Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 365

But once inside the car, Ludwik's demeanor shifted, his eyes glinting like frost under the moonlight. He spoke with a chill, "Let the news I've released simmer for a few hours."

Felix glanced at the rearview mirror, a spark of understanding lighting his gaze.

With a smirk, Ludwik inquired, "Has Jarvis bitten the bait with the chip deal?"

The executive in the passenger seat made a quick call for confirmation, then turned with a sly grin, "Mr. Lippert, the big shots at Tyche Inc. and PotenTech just got back to us in secret. Jarvis signed up with them, using a tech firm as a front, claiming he's got the latest model of the Sharp-F Chip."

The Sharp-F Chip had been pilfered from the lab by Jarvis. The exact method of theft was still unclear to Ludwik. But that did not deter him from setting a grand scheme in motion from the start.

At the afternoon press conference, the CEOs of Tyche Inc. and PotenTech played along in his ruse, luring the enemy deeper into the trap. Now that the contract was signed, it was easy sailing. Jarvis intended to sabotage his company, with the chip's failure preventing its launch and generating a slew of negative repercussions, leading to lawsuits and potential bankruptcy. Ludwik planned to return the favor in kind.

"Felix, get to work, bring out our lab's real Sharp-F Chip, and hit Jarvis with a copyright infringement lawsuit that'll bleed his company dry."

Leaning back in his seat, Ludwik crossed his legs, his voice unhurried. Felix sped up, heading back to Skyfaith Group, with Ludwik beelining for the lab.

Indeed, the real Sharp-F Chip had undergone a last-minute data enhancement, not damage, making it even more powerful. Its market delay was a strategic feint. Mr. Lippert had been aware of Jarvis's scheme since he noticed him secretly colluding with the CEOs of Tyche Inc. and PotenTech during a business trip.

Skyfaith was ablaze with activity, its staff bustling, and executives gathered around the conference table. Ludwik stood at the doorway of the president's office, his gaze icy, "Find the mole who helped Jarvis steal and tamper with the chip data."

Felix nodded firmly.

Around 4 a.m., Jarvis was jolted awake by his subordinate. "Jarvis, we've got trouble! The CEOs of Tyche Inc. and PotenTech turned on us right after signing. They've reported our chip as a counterfeit, illegally infringing on Skyfaith's genuine chip rights, calling off the deal and demanding a hefty compensation!"

"That's impossible," Jarvis scoffed, lighting a cigarette, "Everyone knows Skyfaith's chip was off the market, making infringement a non-issue. The Sharp-F Chip we obtained was meant to fill the void for Tyche Inc. and PotenTech. Plus, Ludwik's behind bars!"

"The twist is," the subordinate frowned, "an hour ago, Skyfaith's Sharp-F Chip was relaunched! They held an overnight product launch, with live tests showing no issues. The whole media's rushing over. And... and..."

"Out with it!" Jarvis pressed, seeing his hesitance.

The subordinate went pale, "At the launch, Ludwik was present. Meaning, he wasn't under police interrogation. There's only one explanation, Jarvis, he's been released without charges."

"Impossible!" Jarvis's shout echoed, his cigarette dropping as his complexion darkened. He made a hasty call to the Banyan City legal authorities, only to learn that the bribery dossier on Ludwik was deemed insufficient for arrest.

Jarvis slammed the phone down, his face contorting in fury. He could only think of Whitney... That traitor, he had given her documents enough to jail Ludwik for years. She was supposed to have used them. Fine, old flames die hard, a last-minute betrayal, and now the tables have turned on him.

Sitting in his chair, Jarvis was bombarded with calls from the CEOs of Tyche Inc. and PotenTech. With Skyfaith's genuine chip back on the market, Jarvis's counterfeit became a hot potato, and the media started circling. Even the commercial crime department received Skyfaith's report, digging into his company's records and closing in.