The pair made their way quickly into Roxanne’s office as they spoke.
As they were alone in the office, the full extent of their worry appeared on their faces.
“I wonder if you remember what Pearson Group did when they picked on us the last time,” Colby said as s twitch of concern flickered across his brow.
Roxanne’s forehead creased at his words. She too recalled the experience of being sabotaged by Aubree upon her return to the country.
All the medicinal herb suppliers in Horington had rejected partnership offers made by the research institute without providing a reason under the order of Pearson Group then.
Somebody must have ordered the medicinal herb suppliers to cut us off. But who could the mastermind be?
Roxanne’s gaze darkened. Her mind was in a mess.
As they had already resolved the trouble Aubree had caused them, Roxanne was sure they would not be subjected to the same tactics.
Though Colby did not voice it aloud, he knew Roxanne was the intended victim of the ordeal.
He patted her shoulder trying to comfort her as he saw how worried she was. “Don’t overthink it right now. Since you’re here, I think you should personally call our partners and find out their intentions. It is of utmost importance to search for another supplier quickly if they do not want to work with us anymore. We need to ensure that all our projects remain on schedule.”
Roxanne pulled herself out of her reverie and nodded in agreement.
Soon, Colby produced the contact numbers of all the research institute business partners for Roxanne to call one by one.
“I’m really sorry, Dr. Jarvis. Though it has been a pleasant partnership with the research institute, we cannot accommodate your demands for the specific ingredients you need given such short notice, so…”
“Is that you, Dr. Jarvis? Apologies for not having informed you earlier for it happened so suddenly. Our factory is rushing to meet a huge order for a hospital, so it is very likely that we cannot make it for the research institute’s order.”
Roxanne called several companies in a row, and the persons in charge found all sorts of reasons to reject her.
The meaning behind their words could not be more explicit. They did not intend for the partnership to continue.
Roxanne clenched her fists. Undeterred, she dialed another number.
Taking pity on her for how distraught she looked, Colby patted her hand tenderly. “Don’t bother.”
Roxanne glanced at him in confusion.
“It’s obvious that somebody has a bone to pick with the research institute. Besides, they seem to be on equal footing with the Pearson family and possibly even more influential. It will end the same way as before if this goes on.”
Though she was reluctant to admit it, she knew he was right.
After a moment’s silence, Roxanne placed the phone down dejectedly.
“If I may ask,” Colby asked in concern, “have you offended anybody of late?”
Roxanne stiffened up imperceptibly at his words.
“I don’t mean to sound like I’m blaming you,” Colby explained hastily. “After all, you were the one who solved this very problem we faced previously. I want to remind you that since they are capable of going to such lengths, they might find it in them to act against you or the kids. You must be careful. Don’t worry about the research institute as I can still persist for some time.”
Colby then smiled reassuringly at her.
“Thank you,” Roxanne said, her eyes shining with gratitude.
However, she still could not think of anybody who would take such drastic measures against her.
The only possibility is Sonya.
However, Roxanne had made things clear to Sonya the last time they met and had not contacted Lucian within that period.
If Sonya had done it, she could have done it on the day of the breakup instead of waiting until now.
After a series of calls back and forth, the only knowledge the pair learned was how the partners truly felt and that somebody was complicating matters for them from the shadows.
However, no medical supplies was sent to the research until then.
In a panic, Roxanne thought of Larry as she remembered him mentioning during their last medical conference that he wished to establish himself in Chanaea and would likely stay in Horington.
With his reputation in the medical world and the standing of the Morrison family in Horington, Larry would undoubtedly have connections.
A dash of hope lifted Roxanne’s spirits by that thought. “I’m going to call a friend,” she said to Colby, before getting her phone to give Larry a call.
The other end picked up almost immediately. “What can I do for you, Roxanne?” came Larry’s deep voice.
Roxanne froze for several moments as she realized that throughout their acquaintance, she had always asked Larry for help. Suddenly, she felt too embarrassed to speak.
Larry sensed her reticence from the other end and frowned in puzzlement. “Roxanne? Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Do you have any medicinal herb suppliers you’re on good terms with in Horington, Larry?” Roxanne asked rather abashedly. “Could you introduce them to me?”
Larry agreed to it without a moment’s thought, nor did he ask her why she wanted medicinal herb suppliers. “No problem,” he replied. “I’ll make a few calls and let you know soon.”
Roxanne did not expect him to agree so rapidly. “Thank you, Larry,” she said appreciatively after several seconds of startled silence. “I’ll await the good news, then.”
She detected Larry’s displeasure when he next spoke. “Why are you so courteous with me? You have saved my parents’ lives. This small favor I’m doing you cannot compare to the debt we owe you. Even if I dared to accept your thanks, my parents would never agree to it.”
Roxanne smiled and took back her words. “All right. I’ll await your good news.”
Larry assured her she would before hanging up.
Colby gazed at Roxanne in confusion in the office as he did not know who it was she had spoken to on the phone. He thought it sounded like somebody important.
Besides, Roxanne’s expression became more at ease after the phone call.
“Is he… trustworthy, Dr. Jarvis?” asked Colby in an uncertain tone.
Roxanne nodded. “He is Larry Morrison, a senior I’ve met abroad. You must have heard of him.”
“Him?” Colby was shocked.
Larry’s name was known internationally by that point, especially amongst the younger generation of medical practitioners. He was known as both a skilled doctor and a wealthy heir.
Roxanne not only knows him but also sounds like she is on good terms with him!
Colby felt a tinge of embarrassment.
Roxanne is a fantastic girl with her pick of deserving men around her. Compared to them, I am not even worth mentioning.
Colby made a promise to himself after he took that fact into consideration
I will make it in the medical world one day and become a man worthy of Roxanne!
Fraught with worry while she awaited Larry’s reply, Roxanne was unaware of his sentiments.
She did not mention the incident of the research institute being subjected to sabotage to Larry as she did not know who was behind it.
I’m not sure if Larry can stand against them. It’s better not to risk dragging him down.
Roxanne felt a tinge of fear at that thought.
A good half an hour passed before Larry got back to her.
Almost immediately, Roxanne was there to pick up the very moment the phone screen lit up. “How did it go, Larry?” she asked anxiously.
Larry’s tone sounded somewhat somber. “Discussions were going pretty well, that is, until I mentioned your research institute. It seemed to have altered their attitude completely.”
Upon hearing that, Roxanne’s eyes dimmed, and her lips curled up slightly into a soured expression. “I see. Sorry to trouble you. Going forward, please do not get yourself involved in this matter anymore. I’ll figure out a way to resolve it myself.
She was concerned that Larry would also be marked should he continue to help her.
When her voice faded out, she heard Larry forward a query quite out of the blue, “What’s going on between you and Mr. Farwell? He’s the one who is responsible for this, isn’t he?”
That unequivocally took Roxanne by surprise.
Lucian? Why would he want to do something like that, and how did Larry come to such conclusion?
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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