“So?” Orchid asked. “Nothing. Since you mentioned the kindness you had shown me, I told you what I did to express my gratitude in return. Even if what I did wasn’t much, at least I didn’t wrong you!” Roxanne answered calmly.
The water reached boiling point, emitting a whistling sound. Roxanne used the water to make espresso. Soon, a delicious coffee scent filled the room..
She filled the cup to eighty percent full before motioning for Orchid to take it. “Orchid, have some coffee first.”
The woman hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take the coffee cup. I can’t read Roxanne at all. When did this calm and relaxed manner of hers start showing itself?
Obviously, Roxanne didn’t tell Orchid that Lucian taught her current behavior. Whether it was a business deal or a negotiation, drinking coffee calmly before the opponent would give them immense pressure indirectly.
“Let’s be straightforward! What do you want? Give me a number. How much grant funds do you want? How many benefits are you trying to seek for your staff?” Orchid urged anxiously, unable to withstand the pressure anymore.
Roxanne knew it was time to make her next move. She spoke slowly. “Yes, the research institute belongs to GK Group. But then, we’ve patented so many products up until now. We couldn’t return them just like that. After all, you should know that I rarely touch the funds given to me by GK Group since the day the research institute was founded.”
“What do you mean? Are you saying you want to make these patented formulas yours?” Orchid immediately put the coffee cup on the table, nearly jumping out of her seat.
Then, her expression, which had just eased up moments ago, flashed with anger. “No way. I’ll never agree to that. These patented formulas are precious to GK Group. Why don’t you be straight with me? How much money do you need?”
Roxanne didn’t react, ignoring Orchid’s outburst.
Instead, she stated, “All right. Here’s my requirement. We have thirteen patented products. We can only transfer four of them to GK Group directly. The fate of the rest has to be decided by the high-level management of the research institute, and we have to find a way to enter a cooperation-sharing model with GK Group.”
Orchid thought her ears were playing tricks on her. It took her a few seconds to understand what Roxanne was saying. Instantly, anger filled her as she jumped up from the seat. “No way! I’ll never say yes to that condition. This is not a discussion. You are merely trying to extort me!”
Roxanne sneered when she heard the word “extort.”
The technical personnel and I spent countless days and nights, not eating or sleeping, to achieve those results. What does she mean that I’m trying to extort her?
Even though she was disappointed by Orchid’s reaction, Roxanne knew how the latter reacted was only average and nothing to be surprised about.
“Orchid, please give it some consideration. That’s the best option I can think of. I won’t back down even if you ask Mr. Lambert to advise me.” With that, Roxanne continued drinking her coffee in a relaxed manner.
“Listen here, Roxanne. I’ll never agree with the suggestion you gave. Never! If you insist on being stubborn, then go on. After all, if we follow the procedure strictly, all of you will have to leave the research institute sooner or later!” Orchid’s tone was vicious, hoping her remarks would change Roxanne’s mind.
However, no matter what she said, Roxanne was calm and unbothered. Roxanne’s reaction hurt Orchid’s pride significantly, causing her to lose her rationality slowly. Just then, Lucian called out from outside the door, “Darling, I’m back!”
Orchid seethed with rage, jealous of how a successful businessman like Lucian would treat Roxanne with so much tenderness.
Lucian walked in, his eyes shifting from the frustrated Orchid to the calm Roxanne, knowing that the negotiation might have fallen through. He smiled at Roxanne. “I’ve dealt with everything.”
Roxanne nodded, getting Lucian’s hidden message. Then, she said to Orchid faintly, “Orchid, you are right. If we follow the procedure, the research institute belongs to GK Group. Okay. I’ve thought it through. I’ll hand the research institute to you after this.”
Orchid thought she was hallucinating. She stared at Roxanne warily, questioning, “What tricks do you have… up your sleeves?”
“Tricks? You’re the master in that. You always plant a whole team in the research institute in the most surprising way! If Old Mr. Lomax and the rest cooperated with you this time, you would have taken over those patented formulas!” A smirk appeared on Roxanne’s face.
I have nothing to fear now that Lucian has settled everything for me. “What’s the matter? You tried to convince me to hand over the research institute with multiple reasons just now. Now that I want to hand it over, you’re hesitating?”
Orchid had her doubts. But she nodded her head after a few moments of pondering. “All right! I was only waiting for you to say yes. Anyways, I don’t believe there’s any way you could mess with me!”
After they settled things with Orchid, Roxanne and Lucian strolled out from the general manager’s office leisurely.
Colby was waiting for them at the research institute’s entrance. Facing Roxanne, he reported, “As instructed by you, I’ve temporarily transferred the nine patented formulas to a company arranged by Mr. Farwell. The seal is still with me. Do I need to return it to them?”
Roxanne felt relieved upon hearing Colby’s remarks. Using the time difference as an advantage, Roxanne stalled for time by asking to negotiate with Orchid. That way, Lucian and Colby would have enough time to transfer the patents.
She knew all too well that she had nothing to discuss or negotiate with the money-minded Orchid ultimately.
“It’s not a big deal to return them the seal and the research institute because we can purchase those scientific research equipment any time! Colby, please inform Old Mr. Lomax that he should play along with everything Orchid says and get all the benefits he should get. Then, they can resign individually and head to work at the research institute owned by Flora Verba Group!”
Colby nodded his head, turning around and walking into the research institute. A smile crept into Lucian’s face when he witnessed how swift and decisive Roxanne was when dealing with Orchid and GK Group.
I would do the same thing, too, if I were in her shoes. “Your business skills are getting better and better, Darling!” Lucian caressed Roxanne’s head with his huge hand.
Roxanne smiled happily. “Of course! I’ve been learning all this while!”
Meanwhile, at the manager’s office, Orchid was deep in thought. Suddenly, she thought of some crucial details, panicking.
The woman immediately got her subordinates to delve into the research institute’s patented formulas. In the end, the result came back. There were only four patented formulas left.
Moreover, these four patented formulas had been given to authorized patent agents, a way Roxanne had used to earn enough cash flow.
“D*mn it! This means I got myself a pretty much useless research institute!” A furious Orchid scolded her subordinates loudly. “What a bunch of losers!”
We should have gotten our hands on the patented formulas right away! Now it’s all gone! These so-called high-level management teams were simply a group of losers to her now.
She trembled angrily while her subordinates remained silent, not daring to talk back. At that precise moment, Colby knocked on the door.
The door was actually ajar. He had witnessed everything that went down in the room because he stood outside, unwilling to interrupt, for he wanted to see more of their despair.
But then, he decided to get things done. Colby walked over to Orchid respectfully, “Ms. Downey, this is the resignation letter of the research institute’s person-in-charge, Ms.. Jarvis, and here’s my resignation letter. I’m honored to work with GK Group before this. However, due to some health concerns, I can no longer work competently in my position, so I hope you will approve my resignation!” Colby announced his high-sounding justification for leaving the company.
Orchid’s gaze shifted to the two resignation letters, gritting her teeth. She was so angered that her heart thumped wildly.
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.
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