Chapter 140: Products

"So you're saying the current media buzz isn't just being stirred up by Penguin Gambling Company alone, is it?"

Dwight Payton's eyes narrowed slightly: "It seems they have great confidence in James Lanster."

If they weren't certain that James Lanster had a higher chance of winning and were fully confident of victory, Arcadia Sporting Goods would not be continuing to heat up the topic but would instead be trying to cool it down.

He believed that any intelligent person could see the truth behind this incident, and the controller of Arcadia Company could not be a fool.

"Now there are two possibilities: one is that James Lanster hid some of his strength in previous matches, and the other is that they have mastered a method to enhance Lanster's combat power—newly developed potions, or stimulants, equipment made with new technology, spells like 'Descent of the Gods,' and so on."

Carl Holton inquired: "BOSS, do we need to take preventive measures?"

"Prevention? Adopt countermeasures?"

Dwight retorted: "Carl, with these factors added, what do you think Lanster's chances are?"

"Zero! He has no chance at all!"

Carl shrugged: "I think Amo's swordsmanship and magical abilities have touched the threshold of truth. According to Charlotte, if there were further divisions within 10S, he would be the one standing at the very top. This is something Lanster can never catch up to; there is a chasm-like gap between them."

"Then let's wait and see what our opponent intends to do."

Dwight smiled sarcastically: "Of course, basic precautions are still necessary. I now authorize you to mobilize all the company's available resources to pressure the NHSAA Competition Committee to enforce the strictest drug testing in the Atlanta division. Also, inform Amo about this so he has sufficient psychological preparation."

By the time they said this, they had already reached the rooftop. In front of Dwight Payton, a helicopter with its engine and rotors already running stirred up a gale, causing their hair to fly wildly and their clothes to flap noisily.

But Dwight paused at that moment: "What I'm most concerned about now is our inventory situation. I've been meaning to ask: are all the company's warehouses and stores ready?"

"That's exactly what I was about to report—"

Carl Holton smiled: "As per your instructions, everything is ready. In Atlanta and Georgia, our stock has increased by thirty percent. For the dozen or so products Amo will wear in the ring, we've tripled the inventory, about seventy-five percent of which are women's styles. Additionally, along the East Coast, stock has increased by ten to fifteen percent accordingly. But BOSS, the store managers are all complaining, and the head office has sent a letter inquiring about this. They believe that excessive inventory not only affects warehouse operations but may also delay the seasonal product change."

But upon hearing the word 'ready,' Dwight had already started walking and boarded the helicopter nearby.

Carl Holton smiled wryly, wisely said the following words, and then took out a document and a red wristband: "BOSS, before you leave, take a look at this, OK?"

"What is it? I'm rushing to a restaurant near Storm Arena to have lunch with that fatso Alec."

Dwight Payton grabbed the documents and the wristband, examining them closely: "What's this? A new product from the company or something?"

"It's a magic-energy wristband designed by the company headquarters four years ago, before you became CEO of the Eastern District. It can enhance a person's agility and strength. I think its design suits Amo's image."

Carl explained: "I think it's best to use this to replace the one Amo is currently wearing."

"Why? Just because of the design?"

Dwight flipped through the documents again: "The performance is decent—though it's a 6S-level competition magic-energy device, its practicality isn't much worse than those 10A-level wristbands. But the price is as high as 13,255 gold shields. Unbelievable. What were the company's product managers thinking? Is their heads stuffed with dog shit? The cost is even 1,000 gold shields more expensive than 10A-level equipment. Who among ordinary people would spend so much money on this? As for the rich, wouldn't they just go for 10A-level competition gear?"

"I think so too. In fact, its designer has already been fired."

Carl said with a smile: "The key point is that this style is unisex. And take a look at the last few pages, you'll understand."

Dwight quickly flipped to the back, and then his eyes lit up. It was a product design rendering—the same red wristband, but with the pale gold inscription 'May the luck be with me everyday' added to the surface, giving the wristband an extra touch of elegance.

Then the second drawing showed Li Mochen standing on the ring, kissing the wristband.

"A very good idea."

Dwight Payton asked with appreciation: "There are only four hours until the match starts. Can we secure the supply?"

Although there was a large stock of the wristband Li Mochen currently wore in the Eastern District stores, the price difference between the two products was as high as 12,000 gold shields, and the profit margin was seven times greater. It wasn't a difficult choice for him.

"It should be no problem. Previously, the company produced 150,000 units, but after a month of sales in major stores, only seven were sold, so the higher-ups directly halted production. Now these products are all piling up in the warehouse, gathering mold."

Carl Holton raised his eyebrows: "I've looked into it. Engraving inscriptions on the outer side of the wristband is a very simple process. Our factory in Atlanta can complete it in half a day at full capacity. My idea is to relaunch this product under the name 'Lucky Wristband' and raise the price to 14,999 gold shields."

"Since you've already planned it, go ahead and do it!"

Dwight made the decision without hesitation, stuffing the documents back into Carl Holton's arms.

"Then let's give it a try—Amo's ability to drive sales among young women. You should have brought up this plan earlier, Carl!"

Carl shrugged helplessly upon hearing this.

He didn't want to rush things either, but the problem was that the report on this magic-energy wristband from the warehousing department had only reached his desk at nine o'clock this morning. And at that time, his boss was still in a meeting.

But Carl never got the chance to say this. Because the helicopter in front of him had already accelerated the rotation of its blades.

He had to step back a few paces, watching the helicopter carry Dwight Payton away toward the southern part of the city.