Hearing this statement, Leo noticed a slight stiffening of Antony’s facial expression, though he quickly returned to his smile. “I believe it’s more appropriate for us to discuss the collaboration between our two companies. If we can achieve cooperation, it’ll be a win-win situation for both of us. Please give it another thought.”
“No need to think about it. Our Vice President in charge of marketing can make decisions on these matters,” Coral seemed to want to save time and leave.
However, Antony didn’t step aside.
“Coral, can we have dinner together tomorrow night?” Antony persisted.
“Sorry, I’m busy. Please move aside,” Coral’s expression slightly darkened.
Antony had to awkwardly step aside.
Watching Leo and Coral leaving the premises together, Antony’s expression immediately turned grim. He muttered to himself, “Coral, I will definitely win you over.”
In the parking lot, Leo drove, and the address led to a convalescent home near the outskirts.
Meanwhile, at the Herbal Magic Cosmetics Company, in Alvin’s office.
This time, Bruno and Fanny had come together. A secretary named Verna led them into Alvin’s office.
While going upstairs, Bruno casually asked why Secretary Kevin wasn’t around. Verna informed him that Kevin had resigned two days ago.
This left Bruno somewhat displeased. The man had taken his money, yet hadn’t managed to get the job done.
In Alvin’s office, Bruno greeted with a smile, “Mr. Bloomer, hello.”
“Why is it you again? What do you want?” Alvin didn’t offer them seats.
“Mr. Bloomer, it’s like this. Three days ago, Sophia, the general manager of Sophia Cosmetics, signed an exclusive agency agreement with your company. Since both Breeze Cosmetics and Sophia Cosmetics are subsidiary companies under the Henley Group, the chairman arranged for Breeze Cosmetics to take full responsibility for the product integration, subsequent marketing, and channel promotion.”
After hearing Bruno’s words, Alvin’s face twisted into a cold smile. “A clever trick you’ve pulled off here. Your Henley Group is quite something, making unauthorized changes in personnel without my consent!”
Hearing this, Bruno became a little nervous. “Mr. Bloomer, in terms of product marketing, Breeze Cosmetics has outperformed Sophia Cosmetics. Therefore, I believe-”
“No need to say more!” Alvin stood up from his chair, enraged. “You have no business ethics, changing person-in-charge without permission. This constitutes a breach of contract. I now have the right to terminate the agency agreement. Verna, please show them out!”
Fanny became anxious. “Mr. Bloomer, we genuinely wish to cooperate with you. You must believe in our sincerity. Breeze Cosmetics is undoubtedly better than Sophia Cosmetics!”
“Genuinely wish to cooperate?” Alvin chuckled coldly. “Let me be clear. Many cosmetic companies in Langstel are knocking on my door, seeking my cooperation. If Sophia Cosmetics’ general manager doesn’t assume full responsibility for the agency matters, then I’m sorry, I will have to cooperate with other companies.”
Hearing this, Bruno felt deeply frustrated. What had Alvin eaten to be so fixated on partnering with Sophia?
“Mr. Bloomer, please reconsider. Breeze Cosmetics is certainly not inferior to Sophia Cosmetics. Whatever requirements you have, we can meet them.”
If they couldn’t resolve the matter today, Bruno sensed he would return and face his grandmother’s scolding again.
“No need for further consideration. I am straightforward in my dealings. The agency matters can only be overseen by Sophia Henley from Sophia Cosmetics. Everything else is off the table. Now, please leave.”
Alvin issued a clear dismissal.
“Mr. Bloomer-”
“I’ll say it again, please leave, or I’ll have to call security.”
Seeing there was no room for negotiation, Bruno and Fanny left dejectedly.
On Leo’s side, the car passed a few checkpoints and, guided by Coral, pulled into a parking lot.
In a courtyard shaded by lush trees, two gray-haired elders sat opposite each other at a stone table under a pavilion.
On the table sat a game of Go, with the two in the midst of playing.
One of the old men was Arthur Wilde, Coral’s grandfather. The other wore an old-style military uniform. Despite his thin figure, he held himself erect.
Behind the man in uniform stood two middle-aged men who quietly observed the elderly pair playing Go.
“Arthur, after all these years, your Go skills haven’t improved a bit,” the man in uniform smiled, placing a white piece on the board.
“Emmanuel, do you think you’ve got me figured out?” Arthur Wilde placed a black piece.
“Why wouldn’t I?” the man in uniform placed another piece.
Arthur Wilde’s expression tightened as he hesitated to place his black piece.
“All is fair in war, and it looks like your bottle of red wine will be under my care soon,” the man in uniform chuckled.
After some hesitation, Arthur Wilde finally placed his black piece.
“Haha, you lost,” the elderly man in military attire seemed to have anticipated his move and immediately placed a white piece to block.
“Let’s not play anymore. If we keep playing, I’ll have to dedicate my collection of over ten years to you,” Arthur Wilde said, glancing at his wrist to check the time. “Coral should be here by now.”
Just as he finished speaking, Coral walked over with Leo.
“Leo, the gentleman across from my grandfather is Mr. Emmanuel Cowper,” Coral introduced to Leo even before they entered the pavilion.
“And the two people behind him?” Leo’s intuition told him that those two men’ identities were certainly not simple.
“The one in military attire is Kennedy Motley, the second-in-command of the Southwest Military Division. The other one in casual attire is Noel Fox, the newly appointed Deputy Mayor of Langstel. They both are Grandpa Emmanuel’s disciples.”
“Grandpa Emmanuel lives in Kyoto. He’s back in Langstel this time to pay respects to his ancestors, so he’s staying here for a while.”
Arthur Wilde stood up from his chair, looking at Leo with a smile. “Leo, welcome to your arrival.”
Kennedy Motley and Noel Fox exchanged glances, both feeling somewhat surprised. It was the first time they had seen someone so young being held in such high regard by Arthur Wilde.
“Mr. Wilde, how are you feeling lately?” Leo responded, inquiring about his health.
“You have extraordinary medical skills. I’ve been feeling great lately,” Mr. Wilde replied.
Emmanuel, standing beside them, curiously sized up Leo. “Arthur, is this the young doctor you were talking about?”
Honestly, upon seeing how young the doctor Arthur mentioned was, Emmanuel couldn’t help but feel a bit doubtful.