Chapter 42 - Counterstrike
Jack doesn't waste any time. The moment the press conference ends, he's on the phone with Chris. "I need you to dig up everything you can on Lisa's new plan. Whatever she's cooking up, we need to shut it down – now."
"I'm on it," Chris says. "But it's going to take time."
"Time we don't have," Jack mutters, hanging up.
[Mission Unlocked: Uncover Lisa's Next Move. Reward: Strategic Insight Lv. 2.]
---
Jack meets Mia and Emily at the café. Emily looks exhausted, dark circles under her eyes. "I heard what happened," she says. "Lisa's going public with PrimeTech."
"She's bluffing," Jack says, jaw clenched. "She lost the deal. But she's too calm. That means she's got a backup plan."
"Or a new target," Mia adds, crossing her arms. "If she can't get PrimeTech, she might go after something else."
Jack's mind races. "What's our weakest link right now?"
Mia bites her lip. "Emily's bakery. It's still in the red, and the new equipment hasn't arrived yet."
Jack slams a fist against the table. "Damn it. That's exactly what she'll do."
[Mission Update: Uncover Lisa's Next Move. Progress: 30%]
---
Meanwhile, at Horizon Holdings, Lisa stands in her office, staring out over the city. Derek enters, a sly grin on his face.
"It's done," Derek says. "The new investors are ready to move in on Carter's assets."
Lisa's lips curl into a smile. "Good. And the bakery?"
"Already in motion," Derek says. "We've got a buyer lined up to snatch it out from under him."
"Perfect," Lisa purrs, swirling her wine glass. "Let's see how Jack handles losing another asset."
---
Jack receives a call from Marcus, who sounds frantic. "Jack, you need to get to the bakery – now."
Jack grabs his keys and bolts for the door. By the time he arrives, the bakery is surrounded by men in suits – the kind of men who don't ask questions and don't take no for an answer.
Emily is standing in the doorway, trying to hold them off. "You can't do this!"
"It's already done," one of the men sneers, shoving a contract in her face. "Your loan has been sold to a new creditor."
Jack storms forward, eyes blazing. "And who might that be?"
The man smirks, flipping the contract around to show the signature. "Horizon Holdings."
[Mission Update: Uncover Lisa's Next Move. Progress: 60%]
Jack grits his teeth as the men push past him, marching into the bakery to seize assets. Emily watches, tears streaming down her face.
"Jack," she whispers, her voice breaking. "What do we do now?"
Jack's eyes harden, fists clenched. "We fight back."