will not be intimidated, and we will not back down."

As he stepped away from the podium, the reporters erupted with questions. Jared ignored them, walking briskly out of the room and into the corridor, where Nina was waiting.

"That was bold," she said. "Let's hope it works."

"It will," Jared said, though his tone carried a hint of doubt. "But now we need to prepare for Victor's next move. He won't take this lying down."

That Evening

Victor's move came faster than Jared had anticipated. As he sat in his office, his phone buzzed with an alert.

Breaking News: Donovan Enterprises Tied to Offshore Tax Havens, Anonymous Whistleblower Claims.

Jared's blood ran cold as he read the report. The article was detailed, citing supposed "insiders" who claimed Donovan Enterprises had been funneling money through offshore accounts for years. It was a masterstroke—a direct attack on Jared's credibility.

Nina burst into the room, a printout of the article in hand. "This is bad," she said. "If this sticks—"

"It won't," Jared said firmly, though his hands clenched into fists. "This is Victor's doing. He's trying to distract from his own scandals."

"But how do we prove it?" Nina asked.

Jared didn't answer immediately. His mind was already racing, piecing together the puzzle. Finally, he looked up, his expression hard.

"Get Linda on the phone," he said. "And call Malcolm. It's time we played our ace."

The war between Jared and Victor was no longer about strategy or subtlety. It was a battle of survival, and both men were willing to risk everything to come out on top.

But in the shadows, unseen forces began to stir—forces that neither man had accounted for. And as the noose tightened, it became clear that the cost of victory might be higher than either of them could bear.