Seemingly reading her mind, Lucian said coldly, “Sorry, but we’re only going to talk about work matters today. There will be a Q&A session later, so I won’t be answering anything right now.”
With that, he led Roxanne forward. Right then, Jonathan rushed over, and the two men kept Roxanne protected between them as they went to the table up ahead. The three of them took their seats as the lights flashed below the stage. The press conference was broadcasted live on the internet as well.
When the netizens saw Roxanne appearing with Lucian, the chatroom went into an uproar. One netizen wrote: Dr. Jarvis is a beauty! She’s my waifu, and Mr. Farwell’s my husbando!
Someone replied: Keep dreaming! Mr. Farwell and Dr. Jarvis are the ultimate couple! They’re even wearing matching outfits! What kind of otherworldly love do they have?
Another commented: Dr. Jarvis is as attractive and capable as Mr. Farwell if she can work with him! Who’d get sick of a power couple like them?
The people were chatting away, but all they had were praises for Roxanne. When they saw Roxanne and Lucian signing the contract, they sang even more compliments about them.
At that moment, Sonya, who had found out that Farwell Group would be working with Roxanne’s research institute that afternoon from Elias and said she did not care about it, was tuning in to the live broadcast. When she saw the matching outfit her son had worn with Roxanne, her expression darkened.
“Is he working or what? Does he even know what all these people are talking about? Is there even anyone who cares about the collaboration?”
Elias glanced at the broadcast and agreed with them. “It’s not as if they’re wrong. Roxanne’s indeed much more capable than Aubree.”
Sonya shot him a glare in response. “Roxanne must be the one who made Lucian wear that! She must have pestered Lucian until he agreed to the collaboration too!”
How else would Roxanne’s tiny research institute get the chance to work with Farwell Group? Elias disagreed. “Even if you don’t believe Roxanne, you should have trust in Lucian. He’s not one to prioritize his heart over his mind. The clothes…” Upon deliberation, he continued confidently, “I’d say it was Lucian who suggested wearing matching outfits instead.”
Elias had been working in the corporate world for so many years. He could easily spot Roxanne’s uneasiness.
Even though she seemed as though she was unbothered by everything, he noticed that she would look at her clothes awkwardly every once in a while. He guessed that she must be troubled by the clothes she was wearing. Elias smiled and shook his head.
I have to admit that my son has crossed the line by doing this. Uncomfortable to hear Elias siding with Roxanne and see the netizens complimenting Roxanne, Sonya forcibly changed the topic.
“Stop watching. Elektra and her family will be reaching soon. Hurry up and tidy up a little before we welcome them in. It’s been years since we last saw them. I wonder how Elektra is doing now.”
The Lane family was a family friend of the Farwell family. They were a leading figure in luxury goods and migrated to Epea a few years ago.
Elektra Lane was the Lane family’s only daughter, and she was two years older than Lucian. The two of them were considered childhood friends.
Meanwhile, Hector saw the live broadcast on the internet as well. When he saw Lucian announce that Farwell Group would be working with Roxanne’s research institute and that Queen Group would be supplying medicinal herbs to the research institute, he was dumbfounded.
He switched on the television and told someone to summon Jack. “What’s the matter, Grandpa?”
Jack had been confidently waiting for Roxanne to relent to him, so he did not think much of Hector’s summon.
However, the second he entered the room, he saw the live broadcast on the television screen, and he paled. “Answer me. How is our collaboration with Dr. Jarvis going so far?” Hector asked, clinging to the last bit of hope.
By then, Roxanne and Lucian were already signing the contract as shown on the screen. Knowing that he could not keep the matters under wrap anymore, Jack tried to keep a lighthearted tone as he said, “As you can see, not too well.”
Hector slammed his cane against the floor. “What do you mean by not too well? It’s not going too well to the point Dr. Jarvis decided to turn to another company for her supply of medicinal herbs?” A while ago, Hector had heard that Roxanne’s research institute had developed a new kind of drug that could be released to the market soon.
Hector had even thought about heading to the research institute in person to find out what the new drug was like, but Jack stopped him. Hector did not dwell on Jack’s actions at that time.
After all, Damaris Group had been doing better and better under Jack’s lead. Hector believed that Jack’s collaboration with Roxanne would go equally smoothly. Yet, his wait lasted for half a month.
Hector had never thought that not only would he not hear the good news about Damaris Group’s collaboration with Roxanne, but he would also hear the announcement of Roxanne’s collaboration with another company.
At the sight of Hector’s fury and the matching outfits and close proximity of Roxanne and Lucian, Jack was filled with rage.
He had never expected Roxanne to actually look for another company, let alone through the Farwell family. Not only did he not get what he wanted, but he even gifted his idea to Farwell Group.
“I want an explanation! What is going on?” Hector roared and stomped the ground when he heard no reply from Jack. Jack came back to his senses and lowered his gaze in silent contemplation for a while..
“Grandpa, I’ve tried my best to score a collaboration with her, but you have no idea how Dr. Jarvis, with Lucian’s guidance, refused to relent when it came to the profits. She had been putting us in tough spots, and it was impossible for us to negotiate anything with her.”
Hector snapped, “Why didn’t you come to me when this happened?”
Jack quietly raked his gaze over Hector in disdain, but he maintained a respectful look. “Dr. Jarvis told me she needed time to mull over this after our last negotiation. I never thought she would immediately work with another company instead. It’s true that Dr. Jarvis is an excellent doctor, but she’s not a good business partner. She doesn’t even have integrity.”
In other words, Jack was putting the blame on her. “Shut up!” Hector threw the cup on the table in his wrath. “Why didn’t you come to seek my help when you weren’t able to come to an agreement on the profits? I’m old, not dead!”
If Roxanne were to work with Damaris Group for her newly developed drug, Damaris Group would be able to reach a new high in their reputation. Alas, that had nothing to do with Damaris Group anymore.
Jack was still unperturbed despite Hector’s wrath. He said, “Grandpa, Dr. Jarvis was insistent about selling the new drug for a hundred and twenty per box. I’m afraid no one will accept that price because that will not be a profiting deal.”
When Hector heard that, his vision went dark, and he nearly passed out from his anger. He did not expect the heir he handpicked to put such importance on profits.
“Is the Damaris family short of that small amount of money?” the elderly man asked as he held his chest and gasped for air.
Jack lowered his head and fell silent, but anyone could still tell what he was thinking about. He felt that the company would end up making losses, so it was not worth working with Roxanne.
A surge of disappointment washed over Hector as he looked at his grandson. “I chose you as the Damaris family’s heir because I thought you’d understand that the Damaris family’s reputation of a hundred years was made with the kindness of physicians, not the wealth of physicians.”
Jack answered gloomily, “I understand.” Hector glared at him again. “You do not! How many years has it been since the Damaris family develop a drug that can change many people’s lives? We were close to developing a good drug by working with Roxanne, but you messed it up!”
At that point, the press conference had reached its end. Roxanne and the other two men had gone past the crowd of reporters with the bodyguards escorting them. The collaboration had been set in stone.
Knowing that there was no way to turn the tables anymore, Hector gave up. He waved his hand dismissively and muttered, “Forget it. I think you’ve lost track of your initial aspiration. Set aside your task in managing Damaris Group and work in pro bono medical consultations instead to get back your original aspiration. I’ll get someone else to manage Damaris Group for now.”
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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