Chapter 115: Cease-and-Desist
Wei sat in his spacious, meticulously organized office, his gaze fixed on the numerous screens displaying various metrics and projections for CinkoSolar Holdings. The tranquility of the room was suddenly interrupted by the soft knock of his personal secretary.
"Enter," Wei called out, without shifting his focus from the screens.
The door opened, and in stepped Li Hua, his efficient and ever-discreet secretary. With her steps measured and her posture respectful, she approached Wei's desk, holding a piece of paper that seemed oddly out of place in the digitalized environment.
"Mr. Wei, this just arrived for you," Li Hua said, extending the printed email towards him.
Wei turned his attention to her, a slight frown forming on his brow as he took the paper.
"What is this about?"
"It's a cease-and-desist letter from SolaraTech, sir," Li Hua replied.
Wei's frown deepened as he began to read the letter.
Chen Wei
CEO, CinkoSolar Holdings
No. 88 CinkoSolar Road
Beijing, China
Date: September 25, 2025
Subject: Cease and Desist for Unauthorized Cyber Activities
[Dear Mr. Chen Wei,
This letter serves as a formal notice from SolaraTech Corporation, a leader in the photovoltaic industry, recognized for its commitment to innovation and the development of sustainable energy solutions. It has come to our attention that CinkoSolar Holdings has engaged in activities that infringe upon our legal rights and harm our business interests.
Allegations:
SolaraTech has obtained irrefutable evidence linking CinkoSolar Holdings to the commissioning of cyberattacks against our company, specifically conducted by an individual or entity known as "Shadow." These actions constitute unauthorized access to our network infrastructure, attempted theft of proprietary information, and deliberate attempts to undermine our market position.
Demand:
Immediate Cessation: We demand that CinkoSolar Holdings immediately cease and desist from all unauthorized cyber activities targeting SolaraTech Corporation. This includes any actions directly or indirectly related to the solicitation, planning, and execution of cyberattacks against our network and data infrastructure.
Assurance of Compliance: We require a written assurance from CinkoSolar Holdings within 14 days of receipt of this letter, confirming the cessation of all such activities and your commitment to refrain from any future actions that infringe upon SolaraTech's rights or harm our business.
Compensation: While our primary goal is to ensure the cessation of unlawful activities, SolaraTech reserves the right to seek compensation for any damages incurred as a result of these actions, in accordance with international laws and agreements.
Legal Action:
Should CinkoSolar Holdings fail to comply with the demands outlined in this letter, SolaraTech Corporation is prepared to take all necessary legal actions to protect its interests. This includes but is not limited to filing a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages.
Conclusion:
SolaraTech Corporation prefers to resolve this matter amicably and without recourse to litigation. However, the seriousness of the allegations and the evidence in our possession compel us to act decisively to protect our rights and interests.
We urge CinkoSolar Holdings to take this notice seriously and respond accordingly. Please direct your response to our legal representative, Atty. Maria Lourdes Salonga of Reyes, Salonga, and Associates, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Michael Reyes
CEO, SolaraTech Corporation
]
After reading the letter, Wei placed it gently on the desk.
"I can't believe this, a company from a third-world country is challenging us," Wei muttered under his breath, a mix of disbelief and irritation in his tone. The notion that SolaraTech, a competitor yes, but from a country he deemed less significant on the global stage, would take such a bold legal stance against CinkoSolar Holdings was both astonishing and concerning.
However, he was also infuriated that SolaraTech found out that they were conducting cyberattacks against their network.
"Sir…what do we do?" Li Hua asked.
"I need to contact Shadow," Wei answered as he picked up his phone and contacted
the hacker known as Shadow. His fingers moved swiftly, navigating through encrypted communication channels to ensure the conversation remained secure.
As the call connected, Wei's tone was stern, "Shadow, it's Wei. We have a situation. SolaraTech has sent us a cease-and-desist letter, accusing us of hiring you for cyberattacks against their network. They claim to have irrefutable evidence linking us to you. Do you mind explaining what happened?"
"I see. That's problematic. But you should know, that I've covered our tracks well. It's highly unlikely they have anything directly connecting us," Shadow replied.
"If it's highly unlikely then why do they have a cease-and-desist letter claiming otherwise? It means that you might have left something that led them back to us. This is a serious breach of our agreement and the operational security I expected from you," Wei's frustration was evident, his voice gaining a sharper edge.
Shadow remained calm, a contrast to Wei's growing agitation. "I understand your concern, Mr. Wei. Please give me some time to look into this matter more deeply. I'll conduct a thorough review of our operations to identify any potential slip-ups. However, I assure you, my initial assessment is that they're bluffing.
They might not have concrete evidence."
"Evidence…" Wei repeated and glanced at Li Hua. "Send a reply to their email, and request for this so-called irrefutable evidence they claim to have. Let's see what SolaraTech actually has on us. We'll decide our next steps based on their response."
Li Hua nodded, "Understood, Mr. Wei. I'll draft the email and send it right away."
After Li Hua exited the room, Wei leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. The situation was delicate, and he knew that any misstep could have significant consequences for CinkoSolar Holdings. Not only was the company's reputation at stake but so were its financial stability and market position.
Wei's mind raced through various scenarios, planning for each possible outcome. If SolaraTech's evidence was as solid as they claimed, CinkoSolar would need to prepare for a legal battle. On the other hand, if SolaraTech was bluffing, then this might be an opportunity to negotiate and settle the matter out of court. Either way, Wei was determined to protect CinkoSolar Holdings at all costs.
He considered the importance of public relations in this situation. A public dispute could harm CinkoSolar's image, especially if the allegations of cyberattacks were taken seriously by the media and the public. Wei decided to reach out to his PR team to start preparing a strategy to mitigate any potential damage.
Wei also pondered the possibility of internal leaks. How did SolaraTech manage to connect CinkoSolar with Shadow? Was there a breach within his own team, or had Shadow been careless? These were questions that needed answers, and quickly. He made a mental note to enhance the company's internal security measures and conduct a thorough investigation.
As he awaited Li Hua's return, Wei thought about the broader implications of this conflict. The renewable energy sector was highly competitive, and companies often went to great lengths to outdo each other. Engaging in cyber espionage was one of them. Wei conducted this to get the schematics of their solar panel and how they are manufactured.
But now it seemed the decision to do that is biting them back. Wei knew the implications of their actions going public could not only tarnish CinkoSolar's reputation but also potentially lead to significant legal and financial penalties. The stakes were high, and the margin for error was nonexistent.
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