I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 92: Back to Business

December 28, 2020

The morning air in Manila was crisp as Matthew stepped into the executive elevator of Sentinel Systems' headquarters. The holiday cheer still lingered in the air—festive decorations adorned the lobby, and employees exchanged greetings with the energy of people who had just enjoyed a long break.

But for Matthew, vacation was over.

He had spent the last few days indulging in personal matters—buying his dream house, spending time with family, and taking a much-needed step back from his usual workaholic tendencies. But Sentinel wouldn't run itself, and with the new year approaching, the gears of business had to start turning again.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing the top floor—his domain.

The large floor-to-ceiling windows framed the Manila skyline, sunlight bouncing off the polished marble flooring. The open-plan layout of the executive floor was modern and sleek, with glass partitions separating various sections.

As he strode toward his office, the familiar rhythm of work greeted him—keyboards clacking, muffled voices discussing deals, and the distant hum of coffee machines brewing much-needed caffeine.

And then, there was Angel—his ever-efficient, ever-composed right-hand woman—waiting for him outside his office, tablet in hand. She wore a fitted black blazer over a white blouse, her dark hair pulled into a neat bun. A surgical mask covered the lower half of her face, but Matthew could tell she was smirking just from the way she stood.

"Merry Christmas, boss." Angel greeted, lowering her mask just enough to flash a grin before adjusting it back.

Matthew smirked as he opened his office door. "Merry Christmas, Angel. Didn't think you'd actually take time off."

Angel followed him inside, closing the door behind her. "You gave the whole company a break. I figured if even you took a break, then it wouldn't hurt to do the same."

Matthew sat down in his chair, stretching slightly. "So? How was it?"

Angel shrugged, placing her tablet on his desk and crossing her arms. "Spent it with family, just like everyone else. Ate way too much lechon. Gained weight instead of losing it."

Matthew chuckled. "That's how you know it was a good Christmas."

"What about you?" Angel asked, tilting her head. "I assume your family dinner didn't turn into a corporate negotiation?"

Matthew smirked. "It actually went… well. Better than expected. No arguments, no tension. Just a normal Christmas for once."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "That's rare."

Matthew exhaled. "Yeah. It is."

Angel nodded, pleased. "Good for you, boss. But now…" She tapped on her tablet. "Back to business."

Matthew leaned forward, rubbing his hands together. "Alright. Hit me."

Angel swiped on her tablet, bringing up the latest financials and project updates.

"First things first—Sentinel's Q4 performance." She placed the tablet on his desk and slid it toward him.

Matthew's sharp eyes scanned the data. Record profits. Increased market share. Sentinel was dominating the cybersecurity sector in the Philippines, with corporate clients across banking, retail, and even government agencies.

"Revenue's up 17% compared to last quarter," Angel continued. "Thanks to the deals you secured with San Miguel and SM Prime, we're looking at an even stronger Q1 for next year."

Matthew nodded, already expecting the numbers. "And our international expansion?"

Angel swiped again, bringing up the next slide. "The Singapore office is nearly operational. The recruitment team is finalizing the first batch of cybersecurity specialists. We're in talks with two major banks in Singapore for exclusive contracts."

"Good," Matthew muttered. Going global wasn't a choice—it was inevitable.

Angel continued, "As for our planned entry into the U.S., the groundwork is still being laid out. There are regulatory hurdles to deal with, but once we secure a few high-profile clients, we'll have the leverage we need."

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Matthew leaned back, contemplating. "I want the U.S. market sooner rather than later. Start identifying key companies we can acquire instead of building from scratch."

Angel smirked. "Already on it."

"Of course you are," Matthew muttered.

Angel tapped the screen again. "Now, about Sentinel's competitors—they're scrambling to keep up. Local firms are bleeding clients to us, and the only real threat is the international cybersecurity giants trying to enter the Philippine market."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Are they making progress?"

Angel smirked. "Not really. Sentinel has too much influence here. They're trying to undercut our contracts, but our reputation is solid. No company wants to risk security issues just to save a few bucks."

Matthew exhaled, satisfied. "Perfect. What else?"

Angel scrolled through her notes. "Let's talk about your investment portfolio."

Matthew nodded. Besides Sentinel Systems, he had invested in real estate, AI startups, and blockchain firms, and now that his personal wealth had skyrocketed, he needed to diversify further.

"The tech investments are doing well," Angel reported. "But the automotive industry? It's still suffering from supply chain issues due to the pandemic."

Matthew frowned. "That's expected. Have our EV investments taken a hit?"

Angel shook her head. "No, they're stable for now, but it might be a slow burn."

Matthew tapped his fingers against his desk, considering his next move. "Alright. Anything else?"

Angel hesitated, then placed the final report in front of him.

"This one is about Leo and Saimon."

Matthew exhaled. His former business partners—now turned venture capitalists.

Angel continued, "They've already started building their firm. They're reaching out to small startups, positioning themselves as the go-to investors for Filipino entrepreneurs."

Matthew smirked slightly. They were serious about doing this.

Angel glanced at him. "What do you think?"

Matthew shrugged. "They're smart. And they're doing it the right way. It's a good move."

Angel smirked. "You proud of them?"

Matthew chuckled. "Yeah. I am."

Angel nodded. "Then you won't mind that they're already poaching some of the talent you turned down."

Matthew laughed. "They can have them."

With all reports covered, Angel stood up, preparing to leave. "Alright, that's everything for now. Anything else you need from me?"

Matthew stared at his desk, deep in thought.

There was one last thing on his mind.

A new business idea.

Something big.

Angel noticed the shift in his expression. "You're thinking about something."

Matthew tapped his fingers against his desk, his mind already racing.

He looked up at Angel and smirked. "Clear my schedule for tomorrow."

Angel narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

Matthew leaned back, his gaze sharp.

"I've got something new to plan."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "Something you're going to tell me about?"

Matthew simply grinned.

"Not yet."

Angel exhaled. "Of course. You love your secrets."

Matthew chuckled. "Trust me. This one's going to be big."

Angel shook her head, grabbing her tablet. "Fine. But don't keep me waiting too long."

As she walked out, Matthew turned his chair toward the massive windows, looking over the city.

The world was changing.

Sentinel was stronger than ever.

But now?

It was time for something even bigger.

He pulled out his phone, typing out a single note.

"New Project – Execution Plan Begins January 2021."