High above Dragon City's commercial district, the headquarters of SMX Holdings gleamed in polished glass and steel.
Inside the 47th-floor boardroom, the atmosphere was anything but polished.
The long obsidian table was surrounded by executives in dark suits. Screens along the wall replayed clips from the Dragon City Times report, Eli's presentation, the exposed website ownership, the angry residents shouting inside the community hall.
The footage stopped.
Silence followed.
At the head of the table sat Victor Liang, CEO of SMX Holdings. His expression was calm, fingers steepled, though the faint tightening around his eyes betrayed irritation.
Across from him, the head of marketing shifted nervously.
"That video has passed three million views," she said. "Briggon forums are flooded with criticism. Three local business groups have already called for an investigation."
Another executive spoke.
"Shareholders are asking whether our community engagement strategy violated any regulatory guidelines."
Victor Liang tapped the table once.
The room went quiet.
"Let's not pretend this is about regulations," he said evenly. "This is about perception."
He glanced at the paused image of Eli on the screen.
"One young man embarrassed our brand in public. That happens. What matters is what people believe next."
The Chief Strategy Officer leaned forward.
"Then we need to pivot the narrative."
A new slide appeared.
Community Development Initiative Proposal
Budget: 100,000,000 Yuan
Several executives raised their eyebrows.
Victor Liang gave a small nod.
"Explain."
The strategy officer stood.
"Instead of defending ourselves," she said, "we reposition SuperMartX as the long-term solution to the very problems people complain about."
Click.
Photos of aging apartment blocks.
Crowded markets.
Poor lighting.
"Briggon, Henxhi, Tenstone, these districts lack infrastructure investment. Local governments are slow, budgets are tight."
Another slide appeared.
Parks.
Renovated sidewalks.
Community kitchens.
Scholarship programs.
"So we announce a Community Partnership Fund," she continued. "One hundred million yuan dedicated to developing neighborhoods where our stores operate."
The marketing director nodded slowly.
"Renovate playgrounds. Sponsor schools. Build public markets."
Victor Liang's gaze sharpened.
"And who gets credit?"
The strategy officer smiled faintly.
"SuperMartX."
The CFO added, "It's cheaper than a prolonged PR war. And if communities begin benefiting from us directly…"
"…then a small store owner complaining about competition looks selfish," another executive finished.
The room grew thoughtful.
Victor Liang leaned back in his chair.
"Announce it."
He paused.
"But be careful how we frame it."
Another slide appeared on the screen.
"SuperMartX Community Future Initiative"
Investing 100,000,000 Yuan in neighborhood development.
Supporting local infrastructure, small vendors, and youth programs.
Victor Liang smiled faintly.
"People forgive and forget quickly when money flows into their streets."
One board member hesitated.
"And The small store owner?"
Victor Liang glanced again at Eli's frozen image on the screen.
For a moment, his expression hardened.
"Let the neighbourhood decide."
"Ok does every one agree with this plan?"
He turned to the communications team.
"Make the announcement the day after tomorrow."
Three hours after it was announced
The news spread like wildfire.
Phone notifications buzzed across the district.
Group chats exploded.
News headlines rolled out across local feeds.
"SuperMartX Announces 100 Million Yuan Community Development Fund."
"New Initiative Promises Parks, Scholarships, and Infrastructure for Dragon City Districts."
At the front of The Corner Pocket, customers clustered around their phones.
Mr. Duan stood behind the counter reading the announcement for the third time.
His brow furrowed.
"They're… investing in communities?" he said slowly.
A regular customer nodded.
"One hundred million yuan. Parks, school funding, maybe even street repairs."
Another customer chimed in.
"That's huge for Briggon."
Across the room, Jin looked up from stocking shelves.
"What?" he asked.
Someone turned their phone toward him.
The promotional video played.
Bright music.
Kids laughing in a renovated park.
Workers planting trees.
A smiling narrator spoke confidently:
"SuperMartX believes thriving neighborhoods create thriving businesses. That's why we're investing one hundred million yuan directly into the communities we serve."
Jin frowned.
"That feels… fast."
Eli, standing near the window, didn't answer.
He had already read the announcement.
Three times.
Outside, a small group of residents were talking animatedly near the mural.
One man said loudly, "Look, I like Corner Pocket, but if SuperMartX actually brings funding here…"
A woman nodded.
"Our sidewalks have been broken for years."
Another voice joined.
"My nephew's school barely has sports equipment. If they sponsor programs, that helps kids."
Jin looked toward Eli.
"You think it's real?"
Eli's expression was unreadable.
"Real enough to work."
Mr. Duan sighed deeply.
"This is clever," he muttered.
Across Briggon, the reaction split quickly.
Some residents were still furious about the fake campaign.
Others were already hopeful.
Parks.
Funding.
Repairs.
Jobs.
For a district that had often been ignored by the city government, 100 million yuan sounded like salvation.
Even if it came from the same corporation that had just been exposed.
By evening, neighborhood forums were arguing fiercely.
Support SuperMartX and bring development.
Or
Protect local businesses like The Corner Pocket.
For the first time since the scandal broke, the unity in Briggon began to fracture.
That night, Eli stood alone outside the store, staring at Jin's dragon mural glowing beneath the streetlights.
Jin stepped beside him.
"They changed the battlefield," Jin said quietly.
Eli nodded.
"They didn't lose the war."
Across the street, workers were already installing a massive new banner outside SuperMartX.
"Building the Future of Briggon Together."
Eli watched it rise slowly.
Then he exhaled.
"Now the real fight starts."