...

In his office, Zastan sat at his desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished wood surface as he scrolled through the latest reports given to him by Darius.

The numbers were staggering, the profits had surged, surpassing even his most optimistic projections. The screens showed a steady stream of earnings, the digits updating in real-time as sales poured in from across the city.

Yet, behind the scenes, trouble was brewing. Darius, ever-efficient and thorough, had been keeping him informed about the increasing number of intrusions at their production facilities. A subtle frown creased Zastan's brow as he reviewed the latest incident reports from his factory.

"Loaches," Darius had explained during one of their morning briefings.

"People trying to sneak into our production facilities. Some we've caught red-handed, others... well, they were clever, but we managed to track their movements."

Zastan leaned back in his chair, his mind processing the implications. "And who's sending them?"

"We've employed some... persuasive methods," Darius replied, his tone dark.

"Most of them cracked under pressure. They were sent by the Xia family. It seems they're worried about our business eating into their share of the market."

"The Xia family?" Zastan's voice was calm, but a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. "They're the ones who tried to invest back then, aren't they?"

Darius nodded. "Yes, Young Master. You rejected their offer to invest in Eternal Enchantment, and it seems they didn't take it too kindly. Since then, they've resorted to more... underhanded means."

Zastan smirked, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Typical. When they can't buy you, they try to steal from you."

"There's more," Darius added, his expression serious. "Some of the loaches tried to bribe our biochemicals. They wanted them to hand over the formula for our milk tea. Of course, the biochemicals refused. The biochemical's loyalty to you is built into their very nature."

Zastan's smile widened. "That's why I trust them. They can't be bought or swayed by money." He leaned forward, folding his hands on the desk. "But this means the Xia family is getting more and more courageous. They're not going to stop."

Darius nodded gravely. "We've tightened security, but more and more of these loaches are trying to slip through. It's only a matter of time before they escalate their efforts."

Zastan was silent for a moment, thinking. The Xia family was clearly feeling threatened by the success of Eternal Enchantment since hey were big players in the milk tea industry, and Zastan's rapid rise had undoubtedly shaken them. But sending spies, attempting to steal the formula, and even trying to bribe his biochemicals. Based on these alone.

It was clear that the Xia family was willing to do whatever it took to protect their interests.

Days passed, and the situation worsened. More loaches were caught, and their confessions pointed back to the same source: the Xia family. Some were more skilled than others, managing to get closer to the production lines before being apprehended. Zastan knew it was time to take more drastic measures.

"I need to increase security," he told Darius one evening, after yet another report of an attempted breach came in. "The MK1s and MK2s are doing well, but it's time I bring in a few MK3s for personal protection. If the Xia family is getting this bold, I need to be prepared for anything. Who knows what they'll do if they can't really get that thing."

Darius agreed without hesitation. "MK3s would certainly be a strong deterrent, Young Master. They're far superior in strength and intelligence. It's a significant investment, but with the current state of things, it's a wise move."

Zastan nodded, his decision made. Opening the system interface, he navigated to the Biochemical section. The purchase of MK3 biochemicals was no small matter, and it would cost him 50,000 points to bring in the reinforcements he needed. But he didn't hesitate. With a few taps, the transaction was complete.

In the warehouse, the new MK3 biochemicals materialized, their forms imposing and powerful. They were taller and more muscular than the MK2s, their expressions stern and disciplined. Each one moved with precision, their eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Ten MK3s," Zastan said as he watched them fall into formation. "That should be enough to handle any serious threats."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Darius stood beside him, nodding in approval. "These will certainly make a difference. Their enhanced abilities will allow them to act as your personal guard, as well as oversee the operations at our most critical facilities."

Zastan glanced at Darius. "Make sure they're well-integrated with the other biochemicals. I want a seamless operation. No weaknesses."

"Understood, Young Master."'

...

Satisfied with the new additions to his security team, Zastan turned his attention to another matter. Which is his transportation. With the increasing threat from the Xia family, he couldn't afford to take any chances. He decided to upgrade his convoy, ensuring his vehicles were equipped with the best protection money could buy.

He contacted a specialized manufacturer and spent more than $1,00,000 to upgrade the convoy.

With each vehicle outfitted with state-of-the-art defense systems. The main car, which he would personally ride in, was designed to withstand RPGs, grenades, and even a barrage of 50-caliber machine gun fire. It was practically a mobile fortress.

"This will do," Zastan murmured to himself as he reviewed the specifications.

"No one's getting through this."

But that wasn't all. Zastan had one more ace up his sleeve. He invested in a unique piece of technology, it's a ring that automatically activated when it sensed danger to its wearer. It generated an energy shield, capable of deflecting bullets, shrapnel, and other forms of attack.

He smirked as he slipped the ring onto his finger. "Now I've got my own personal force field," he muttered. "Let's see them try something now."

Despite the growing threats, Zastan's milk tea business continued to thrive. The earnings from Eternal Enchantment flowed in steadily, reaching astronomical heights. Every day, more people lined up for a taste of the brand's unique offerings, and the business showed no signs of slowing down.

However, instead of pocketing the profits, Zastan reinvested every dollar back into the business. He poured millions into upgrading equipment, expanding production lines, adding more stalls, and fortifying security. He also made substantial investments into his iron mine and metal rod production, upgrading the facility and purchasing advanced machinery to triple its output.

"I'll need this to keep everything running smoothly," Zastan muttered as he authorized another $5,000,000 investment. "If the Xia family thinks they can push me around, they've got another thing coming."

He watched as the new equipment arrived at the iron mine, the massive machines being installed to streamline the production of metal rods. This upgrade would allow him to not only meet the demands of his business but also provide a steady supply of resources for future expansions.

The recent events had taught Zastan a valuable lesson. His rapid rise in the milk tea industry had drawn attention, and some of it were unwanted. He realized that he had been somewhat careless, not considering how his success might encroach on others' cake on the business.

"I was too focused on the profits," Zastan admitted to himself one evening. "I should have anticipated that stepping into a competitive industry like this would ruffle some things up."

But now, he was fully awake. The Xia family was a powerful force, but so was he. With his system, his biochemicals, and his growing resources, Zastan was prepared for whatever came next. He had learned from his mistakes, and now he was taking no chances.

The following day, Zastan made another bold move. He smashed 60,000 points into recruiting 10 more MK3 biochemicals for his personal security detail. It was a significant investment, but one that gave him peace of mind.

"I'll be untouchable now," he said with a grin as he watched the new biochemicals materialize in the warehouse. "Let them come. I'm ready." And with his upgraded convoy, state-of-the-art security systems, and the unwavering loyalty of his biochemicals, Zastan felt more confident than ever.

As for the profits from the milk tea business? Every cent was spent back into the business, ensuring that it would continue to grow and dominate the market. Zastan had enough left over for his personal expenses—shopping, entertainment, and other luxuries—but he knew where his priorities lay.

Eternal Enchantment was his empire, and he was just getting started.

"Let the Xia family do what they will," he muttered under his breath. "I've got more than enough to handle them now."

After a long day of securing his business, fortifying his defenses, and reinvesting his profits, Zastan finally felt a sense of ease wash over him. The looming threat of the Xia family had been a weight on his mind, but now, with his MK3s in place, a reinforced convoy, and the loyalty of his biochemicals assured, he felt prepared for whatever might come his way.

He wasn't naive, though. He knew this wasn't over—far from it. The Xia family had made their move, but they hadn't shown their full hand. And Zastan needed to know more.

As he stood by the large windows of his hotel suite, gazing out at the city below, he made a decision.

"Darius," he called out, his voice firm.

Darius, appeared almost immediately, stepping into the room with his usual calm demeanor. "Yes, Young Master?"

"I want you to dig deeper into the Xia family," Zastan said, turning to face him. "I want to know everything about them. Like how large their business empire is, what industries they control, and just how much of a threat they really pose."

Darius nodded, understanding the weight of the request. "Consider it done, Young Master. I'll get started right away."

The next few days passed in relative calm. Zastan chose to stay within the hotel for the time being, even though he now had the protection of his newly acquired MK3s and a fortified convoy. The hotel suite was a fortress in itself—highly secured, with multiple layers of protection. He had rented out the rooms on both sides of his suite, filling them with his MK3s and a few MK2 biochemicals, just for added precaution.

Everything felt secured and locked down. Yet, Zastan wasn't one to let his guard down so easily. He knew better than to underestimate a family as powerful as the Xias.

'Knowing that they're a family worth a trillion, I'll have to take more precautions.' He thought.

With the given orders to Darius all that was left was to wait for the results.

...