I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 114: No Turning Back

Angel frowned. "You're saying we use the threat of leaving as leverage?"

"Exactly," Matthew said, leaning forward. "The Philippine government thrives on foreign investments. The moment international corporations think the business environment here is unstable, they'll start pulling out. The markets will react, and Vargas will have to deal with the fallout."

Lucas sighed. "That's a dangerous game, Matthew. If they think you're actually leaving, they might double down to force you out."

"Let them," Matthew said coldly. "I don't make threats—I follow through."

Angel took a deep breath, glancing at her tablet. "Well, if we want to shake them up, we don't have to wait. Some of our investors are already considering diversifying their assets elsewhere. Singapore, Japan, and the U.S. have all expressed interest in Sentinel expanding operations in their regions."

Matthew nodded. "Good. Start making calls. Let's see who's willing to offer us better terms."

Lucas hesitated. "And if the government tries to block our assets before we can move anything?"

Matthew's smirk didn't waver. "They won't. Because we're one step ahead."

The Government's Next Move: Freezing Sentinel's Assets

That evening, another attack came.

Breaking News:

"Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to Review Sentinel Systems' Financial Transactions!"

"Economic Sabotage? Government Moves to Investigate Alleged 'Unfair Trade Practices' by Matthew Borja!"

"Are Borja's Billions at Risk? Reports Indicate Possible Asset Freeze!"

Angel stormed into Matthew's office, her face a mix of frustration and disbelief. "They're trying to freeze our local accounts."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "On what grounds?"

"They're claiming there are 'irregularities' in our financial transactions," she said, nearly seething. "Which, of course, is nonsense."

Lucas read through the official notice, shaking his head. "They're doing it under the guise of a financial investigation. If they succeed, it could paralyze our operations here. Payroll, supplier payments, contracts—it all gets affected."

Matthew leaned back, taking a slow breath. "Alright. We'll handle this the way we handle all their other nonsense."

Angel looked at him. "And that is?"

"We make them regret it."

Matthew Strikes Back: The International Fallout

Within hours, Sentinel's legal team sprang into action, filing injunctions and petitions to counter the asset freeze. But Matthew knew this wasn't just about paperwork—it was about perception.

He made his next move.

A carefully worded press release was sent to major international news outlets.

Sentinel Systems Official Statement: "Recent actions taken by the Philippine government against Sentinel Systems represent a direct attack on innovation and economic freedom. These politically motivated investigations threaten to destabilize investor confidence in the country and undermine its position as a competitive player in the global tech industry. Sentinel Systems will not allow itself to be used as a pawn in a corrupt system that punishes success instead of fostering growth. We are now evaluating relocation options in countries that prioritize innovation and fair business practices."

It was a shot heard around the world.

Within hours, global investors, tech leaders, and economic analysts reacted.

Bloomberg: "Tech Giant Threatens to Leave the Philippines—What It Means for the Economy."

Forbes: "Borja vs. Vargas: The High-Stakes Battle That Could Cost the Philippines Billions."

The Wall Street Journal: "Foreign Investors Alarmed by Philippine Government's Retaliation Against Sentinel Systems."

The Stock Market Crashes

The effects were immediate.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) took a nosedive, losing billions in market value overnight as investors panicked.

Breaking News:

"Stock Market Plummets as Sentinel Systems Considers Pullout!"

"Investor Confidence at Risk Amid Government's Crackdown on Borja!"

"Economic Experts Warn of Major Recession If Sentinel Leaves the Philippines!"

Angel stared at the financial reports coming in. "Matthew, you just wiped out three percent of the country's stock market value in a single day."

Matthew took a sip of his coffee, completely unfazed. "Good. Maybe now they'll listen."

Lucas looked up from his phone. "I just got word from some government insiders—Vargas is panicking. He didn't expect this kind of reaction."

Matthew chuckled. "He thought he could bully me like some small-time businessman. He forgot who actually drives this economy."

The President's Response: Damage Control Mode

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The next morning, Emilio Vargas appeared in a nationally televised press conference. His tone was different this time—less confrontational, more measured.

"The government has no intention of harming businesses that contribute to our nation's growth," Vargas stated. "We are simply ensuring that all companies, no matter how powerful, operate within the boundaries of our laws."

Matthew smirked as he watched from his office. "He's trying to walk it back."

Angel nodded. "Because he knows he's losing control."

But then, Vargas added, "We invite Sentinel Systems to engage in dialogue with the government to address any misunderstandings."

Matthew's expression hardened. "A 'dialogue,' huh? He wants me to come crawling to Malacañang like a dog begging for scraps."

Lucas frowned. "It's a trap. If you meet with them, they'll use it as proof that you're willing to 'cooperate'—which means surrendering."

Matthew scoffed. "That's never happening."

Final Move: The Ultimatum

Matthew turned to Angel. "Get a statement ready."

Within an hour, Sentinel released its final warning.

Matthew Borja's Official Statement: "We appreciate President Vargas' call for dialogue, but Sentinel Systems will not be intimidated or forced into political games. If the Philippine government continues its unjust harassment of Sentinel Systems, we will make the necessary business decisions to protect our company, our investors, and our employees—whether that means scaling back operations in the country or relocating entirely. The choice is theirs."

The country held its breath.

The government had overplayed its hand, and now they were the ones on the defensive.

Matthew Borja wasn't backing down.

Angel watched the reactions pour in, her eyes scanning multiple screens filled with news updates, financial reports, and social media trends. "The message is spreading fast. Investors are holding back new projects. Some are even looking to liquidate assets here. The peso is slipping against the dollar."

Lucas placed his phone down. "Major business groups are privately calling for the government to stop this. If Vargas doesn't de-escalate, the damage will be irreversible."

Matthew smirked. "Then he has a choice. Admit he screwed up or watch the economy burn."

Angel exhaled. "Let's see how long his pride lasts."

Because if Vargas thought he could win, he was already losing.