Victor Hale escalated again.
But this time—
He overreached.
The Hostile Play
Hale moved to acquire debt.
Not directly.
Through proxies.
By midmorning, rumors of a hostile financial interest in Pearson Specter Litt began circulating.
Harvey slammed his hand on the table. "He's trying to buy influence inside our client base."
Jessica's voice was cold. "That's not pressure. That's invasion."
Ace nodded. "And invasions leave footprints."
Fight #718Opponent: Hostile acquisitionStatus: Tracked
Ace Takes the Board
Ace requested a private meeting with the firm's financial advisors.
Not asked.
Requested.
They came anyway.
For ninety minutes, Ace dismantled Hale's strategy piece by piece.
He didn't threaten.
He demonstrated inevitability.
By the end, the advisors were pale.
"You're suggesting—" one began.
"I'm stating," Ace corrected, "that Hale has exposed himself."
Fight #731Opponent: Strategic opacityStatus: Collapsed
The Counterstrike
At 3:17 p.m., Ace authorized the release.
Not a leak.
A disclosure.
Public filings highlighting Hale Strategic Capital's leveraged exposure to volatile sectors.
Perfectly legal.
Perfectly timed.
Victor Hale watched the market react in real time.
His phone rang nonstop.
For the first time, he didn't answer.
Fight #744Opponent: Market narrativeStatus: Seized
Inside the Firm
Louis looked almost giddy. "They're backing off."
Mike exhaled. "You turned his weapon around."
Katrina studied Ace. "You're not just defending the firm anymore."
Ace met her gaze.
"I'm defining the battlefield."
Jessica watched him carefully.
"This level of control," she said, "changes things."
Ace nodded. "It has to."
Fight #756Opponent: Transitional leadershipStatus: Advancing
Victor Hale Breaks Silence
That night, Hale called Ace directly.
"You've made your point," Hale said.
Ace leaned against the window, city lights reflecting in his golden eyes.
"You made mine first," Ace replied.
"This doesn't end," Hale said quietly.
Ace responded instantly.
"It does," he said. "You just haven't accepted it yet."
The line went dead.
Fight #763Opponent: Victor Hale's resolveStatus: Fractured
Quiet Truth
Later, Evelyn stood beside Ace again.
"You're changing," she said softly.
Ace looked at her. "No. I'm revealing."
She smiled faintly. "That's worse."
Ace took her hand.
Fight #771Opponent: IsolationStatus: Failing