Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 68  The Ultimatum

As Michael stepped through the courthouse doors, the swarm of journalists, microphones thrust forward like spears, was immediate and overwhelming.

"Mr. Reyes! Mr. Reyes! Please, can you answer one question from us!"

"Mr. Reyes, how do you feel about today's proceedings?"

The questions flew at him from all directions, each voice trying to drown out the others for a moment of his attention. Michael, still processing the weight of the courtroom's atmosphere, found himself momentarily frozen, the real world crashing back with the force of a tidal wave.

The security guards, recognizing the potential for the situation to escalate, quickly formed a protective barrier around Michael.

"Please, give Mr. Reyes some space," one of the guards asserted as he gently guided Michael through the sea of reporters.

"But sir…please, just one question from us and we swear we will leave!"

The journalist who shouted that caught Michael's attention. He stopped in his tracks, facing the journalist who said that.

"Okay…I'll entertain one of your questions, what is it?" "Sir we want to know if the solar panel that you developed is not from Mr. Go's design." "Our design is too far from being similar to one another, so of course, there's no infringement or borrowing of ideas. In fact, I don't even Mr. Go existed so this is quite a shocker to me that there'd be someone claiming that my invention was already conceptualized earlier by someone else." "So you don't know Mr. Go at all?" the journalist asked, wanting clarification.

"I have not even met or heard his name," Michael reiterated.

As Michael's words hung in the air, a murmur swept through the crowd of journalists. The implication was clear: if Michael had never heard of Mr. Go, then the allegations of intellectual property theft seemed baseless, at least from his perspective.

The journalists scribbled notes, their expressions ranging from skeptical to intrigued. The security guards took advantage of the brief pause in questioning to usher Michael away from the crowd and towards his vehicle.

But before he could open the door, someone called out to him.

"Mr. Reyes."

Michael glanced over his shoulder and this time, it wasn't the journalist, it was Mr. Johnson, Mr. Go's lawyer. If he is being honest, the lawyer's surname is unusual for someone living in the Philippines. Is he a half? Like his father is from the foreign country. He looked at the face and there he could tell that he might be mixed.

"How can I help you? Mr. Johnson?"

"Well, I wish to speak with you in private, along with my client, would that be acceptable for you?" Michael chuckled. "Is this some kind of trap?"

"You don't have to be cautious towards us, we mean you do no harm. We only want to talk about a possible settlement outside of court," Mr. Johnson replied, his tone earnest.

Michael raised an eyebrow, considering the offer carefully. A settlement could potentially bring an end to the legal battle without the need for further courtroom drama, saving both time and resources.

"Alright, I'll hear what you have to say," Michael agreed, albeit cautiously.

With a nod from Mr. Johnson, Michael followed him and the security guards to a nearby conference room, where Mr. Go awaited them. The atmosphere was tense as they settled into their seats, each party bracing themselves for what was to come.

"Mr. Reyes, Mr. Go has expressed his willingness to discuss a potential resolution to this matter," Mr. Johnson began, his tone diplomatic.

"Okay…what is it?" Mr. Go tapped his finger on the desk and then spoke. "Look, Mr. Johnson here is the best patent lawyer in the country. You will stand no chance against me and you'd possibly lose a lot of money from all the court fees." Michael leaned back in his chair, considering Mr. Go's words carefully. The threat was clear, but Michael refused to be intimidated. "Don't worry, my pocket runs deep," Michael said. "So if you are willing to make this case a long one, I won't mind. Just so you know, the result is clear. I will win this legal battle because you know why? Because you just conceptualized the idea, and that idea was so wrong in many levels that I could even write a one hundred page detailed rebuttal. Your claim lacks substance and evidence, and I'm confident that the court will see through it. How about this? You drop this case and we can go in our separate ways and not deal with this bullshit? How about that? Because I really want to sell my solar panel, and I don't want to be bogged down anymore by unnecessary legal battles."

Mr. Johnson exchanged a glance with Mr. Go, their expressions unreadable. Michael prodded. "Look, I don't know what you are up to but you were a former employee of the Solar Dynamics Corporation right? Is there a possibility of the CEO telling you to file a case against me so he can delay the release of my solar panel?" "What makes you think that?" Stephen asked.

"Because you came out of nowhere. Look, if he had paid you a copious amount of money for you to do this, please I'm telling you, you won't have a chance of winning this, even if you have a great lawyer. As you all know, I presented my case very clearly earlier." Mr. Johnson's expression tightened at Michael's accusation. "Come on guys, let's stop this. You won't have a chance in winning this case. I have a full backing of two richest investors domestically and internationally. Whoever is supporting you or telling you to do this, is powerless before them. So let's stop this, I'm tired, I just want to make a living."

***

Meanwhile, in Francis's office.

"Sir, you have a visitor." "Who is it?" Francis asked, glancing up from his phone.

"Mrs. Antoinette Estolas."

"Mrs. Estolas?" Francis repeated, tilting his head to the side. "What the heck is she doing here?" "Sir…should I send her in? She is quite impatient."

"Send her in," Francis said, setting his phone down and straightening his posture.

Mrs. Estolas entered the room promptly, her expression serious and determined. "Mr. Peralta, I need to speak with you privately." Francis beckoned his secretary to give them a room. She obliged and left the office.

"Please, have a seat, Mrs. Estolas," Francis said, gesturing towards the chairs arranged around the table.

Antoneitte didn't move. "I won't beat around the bush. I have sources that you have paid a huge sum of money to Mr. Go to delay the release of the solar panel invented by Mr. Reyes. And I won't tolerate it as one of his investors. So if you want your company to cease to exist if they were to know about it, I advise you to tell them to drop the case. Because this won't end well for you."

Francis leaned back in his chair, a flicker of surprise crossing his features at Antoinette's directness. "You are so cunning, Mrs. Estolas." "Yeah…so are you going to abide by my terms or are you going to risk you and your company suffering severe consequences?" Antoinette retorted.

Francis considered his options carefully. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

***

January 15th, 2024. Michael's phone buzzed as new messages arrive in his inbox.

[Mr. Go dropped the case.]

Michael sighed. "I knew this would happen."