Reluctantly, Joseph nodded. "The ingredients are similar enough, so yes, it wouldn't matter. But…"
"You're not saying their transport runs on the same schedule as yours, are you?" Desmond's tone was probing yet calm.
"No," Joseph replied. "They're moving their shipment the day after tomorrow. Ours follows the day after that."
Desmond's lips curled into a faint, calculating smile. "Perfect. If we hit them first and erase all traces, they won't know who did it."
Despite the calm confidence in Desmond's voice, unease gnawed at Joseph. He knew the man's skills were extraordinary, but could even someone like him pull off such a bold operation?
Desmond stroked his chin thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "This Merentil… they seem willing to stop at nothing.
I'm surprised they're bothering with Astra at all. Wouldn't it be simpler for them to sabotage the top player instead?"
Joseph let out a dry laugh, as though the suggestion were absurd. "No one touches the first place."
