Chapter 330: The Trap

Back in the private executive suite, Marco waited until the project manager had finished taking notes before speaking again.

He rose from his chair and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. Beyond the glass, the city stretched beneath the afternoon haze, its towering buildings shimmering in the sunlight.

His gaze settled on the Dalton Technologies logo displayed prominently on a neighboring building.

The metallic emblem caught the afternoon light, almost as though it was mocking him.

A little farther away, another familiar logo gleamed against the skyline.

Aioryx.

Marco stared at the two buildings, a calculating look settling over his face.

"Who supplies the precision components for the robotic puppies?"

"The components are sourced from several manufacturers, Boss. However, the most critical ones are the miniature servo motors used in the joints. Without them, the robotic puppies wouldn’t be able to move smoothly or perform their programmed actions."

"Are Dalton Technologies and Learson Corporation using the same suppliers?"

"Yes. Both companies rely on the same distributor for their miniature servo motors."

Marco’s eyes narrowed.

"How much inventory does the distributor have?"

"Not enough to meet the projected production requirements of all the contractors. They’ve already warned that deliveries may have to be staggered."

For the first time that afternoon, Marco looked genuinely interested.

"Staggered?"

"Yes. Demand has increased considerably over the past three days. Even with additional production shifts, the manufacturers may struggle to keep up."

A slow smile crept across Marco’s face.

"Then we have an opportunity."

The project manager looked at him expectantly.

"Buy up whatever inventory is still available."

"All of it?"

Marco turned his head, giving him an impatient look.

"Did I stutter?"

The project manager immediately lowered his head.

"But Boss, purchasing such a large quantity might raise suspicions. The distributor could become cautious, and prices might skyrocket once the other contractors realize there’s a shortage."

"Then don’t buy it all under NeoTech’s name." Marco’s tone turned cold. "Use intermediaries. I don’t care how many companies you have to go through. Just make sure nobody can trace the purchases back to us."

"Understood."

"Let Dalton Technologies and Learson Corporation fight over whatever scraps remain in the market."

Marco paused, his eyes returning to the skyline.

"Once their production schedules start falling behind, we’ll offer them an alternative supply arrangement. At a premium, naturally."

The project manager hesitated.

"Wouldn’t that expose our involvement if they investigate the supplier?"

"Not if the supplier is an independent company."

Marco returned to his desk and picked up his coffee.

"There’s something else. Make sure NeoTech receives its allocation ahead of schedule. I want our production numbers to look impressive when Aioryx reviews the contractors’ performance."

"That shouldn’t be a problem."

"And don’t make the delays too obvious. A few missed shipments here and there. Nothing dramatic enough to suggest deliberate interference."

The project manager nodded slowly.

He was beginning to understand the full extent of his employer’s plan.

Marco wasn’t merely trying to secure more business for NeoTech. He intended to manufacture a supply shortage, cripple the competing contractors’ production schedules, and then position NeoTech as the only reliable partner capable of meeting Aioryx’s demands.

It was a calculated move.

And with Kristoff Dalton overseeing two major companies, the pressure would be considerable. Every missed deadline would eventually land on his desk.

"One more thing," Marco added.

"Yes, Boss?"

"Find out which of the two companies Kristoff is prioritizing. I want to know where he’s putting most of his attention."

"Dalton Technologies?"

"Not necessarily."

The corner of Marco’s lips lifted.

"Let’s see which company he chooses when both start demanding his attention."

He placed his coffee cup on the desk.

"After all, even the most capable businessman has his limits."

"Consider it done, Boss."

The project manager gathered his documents and left.

When the door closed, Marco remained standing by the glass wall, staring at the city beyond the glass.

Kristoff Dalton might have the reputation, resources, and connections of a powerful businessman.

But none of those would matter if he couldn’t deliver.

And when the time came for Aioryx to evaluate its contractors, Marco intended to make sure NeoTech was the only company that emerged looking competent.

And when the time comes, NeoTech can infiltrate Aioryx through the partnership.

He had already envisioned the outcome.

What he hadn’t considered was that someone might be watching the same supply chain from the opposite end.

Isobel was reviewing the latest supply-chain reports when she noticed an inconsistency in the miniature servo motor deliveries.

She pulled up the distributor’s inventory records and cross-checked them against the contractors’ purchase orders. The numbers didn’t add up. More suspiciously, the delivery schedules showed that while some contractors were receiving their full allocations, others were suddenly experiencing severe shortages.

She immediately flagged the irregularities and brought the findings to Morgan, Kristoff, and Richard.

"Someone is manipulating the supply," she told them, laying the reports on the conference table.

None of the three men looked particularly surprised. They had all built their businesses on anticipating risks, and none was foolish enough to rely entirely on a single supplier.

Richard, however, seemed less concerned about the shortage itself.

"How much additional inventory do we need to cover the production requirements?" he asked.

Kristoff glanced at him through the screen. "Why? Do you have another supplier in mind?"

Richard gave a slight smile.

"I might have something better."

"Check your email. I sent a proposal."

Months earlier, Richard had established a subsidiary specializing in precision robotics components. He had recognized the growing potential of the industry and understood that the real opportunities wouldn’t be limited to robot assembly. The demand for the components powering those machines would inevitably grow alongside it.

Competing directly with Aioryx in neural processing technology would have been an uphill battle. Richard had no intention of wasting resources trying to outdo them in their strongest field.

Instead, he had chosen to develop complementary technologies.

And judging by the circumstances, his timing couldn’t have been better.

Kristoff, meanwhile, had noticed the irregularities from the very first day.

Initially, the reduction in servo motor deliveries had been relatively minor. The distributor had explained that an urgent order had disrupted its schedule, an excuse that seemed reasonable enough.

But on the second day, deliveries were suddenly reduced to barely a third of the original allocation.

That was no longer a minor inconvenience.

Something was wrong.