“If we fail to acquire Herbscape Group, our project will be put in a disadvantageous position,” Jonathan said matter-of-factly.
Lucian nodded in understanding, then began to think of other ways.
They had spent a lot of time negotiating the contract clauses with Herbscape Group before obtaining the latter’s agreement.
Yet, Damaris Group swooping in suddenly had caused Herbscape Group to renege on the contract.
Now that Herbscape Group and Damaris Group had established a partnership that was well publicized, the chances of acquiring the former were as good as none.
All of a sudden, Jonathan suggested, “Um… How about I get another company to negotiate a partnership with Damaris Group? We can learn about the price Herbscape Group asked for. Then, if we lower our asking price, we may be able to induce Damaris Group into breaking the contract with Herbscape Group, which will create an opening for us to continue negotiating the takeover. In fact, we may even be able to do so at a lower price.”
In the event Herbscape Group was abandoned by Damaris Group, they could use it as a talking point. Moreover, it was Herbscape Group that had reneged on the contract first. They were naturally in their debt for doing so. If takeover talks were to be revived, Herbscape Group would definitely feel pressured to give in.
Jonathan beamed with pride over his idea that was capable of killing two birds with one stone when he finished.
Lucian, however, furrowed his brows tightly upon listening to his best friend’s words. Faced with Lucian’s lack of response, Jonathan urged anxiously, “Our project is about to get up to speed, and Herbscape Group is an extremely important piece. If we can’t acquire them, we’ll have no choice but to back out and wait for the next opportunity.”
That was Jonathan’s attempt at questioning Lucian. It was one thing for Queen Group to give up, but Farwell Group had never backed out of anything before.
Given their status in Horington, Farwell Group had always gotten their way regardless of the situation. Plenty of companies clamored to collaborate with them.
Unexpectedly, with a brazenness that came out of nowhere, not only did Herbscape Group dare to bargain with Farwell Group, but they even canceled the contract at the very last stage.
If it was any other company, Lucian would have already taught them a painful lesson.
However, Lucian didn’t react at all this time. He seemed to have prepared to accept the loss without any retribution.
Jonathan was frustrated by that thought. “Lucian, what’s on your mind? Why don’t you put Herbscape Group in their place? What is it that has been worrying you for so long? I heard—”
Before Jonathan could finish, Lucian interrupted, “To have been chosen as the heir of the Damaris family, Jack is certainly no fool. If even you can tell that Herbscape Group is the best candidate, why would he give it up over some short-term profit?”
Jonathan thought there was something not right about Lucian’s words.
What does he mean by “even I can tell”? Does he think that I’m inferior to Jack?
The thought filled Jonathan with rage. “So what if he can tell? When it comes down to it, Queen Group is still the largest pharmaceutical company in Horington. If we hadn’t gotten involved in this project, Queen Group would have already secured the contract to supply the medication.”
If Jack really wasn’t a fool, he would have worked with Queen Group instead.
Reading between the lines, Lucian knew that his friend was throwing a tantrum. Despite that, he proceeded to expose him mercilessly. “It’s precisely because Jack is smart that he has chosen not to work with Queen Group. Based on Queen Group’s influence, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they wanted a lion’s share of the profits, making any negotiations with Damaris Group difficult. On the contrary, Herbscape Group would be desperate to work with them and willing to make significant concessions just to secure the partnership.”
Jonathan gradually calmed down. He sighed in exasperation when he thought about the stupid comment he had just made.
“It’s true that I had my eye on Herbscape Group for the same reason. Furthermore, they have one major advantage over Queen Group.”
His words elicited a baffled look from Lucian.
In a steady tone, Jonathan said, “Herbscape Group is not only involved in traditional medicine but is also skilled in many techniques of modern medicine. Compared to them, Queen Group is focused solely on traditional medicine, and that must be the reason why Damaris Group has chosen to work with them.”
However, the only mystery left was what Damaris Group had offered Herbscape Group to induce them into reneging on the contract with Farwell Group.
Despite having done his own research on Herbscape Group, Lucian wasn’t aware of the actual reason Jonathan had chosen the company.
Therefore, when the importance of acquiring Herbscape Group dawned upon him, Lucian couldn’t help but furrow his brows. “Now that the collaboration between Herbscape Group and Damaris Group has been settled, we should take more time to discuss our plans for the acquisition.”
Evidently, a solution was out of reach in the short term.
Furthermore, that issue wasn’t the one that was bothering him the most.
After giving Lucian an indifferent nod, Jonathan looked at his friend in a thoughtful manner. “I heard that Dr. Jarvis has not only participated in the collaboration between Damaris Group and Herbscape Group, but the latter has also offered her the role of technical advisor. I wonder what her thoughts about the matter are.”
That was the first time Lucian had heard about it. His heart clenched, and his already gloomy expression darkened further. “I don’t know.”
He had thought that Roxanne would be more cautious after he had revealed to her how Jack had snatched Herbscape Group away from him the day before.
Yet little did he expect Herbscape Group to directly approach Roxanne to be their technical advisor. As the possibility of her agreeing to it crossed his mind, Lucian couldn’t help but feel incensed.
Jonathan was surprised by the drastic change in Lucian’s expression. “Lucian, have you not succeeded in your pursuit of Dr. Jarvis?”
When Lucian simply shot him a glance without denying it, Jonathan couldn’t help feeling what a shame it was.
With how eligible he is, he could’ve had any woman he wanted. Instead, not only he insisted on keeping his eye on Roxanne, but he also failed in his pursuit despite all the effort he expended.
Jonathan cleared his throat, suppressed the surprise within him, and commented with a smile, “Well, you were at fault six years ago. It only makes sense for Dr. Jarvis to resent you for it.”
The mere mention of the past made Lucian scowl.
The two times Roxanne had gotten drunk had shown him how much hurt he had inflicted upon her six years ago.
He no longer felt the right to complain about her resentment toward him and the distance she had placed between them.
All he wanted to do now was to make amends.
Having innocently assumed that Lucian had made progress in his pursuit, Jonathan had simply wanted to tease his friend.
But to his surprise, he ended up rubbing salt in Lucian’s wound.
In response to Lucian’s reaction, Jonathan scratched his nose awkwardly. “Don’t worry about it. Even if you have made a mistake, there’s always a chance to redeem yourself. As long as you seize the opportunity, Dr. Jarvis will surely forgive you.”
“How do I redeem myself?”
Jonathan was stunned. He didn’t expect Lucian to take his casual remark seriously.
How do you redeem yourself? How would I know what happened between the two of you?
Since he had inadvertently brought up the difficult topic, Jonathan had no choice but to force himself to come up with a solution. “Since you hurt Dr. Jarvis six years ago and want her to forgive you for it, you obviously need to let her feel that you love her.”
“But I already did as you said.”
Lucian had been given her flowers and confessing his feelings for her. On top of that, he even had the three children help him behind the scenes.
Yet, Roxanne refused to believe in his feelings for her. In fact, when they had gone their separate ways in the morning, he could feel that their relationship seemed to have deteriorated.
The worst part was Lucian didn’t even know what the problem was.
Jonathan almost choked on himself.
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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