Chapter 25: Signing His Own Defeat

Anthony Raymond leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers tapping against the polished mahogany desk as he reviewed the investment documents before him. His smirk widened. This was it, his golden opportunity to dominate the tech industry.

The AI startup was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The rumors in elite business circles spoke of a revolutionary project, an artificial intelligence system so advanced it could predict market trends with terrifying accuracy. The startup was exclusive, allowing only a few high profile investors to secure early shares.

Anthony won't let that opportunity slip away.

He glanced at his secretary, who was standing beside him, expression neutral but his hands clasped too tightly together, a sign of nervousness.

"Are you absolutely certain about this?" Anthony asked, twirling his pen between his fingers.

The advisor nodded. "Yes, sir. The startup has already attracted several influential backers. If we don't move fast, someone else will."

Anthony scoffed. "That won't happen. I am making them an offer they can't refuse."

With a satisfied smirk, he tapped a thick dark folder on his desk. Inside lay his secret weapon, an irresistible proposal that would guarantee him a dominant stake in the company.

And what better way to do that than with something of immense value?

Shares of Camelo Corporation.

Anthony had been quietly acquiring them over time, using methods to avoid suspicion. His ultimate goal is to take full control over the company Ariana's father built.

He had planned to take his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, but with this AI investment on the line, he did not delay any further. By using those shares as leverage, he could kill two birds with one stone, securing his position in the AI revolution while tightening his grip on Camelo Corporation.

"This investment is mine," he muttered under his breath, standing up.

"Prepare the documents. I'm signing today."

———

At a high end private office in a 15 story building, Leo Feng adjusted his sleeves, watching from the tinted windows as Anthony's black Benz pulled up to the private office.

"Showtime," he murmured, glancing at the two men seated across from him.

The executives that was handpicked by Ariana sat with unreadable expressions, their sharp suits and composed attitudes giving them the perfect illusion of high powered corporate elites. One was a former investment broker mo fan, known for his ability to sell a dream so well even the smartest men fell for it. The other was a legal strategist lu tian, a man whose contracts had buried more businessmen than Anthony could ever think of.

Leo smirked. Anthony had no idea he was walking into a trap.

The doors swung open. Anthony strolled in, walki with confidence like someone who is untouchable.

"I don't like wasting time," he said smoothly, taking a seat at the head of the table. "Let's get straight to business. I want in on this investment."

The fake "finance head the former investment broker, Mo fan chuckled. "Mr. Raymond, we appreciate your interest. However, our investors are carefully selected. This isn't just about money. We wants partners who can bring more value."

Anthony smirked. "That's why I'm here. I don't intend to be just another investor. I want control."

Leo, sitting quietly, exchanged a glance with the others.

This was going exactly as planned.

Anthony slid the dark folder across the table. "This is my offer. I think you will find it more than generous."

The legal strategist, Lu tian opened it, his expression expertly neutral. Inside were the details of Anthony's proposal, his secretly acquired Camelo Corporation shares.

Leo fought back a laugh. He was handing Ariana the very thing she had been fighting to reclaim.

The fake executives pretended to exchange calculating glances before the legal strategist spoke.

"This is… an interesting proposal. However, before we move forward, we require all potential partners to sign a confidentiality and exclusivity agreement. It ensures that our company's technology remains protected."

Anthony barely glanced at the document. "Standard protocol," he muttered, pulling out his pen. "Where do I sign?"

Leo's smirk deepened.

The moment Anthony signed, he unknowingly given up any claim to those shares.

———

Meanwhile…

Across town, Ariana leaned back on her couch, a cup of jasmine tea in hand as she watched the code messages from Leo's team .

Leo: The idiot just handed over the Camelo shares.

She exhaled slowly, a slow smile creeping across her lips.

"Hook, line, and sinker," she murmured.

After what happened in her past life, she have decided to take everything back from Anthony including her father's company. She remembered that it was through that shares Anthony took over her father's company. For years, she had been looking for a way to take back what belonged to her family. She had been prepared to fight for every inch of it. But now, Anthony had practically gifted it to her.

———

Back at the Meeting, Anthony handed the signed contract back, feeling victorious.

The fake legal advisor skimmed through the document, nodding in approval. "Excellent. With this agreement in place, we can proceed. Our internal team will finalize the details, and we'll arrange a secondary meeting for the official transfer of shares."

Anthony smirked. "Perfect. I expect results fast."

Leo exchanged an amused glance with his team. Oh, there would be results. Just not the kind Anthony expected.

As Anthony left the office, completely convinced he had just secured his future, Leo casually pulled out his phone.

Leo: Step one complete. He's officially in our web.

Ariana: Let him believe he's winning. The real fun is just beginning.

———

Rachel sat at her dressing table, scrolling through her phone, but no matter how many times she refreshed social media, she keeps feeling uneasy.

Ever since Ariana's sudden change, things had felt off.

For days, she had tried to track down the man who picked Ariana up in that luxury car, but every lead went cold. Surveillance footage? Gone. Any trace of the car's registration? Vanished. It was as if someone had erased every record.

Rachel's fingers tightened around her phone. No one was that untouchable.

Unless…

A dark thought slithered into her mind.

What if Ariana had someone backing her? Someone with more power than even she realized?

She clenched her jaw. I need to find out what she's hiding. And fast.

———

Anthony returned to his office that evening, he was in high spirits.

A glass of whiskey in hand, he stared out at the city skyline, picturing the empire he was about to build. The AI investment would increase his fortune, and soon, Camelo Corporation would be his.

Or so he thought.

Unknown to him, the moment he signed that contract, he had already lost everything.

His so called investment was a carefully crafted fantasy. The AI startup was a shell company created by Ariana and Leo. His shares in Camelo Corporation was Legally transferred out with is signature.

By the time he will find out the truth,It would be too late.

Ariana closed her laptop with a satisfied smirk.