Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 385: Next, Senate HearingA week later, Michael found himself heading into the Senate hearing, fully aware that this session would be tougher than the last. As he stood in front of the mirror in his office, adjusting his tie, he felt the seriousness of the situation. Luis walked in with a stack of papers.

”Ready for this?” Luis asked, handing over the documents for review.

Michael glanced at the stack and gave a simple nod. ”As ready as I’ll ever be.”

”This will be more political than the PCC hearing. They’ll be looking for soundbites, not just facts,” Luis reminded him.

”I know,” Michael replied, taking one last look at his reflection before turning to face the day ahead.

Juliet entered next, carrying updates from the media. ”Senator Arnaldo Moreno will likely lead the questioning. He’s been very critical about corporate influence on public services, so expect him to dig deep into your acquisitions.”

Michael nodded again, taking in the information. ”What’s the plan for after?”

Juliet was already on it. ”We’ll need to make sure you’re consistent. Keep the message clear: Reyes Corporation is bringing progress and benefits to the Filipino people. Focus on jobs, innovation, and affordability.”

With that, the team made their way out of the Golden Topper, Reyes Corporation’s headquarters, and into the waiting car that would take them to the Senate.

The Senate hearing room was packed. Cameras were lined up at the back, capturing every move. As Michael took his seat, he could see Senator Moreno shuffling papers, clearly preparing for the grilling ahead.

The committee chair, Senator Isabel Santiago, began the proceedings. ”Today, we will discuss Reyes Corporation’s impact on market competition and consumer welfare, particularly in the sectors of energy, technology, and pharmaceuticals.”

”Senator,” Michael began, speaking directly into the microphone, ”I understand your curiosity about my academic history. It’s true—I didn’t excel academically during my earlier years. I struggled to find focus and direction. But in my second year of college, things changed. I became passionate about what I was learning. I started diving deeper into subjects that sparked my interest—specifically, technology and engineering. Once I found my path, my performance improved.”

Senator Moreno wasn’t satisfied. ”That’s a convenient explanation, Mr. Reyes. But your rise has been so meteoric that it raises legitimate questions. People want to know how someone with no obvious history of academic brilliance or scientific background is suddenly at the forefront of developing world-changing technologies. Can you explain that?”

Michael leaned forward slightly, his expression serious. ”Senator, success doesn’t always follow a straight line. My earlier academic struggles shaped me—they pushed me to work harder when I finally found my passion. Innovation doesn’t come from following the same path as everyone else; sometimes it’s about finding new ways to solve problems. I surrounded myself with the best minds, the best teams, and we worked tirelessly to bring these technologies to life.”

Juliet glanced at Michael, signaling that this line of questioning could quickly turn hostile. She passed him a note, reminding him to keep his answers focused and measured. Michael acknowledged it with a slight nod.

Senator Moreno continued, undeterred. ”It still seems rather unusual, Mr. Reyes. We’re not talking about moderate success here—we’re talking about groundbreaking inventions in multiple sectors. Some might say it’s almost too good to be true. So I ask again: how can a person with an average academic record suddenly come up with technologies that are ahead of their time?”

Michael didn’t flinch. He knew where this was going, and it wasn’t about the integrity of his company. Moreno was going after his personal credibility.

”Senator Moreno, this isn’t hearing isn’t about me personally—it’s about Reyes Corporation and the value we bring to the Filipino people. I appreciate the questions about my background, but the real issue here is the impact my company is having on the industries in which we operate. The fact is, we’ve created jobs, introduced technologies that are making people’s lives better, and kept prices affordable for consumers. That’s what matters.”

Moreno leaned back in his chair, seemingly unsatisfied with Michael’s redirection, but Michael wasn’t done.

”Yes, I wasn’t a straight-A student,” Michael continued. ”I didn’t follow the traditional path to success. But that doesn’t mean I can’t lead a company to success or contribute meaningful innovations. The world is full of stories of people who found their calling later in life or in unconventional ways. What matters is the result, and the results speak for themselves.”

Senator Isabel Santiago, the committee chair, stepped in to redirect the questioning. ”Senator Moreno, I think Mr. Reyes has made it clear that his personal journey is not the primary issue at hand. Let’s focus on the corporate aspects of today’s hearing.”

Moreno, though visibly frustrated, nodded in acknowledgment, but not before getting in one last jab. ”Mr. Reyes, we’ll let the public decide whether your rise is credible or not. But let’s move on.”