Corporate Wars
It means exactly what it sounds like—a war between corporations.
However, it’s not about competing for the same pool of consumers.
It’s a literal war, with bullets flying, missiles falling, and tanks roaring.
In a world where corporate power surpasses that of nations, such occurrences were more common than one might think.
That said, history had shown that even if one won a corporate war, it often felt like a hollow victory.
Thus, corporations generally avoided war unless it was the absolute last resort.
Instead, a new concept emerged: the Cold War.
Instead of soldiers, they sent assassins.
Instead of bombs, they spread slander.
Instead of tanks, they deployed black AIs.
This quiet warfare was called the Corporate Cold War.
It was a more profitable approach compared to direct wars, so it became the preferred method for most corporations.
According to Cassie, over the phone, the pharmaceutical company Amon and Sonia had been monitoring was currently engaged in a cold war with another pharmaceutical company.
[Recently, the two companies developed weight-control drugs, and coincidentally, they both seem to have done it around the same time.]
Years of effort and resources had gone into developing these drugs, only for them to overlap.
Both sides accused each other of stealing trade secrets, but the truth remained elusive.
What was certain was that the drugs were almost identical in efficacy and performance.
It was as if both companies had contracted a disease that would kill them unless they secured a monopoly.
Thus, they began covert operations to force the other to relinquish patent rights.
Initially, they bribed regulatory bodies like the FDA and filed lawsuits against each other.
As the conflict dragged on, it escalated to a full-blown cold war.
[Right now, the most critical battleground in this cold war is France. The company that gains the upper hand in France will hold the advantage.]
That’s why Miller Pharmaceuticals concocted a deranged plan to release a virus.
It would weaken the rival company, expand their business, and even earn money from vaccines—three birds with one stone.
They wasted no time implementing this plan.
To secretly create a vaccine, they needed to conduct clinical trials quietly.
For that, they turned to human trafficking.
Through gangs that dealt in organ and human trafficking, they secured a steady supply of test subjects.
Eventually, one of these gangs crossed paths with Amon, leading to the death of Miller’s security chief during a so-called “operation.”
This sequence of events brought them to their current situation, as Cassie explained over the phone.
Amon nodded and gestured toward the now-dead attackers.
“Were these people sent by Miller? Did I mess up their plans?”
[No. Miller doesn’t particularly hold a grudge against you. Probably.]
“Probably?”
[I can see the future, not read minds.]
“Fair enough.”
[But I can say this for sure. These people weren’t sent by Miller Pharmaceuticals.]
Cassie’s words rang true. Miller Pharmaceuticals didn’t harbor ill feelings toward Amon.
The company saw their security chief as just another expendable cog in the machine.
His death was merely a minor incident, insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
If his sacrifice allowed Miller to gain dominance in France, they would consider it worthwhile.
“Companies really are ruthless.”
[For the record, I’d never abandon you guys, no matter what!]
Cassie spoke playfully, as if trying to brush off any suspicions.
Naturally, Amon didn’t take her too seriously.
“It’s fine. If I ever get betrayed, I’ll just start another coup.”
[Hey!]
“If it works, it’s a revolution. If it fails, it’s treason!”
[That’s it! I’m adding this to the list of reasons to purge you!]
“My apologies, ma’am!”
Amon teased her before steering the conversation back on track.
The attackers hadn’t been sent by Miller Pharmaceuticals.
[They were sent by Neville Pharmaceuticals.]
“The company competing with Miller, right?”
[Exactly.]
Amon quickly pieced the situation together.
“They must’ve thought we sided with Miller?”
[That’s likely.]
Cassie’s company was actively helping Miller gain the upper hand in France.
From Neville’s perspective, this might have looked like a conspiracy.
Sonia, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke.
“Do you think their intelligence was incomplete? Judging by the small team they sent, it seems that way.”
[On the contrary, it was probably perfect. That’s why they sent people like this.]
The attackers had no distinguishable affiliations and were skilled enough not to be easily linked back to Neville.
[If their goal wasn’t assassination but sabotage, this was the optimal team.]
If the company’s intent was merely to hinder Amon and Sonia, this approach was entirely rational.
Amon agreed.
“True. Without Cassie, identifying the perpetrators would’ve been impossible.”
There would’ve been plenty of circumstantial evidence.
The attackers were too well-trained and tight-lipped to be simple mercenaries or gang members.
Their loyalty was exceptional, pointing toward corporate involvement.
But that would’ve been the extent of it.
With hundreds of companies operating in Paris, pinpointing one would’ve been impossible.
It would’ve ended as an unresolved mystery, leaving only frustration.
Fortunately, Amon and Sonia had Cassie, sparing them that frustration—though it replaced it with curiosity.
“Alright, so we know Neville sent them. But I’m curious about something.”
[…?]
“Did you know they’d send people? Oh, don’t take this as an accusation. I’m just curious.”
It was genuine curiosity.
‘What exactly had Cassie foreseen?’
Cassie paused, weighing her words carefully before replying.
[Just so you know, my ability is to read threads of fate, not memorize every future. It’s like how you don’t memorize every passage of the Bible. You skim the highlights.]
“I’ve memorized the entire Book of Saints. Want me to recite it?”
[Most people skim the highlights! And unless something directly affects me, I can only know indirectly.]
“So, you didn’t know?”
[I swear, I didn’t.]
“This ability of yours is trickier than I thought.”
[I’ve said it before—it’s not omnipotent.]
“It’s still amazing, though. I rely on it a lot.”
[Hehe~]
Through the earpiece, Amon could hear Cassie’s smug little huff.
***
Reading Threads and Weaving Fate
Reading the threads was her gift, but weaving the fabric was her skill.
“So, you only just found out they were in a cold war?”
“…I guess so?”
Cassie went silent.
Amon realized this time the silence carried a different meaning.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve got your own plans.”
Amon accepted it and moved on.
But Cassie remained silent, as if waiting for someone to speak.
Finally, Sonia, who had been quietly listening, narrowed her sharp eyes.
Just as her lips moved to speak, Cassie closed her eyes, as if bracing for what was about to come.
Sonia, interpreting the silence differently, spoke with a slightly pointed tone.
“Did you really have to keep it a secret to this extent?”
Honesty was critical to Sonia in relationships, and this was a serious matter to her.
The focus of the conversation shifted from Amon to Sonia.
“Cassie, are you listening?”
[Sonia, I’m sorry.]
[No matter what I say, I know it won’t satisfy you. But sometimes, when you’re in my position, you have to hide the truth.]
“I know. I get it.”
Though Sonia said so, her tone betrayed her lingering disappointment.
A fleeting memory from her childhood crossed her mind.
She had told countless lies to Amon in the past.
She had hidden her mistakes—targeting a divine power wielder and trying to exploit them for the Hexen Group’s benefit.
She had even faked a field trip request to the Hexen Group to provoke the Vatican into offering a higher price.
That had led to a situation spiraling out of control.
Of course, she later confessed everything to Amon and was forgiven.
But there was one thing she still couldn’t forgive herself for—the orphanage director’s…
Sonia shook off the descending fog of her thoughts.
To her, honesty was vital.
Without it, relationships could deteriorate beyond repair.
Her disappointment with Cassie stemmed from this belief.
She cherished Cassie and emphasized honesty because she didn’t want to lose her.
Cassie, understanding Sonia’s sincerity, accepted the criticism earnestly.
[I promise two things: I may hide things from you, but I’ll never lie to you. And as I said before, I’ll never abandon you.]
Amon, who had been quietly listening, nodded in agreement.
Realizing her tone had been sharper than intended, Sonia softened.
“Sorry. I guess I was on edge after the fight.”
[I understand.]
Both Amon and Cassie let out a sigh of relief.
The tension dissipated.
Amon clapped his hands to lighten the mood.
“Well then, back to the topic. What’s our next move, boss?”
[I’m not the boss, I’m the director.]
“Shadow power-broker director?”
[Keep it up, and I’ll reveal all your embarrassing future moments.]
“My apologies, Director.”
[That’s more like it.]
“So, what’s the plan?”
[What else? We’ll keep establishing branches for our company.]
“No plans for revenge against Neville?”
[Establishing the Paris branch is part of that. You need a base of operations to conduct sabotage or engage in cold wars. Besides, Neville’s not the only target.]
“…Are you planning to deal with Miller too?”
[Did you think I wouldn’t?]
“I thought you’d negotiate.”
Over the earpiece, Cassie snorted.
[I told you, I’d never abandon you. That includes making sure anyone who messes with you doesn’t get away with it.]
Miller had already secured its place in Cassie’s book of grudges.
First, there was the clinic incident where Amon and Sonia were selected as test subjects.
Then, there was their plan to use a gang to retaliate against Amon.
Finally…
[Miller knew about today’s attack. They turned a blind eye, hoping to force me into participating in the cold war.]
Cassie predicted the next steps.
[Tomorrow morning, someone from Miller will come to us, claiming the attackers were from Neville. That’ll naturally draw us into the conflict.]
“Another glimpse of the future?”
[No, this is analysis.]
In conclusion, Miller had built up enough reasons for Cassie to hold a grudge.
She had no intention of letting either Miller or Neville go unchallenged.
Although it might seem like she was negotiating on the surface, in reality, she was sharpening her knives behind the scenes.
This approach was something Cassie had learned from Amon.
[The best time to strike is when they feel secure.]
“You’re scary, Director.”
[You taught me.]
The team finally summarized their plan.
Priority One: Find the head of Reketio Essence Co.
Priority Two: Use the company as a base to mess with both pharmaceutical giants.
It was a simple strategy.
Ultimately, Amon and Sonia’s role hadn’t changed—finding the representative.
[Well, things are going to get a little hectic from now on.]
“That’s fine.”
Amon smiled.
“We’ve handled worse.”
Sonia and Cassie also smiled, sharing his sentiment.