Not wanting the two to start fighting over her, Roxanne changed the topic by saying, “All right, let’s just get down to business. It’ll be lunchtime if we waste any more time chit-chatting.”
Jack nodded and sat down on the single- cushion couch in front of her.He looked like he meant business as he crossed his arms and said, “Since you wanted to see me so urgently, I’m assuming Mr. Farwell has given you some bright ideas. In that case, why don’t you go ahead and speak your mind?”
Roxanne subconsciously glanced at Lucian. He nodded at her. She completely relaxed after receiving his affirmation. Then, she shared the result of their initial discussion earlier.
“This is my two cents. Damaris Group provided us with the medicinal herbs and distribution channel for this collaboration. However, technology-wise, the credits belong almost entirely to the research institute. I can even say that the research institute is the real owner of this core technology in developing this new medicine. For this reason and considering our experiences working together with other groups, the profit should be divided into a twenty-eighty split. Our research institute will take the larger portion of the earnings.”
She was the person in charge of the research institute, after all. Although Roxanne wasn’t sufficiently familiar with that aspect, she still commanded an extraordinary presence.
A hint of admiration glinted in Lucian’s eyes as he listened to her speech and took in her serious demeanor.
On the other hand, Jack thought his ears were playing tricks on him. He forced himself to keep. up his elegant facade. “Excuse me. I didn’t hear. you clearly. Ms. Jarvis, you were saying-”
She reiterated calmly, “The research institute will take eighty percent of the profit from the sales of this medicine while Damaris Group owns the remaining twenty percent.”
Jack couldn’t help but chuckle. “Are you kidding me, Ms. Jarvis? Is that all the profit you’re willing to share with us after Damaris Group contributed so much to this project?”
Roxanne’s eyes shone with determination. “The Damaris family is a century-old prestigious family in the traditional medicine business, so you must be well aware of the rules in the pharmaceutical field. In fact, coming up with the core technology is the most important part of medical research and development. In the context of contribution, I’m confident our research institute poured in much more effort than Damaris Group.”
Jack turned to glance at Lucian and swiftly wrapped his mind around the situation. Evidently, that was the result of their discussion earlier.
“You’re such a humorous person, Ms. Jarvis. I came up with the idea in the first place. Besides, Damaris Group had been providing the medicinal herbs used by the research institution for free. Now that you’ve invented the medicine, you’re turning your back on us, letting us take only a small part of the profit. If that’s the case, I’m afraid Damaris Group will have to cease this collaboration with you.”
His face darkened, and his tone was filled with the indifference of a businessman. Jack’s reaction was within their anticipation.
Roxanne spoke in a gentler manner after sensing his fury. “Naturally, Damaris Group’s cooperation is crucial in the success of inventing this medicine. If you aren’t satisfied with my initial offer, I can proffer you another five percent, totaling Damaris Group’s profit margin to twenty-five percent. That is the maximum extent of my sincerity.”
He sneered out loud. “Aren’t you generous, Ms. Jarvis, offering me another five percent without hesitation? Do you think I’ll agree to this?”
She replied, “There’s nothing I can do if you aren’t willing to accept the deal. I will compensate Damaris Group with three times. the market price for all the medicinal herbs you have provided the research institute. As for the distribution channel, I’ll figure out an alternative.”
She was implying her readiness to end their collaboration as Jack had suggested. Jack laughed in exasperation. “There isn’t any price on the market that can match the demand for the Damaris family’s medicinal herbs, as the herbs are only available for the Damaris family’s internal use. I think you’re oversimplifying this matter, Ms. Jarvis.”
Roxanne frowned. “In that case, you can proffer a price you think is fair, and I’ll accept it without any objection.”
She felt a little uneasy after saying that, as Jack might very likely make a significant demand on the division of profit following her statement.
“I think you haven’t gotten a clear picture of the circumstances, Mr. Damaris,” Lucian piped up. At the same time, he slightly leaned his body in Roxanne and Jack’s direction while shifting his cold gaze onto Jack.
“Roxanne is equipped with the technology, while the medicinal herbs provided by the Damaris family were only used to produce one batch of medicine. If you aren’t satisfied with the profit division, that’s fine.
The financial gain from this batch of medicine manufactured using the medicinal herbs contributed by the Damaris family can be split according to your wish. Still, the research institute also has the right to only sign the contract with you for this batch of medicine only.”
At that point, Lucian talked slower. “And that means after this batch of medicines is completely sold, Roxanne can still look for another medicinal herbs supplier to collaborate with her because she has the manufacturing technology. But what about Damaris Group? Are you able to find another research institute that can produce this medicine?”
His words blatantly expressed the research institute’s dominance in that deal with Damaris Group. In short, Damaris Group wasn’t Roxanne’s only choice.
In comparison, Damaris Group could only rely on Roxanne to produce the medicine. Hence, the research institute should’ve been. the leading party in that cooperation from the beginning.
As for Damaris Group, it became Jack’s decision whether to choose a long-term, steady yield or a high amount of short-term profit.
Jack didn’t expect Lucian to make that move.. He met the latter’s eyes impassively while speaking to Roxanne.
“Ms. Jarvis, are you sure you wish to discuss the terms of this collaboration with Damaris Group on a pure business paradigm? In your opinion, is Damaris Group just an existence you can toss aside after you achieve your goal?”
She glanced at Lucian and he nodded at her. Subsequently, Roxanne braced herself and pursed her lips in silence, considering that a response to Jack’s question.
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.