Date- 1 April 2321
Time- 01:42
Location- Sky Blossom City, Southern Watch military base
“Rich? Are you thinking of monopolizing your discovery? Weren’t you going to publish your discovery? ” Lorenzo had a puzzled look on his face. To him, discovery and credit are all that matter. He never stopped to ponder how to use the discovery to make a fortune.
“Yes. I will publish my discovery but at a later date. For now, we will hold off on the publishing front and exploit this discovery in every fucking way possible. But I cannot do this alone. This is where I need the help of the Heatsend Royal Family. So, Princess Ann, I have a deal for the Heatsend Royal family. Are you willing to hear my proposal?” I proposed to Ann. She hadn’t left yet but waited in order to stop her grand-uncle from bullying me.
“A deal, you say? The Royal family is willing to support all the dubbing minds of the state. If your proposal is good, you have our support.” Speaking of trade, Ann’s expression turned serious, and the words she said sounded like they were rehearsed.
“I don’t want the Royal family’s support. I want to form a new partnership like the one we have in the silver milk powder project.” By partnership I meant the Heatsend Royal family did all the work while I counted the profits. Just like in the case of silver milk powder.
“The Royal family is willing to provide financial support, but partnership among us is impossible. If you think financial aid is not enough, you can always explore other options like selling your project for a fair price. The silver milk powder project was a blunder, and we would like to avoid such mistakes in the future.” Ann’s attitude changed completely when it came to talking about business. She was utterly opposite to Anna. Anna’s way was like a gangster’s way, intimidation and going with her guts. She was so easy to manipulate. But Ann was like a professional who knew that she would only get what she negotiated. Therefore she did not even bother to consider our friendship during the discussion.
“How can you say that partnership is off the table when you didn’t listen to my proposal? At least listen to what I have to say, and then if you like what I have to sell, we can always negotiate terms.” Ann was proving to be more complicated to deal with than Anna.
Anna would have bit the bait by now, hearing that my proposal would make the Royal family tonnes of money. But Ann acted like the money didn’t interest her or the Royal family. She played as if this deal only benefited me alone, and I needed the Royal family not the other way around.
“Master Wyatt, whatever your proposal is, it won’t warrant a partnership with the Royal family, but if you think you are not up to the challenges of your project. The Royal family is generous and willing to buy your project for a fair price. To help you cover your losses.” Ann didn’t even bother to hide her intentions. She was gunning to buy me off for a price while keeping the whole pie for the Royal family. She blatantly proposed as such.
She did so because she knew that I needed the Heatsend Royal family to execute my plan. And I knew nobody else of Heatsend Royal families caliber to help me. My options were limited.
“Ms. Ann, the Royal family’s appetite seems to have grown since last I checked with Anna.” Seeing Ann was being difficult to negotiate with and the negotiation was going nowhere, I decided to wait till Anna sobered up and then negotiate with her.
“Master Wyatt, be it Anna or me, we will not consider a partnership in which only you stand to gain the most out of the Royal family’s hard work. Not just us. Nobody else will be willing to agree to such a partnership.” We didn’t even speak the terms of the partnership, and Ann seemed to have already guessed what I was after.
“That may be true for the Heatsend Royal family. But the same cannot be said for the Morning Star university. I think they will be willing to enter a partnership with me. After all, no matter how wealthy one is, no amount of money is ever enough.” Seeing Ann’s confidence, I let out a bluff. I had no contact with MorningStar university other than the fact that Mama Wyatt was an alumnus of that university.
“MorningStar university? Well, if you have already found a suitable partner. We wish you well in your endeavor.” Ann called my bluff. She didn’t even think twice before calling it.
“Fuck! Alright, you win. I will give you 60 percent.” Now that Ann knew about all my moves, I had no choice but to compromise.
“90:10 split. Of course, you will take the 10%.” Ann stated.
“What? You forced me. I will sell my shares of silver milk powder to facilitate my project.” I was back to my old tricks. Though Anna had warned me never to speak of selling the shares of silver milk powder to someone outside of our partnership, I had no moves left.
“Is that a threat? Are you threatening the Royal family Master Wyatt?” Ann’s words were frigid. I really missed dumb and stubborn Anna, my golden goose, she landed me the one-sided silver milk powder contract.
“Old man, let’s publish the paper. I have prepared the paper. Use your contacts to help me publish this paper as soon as possible.”
Ann knew I wanted the money and had limited or only one option. So she played hard to get, acting as if our partnership would not bring any benefits to the Royal family, only to undervalue what I was trying to sell. I know this is not personal, just business, but I was beginning to hate her. After all, she wasn’t after more profits, but she wanted the Royal family to be the sole owner of what I had built. In comparison, giving me chump change for my work.
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