Chapter 329: The Hidden Threat

Two hours after the collaboration meeting at Aioryx Tower had concluded, Marco Pollus was holding a discreet meeting with the project manager of NeoTech.

The meeting took place in a private executive suite on the top floor of a commercial building. The curtains were drawn, shutting out the glare of the afternoon sun.

A faint scent of expensive leather and freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air.

NeoTech was a startup Marco had secretly established under the name of his mistress. On paper, she was its registered owner. In reality, however, every major decision, every investment, and every business operation was controlled by him.

It was a convenient arrangement. Should anything go wrong, there would be no obvious trail leading back to him.

"Report."

Marco sat behind the wide mahogany desk, his fingers drumming impatiently against its polished surface.

The project manager straightened in his seat and began summarizing the key points of the collaboration meeting.

"The demand for both KitKat and Lexan has exceeded expectations, Boss," the project manager began, sliding a folder across the desk.

Marco opened it and glanced at the production figures.

"By how much?"

"Enough that Aioryx wants all contractors to triple their production capacity before the next rollout."

Marco’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Triple?"

The word came out sharper than intended.

Wasn’t he partly responsible for this sudden surge in sales? The scandal he had helped orchestrate was supposed to ruin Kristoff and discredit Isobel.

Instead, it had turned into an unexpected publicity bonanza for Aioryx.

His own scheme had practically helped put KitKat and Lexan on the map.

"Yes, Boss. The demand has been fueled by the recent social media frenzy surrounding the products." The project manager loosened his tie and leaned forward.

"Aioryx has also released the preliminary production schedule. We won’t have much room for delays."

Marco flipped through the pages, the crisp rustle of paper filling the otherwise quiet office.

"What about the product specifications?"

"The technical blueprints for the robotic puppy have been provided to the contractors. We’ve already started reviewing the manufacturing requirements."

Marco leaned back, listening.

"Did you manage to obtain the algorithm behind Lexan?"

The project manager hesitated.

"No, Boss. They didn’t disclose any confidential information. The algorithm and the microchip technology are being handled exclusively by Aioryx."

Marco’s fingers stopped tapping.

"What did you say?"

"They only provided the blueprint for the robotic puppy. That’s the product line we successfully bid for. They aren’t outsourcing the microchips or the underlying AI technology."

"Useless!"

Marco’s palm slammed against the desk.

The sharp crack reverberated through the room, making the project manager flinch.

Marco’s jaw tightened. He had known from the beginning that Aioryx would never hand over its most valuable technology to an outside contractor. Still, he had entertained the possibility that someone might let something slip during the meeting.

Apparently, even that had been too much to expect.

His frustration had been building ever since his carefully orchestrated attack against Kristoff backfired. Instead of damaging his reputation, the scandal had turned him and Isobel into a public sensation. Worse, the attention had brought unprecedented exposure to Aioryx latest innovative products.

He had intended to harm Kristoff and drag Isobel along.

Instead, he had helped propel Isobel’s invention into the spotlight.

"How many contractors attended the meeting?" he asked, forcing his voice back under control.

"Five, including Dalton Technologies and Learson Corporation. The remaining three were relatively young companies, mostly startups."

Marco’s eyes narrowed.

"Dalton Technologies?"

"Yes, Boss."

The project manager paused, then added, "There’s something else. Kristoff Dalton was there personally."

Marco’s expression darkened.

"Kristoff? What was he doing there? Isn’t he handling the real estate of the Dalton conglomerate?"

"He’s currently serving as acting CEO of Dalton Technologies as well. We received information that his cousin, the company’s CEO, is indisposed. Kristoff has temporarily taken over his responsibilities."

Marco’s fingers curled into a fist beneath the desk.

Two major business operations.

One man.

"How does he intend to manage both companies?" he muttered.

The question lingered in his mind.

Kristoff Dalton was already a formidable opponent. Now, with his attention divided between two major corporations, there had to be an opening somewhere.

No one could possibly oversee everything without something slipping through the cracks.

Marco’s lips slowly curved.

Perhaps this wasn’t such a bad development after all.

If Kristoff was too busy juggling his responsibilities, he might eventually make a mistake. And if he didn’t...

Marco’s eyes glinted.

Then he would simply have to create the circumstances that would force one.

"Find out everything about his current commitments," he instructed.

The project manager nodded.

"His business schedule, upcoming transactions, pending contracts, and the people handling his operations. I want to know where he’s stretched thin and which decisions he’s personally overseeing."

"Understood, Boss."

Marco picked up his coffee, now lukewarm, and took a slow sip.

He had already lost one opportunity with Isobel.

He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

If Kristoff Dalton wanted to play the role of an invincible businessman, Marco would be more than happy to test just how much pressure he could withstand.

...

Meanwhile, at Aioryx Tower, Morgan was holding a closed-door meeting with Owen.

The glass walls of his office had been switched to privacy mode. A folder containing the contractors’ profiles lay open on the desk, its pages marked with procurement notes and evaluation reports.

"Have all the contractors been thoroughly vetted?" Morgan asked, his eyes scanning the documents. "Especially the startups?"

"Yes, Boss. Our procurement team conducted a comprehensive vendor risk assessment. Their corporate registrations, financial records, and business backgrounds have all been checked. Nothing suspicious came up."

Morgan tapped his finger against the edge of the folder.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing that would warrant disqualification."

He paused briefly before closing the folder.

"Have Xander look into NeoTech."

Owen looked up.

"NeoTech?"

"Find out who owns it. I want the complete list of shareholders, directors, and corporate officers. Look into their financial backers as well. I want to know who’s really behind the company."

Owen’s expression remained neutral, but he understood the implication.

Morgan wouldn’t single out a contractor without a reason. The standard background checks might have come back clean, but apparently, something had caught his attention.

"Understood, Boss. I’ll have Xander look into it immediately."

Morgan nodded and returned his attention to the documents.

"Don’t alert them. I want this investigation kept discreet."

"Of course."

Owen gathered the folder and quietly left the office.

Once the door closed, Morgan leaned back in his chair, his gaze lingering on the contractor evaluation report.

Something about NeoTech didn’t sit right with him.

And he always trusted his instinct.