Aurora led Heather and Ian out of the cafe. Neither of them uttered a complaint while inside, but as soon as they got into the car, they began to voice their frustrations.
“President, that NE is just too arrogant. Does he not realize what kind of reputation Susan has in the country? Yet he’s gambling everything on a product he developed himself.
We’re not like him. Our company is newly established-if we fail on this order, our reputation in the market will plummet, and we won’t even have a chance to operate properly in the future,” Heather said, her usual calm demeanor giving way to anger. NE had pushed her to the edge.
“It’s fine,” Aurora said, her gaze cold as it focused on the horizon. “Not every order is meant to be ours. Consider today a warm-up for the challenges ahead. Even if this cake looks tempting, if it’s placed in filth, no one will want to eat it.
In business, sacrifices are necessary. Even though I know the company is facing a tough road ahead, we’ll give up on this collaboration.” From NE’s words earlier, Aurora had already discerned his next move.
“President, it’s just an order. Without it, we’ll still be where we started-it’s not really a loss,” Ian said, his youthful inexperience evident in his words. He couldn’t yet grasp what NE was capable of.
“You’re oversimplifying things,” Aurora replied with a faint smile tinged with helplessness. “If it were that simple, life would be much easier. NE didn’t explicitly say it, but his words implied he won’t let us off easily.
He’s been in this industry for years and has built a powerful network. Others are bound to give him face. I challenged him earlier, and now we’ll likely face a blacklist. On the surface, it looks like we simply missed out on an order, neither gaining nor losing.
But if we can’t secure any orders for an extended period, how will the company survive? Will we not incur losses then?”
“Can he really wield that much influence?” Ian asked, finding it hard to believe one man could control so much.
“You haven’t seen enough of the darker sides of society yet. He’s powerful, yes, but NE’s background is even more formidable. Have you heard of Yari?” Aurora asked.
“Of course,” Heather replied, her brow furrowed. “Yari is the top domestic brand in skincare, right? From international luxury products to something as small as toothpaste, they’ve been wildly successful. But as far as I know, Yari has never sold any of NE’s perfumes. Why bring up this company, President?”
Aurora’s voice was calm as she explained, “What if I told you NE is the heir to Yari Corporate? His air of nobility doesn’t come from his personal achievements-it’s inborn.
He’s the only descendant of the Giron family, raised in its wealth and influence. From a young age, he’s been immersed in the world of perfumery and skincare. He started creating his own products independently at a very young age.
You might wonder, if his creations are so popular, why hasn’t Yari Corporate sold any of them? It’s because of his pride. He refuses to rely on his family’s name to build his career.
When he entered the beauty market, he deliberately avoided depending on his family. That’s also why he licenses out his products instead of selling them himself-he doesn’t care about money. As Yari Corporate’s heir, his annual income from company shares alone is astronomical.
For people like him, money is a trivial matter. What he craves is intellectual and creative fulfillment. With his background and personal talent, his arrogance is natural.
I merely stated a fact earlier, but his ego couldn’t tolerate even the slightest criticism.” Aurora’s analysis was measured and precise.
“President, if he’s a major shareholder and the heir to Yari Corporate, and Yari is the leader in the beauty industry, doesn’t that mean we’ve essentially made an enemy of Yari Corporate? If he uses the company’s network to target us, we’re in serious trouble. I never imagined his background would be this powerful,” Heather said, her tone heavy with concern.
“Life is never smooth sailing,” Aurora responded. “Even though his influence is vast and we’re just a new company, being new doesn’t mean we’re here to be trampled on.
Whether it’s being a person or running a business, you can’t be too weak. Otherwise, you’ll be bullied. You need to know when to yield and when to stand firm.” Her eyes gleamed with determination, as though she had already foreseen the outcome.
“You’re absolutely right, President,” Heather said, her admiration evident. “But you’re not an ordinary person either. With Mr. Barnet and the Montgomery family backing you, we have nothing to fear.”
“Heather,” Aurora said gently, “never forget what I’ve told you before: you can’t rely on others forever. Even though we have support now, what happens if one day we lose it? How will you continue then?
The only way to stand undefeated is to rely on yourself. Take today’s events as a valuable lesson for growth and don’t dwell on it.”
“Yes, President,” both Heather and Ian replied, nodding. Despite the grim situation, Aurora’s composed demeanor reassured them. Watching her remain calm and poised in the face of adversity, they realized just how far they had to go to reach her level.
Back at the company, Aurora reflected on the incident and came to a conclusion: relying on others was futile. She was a stubborn person by nature, and NE’s unwavering belief in the superiority of his perfume only fueled her competitive spirit. She was determined to prove just how capable she was.
Just as she arrived at her office, her phone rang. It was Julian.
“Little Bunny, you messed up?” His voice carried a teasing tone, devoid of reproach.
Hearing his voice, Aurora’s heart softened. “Yes, I messed up. What should I do now? I wasted all your effort and even caused a rift between you and your old friend, Mr. Barnet,” she replied playfully.
Julian chuckled. “That’s right. For you, I’ve even fallen out with my old friends. But it’s fine. Who cares? I’m the kind of man who prioritizes beauty over friendship. How could I let someone bully my Little Bunny? If we don’t work with him, so be it. I’ll find you even better resources.”
Julian’s words were like a beacon in the dark, a comforting warmth in the cold. Aurora’s heart filled with gratitude. With a partner like him, what more could she ask for?