They immediately started brainstorming and discussing the potential medicinal herb suppliers they had in mind.
Nevertheless, none of them could reach a conclusion even after spending the whole afternoon on it. One of the experienced team leaders heaved a sigh and stated, “Damaris Group produces one of the highest quality medicinal herbs in the world. It will be challenging to find herbs that can rival them. Moreover, we need these medicinal herbs in large quantities, which makes it even more difficult.”
Everyone was at a loss for what to do, especially since he also could not come up with anything. “If there’s no other way, we can only make concessions on the pricing.”
One of the team leaders had already thought about the worst possibility. Everyone was in a state of despair in the conference room. Roxanne’s heart sank to rock bottom. She had no choice but to conclude the meeting since it was already time for lunch.
“Let’s stop here today. I hope you guys can keep this from the workers and let this information stay within us. There’s no need to spread negativity in the research institute. I’ll think of something in the meantime.”
Everyone assented. Suddenly thinking of something, Roxanne smiled at them. “The atmosphere in the research institute has been too tense recently. You guys can organize a team lunch and bring your respective teams out this afternoon. I’ll settle the bills.”
She wanted to lighten the atmosphere in the research institute. Everyone understood her intentions and agreed to do it.
Roxanne watched them leave the conference room. As she was in no mood to eat, she sat in the room alone, trying to think of any way to resolve this crisis. She considered calling Harvey because she knew he would be overjoyed that she had developed such a medicine.
Harvey was very reputable in the industry, so he might know medicinal herb suppliers who supplied high-quality medicinal herbs. She took out her phone to call him when Lucian’s call came in. Roxanne recomposed herself before answering. the phone.
“Have you eaten?” Lucian’s deep voice sounded beside her ear. It was extremely comforting. Roxanne couldn’t help but feel aggrieved upon hearing his voice. “I haven’t eaten. I’ve been busy the whole afternoon, but I don’t have any appetite.”
“Come out. I’m outside the research institute.” Lucian seemed to have predicted her situation. His voice was warm and caring. Roxanne’s eyes lit up, and she walked out. “Why are you here? Aren’t you working?”
Lucian replied affectionately, “Even a CEO has to eat. Also, I tired you out yesterday, so I have to make it up to you today, or else I’m afraid you will sleep in the guest room.”
As the events of last night replayed in her mind, Roxanne’s face gradually flushed bright red, and she instinctively scanned her surroundings.
She breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing no one near her and reproached, “Stop saying such nonsense. I’m almost out of the company!”
Lucian chuckled and didn’t say anything. He didn’t hang up the call either. Roxanne immediately saw the familiar Bentley when she walked out of the research institute. The car window facing the research institute was lowered so everyone who came out of the institute could see Lucian inside the car.
Lucian saw her and hung up the phone before alighting from the vehicle. Roxanne quickly walked over and got in the car with him.
“What do you want to eat?” Lucian asked her as he got in the car from the other side. As he spoke, he sneaked a peek at her from the rearview mirror. Her expression was the same as last night. I’m right. The problem with Damaris Group is still unresolved, and it has taken a turn for the worse.
Roxanne was still thinking about the matter with medicinal herbs even after she got in the car, so she didn’t hear Lucian’s question. Only when the car engine started did she regain her senses. “Where are we going?”
Lucian replied, “I don’t know what you want to eat, so I’ll choose some random place for us.” Roxanne nodded, as she was in no mood to think about this. Soon, the car stopped next to a restaurant entrance.
Lucian got out of the car and opened the door for Roxanne. She was still in a daze, consumed by her worries. Her thoughts were clearly written on her face. Seeing that, Lucian drew his brows together worriedly. He suppressed his worry for her and brought her into the restaurant.
The meal ended on an unappetizing note, as Roxanne had a poor appetite. She was plagued with anxiety, so she couldn’t really taste the food. She was done with her meal quickly, but at Lucian’s insistence, she ate a few more mouthfuls.
“Is the collaboration with Damaris Group not going well?” Lucian asked after they finished their meal and got back into the car.
Roxanne froze for a few seconds. She didn’t know whether she should tell him about the specifics of it, as she wanted to resolve this matter by herself. However, she didn’t mind relying on him if it was the last resort. Do I really have no other choice now?
As she was still hesitating, Lucian responded, “Jack didn’t accept your pricing and the negotiation failed. Now the Damaris family is rejecting to collaborate with you.”
He sounded confident as if he had already. investigated this matter. Roxanne was surprised. “How do you know about this?”
Lucian replied, “There are only a few scenarios of how the collaboration between Jack and you will turn out. I have been a businessman for so long, so I could already tell what happened from your expression.”
A look of dejection flashed across Roxanne’s face. Lucian continued, “If it’s me, I won’t accept your pricing either.” “Is it really that low? However, if I set the price higher…”
Lucian did not attempt to console her as he always had previously. Instead, he simply stated, “To a businessman, if the profits are too low and it takes a long time to see any decent returns, it’s not a wise investment.”
Roxanne frowned. “But we should always consider patients first since we are in the medical industry, shouldn’t we?” She lowered her head as she was filled with self-doubt. “Or am I thinking too much into this? Am I being too idealistic?”
Lucian gazed at her with a grim expression and didn’t say anything. She was indeed too idealistic, especially when it came to business matters.
When she threw herself into a business battle, she didn’t think of herself as a businesswoman but simply as a person from the medical industry. It was impossible for her to win against Jack. However, she could still maintain her ideals since Lucian was on her side.
“But some of my experienced employees in the research institute are also on my side when we had a meeting just now.”
Roxanne looked at him hopefully as she wanted to get his affirmation. Lucian replied, “As someone from the medical industry, there’s nothing wrong with your method. In fact, it’s very noble.”
In other words, she was still lacking in business negotiations. Roxanne had been facing countless setbacks recently. Self-doubt filled her heart now that Lucian was also criticizing her too. She couldn’t help but ask, “What will you do in my situation? Will you raise the price just as Jack wanted?”
Lucian smiled faintly. “If I think lowering the price will benefit us, I’ll definitely remain firm in that decision.”
“But Jack can’t accept it, and the collaboration will fall apart.” Roxanne did not understand the situation. That was exactly what she did, and Damaris Group unilaterally terminated the collaboration. There was no change in Lucian’s expression as he said, “I’ll force him to work with me.”
Roxanne frowned and studied him. “How?” “By using public opinion. The Damaris family. has been operating their business for more than a century. The public thinks they’re benevolent, but they’re unwilling to lower the price of the medicines. If this issue is made public, they will have no choice but to lower the price even if it’s for the sake of their reputation.” Roxanne nodded in agreement, feeling as if she had learned something new. But….
Knowing well what was on her mind, Lucian instantly revealed why that method could not work. “But if we do that, the Damaris family’s reputation will be affected. I’m not bothered by it, but it’s not the case for you.”
Roxanne nodded. The Damaris family held a very important position in the medical industry. After all those years, Roxanne, too, felt that they were an incredible family.
Moreover, the pricing this time might just bei Jack’s idea. Roxanne did not want to ruin the Damaris family’s reputation because of that matter.
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.