Chapter 130:
Malcolm’s gaze landed on Elena, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes for just a heartbeat. She was the woman Wesley had expressed interest in.
Malcolm spoke without revealing his thoughts. “Hi, ladies, it’s a pleasure to meet you both. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Malcolm Johnson. So, how should I address you?”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Johnson,” Lydia replied with practiced charm. “I’m Lydia Hunt, and this is the scented candle maker you’ve been wanting to meet. She had some time available, so she came along for the delivery.”
With that, Lydia produced three elegantly packaged boxes of scented candles from her bag. She had deliberately glossed over Elena’s formal introduction, gesturing toward the boxes. “Mr. Johnson, you can inspect the goods if you wish.”
Malcolm opened one of the boxes and brought it to his nose, inhaling lightly with appreciation. “Miss Hunt, I trust your integrity completely.” Setting the box down, he finally turned his full attention to Elena, his gaze lingering. “And you, miss, how should I address you?”
Elena replied succinctly, “Elena.”
“Elena.” Malcolm repeated her name softly, as if tasting it on his tongue. Then, he smiled slightly. “It’s a good name. Elena, I’ve long wanted to meet you, and today I finally have the chance. Your skills are exceptional. I didn’t expect you to be so young. I’ll get straight to the point—I want to collaborate with you. Would you be interested?”
Collaboration? Elena didn’t bother with pleasantries and cut right to the heart of the matter. “In what way?”
Malcolm smoothly retrieved prepared contracts from his desk drawer and handed one copy each to Elena and Lydia. “I want to purchase your formula. As long as you’re willing to consider the idea, we can negotiate terms that satisfy both parties.”
Elena’s eyes scanned the document, quickly finding the figure: 200 million.
Two hundred million might dazzle at first glance. Most people would leap at such an offer, seeing it as the opportunity of a lifetime. But Elena placed the contract down with deliberate slowness and met Malcolm’s gaze. “You want to buy out my formula for a mere 200 million?”
The reality was clear to her—once sold, all future income would vanish. One box of her scented candles commanded two million. A hundred boxes would equal the very sum Malcolm offered so casually.
Lᴀtｅst chᴀptєrs in g𝑎lnovels.𝒸ο𝑚
Lydia tossed the contract aside as if it were contaminated and pulled Elena toward the door. “Mr. Johnson, do you take us for fools?”
Malcolm was nothing if not a shrewd businessman. Two hundred million was never intended as his final offer. The figure served as a test, a probe into the depths of their business acumen. If Elena and Lydia proved naive enough to sign without question, he would secure an effortless fortune that would pay dividends for years. If they saw through his strategy, as they clearly had, he could gradually raise the price until they reached common ground.
Malcolm called after them, “Miss Hunt, don’t be so hasty. As I mentioned, the price is entirely negotiable. If you’re willing to collaborate, everything remains open for discussion.”
Lydia hesitated at the threshold, her gaze shifting to Elena for her opinion. Elena’s eyes locked with Malcolm’s in a silent battle of wills, and she delivered her counter with unwavering confidence. “A twenty-eighty split.”
