I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 87: Sense of Guilt

Matthew sat in his penthouse office, staring out at the city lights of Makati. The skyline stretched before him, a sea of high-rise buildings and neon-lit billboards, each one a reminder of how far he had come. How far Sentinel Systems had come.

And yet, despite all his success, despite the billions flowing through his company, a strange feeling settled in his chest—guilt.

He had done what needed to be done. Diluting Saimon and Leo's shares was a business decision, not a personal one. They weren't contributing in any meaningful way. They had been handed wealth most people could only dream of, just for being at the right place at the right time.

Still, they were his friends—or at least, they had been.

Matthew exhaled sharply and leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. He was a businessman first, always had been. If Sentinel was going to dominate on a global scale, it couldn't afford to carry dead weight.

And the truth was? This wasn't the end of their dilution.

If Sentinel wanted to attract even more heavyweight investors—billionaire venture capitalists, cybersecurity moguls, tech giants—he would need to make room. That meant Saimon and Leo's remaining 4.5% stakes were going to shrink even more. Gradually.

Little by little.

He couldn't just rip off the band-aid and dilute them to 0.5% overnight. That would be reckless. They would fight back if they saw their wealth disappearing too quickly. No, this had to be controlled, stretched over the next few investment rounds.

He sighed, rubbing his temple. This was the game.

Angel entered the office, carrying a tablet in one hand and a steaming cup of black coffee in the other. Her surgical mask was pulled down slightly as she took a sip before setting the cup on his desk.

"You've been staring at that window for the past fifteen minutes," she said, raising an eyebrow. "That usually means you're overthinking something."

Matthew smirked. Angel knew him too well. "It's nothing."

Angel didn't buy it. She placed the tablet in front of him and sat down across from his desk. "I assume this is about Leo and Saimon."

Matthew let out a short chuckle. "Am I that predictable?"

Angel shrugged. "I knew it was going to bother you sooner or later."

Matthew glanced at the tablet screen. It showed the finalized investment agreements—new capital flowing into Sentinel, diluting existing shareholders by another 1.5%.

Saimon and Leo were about to see their stakes drop again.

Angel crossed her arms. "You're still going through with it?"

Matthew nodded. "I have to."

"You don't have to do it so soon."

Matthew exhaled. "If I don't, Sentinel stagnates. The more valuable the company becomes, the more attractive we are to the biggest investors. That means bringing in people with actual expertise. And that means making space for them."

Angel studied him. "And what's your endgame with Saimon and Leo?"

Matthew stayed silent for a moment. Then, finally, he spoke.

"They'll be left with less than one percent when this is all over."

Angel let out a low whistle. "Damn."

Matthew's jaw tightened. "I'm not doing this to screw them over. They're still going to be rich. But they don't belong in Sentinel's decision-making. They never did."

Angel tapped her nails against the desk. "And you think they'll take it well?"

Matthew smirked, but there was no amusement in his eyes. "No. That's why I'm doing it little by little."

Saimon and Leo were sitting at Drip & Draft, one of their usual spots in BGC. The pandemic had changed how they met up—tables spaced out, masks always on unless they were drinking—but the vibe remained the same.

Except for the fact that both of them were still trying to process what had happened.

Leo took a sip of his whiskey on the rocks, staring at the phone screen in his other hand. "Man… Sentinel's valuation just jumped again."

Saimon raised an eyebrow. "Let me see."

Leo slid the phone across the table. Saimon picked it up and read the headline.

"Sentinel Systems Secures Additional Funding, Now Valued at ₱1.8 Trillion."

Saimon let out a low whistle. "Holy shit."

Leo shook his head. "I don't even know what to feel at this point. Every time this company gets bigger, we get smaller."

Saimon exhaled. "At least our shares are still worth billions."

Leo gritted his teeth. "Yeah, but what happens in six months? Another year? We keep getting diluted, and suddenly, we're down to crumbs."

Saimon leaned back, crossing his arms. "You still pissed at Matthew?"

Leo hesitated before answering. "No," he admitted. "Just frustrated."

Saimon smirked. "Same thing."

Leo sighed. "Look, I get it. We didn't build Sentinel. Matthew did. We didn't negotiate billion-dollar deals or lock down cybersecurity contracts. But it still stings, you know?"

Saimon nodded. "Yeah. It's like watching a team you were a part of go to the championships, but you're just a benchwarmer."

Leo scoffed. "More like we're getting traded."

They both sat in silence for a moment.

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Then, Saimon spoke. "You ever thought about diversifying?"

Leo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we're sitting on billions. Why the hell are we just watching this happen?"

Leo frowned. "You're not saying we should start another company, are you?"

Saimon chuckled. "Hell no. I'm saying we start investing in other businesses. You think Matthew is the only one who can build an empire?"

Leo leaned back, processing the idea. "So… what? We go full venture capitalist?"

Saimon smirked. "Something like that. We use our money wisely. Put it into industries where we can actually have influence. Maybe even acquire a company or two. Something outside of Sentinel."

Leo tapped his fingers against the table. It wasn't a bad idea.

If Matthew wanted to push them out, maybe it was time they built something of their own.

Matthew was in his office when Angel walked in, tablet in hand.

"They're meeting up again," she said.

Matthew looked up. "Saimon and Leo?"

Angel nodded. "Seems like they're planning something."

Matthew smirked slightly. "Good."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "You're not worried?"

Matthew exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "No. If they're smart, they'll do what they should've done a long time ago—start something of their own."

Angel tapped the tablet screen. "Their shares will be diluted again in the next investment round. Are you sure you want to keep pushing this?"

Matthew's expression didn't waver. "Yes."

Angel studied him for a moment. "You know… one day, they're going to stop taking this quietly."

Matthew chuckled. "Maybe. But by then, I'll be too far ahead for it to matter."

Angel shook her head, sighing. "You're ruthless, you know that?"

Matthew smirked. "That's why I win."