On our flight to Sulford, Oliver gave me a briefing on the situation.


    "Only Schneider Group possesses the polymeric materials that we''re looking to preorder. Our main goal on this trip is to visit the head of thepany, Lester Schneider."


    The mention of the Schneiders of Sulford caused my heart to drop. What an unlucky coincidence!


    "What''s the reason that my colleagues failed to make the order?" I prodded.


    "It''splicated." He furrowed his brows a little. "I don''t know the details, but one thing I''m sure of—Mr. Schneider Senior wanted to make us jump through hoops." "Why?" I gasped. "I thought business deals are all about agreeing on a price?"


    "Things are not that clear-cut in the business world." Sighing, Oliver exined, "The polymeric materials we require will mostly be used on high-end tech products. Yet the Schneiders themselves are selling the same products."


    I was rendered speechless for a while.


    "Schneider Group might have the polymeric materials, but their R&D team is... To put it mildly, ratherckluster. It''s a waste of resources to use the polymeric materials in their R&D."


    Oliver beamed with confidence.


    I frowned at him, puzzled. "So, why are they refusing to sell the polymeric materials?"


    "If they sell them to Hastings Group, Hastings Group will make them the highlight of our products. The twopanies are set to release their new products at the same time. Of course, Schneider Group wouldn''t want to give their opponent''s products an edge.


    "By the way, Lester Schneider is a difficult character. When our R&D team arrived in the city to procure materials, he asked the team if anyone was interested in switching jobs, and he also asked about our R&D data."


    Letting out a long sigh, Oliver added, "Thankfully, Hastings Group offers great benefits to our R&D team."


    I took a sip of water, thinking that Schneider Group was definitely a tough nut to crack.


    Before long, I saw for myself the deviousness of the old man, who sported gray hair and was all smiles. His office was nicely decorated.


    "Mr. Wood, it''s been a while. How have you been doing?" Holding a walking cane, Lester fixed his eyes on Oliver while I quietly scrutinized the old man.


    Was he Lucas'' father?


    Oliver exchanged pleasantries with Lester, during which he attempted to get to the point, but Lester skillfully steered the conversation away.


    What a difficult man, indeed.


    "Youngdy, why are you staring at me?" Lester beamed at me.


    His face reminded me of Lucas. Since I Lucas as a friend, I felt


    rathenant for the poor guy.


    Still, this was not the right time to bring up Lucas.


    "Mr. Schneider, Mr. Hastings sent us on this trip to discuss the purchase of the polymeric materials with Schneider Group." I didn''t beat about the bush.


    His expression froze. Soon, he waved dismissively at me. "There''s no rush."


    "No." Oliver shot up from his seat and quietly gave me a thumbs-up "Mr. Schneider Senior, this is urgent. Otherwise, Mr. Hastings wouldn''t have sent us here."