Chapter 890 Couldn’t Come to an Agreement
Sensing that things were becoming a little tense, Elise cut in sharply. “Here in Cittadel, we have a saying that goes, every mile starts with a single step. The more unlikely and hopeless something seems, the more we need people to bear the responsibility of taking up the challenge. If everyone avoids doing it because it seems unreachable, then the citizens will be filled with resentment. How will there be peace in the country?”
Mack’s eyes flickered. He didn’t respond right away, but he seemed to be considering the validity of Elise’s statement. After a brief pause, a smile returned to his face as if nothing had happened. Flattery rolled off his tongue with great ease. “I’m moved by how patriotic the two of you are. You know, I often show the most admiration for people who have a heart for society.
How about this? I will only take 40% of the profits. The two of you can use the remaining 10% on my behalf for charity. What do you think?”
“That works,” Alexander started with a smile, but his words took a vastly different turn before Mack could start celebrating. “If Smith Co. takes charge of the brand, I will personally decide to give you 10% of the profits so that you can report to those back home.”
Mack’s smile vanished as his eyes filled with hostility once more. “10%?! You must be kidding, Mr. Griffith!”
“You’re the one who started the joke,” Alexander replied, unphased.
Mack straightened up as he fumed with a threatening air. “I had to overcome all sorts of objections before most of the decision-makers back at Yveltalia were willing to relinquish control of the brand. Is this how you repay me, Mr. Griffith? 10%? How am I supposed to go back with such a measly amount of money?! How outrageous!”
Slam!
He smashed his hand on the table, and the servers standing further back all jumped in alarm.
They heard that those in the upper class cared a lot about their conduct in public, so they never expected such a bad-tempered customer today. All at once, they started reminding themselves to be even more cautious when serving him.
Alexander glanced at the table before looking up at Mack and commenting airily, “Everyone knows this is a very profitable venture. Why would you be willing to hand over the brand to someone else if Yveltalia could handle the brand themselves, Mr. Thompson? You only chose to do so because you’re aware there aren’t any suitable talents among the designers in Yveltalia. The brand will undoubtedly fall into the hands of the Cittadelians, but here you are, trying to use something that belongs to the Cittadelians to curry favor with your people back home. Clearly, you’re a lot shrewder when it comes to business than I am.”
Feeling somewhat humiliated that Alexander had seen right through him, Mack stubbornly retorted, “Yes, Cittadelians are most likely going to win the bid, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get to enjoy it all yourself! I doubt it’d be that easy for you to have the whole pie to yourself if I don’t put in a good word for you in front of the Prince and Princess so that you get their support!”
“Well, we don’t like it when things are too easy anyway,” Elise commented mysteriously. “When it comes to business, we Cittadelians care about sincerity the most. We don’t work with those who aren’t sincere. If you wish to work with other Cittadelians in the future, Mr. Thompson, it’d be best if you’re prepared to be honest.”
“I don’t need a woman like you to tell me how I should communicate with others.” Mack didn’t bother to listen to her. “You can be pleased with yourselves now, but you won’t be for long. You’re not my only choice. Soon, you’ll find out that rejecting me was a terrible decision!”
Pissing him off wasn’t the couple’s ultimate goal. Alexander and Elise started changing their tune once they saw that Mack was furious.
“Truth be told, I do wish to work with you, Mr. Thompson. It’d be great if you’re willing to show us a little more consideration and accept the cut of the profits that I offered earlier.” Alexander pretended to try and make an appeal. He tugged on Elise’s dress under the table.
Elise got the hint at once and played along with him. “That’s right, Mr. Thompson. Smith Co. is the front-runner among all those in the running here in Cittadel. Working with us is your best choice. Why don’t you just agree to it now? You can think of it as making a friend.”
“Letting the two of you do charity at my expense? I’m afraid that’s not a friendship I can accept!”
Mack rejected them outright and marched out of the cafe.
“Don’t go, Mr. Thompson! We can still discuss the terms if you’re not satisfied. How about 15%? Or a fifth? Even 25% is alright!”
Elise pretended to go after him, but Mack paid no heed to her.
Once he was out of the cafe, Elise grinned and turned to Alexander. She shrugged her shoulders and lamented, “Oh, my. We couldn’t come to an agreement. What should we do now?”
Alexander got up and pulled her into his arms. “Isn’t that exactly what you wanted, Mrs. Griffith?”
She ran her finger along his chin playfully. “Likewise.”
From now on, in Mack’s eyes, the two of them were cunning businesspeople who wanted to have their cake and eat it too.
…
It was evening, and Brendan arrived home with a few exquisite gift bags in his hands.
As soon as he walked into the house, he saw Wendy sitting on the couch in the living room with her assistants spread out all over. Yuri was sitting stiffly beside Wendy and started giving him pointed looks as soon as she saw him.
No one would show up just like that for no reason. Brendan knew that Wendy was here with ill intentions.
“You didn’t beat me up enough the last time, so you’re back to do it again?” He glared at Wendy.
“You don’t need to be so hostile. My people went too far last time, so I’m here to apologize and see how you’re recovering.” Wendy pretended to express her concern.
“Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me what you want.” Brendan didn’t want to waste time dealing with her.
“Sure enough, the men of the Griffiths are all pretty smart. Well, I’ll get to it then. Before the selection process officially begins, you need to find a few of Amy’s one-of-a-kind designs and make some changes to them to make them better, and then give them to me so that I can get your name out there in front of Prince Caleb and Princess Diana,” she said.
“I’m willing to come up with a few new designs, but I won’t plagiarize someone else’s work. How’s that any different from stealing? I won’t do it.” Brendan abided by his professional ethics.
Wendy wasn’t affected by his claims. Her haughty gaze slowly flickered downward until it landed on the bags in his hands. “Such exquisite gift bags. One look and I can tell that you must’ve chosen some things for the baby. A baby with your and Miss Fox’s DNA would surely be adorable. You wouldn’t want the baby to lose his or her life before they even get to see the world, right?”
Children would always be their parents’ weakness.
However, the one that Brendan truly cared about was Yuri. He only cared about the baby because the baby was hers.
Wendy didn’t know that, and he wasn’t planning on enlightening her, so he played along.
He balled his fists and clenched his jaw, acting as if he were infuriated. “If you do anything to Yuri or the baby, I’ll make sure you’ll never get what you want, even if it means taking my own life!”
Wendy stood up and scoffed derisively. “I know you’re not afraid of dying, but I wonder if you’re afraid of seeing them die in front of you.”
