I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World

March 2022.

Months had passed since Matthew Borja publicly endorsed Vice President Regina Velasco for the presidency, and in that time, Sentinel Systems had only grown stronger.

Despite the coordinated attacks, his company continued to dominate the global technology industry. International markets had welcomed Sentinel OS with open arms, expanding its reach into major economies across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Investments poured in, new partnerships were forged, and his net worth climbed even higher.

Yet, while his business thrived, the political battlefield in the Philippines remained as chaotic as ever.

The troll army hadn't stopped their attacks. In fact, they had escalated.

The latest smear campaign had shifted focus. It was no longer about aliens, cyborgs, or digital mind control—now, they were questioning his rapid rise in wealth.

Matthew sat in his office, sipping his coffee as Angel scrolled through the latest accusations on social media.

"No one becomes a billionaire this fast without doing something illegal!"

"Borja must have ties to the dark web, or maybe he's laundering money!"

"We demand an investigation! How did this guy get rich so quickly?"

Angel rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "They're really pushing the 'too successful = corrupt' angle now."

Matthew smirked. "Classic. They can't compete, so they scream fraud."

She scrolled further. Even politicians had started throwing shade.

Senator Eduardo Salazar, a known ally of Emilio Vargas, had taken to the Senate floor in a nationally televised speech.

"The people deserve to know the truth! We have billionaires who claim to be self-made, yet their wealth skyrocketed without oversight. How can one man, in just a few years, amass a fortune that rivals our own GDP? Is there something he's hiding? We must launch an investigation into Sentinel Systems and its financial dealings!"

Matthew chuckled. "They make it sound like I robbed a bank."

Angel snorted. "A bank? More like you found an infinite money glitch in real life."

Another senator, Rodrigo Valera, took it even further. In an interview with a pro-Vargas news outlet, he claimed:

"Matthew Borja is no different from the oligarchs he claims to oppose! He's just another businessman trying to monopolize the market, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was using his power to evade taxes!"

Angel scoffed. "We literally paid $400 million in taxes last year. Public record."

Matthew exhaled, leaning back. "They're desperate. Vargas' campaign is losing momentum, so now they're trying to drag me into some fake corruption scandal."

Angel nodded. "They can't attack Velasco directly—she's too clean. So they go after her biggest supporter."

Matthew smiled. "Let them. We'll respond on our terms."

It didn't take long before mainstream media started running with the allegations.

Breaking News:

"SENATORS CALL FOR PROBE INTO MATTHEW BORJA'S RAPIDLY ACCUMULATED WEALTH"

"DID SENTINEL SYSTEMS EXPLOIT LOOPHOLES TO AVOID TAXATION?"

"TECH BILLIONAIRE UNDER FIRE: HOW DID MATTHEW BORJA BECOME THE RICHEST MAN IN THE COUNTRY?"

Matthew watched one of the news broadcasts in his office.

A TV anchor was discussing his company's financial records as if there were something scandalous to uncover.

"While there is no direct evidence of wrongdoing, concerns have been raised about how Sentinel Systems achieved such astronomical success in such a short period of time. Critics argue that without government oversight, billionaires like Borja could be engaging in monopolistic practices that harm competition."

Angel paused the video, shaking her head. "They literally just admitted there's no evidence but still ran the story."

Matthew sighed. "That's how it works. Imply wrongdoing without proof, and let public perception do the rest. Good thing that our market is foreigners, not domestic."

Angel crossed her arms. "Still, if this keeps up, some government agency might actually launch an investigation—just to make it seem like they're 'doing something.' Even if they find nothing, the damage to public perception is what they're after."

Matthew smirked. "Let them investigate. We have nothing to hide. But if they want a fight, we'll give them one."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "How aggressive are we talking?"

Matthew leaned forward, pulling up Sentinel's latest public relations strategy on his holographic display. "We shift the conversation. If they want to question our wealth, we remind people why we're successful in the first place."

He tapped a few keys, bringing up a new press release draft prepared by Sentinel's media team.

"Sentinel Systems was built through innovation, hard work, and global demand. We create technology that the world needs, and that's why we thrive. Every cent we've earned is through legitimate business, every tax obligation has been fulfilled, and every accusation against us is nothing more than political theater."

"If certain politicians are so concerned about wealth accumulation, perhaps they should start by investigating how career government officials on modest salaries manage to own luxury properties and offshore accounts."

"Sentinel Systems will not be distracted by baseless accusations. We will continue focusing on what truly matters—pioneering technology, expanding economic opportunities, and creating a future where Filipinos can compete on the world stage."

Matthew glanced at Angel. "Post this within the next hour."

Angel read through it, smirking. "You're flipping the script on them."

Matthew nodded. "Exactly. If they want to make money the issue, let's talk about their money. Let's see how eager they are for transparency when the spotlight is on them."

As soon as Sentinel Systems' official statement went live, the internet exploded.

Within minutes, the hashtags #SuccessIsNotACrime and #InvestigateTheRealThieves began trending.

Public sentiment quickly shifted.

"Borja has a point. Why aren't we investigating politicians who've been in office for decades but are richer than most CEOs?"

"It's funny how they question a man who built a company but not the people who magically became millionaires while in government."

"Success isn't corruption. Some politicians just hate that they can't control Borja."

Even major economic analysts weighed in.

"Whether you like Borja or not, the truth is his company pays more in taxes than entire industries. If you drive him out, you lose foreign investment, jobs, and innovation."

"This attack is politically motivated. They don't want an independent billionaire supporting Velasco."

At the same time, the opposition's narrative started collapsing.

A few journalists, sensing an opportunity for real investigative work, began digging into Vargas' financial records instead.

Angel smirked as she read an article that had just gone live.

"Where Does Senator Emilio Vargas' Wealth Come From? A Closer Look at Undisclosed Properties and Offshore Accounts"

Matthew chuckled. "That didn't take long."

Angel shook her head. "You basically set off a chain reaction. Instead of investigating you, the media is now looking at Vargas."

Matthew shrugged. "All I did was ask the right question. If I have to explain my wealth, why shouldn't they?"

As the media frenzy continued, the government scrambled to recover control of the narrative.

A Senate committee, led by Senator Salazar, announced that they would be reviewing Sentinel Systems' financial records.

"We are not accusing anyone of wrongdoing," Salazar stated, "but we believe it is our duty to ensure that no company—no matter how successful—is above regulatory oversight."

Angel scoffed. "Translation: 'We know we lost the PR battle, so now we're pretending to do something to save face.'"

Matthew wasn't worried. His company was fully compliant with every financial regulation. If they wanted to investigate, they would find nothing.

However, he knew the real goal.

This wasn't about finding fraud—this was about creating the illusion of corruption, so that opponents could keep talking about it.

Matthew sighed. "This won't be the last time they try something. But at this point, they're just exposing their own desperation."

Angel checked her tablet. "Velasco's camp just sent you a message. They're officially backing you."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "What did they say?"

Angel read it aloud:

"Matthew, stay strong. They're attacking you because you're a threat to their power. But the people aren't stupid. They see what's happening. We stand with you."

Matthew smirked. Now it was war.