Chapter 1194 - 1194

Dirk Carter knew that over a year ago, Caden Dixon had already retired.

At that time, he even gave Dirk Carter a call.

Upon hearing this news, Dirk Carter asked if he would be willing to come to Stansen Group as a consultant, to make the most of his remaining expertise.

Despite these words.

Caden Dixon also knew that the so-called remaining expertise was essentially just letting him take money for nothing.

He politely declined at the time.

Unexpectedly, how long has it been, and his health has already deteriorated?

Not dwelling on it too much.

Dirk Carter tidied himself up a bit and then said to Seth Dixon, "Let's go, take me to see your father."

The two hurriedly left the house.

On the road, Seth Dixon told Dirk Carter about roughly two years ago.

He had relocated his Joywave Technologies Co., Ltd. back to Ronan City in Serenity State.

After Caden Dixon retired.

He brought his father to live with him.

But he never expected that six months ago, his company would run into trouble.

Let's first talk about Joywave Technologies.

This is a technology company independently developed and founded by Seth Dixon, mainly focused on game development as its core business, an internet enterprise.

Two years ago.

Thanks to the team of over thirty people working day and night.

They finally successfully developed a network game themed around "Three Kingdoms."

Once this game was launched, it quickly gained the favor of players.

On the first day of official operation, it created a grand occasion of three million people online simultaneously.

At first, to encourage players to stay longer, Seth Dixon decided to reduce the game's profit scale, benefiting more players as much as possible to form a word-of-mouth effect.

By this year.

Seth Dixon adjusted the operational strategy, beginning to turn the game from loss to profit.

In just three short months, they achieved net profits of over ten million.

Though this amount wasn't much yet, Seth Dixon was confident. After all, with over twenty million registered players for "Three Kingdoms Chronicles" now, there's significant potential for profits.

Returning to six months ago.

That morning.

The company received an uninvited guest.

Claiming to be the vice president of Kaleido Group.

Kaleido Group is Serenity State's top, among the nation's leading game development groups.

They own numerous game IPs, considered an industry benchmark.

What Kaleido Group proposed was to fully acquire Joywave Technologies for fifty million.

Naturally, Seth Dixon wouldn't accept this proposal.

Firstly, this game is his labor of love; he can't sell it easily.

Secondly, the profitability of "Three Kingdoms Chronicles" is strong; in the future, not just fifty million but even five hundred million could be earned. No one would make such a foolish decision.

After being refused.

Kaleido Group issued a threat.

If they didn't follow their proposal.

Joywave Technologies would soon go bankrupt.

They also said they'd give them a month to consider, and if Joywave wasn't sold after a month, they would bear the consequences themselves.

The one-month deadline quickly approached.

The pressure indeed arrived quickly.

Firstly, the server rental provider canceled its cooperation with Joywave Technologies.

Helpless.

Seth Dixon could only spend more money to use servers from another state.

Seeing that this move didn't work.

Kaleido Group moved onto their second tactic.

Using their connections, they cut off power and network services to Joywave Technologies.

During that time.

Seth Dixon was frantic.

He had to let all employees work from home, even resorting to guerilla tactics, booking one internet cafe today, another tomorrow for work.

After the second tactic failed.

Kaleido Group resorted to a deadly move.

They bribed a programmer from Joywave Technologies.

Obtained the program pack for "Three Kingdoms Chronicles" from him, subsequently developing a game with identical art style, gameplay, and storyline named "Three Kingdoms Battle."

To completely crush Joywave Technologies.

They used their vast financial resources to distribute large amounts of bonuses.

As a result.

A large number of "Three Kingdoms Chronicles" players flocked to the pirated "Three Kingdoms Battle."

It's certainly impossible to compete financially.

Thus.

Seth Dixon took legal action against Kaleido Group for plagiarism.

Perhaps Kaleido Group's influence was too strong; the court ultimately ruled that "Three Kingdoms Battle" was not plagiarism.

Precisely for this reason.

Caden Dixon fell ill out of anger and couldn't recover.

Seth Dixon took him to many hospitals, none of which had any effect.

In recent days.

He has almost stopped eating entirely.

Seeing the situation worsening day by day.

No choice, Seth Dixon could only contact Dirk Carter.

The call was made to Silverwood City.

The reply from Silverwood was that Dirk Carter had already been transferred to be the mayor of Ronan City.

Therefore, after some twists and turns, Seth Dixon arrived at his doorstep.

Just like that.

Upon hearing this.

Dirk Carter asked, "What is Kaleido Group's background?"

Seth Dixon sighed deeply and said, "The founder of Kaleido Group is named Ellery Langdon, also a tech guy by training. Initially, he made his first bucket of gold by acting as an agent for foreign games. Once he had the money, he began developing domestic games. In that era of game void, he quickly captured the market. His rapid development over the years has primarily been supported by mergers and acquisitions."

After saying this.

Seth Dixon suddenly thought of something.

He said, "Oh, I remembered, Ellery Langdon's mother is named Clarissa Langdon; she is the district head of Pavilion District in Ronan City."

Dirk Carter understood.

Two years ago.

Ronan City developed a technology industrial park in Pavilion District, offering significant preferential policies to high-tech industries.

Precisely because of this.

Joywave, originally established in Varden State, moved into the Pavilion District High-tech Park.

Since Ellery Langdon's mother is the district head of Pavilion District.

Power outages and internet disruptions are naturally much easier to handle.

If expected, with regards to the court's plagiarism verdict, Clarissa Langdon likely had some level of power intervention.

When talking about this.

Seth Dixon's car turned into an old residential area.

After getting out of the car.

Dirk Carter looked around.

Noticing the area was dirty and worn-down.

He puzzledly asked, "Your dad lives here?"

With a face of guilt, Seth Dixon nodded.

He said, "When I first started earning, I bought Dad a big house. Later, Kaleido Group put increasing pressure on me, even poaching many of my employees. I had no choice but to sell the house to pay wages, and Dad found this place himself. He said living here is great, quiet and cost-effective..."

As he spoke, Seth Dixon's eyes began to redden.

Upon seeing this.

Dirk Carter patted his shoulder.

He said, "It's alright, things will get better. Let's go up first."

"Alright, this way please."

Under Seth Dixon's lead.

The two went up to the sixth floor without an elevator, one after the other.

A rusty security door appeared in front of them.

After opening the door.

Was a 20-square-meter living room.

The furniture in the living room was very old.

In the middle of the room, there were piles of waste paper and plastic bottles.

Seeing the doubt in Dirk Carter's eyes.

An embarrassed Seth Dixon said, "Dad collected these early in the morning from trash bins, thinking of helping share a bit..."

It's important to know that when Caden Dixon retired, he was at the county-level director rank.

A man who served as deputy county chief and county chief, an entire lifetime in the position, yet never took bribes or accepted them, is quite rare in politics.