The fragility of their alliance was apparent to both of them, even without words. “I’m guessing that Roxanne will most likely agree. Gain her trust at the start by keeping your head down and doing things well. Do them so well that even Lucian doesn’t suspect a thing. Later on, we strike.”
Christina detected Elektra’s hesitance with her sharp eyes. This woman’s resolve is not strong enough because she lacks hatred. I need to fan the flames.
“I think you know very well what happened to the Pearson family. Since they have announced their marriage, their relationship with the Lane family will only weaken. Your family will lose all hope if you don’t fight for it.”
Elektra nodded. Although she did not like the woman very much, she was forced to admit that she was right. The partnership with Roxanne must be done well, whichever way I look at it.
“Got it. We’ll stick to the plan,” Elektra replied firmly. The sudden appearance of a weight on her heart made her realize that it was too late to turn back now. Her visits to Christina had been captured on film to be used as leverage against her.
Sonya made a beeline for the mansion as soon as morning arrived. The children were already awake and were impatiently waiting for their grandmother to come bearing delicious gifts.
Sonya had started by tracking down local delicacies and buying them for the children. However, possibly because she was displeased at the lack of authenticity, she decided to make them herself.
That morning, she brought them some osmanthus cake. Roxanne woke up to find her body feeling as if it had rattled apart from the torture she had been put through.
She even wondered if Lucian had snuck a pill to deliver his exceptionally fearsome performance. While he slept, she quickly tiptoed to get dressed, then headed down the stairs to greet Sonya.
“You’re here early, Mom!” she greeted, stunning Sonya for several seconds. Arriving down the stairs, Roxanne saw the children already in the kitchen having the time of their lives sampling delicacies.
Sonya walked over, carrying another portion plainly meant for Roxanne. After she regained her composure, she smiled brightly and said, “Come, try these cakes I made!”
Roxanne nodded. This change in greeting feels natural. That was how she had greeted Sonya in the past before it became Mrs. Farwell.
Now that she was married, Roxanne no longer felt the need to be shy. As soon as Sonya set the pastries down, she hurried out to her car and returned with a large but flat-looking purse.
“This is for you, Roxanne. A wedding gift from me. Inside you’ll find a bank card and a title deed. There isn’t much money on the card, but it’s a lucky number. The deed, on the other hand, is for a beachside mansion that caught my eye when I saw it with a friend recently. You can bring the children over for a vacation in the future.”
Roxanne was stunned. Having thought of the gesture as merely a formality, she was surprised to discover that Sonya had planned it with so much thought. With a polite smile, she accepted it graciously, “Thank you, Mom!”
Sonya beamed. “There is no need to thank me. It’s what I should do. Let me know if there’s ever anything you need.”
She had never dared hope for Roxanne to greet her like that again, thinking it would take several years. Upon closer reflection, Sonya realized that her daughter-in-law was a straightforward person. Since the day she admitted her mistake, Roxanne had not embarrassed her once. In fact, it made her feel even more ashamed of the things she had done in the past. How stupid I was!
As she sampled the cake, Roxanne praised Sonya’s culinary skills once more. The children, too, were enjoying themselves. After she was done, Roxanne returned upstairs to retrieve a set of clothes from her walk-in closet that she had bought for Sonya.
She had prepared it beforehand and planned to gift it once she obtained her marriage certificate. “I hope you like this set of clothes, Mom. It should fit you. Why don’t you try it on?”
Sonya took the clothes with trembling hands. She was so touched that her eyes became misty. “All right. I’ll go upstairs to try it on. This is just the style I like!”
Roxanne was surprised that such affordable clothes could make Sonya so happy. Ah well, people are complicated. In the past, Sonya wouldn’t have shown any interest in anything I bought for her.
Soon after, Sonya descended the stairs wearing the new clothes. It fitted her perfectly and accentuated her beauty. After all, Sonya was once considered the most beautiful woman in her socialite circle.
“It suits me well! You have such good taste, Roxanne,” Sonya praised. “You flatter me. I don’t think I have a good eye for fashion! Tell me if you’re not happy with it, and I’ll exchange it for something else.”
“That’s not necessary. I like this very much.”
With both sides on good terms, many unnecessary problems were avoided. When Lucian woke up, Roxanne went upstairs to show off her gift, then prepared to head for the research institute after kissing him goodbye.
Although she knew everybody in the research institute would be at her beck and call, she intended to discuss Elektra’s partnership proposal with them and see if there were any avenues she had yet considered. Meanwhile, Sonya would send the children to the kindergarten.
The executives of the research institute concluded their meeting with a unanimous agreement to venture into the cosmeceutical industry. Such an endeavor would not only improve their livelihood but would also net them more funds to conduct costlier experiments.
With her excellent memory, Roxanne recounted most of the details. Fully convinced, the group had nothing else to add. At last, however, Roxanne called Lucian to ascertain its feasibility once more. “Go for it. Since Elektra is on board to invest and most of the shares are yours, I’d say give it a shot.”
Lucian’s affirmation made Roxanne feel more at ease. That afternoon, she called Elektra to express her agreement and also ask when the capital could be secured.
Elektra told her she would be getting thirty million for the first phase, seventy million for the second phase, and additional funding as needed for the third phase. Best of all, the capital could be secured on the same day.
Roxanne was impressed by her partner’s efficiency. She immediately instructed Linda to expedite the company registration process..
That evening, Roxanne gathered the core personnel, including Peregrine and his team, and took them to a hotel. Elektra, accompanied by some investors who had a long-standing business relationship with her family, met them there to sign the agreements. It was in that simple manner that the partnership began.
After the formalities, the feast began. However, it soon became plain that both sides did not belong in the same social circle. Roxanne’s people were all researchers who had nothing in common with the investors.
As a result, Roxanne had Linda make the arrangements to send them back after the meal. The investors did not take offense. Instead, they chatted and drank among themselves before leaving not long after.
At last, only Roxanne and Elektra were left. Roxanne raised her glass. “Here’s to a successful partnership, Ms. Lane,” she said happily, inclining her head.
“You don’t have to be so formal with me, Roxanne. Just call me Elektra as Lucian does. From today on, we’re partners.”
Elektra admired Roxanne’s ability to be certain about such a large investment given such a short amount of time. She’s decisive enough to grab hold of an opportunity that presents itself. I, on the other hand, can’t even compare with Christina. This whole thing was her idea.
“All right. We are allies now. From here on out, things are going to be tougher on your end. We will spend almost the whole thirty million from the first phase. The capital of the second phase, which will be used to build the factory, needs to be ready on hand.”
In simple terms, Roxanne lay out her needs, to which Elektra readily agreed. After several more glasses of wine, Roxanne suddenly received a call from Madilyn, who sounded morose.
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.