It was said that one catty of the mushrooms cost tens of thousands. Roxanne was speechless as she listened to Sonya chatting with Yennefer. The gifts for this visit alone already cost almost a million.
In front of Elias and Sonya, Yennefer continuously praised Roxanne. She waxed lyrical about her impressive medical skills, good looks, and ability to manage such a large corporation in addition to giving birth to three adorable children. It made Roxanne seem like such a rare gem of a wife.
Sonya began feeling guilty and joined her in praising her daughter-in-law too. Jones and Elias exchanged pleasantries and expressed their deepest regret for not attending Lucian’s wedding. After which, Elias pulled his old pal along with him to taste the red wine.
Lucian and James leisurely sipped the various kinds of premium coffee on the second-floor balcony. The relationship between both families was pleasant and harmonious.
Yennefer requested Roxanne to keep a lookout for any eligible young woman as James still had not found a wife. Roxanne pondered it over and decided that finding a woman good enough for James would be no easy task. She only had one close friend and was occupied with Jonathan. In fact, James was very well aware of that.
“I’m half joking, Roxanne! Just let me know if you ever come across someone you think might be suitable. Don’t worry about it.” Yennefer hurriedly clarified when she observed the troubled look on Roxanne’s face. Roxanne nodded with a smile. “I’ll head to the kitchen to help prepare dinner!”
“What? Does your mother-in-law still require you to cook?” Yennefer eyed Sonya. Sonya was taken aback and hastily waved her hands. “Of course not! Roxanne doesn’t have to worry about that. There is a cook who has everything taken care of. She’s merely thinking of whipping up several dishes as a treat since all of you are here.”
At that, she turned her gaze to Roxanne. “My mom cooks mostly and often prepares soup for me. Her culinary skills these days are out of this world, and the truth is that I rarely cook. Roxanne inclined her head.
Feeling relief that Roxanne had given her an out, Sonya beamed as she stood. “Let me do it. I recently learned a new recipe for a soup that will go well with the mushrooms you bought.”
With that, she went to the kitchen. Yennefer gave Roxanne a sly smile behind Sonya’s back. “That’s more like it! She used to complain to me about how inadequate you were. It’s payback time!”
Roxanne had not expected Yennefer to react so vehemently to the injustice that he had. suffered. Nevertheless, she still clarified, “That’s all in the past. She treats me well now, and I’m certain we won’t be at odds ever again.”
Yennefer nodded and discreetly admired Roxanne for being so magnanimous. There: were rifts between other in-laws that could not be mended, even after a long time. The two families shared a sumptuous meal where wine flowed freely, and the atmosphere was full of merriment.
Elias and Jones kept drinking non-stop until nine-thirty. Only then did James manage to get his father to go home. When Roxanne returned to her room after tucking the children to bed, Lucian was still reading.
Lucian seemed to have thought of something as he marked the page of the book he was reading with a bookmark and close it. “There’s something I need to tell you,” Lucian said solemnly. Roxanne was putting on her moisturizer and nodded. “Go on.”
“I investigated that the Crawford family in the North has assigned a man called Jonas to Horington. He’s been in contact with Grant and given him a large sum. I had a hunch that something was off when Grant kept trying to rub shoulders with us!”
Roxanne’s heart fell as her pity for Grant was instantly wiped clean. She forced a smile that was tinged with bitterness. “Well then, I guess his divorce from Winnie was just a ploy to garner sympathy. I wonder what his motivations are behind all these.”
Lucian nodded his head. Someone of his status would not care for someone like Grant. However, he was worried about Roxanne being upset over having such a father. “Perhaps he’s trying to get close to you now that you possess the wealth he desires.”
Lucian’s words eliminated the need for further analysis of Grant’s actions. Roxanne felt so disappointed that she resolved never to give her errant father another chance. One week later, Roxanne no longer frequented the research institute often, yet new medicine was being produced incessantly.
The pricing set by the medical company meant that they were suffering losses every month. Flora Verba Group flourished under James’ leadership, whereby its profits kept increasing until it was sufficient to cover the cost it took to research the medicine.
The officials in the company had invited Roxanne to attend their commendation assembly multiple times and wished to crown her with several titles of honor, all of which she’d refused. Harvey had taught her not to pursue pointless fame.
He could have generated a fortune yet had chosen to remain a research professor. On that day, Roxanne led Peregrine and several higher-ups in the research institute to the hotel. They were preparing to meet with a medical company from Adrune to discuss patent rights.
Although they suffered losses locally, granting their patent to an international company would help them generate more profit.
“The licensing fees will be calculated annually and will be around one billion for ten years, after which the other party will be able to freely use the technology to produce all six types of medicine without limit.” Linda gave a brief report to Roxanne while walking.
Then she led the team and held her head high while walking confidently, attracting the attention of the hotel guests.
The negotiation process was simple. She faced the snobbish representatives from the international company and insisted on the price she’d set no matter how hard they tried to negotiate with her.
She finally had a say after many years of complying with their terms while using their patent. At last, they relented and agreed to Roxanne’s price. Both parties signed the relevant documents swiftly.
Peregrine lamented as they exited the hotel, “I remember once, during my years at the research center in the north, I needed foreign technology to save a patient. The foreigners intentionally withheld it from me, and I had no choice but to watch helplessly as my patient’s life drained away. All they care about is profit and have no respect for ethics!” Roxanne nodded. She’d heard of similar incidents from her mentor as well.
“Roxanne, the truth is that many people overlook how brilliant and great a person you are. They may take you as a fool for having a non-profit-oriented research organization and medical company. However, you focus on the big picture. That is something most ordinary. people can’t comprehend. I’m extremely blessed to have a chance to work with you on such a meaningful initiative.”
Peregrine was overcome with emotion. The rest of the higher-ups in doing research and development echoed his sentiments as they nodded. They have never even dreamed of living a life of riches and glory when deciding to follow Roxanne as their leader. Yet Flora Verba Group had unexpectedly given them huge bonuses. Everyone present had gotten bonuses worth several million.
“I have to admit that I’m not as far-sighted as you think. I simply can’t stand watching people in poverty suffer all their lives because of illness.” That was indeed how she’d initially set her goal out to be. The drastic changes along the way had not been part of the plan.
Suddenly, Roxanne caught sight of a face that was familiar yet unfamiliar to her while she was about to step out of the hotel entrance. Her smile froze. She’d bumped into the person she abhorred the most, Yuliana.
Clad in designer attire with a heavily made-up face, Yuliana was adorned with gold and silver jewelry on her wrists, neck, and ears, exuding a sense of opulence and grandeur.
Upon laying eyes on Roxanne, she was momentarily surprised. However, she quickly regained her composure and arched her eyebrows, smiling as she strode toward her sister.
“Isn’t this my dear sister? It’s such a coincidence. We haven’t seen each other in six or seven years, right?” Yuliana’s voice was always tinged with a sarcastic tone.
Roxanne’s expression was solemn, and her eyes reflected an indifferent attitude. She retorted immediately, “I heard you were a tour guide in South East Aploth. How did you suddenly fulfill your dream of becoming part of a wealthy family?”
Peregrine and Linda, standing beside her, exchanged surprised glances as they tried to discern Yuliana’s identity. Why would she dare to act so arrogantly in front of Roxanne? Roxanne shot Linda a look; the latter immediately nodded and led Peregrine and the other executives away.
“How can I ever compare to you, Roxanne? I never imagined that Mr. Farwell of the Farwell Group would remarry you. You’re the one who has achieved your dream by attaching yourself to a wealthy family. I’m nothing compared to you.” Yuliana’s words were full of sarcasm.
Without giving Roxanne a chance to retaliate, she continued, “Looks like having children brings many benefits. A responsible man like Mr. Farwell must have remarried you because of the children. I need to follow your lead, Roxanne!”
A grim look crept onto Roxanne’s face. As there was no one else around, she felt no need to be courteous toward Yuliana.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply