Chapter 1431: Something Special?
"Something special?"
Facing Samuel's meaningful gaze, Dustin's eye twitched a couple of times, feeling a tingling sensation on his scalp.
Could this guy really be interested in my body?
Taking a deep breath, Dustin composed himself and said, "Mr. Samuel, I've heard that the Thompson family has made significant strides in the field of medicine. However, I possess a miraculous external injury remedy called Jade Dew Cream. It not only stops bleeding and heals wounds but also removes scars. Once it's introduced, it has the potential to bring substantial profits to the Thompson family."
"External injury remedy?"
Samuel raised his teacup and took a sip, lacking enthusiasm as he said, "We have countless medicines like that in the Thompson family, such as Thompson's Golden Wound Medicine, specifically designed for treating injuries and scars. Moreover, its effectiveness surpasses that of the external injury remedies available in the market."
"I've certainly heard of Thomson's Golden Wound Medicine, but compared to my Jade Dew Cream, it still falls short by quite a margin," Dustin replied with a smile.
"Oh? That confident?" Samuel was quite surprised.
The Thompson family's pharmaceuticals were at the forefront of the industry. Whether through acquisitions or the development of their own drugs, they consistently produced top-tier products.
Thompson's Golden Wound Medicine, in particular, had a stellar reputation and sold exceptionally well.
To challenge Thompson's Golden Wound Medicine with an unheard-of external injury remedy piqued his curiosity. He wondered where this person's confidence came from.
"It's not confidence, but a fact," Dustin said earnestly. "To put it bluntly, the healing effect of Jade Dew Cream is at least ten times better than that of Thompson's Golden Wound Medicine."
"What? Ten times?"
Samuel's voice raised a few notches upon hearing this. He questioned, "Are you trying to play tricks on me? Do I look like a fool to you? Look at me; do I appear gullible?"
Thompson's Golden Wound Medicine was already the best external injury remedy on the market. For an unheard-of Jade Dew Cream to claim to be ten times more effective was almost insulting his intelligence.
"Mr. Samuel, please don't be agitated. Whether it's true or not, you'll find out if you give it a try."
Dustin smiled faintly and didn't provide much explanation. Instead, he used the same method as before to make a small cut on his arm and then applied Jade Dew Cream.
After waiting for approximately the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Dustin wiped away the remaining Jade Dew Cream, revealing a completely healed arm. The previous wound had miraculously returned to its original state.
"How is this possible?"
Seeing this scene, Samuel couldn't help but widen his eyes.
Even someone as experienced as him was astonished by what he witnessed.
Such a long gash disappearing completely—it was almost too miraculous to believe.
Thompson's Golden Wound Medicine had earned its place through years of research and development, but the performance of this Jade Dew Cream utterly overshadowed it. The medicinal effect was not just ten times better; it was unbelievably exaggerated.
"How about it? Mr. Samuel, are you satisfied with my Jade Dew Cream?" Dustin asked with a sly smile.
"Well..." Samuel's expression froze.
Satisfied?
If this medicine were to be introduced, there would be no competition left for other external injury remedies on the market. It would be a complete domination.
It was a dramatic downgrade for the rest.
"Master, be cautious, this might be a trick!"
At this moment, the female bodyguard, Anna, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up.
"Miss Anna, do you have any doubts?" Dustin countered.
"How can there be such a miraculous medicine? I suspect you tampered with something earlier," Anna said coldly.
In her view, Dustin must have used some sort of illusion or deception technique to trick them. It was like the magicians on stage who would cut someone into pieces and then miraculously restore them, all just to deceive the audience.
"It seems Miss Anna doesn't trust me. How about you try it for yourself?" Dustin pushed the Jade Dew Cream towards the table.
"Fine, I will."
Without further ado, Anna drew her blade and made a cut on her thigh.
As the blade sliced through, her thigh immediately split open, blood flowing freely.
Chapter 1432: Fearless Woman
From the wound, it was clear that the cut had been quite deep. For an ordinary person, it would likely have been unbearable, leading to cries of pain. However, Anna remained expressionless from start to finish, not even furrowing her brows, as if the cut had not been on her own body.
This woman was indeed fearless!
"Bring me the medicine!"
Anna stepped on a chair, tore off half of her pants, revealing her white, muscular thigh that still retained a sense of feminine strength. She scooped out a handful of the ointment from the jar and casually applied it to the wound.
Then, something miraculous happened.
In just a few breaths of time, the fresh blood from the wound ceased to flow. The cool and numbing sensation made even the emotionless Anna finally show a hint of curiosity.
As a Martial Grandmaster, she naturally could sense subtle changes in her body. She had to admit that this ointment was indeed extraordinary.
After approximately the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Anna wiped her thigh with a towel. As expected, the previous knife wound had almost completely healed, leaving only a faint red mark—a trace of newly formed flesh.
"Do you believe it now, Miss Anna?" Dustin smiled and asked.
"Yes."
Anna nodded, then calmly returned to her place with her sword, no longer speaking.
"What do you think, Mr. Samuel?" Dustin turned his gaze.
"It's indeed a remarkable treasure!"
Samuel smiled in satisfaction. "Although I'm not interested in money, I still need to contribute a bit for the family business. Regarding this Jade Dew Cream, how do you plan to cooperate?"
"As for production, I've already arranged a partnership with the Lancaster family. Mr. Samuel, you will be responsible for sales and promotion, utilizing the Samuel family's connections and influence to turn Jade Dew cream into a bestseller. Regarding the profit distribution, we can split it in a 40-30-30 manner. The Thompson family takes 40%, and both the Lancaster family and I take 30% each. How does that sound?" Dustin proposed.
"I thought you might ask for a lion's share, but you're not greedy at all," Samuel said with a half-smile.
With the influence of the Thompson family, taking a 40% share was no problem at all, but having it offered willingly by Dustin was another matter.
"In business, sincerity and fairness are essential. Since the Thompson family will contribute the most, naturally, you should have the lion's share," Dustin said with a smile.
"That's right, you're to my liking."
Samuel nodded in satisfaction, his smile growing broader.
His passionate gaze made goosebumps rise on Dustin's skin. Surely he didn't mean to go too far, did he?
"Mr. Samuel, Jade Dew Cream may not have a smooth journey ahead. We have two competitors, and I hope you are prepared," Dustin steered the conversation in a timely manner.
"Oh? Who dares to compete with the Thompson family?" Samuel raised an eyebrow.
"The Torby family and the Stratford family among the Eight Great Clans..."
Dustin didn't hide anything and briefly explained the situation.
"So that's how it is."
Samuel remained unfazed after listening. "Given the conduct of the Torby and Stratford families, it's not surprising they would resort to such despicable tactics. However, rest assured, with the Thompson family backing you, they won't dare to mess with you in the future. As for the market, there's no need to worry. Our product is good and affordable, and with the Thompson family's connections and influence, we can crush them without leaving a trace."
"With Mr. Samuel's assurance, I feel at ease," Dustin nodded slightly.
"Dustin, in the future, as long as you stick with me, I won't mistreat you. I promise to let you live a life of luxury and indulgence."
Samuel placed his hand on Dustin's shoulder, giving it a light pat, and his smile held a certain meaning.
Dustin stiffened all over, unsure whether to cry or laugh.
We were talking about business, so why the hell are you trying to do something else?
"Dustin, I think you have a nice appearance, delicate skin, and tender flesh. You fit my aesthetic preferences quite well. As long as you agree to some of my requests, I guarantee that you'll live a life of wealth and luxury, enjoying endless pleasures!"
Samuel sized Dustin up, his eyes burning with desire as if he were admiring a beautiful plaything.
"..."
Dustin instantly broke out in cold sweat, his scalp tingling.
Damn it! I couldn't avoid it after all!
Chapter 1433: An Unexpected Outcome
"Why are you so nervous? I won't eat you," Samuel teased, giving Dustin's broad shoulder a playful squeeze. "You may look slim, but you feel quite sturdy. Must be one of those cases where clothes make you look thin, but you're well-built underneath, right? Not bad, not bad at all."
Goosebumps covered Dustin's body, and he quickly moved away from Samuel's touch. With a serious expression, he said, "Let's stick to discussing business. I can't meet any other requests."
"Dustin, I'm doing this for your own good. With the Thompson family backing you, you can practically dominate Stonia in the future. It's just a minor sacrifice, nothing significant. You know, most people don't even have this kind of opportunity," Samuel said earnestly.
"Forget it. I can't afford this kind of 'opportunity' you're offering," Dustin waved his hand repeatedly.
Selling his body was even worse than being killed.
"You! You really don't know how to appreciate your good fortune. If it weren't for your handsome appearance and your talents, do you think I'd cut you any slack?"
Samuel shook his head and sighed, "Do you know how many people want to be my brother-in-law? The line goes from here to the east side of the city. I'm giving you a chance!"
"Wait a minute!"
Dustin suddenly froze. "What did you just say? Brother-in-law?"
Wasn't he just trying to take advantage of him? How did it turn into a brother-in-law scenario?
"Of course."
Samuel said seriously, "I have a total of seventeen sisters. Four of them are already married, and there are thirteen more waiting to get married at home. They're not young anymore. I'm the only brother in the family, and it's quite a headache!"
People often said he was born into good fortune, but they didn't understand his troubles. As the only son of the family, he was under a lot of pressure. He had to study many things every day. Fortunately, he had a sharp mind and excelled in various fields.
However, the most troublesome issue for him was finding husbands for his sisters. These marriages had to meet multiple criteria: matching social status, good looks, outstanding talents, and impeccable character. The requirements were overwhelming.
What was crucial was that he didn't just need one brother-in-law; he needed to find thirteen!
The difficulty of this task was beyond imagination.
So, whenever he had the chance, he would scout for suitable candidates for his sisters. After observing Dustin, he thought he might be a good brother-in-law candidate.
"Oh, so it's a brother-in-law?" Dustin let out a sigh of relief. "You really scared me. I thought..."
"You thought what?" Samuel was momentarily puzzled, then suddenly realized. "Oh, I understand now. You thought I had some improper intentions toward you?"
"Well..." Dustin felt quite embarrassed.
The words and actions of the other party earlier were indeed a bit strange.
"Do rumors outside suggest that I have a certain preference?" Samuel asked with a smirk.
"Um, aren't those just baseless rumors?" Dustin replied, somewhat uncertain.
"Well... they're not exactly baseless rumors, because I spread those rumors myself," Samuel admitted candidly.
"What?" Dustin was taken aback, not understanding what was going on.
"As you know, when someone is good-looking, they tend to attract unwanted attention."
Samuel ran his fingers through his hair and said quite self-assuredly, "Being as handsome and accomplished as I am, with my family background and talents, I have women throwing themselves at me every day. I'm like a desirable catch, pursued relentlessly by countless women. To avoid these troubles, I decided to declare that I have a preference for men. Over time, these rumors spread."
"So, it's like that." Dustin nodded.
He finally understood. Dustin's behavior and comments earlier, combined with the psychological manipulation from Hazel, could indeed lead to misunderstandings.
Fortunately, everything was clarified now, and this would help ease any potential tension in their future collaboration.
Chapter 1434: Matchmaker
"Mr. Dustin, how about considering becoming my brother-in-law?"
"As long as you marry one of my sisters, Thompson Family will be your backing in the future. You'll have everything you need, rain or shine, sitting comfortably at home."
"What's more, my thirteen sisters are all beautiful, and they excel in various arts and skills. They won't let you down."
Thompson was energetically promoting, fully displaying his matchmaker skills.
"Mr. Samuel, you're joking. I'm just an unknown person; I can't possibly reach out to the daughters of the Thompson family." Dustin politely declined.
"No worries. I don't care about that. As long as I find you agreeable, you can be my brother-in-law. My sisters won't refuse."
Samuel said, taking out his phone and showing Dustin photos of his sisters while introducing each one: "Come on, come over here... take a look. These are pictures of my sisters. You can pick whomever you like, and you don't need to worry about anything else. Just leave it to me."
"Uh?" Dustin twitched at the corner of his mouth.
This guy was promoting his sisters like they were products for sale.
And it was a free offer, no money required, just pick and take.
Was he in such a hurry?
"What do you think? My sisters are all beautiful, right? If you don't like just one, you can have two, as long as your body can handle it. I don't mind," Samuel enthusiastically said.
"Mr. Samuel, your kind offer is appreciated, but I already have a fiancée, so there's no need to discuss this further," Dustin politely declined.
"Fiancée? What's that got to do with it? It doesn't matter until you're married," Samuel said dismissively. "Is your fiancée more beautiful than my sisters?"
"She is indeed more beautiful than your sisters," Dustin nodded.
"Uh..."
Samuel's face stiffened, and he was left speechless.
This guy, was he even making sense?
"Never mind, never mind. If you're not interested, I won't force it. We can only say that we're not fated to be," Samuel said regretfully, shaking his head as if he was the one losing out.
"Don't worry, it's just business. We can separate business from personal matters. I can handle these things."
Samuel opened his folding fan and said nonchalantly, "As long as you produce this Jade Dew Cream, our Thompson Family will certainly support it. We'll all make money together when the time comes. Why not?"
"Mr. Samuel, you're truly wise. Let's toast to a prosperous business." Dustin smiled and raised his glass.
"Here we go! Cheers!" Samuel raised his tea cup and clinked it against Dustin's, then downed the tea in one go.
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Dustin..."
At this moment, Samuel seemed to remember something. He lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Besides Jade Dew Cream, do you have any other herbal medicine? You know, the kind that can make a man more... vigorous."
"Make a man more vigorous?"
Dustin was slightly taken aback but quickly realized, "You mean aphrodisiacs?"
"Shh!"
Samuel made a hushing gesture in a panic and whispered, "You understand, that's enough. There's no need to say it out loud. Also, I want to make it clear, it's not that I can't perform, I just want to be more... vigorous, you know?"
"I understand," Dustin nodded with a smile. "If you're looking for something to enhance your... vigor, there are indeed such medicines. But I don't have any with me right now. Next time we meet, I'll directly give you a bottle. I guarantee you'll become... extremely vigorous!"
"That's great, buddy! You really get me!"
Samuel's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "From today on, you're my blood brother! If you ever have any trouble, don't hesitate to come to me!"
Since Dustin's Jade Dew Cream was so amazing, the aphrodisiac he mentioned shouldn't be disappointing, right? He was getting a bit excited just thinking about it.
Chapter 1435: Thompson Medical Office
After reaching an agreement with Samuel, Dustin immediately called Hazel from the opposite room.
The three of them had a detailed discussion and signed relevant contracts.
With this, the tripartite alliance was officially formed.
Over the next two days, Dustin taught the pharmacists how to refine Jade Dew Cream while also starting the reconstruction of Healwell Clinic.
He was running between two tasks, busy but enjoying it.
Fortunately, with Hazel's help, things quickly fell into place.
As for the Torby and Stratford families, their progress was even faster, and the production of Jade Dew Cream had already entered the selling stage.
They even changed its name to "Revival Cream."
The implication was the miraculous revival of the hands of a skilled healer.
Although the medicinal content of "Revival Cream" didn't meet standards, with the power of money, these issues were inconsequential.
After some publicity, "Revival Cream" from the Torby and Stratford families gained widespread fame.
Despite its high price, the response was excellent, especially due to its remarkable wound-healing effects, attracting numerous pharmaceutical distributors.
It even drew the attention of the military's higher-ups.
For soldiers who frequently got injured, this quick-acting, wound-healing ointment was an invaluable treasure, capable of saving lives at critical moments.
So, all branches of the military took this very seriously.
Wave after wave of people flocked to it; batch after batch of orders followed one another.
In just two days, the Torby and Stratford families had taken on a massive number of orders, unprecedented in their business.
Various medical experts asserted that this newly introduced Revival Cream would become an unprecedented hit!
...
Noon.
East City, Thompson Medical Group Chairman's office.
A smartly dressed, beautiful woman was sitting quietly on a swivel chair, listening to her female secretary's report.
"Chairman Emma, we've investigated it thoroughly. The suddenly emerging Revival Cream on the market is a joint product of the Stratford and Torby families. Its medicinal effects are quite extraordinary and far surpass Thompson Medical Group's Golden Wound Medicine."
"At this rate, the situation for our Thompson Medical Group doesn't look good!"
As the female secretary spoke, she placed the investigation materials she had in her hand on the office desk.
Emma Thompson examined them closely, her eyebrows slightly furrowing. "How could this be? In just a few days, how could they possibly develop such an impressive medicine?"
As the eldest daughter of the Thompson family and the chairman of Thompson Medical Group, she was well-acquainted with both the Stratford and Torby families. While they were both prestigious families, they were also competitors, so she had been closely monitoring their developments.
In fact, she had even planted informants within both families. Leaving aside other matters, the research activities of the Stratford and Torby families in the field of medicine were something she believed she should be aware of. However, this time, she hadn't received any information before the launch of the Revival Cream, as if it had appeared out of thin air, which was incredibly strange.
"Chairman Emma, what should we do now? Should we try to contact the Stratford and Torby families and explore the possibility of cooperation?" the female secretary suggested.
"It's not that simple," Emma shook her head. "They clearly came prepared this time. If we actively seek cooperation, we'll likely end up losing a significant portion of our profits."
"But if we don't cooperate, some of the high-profit medicines from our Thompson Medical Group won't be able to survive, and our stock prices will plummet, resulting in substantial losses. It will be even worse," the female secretary expressed her concerns.
"Let me think..." Emma lightly massaged her temples and began to ponder the situation carefully.
Choosing to cooperate would almost certainly result in the Stratford and Torby families raising their prices significantly, taking advantage of the opportunity to seize Thompson Medical Group's market share and lure away its customers.
Not cooperating would lead to significant losses for Thompson Medical Group, and over time, the market would still be encroached upon, and customers would still be poached. It was truly a dilemma.
"Ding, ding, ding..."
At that moment, the phone on the desk rang.
Emma answered and heard a familiar voice on the other end. "Chairman Emma, Miss Isabela and Mr. Owen are here for a visit. Do you have some time?"
Chapter 1436: Ten Percent Share
"Please, have them come in," Emma replied.
"Understood."
The phone call ended, and moments later, the office door opened.
Owen and Isabela entered together, both wearing cheerful expressions and smiles on their faces.
"Chairman Emma, we've come uninvited today; I hope we're not disturbing you," Owen said politely.
As for Isabela, she was more straightforward, confidently taking a seat on the sofa, assuming a leadership posture.
"Mr. Owen, Miss Isabela, I wonder what brings you here today?" Emma asked calmly.
"We wouldn't dare to offer guidance. We've come today to discuss business with Chairman Emma," Owen said with a sly smile.
"Business? What kind of business?" Emma pretended not to know, her expression unchanged.
"Chairman Emma, have you heard about the Revival Cream recently developed by our Stratford and Torby families?" Owen inquired.
"I've heard a bit. What about it?" Emma maintained her composure.
"Since you've heard about it, that makes things easier."
Owen smiled and continued, "The Revival Cream we've developed is a miracle healing medicine. If we promote it comprehensively, it will undoubtedly surpass all the external wound medicines on the market, including your Thompson Medical Group's Golden Wound Medicine."
"Mr. Owen, you seem quite confident. Your Revival Cream may be good, but our Thompson Medical Group's Golden Wound Medicine is no slouch," Emma remarked.
"It's not about confidence; it's about facts."
Owen smiled knowingly. "Chairman Emma, you're an intelligent person. You should understand the gap between the two products. It's the prevailing trend, and denying it won't change anything."
"So, Mr. Owen, what exactly are you trying to say? Please, get straight to the point," Emma remained calm.
"Of course!"
Owen snapped his fingers and said with a smile, "Chairman Emma, our Revival Cream will soon dominate the entire market. But for a smoother development, I hope we can cooperate with Thompson Medical Group."
"Oh? What kind of cooperation are you proposing?" Emma interlocked her fingers on the desk, appearing attentive.
"It's quite simple. Let both our families handle production, and Thompson Medical Group can use its sales channels to promote it nationwide. This way, the Revival Cream can quickly capture a large market share, and we can all make a substantial profit," Owen said with a smile.
"That sounds promising, but how would the profits be divided?" Emma countered.
The Revival Cream becoming a hit was inevitable, and cooperating with the Torby and Stratford families would help to recover their losses.
However, this inclination couldn't be too obvious, as it might be exploited.
"We've discussed it internally and are considering giving Thomson Medical Group a thirty percent share..." Owen began to state the offer when Isabela, sitting on the sofa, suddenly spoke up, "We'll give you ten percent of the profits."
"Hmm?"
As soon as this statement was made, Emma immediately furrowed her brows.
Owen's smile froze as well.
Previously, the two families had agreed that, in order to quickly open up the market, it would be best to offer Thompson Medical Group a thirty percent profit share. The division would gradually decrease once the product gained recognition. But now, Isabela had come forward and pushed the profit share to its lowest point, ten percent.
It was quite a lowball offer!
"Miss Isabela, are you negotiating in good faith here?" Emma said coldly.
"Chairman Emma, ten percent of the profits is already the maximum we can offer," Isabela replied indifferently. "After all, the Revival Cream is the result of research and production from both our families, and Thompson Medical Group hasn't contributed anything except for sales. Ten percent is quite generous."
"If you're not sincere about it, then there's no need to discuss cooperation further!" Emma said with a frosty tone.
"Chairman Emma, you should think carefully before answering," Isabela coldly snorted. "If you cooperate, Thompson Medical Group can still make some profit. If not, you'll be digging your own grave!"
Chapter 1437: Minor Disturbance
"Miss Isabela, are you threatening me?" Isabela's aggressive demeanor caused Emma's expression to darken, and her gaze suddenly became sharp.
With Thompson Medical Group's sales channels and influence in the pharmaceutical industry, offering a profit share of forty to fifty percent wouldn't be an issue for a cooperation. Moreover, it depended on the value of the product being sold.
Yet, this woman right in front of her, who had come to seek cooperation, was clearly acting arrogantly, not taking Thompson Medical Group seriously. She not only offered only a ten percent profit share but also dared to make threats.
Did she really think the Thompson family was a pushover?
"Chairman Emma, please don't misunderstand. Isabela was just making a joke with you," sensing the unfavorable situation, Owen quickly began to smooth things over and signaled Isabela repeatedly with his eyes.
Damn! Had this woman taken the wrong medication?
They had agreed to offer a thirty percent profit share, and now she was pushing it down to ten percent. This wasn't cooperation; it was taking advantage of the Thompson family.
Furthermore, the Thompson family was one of the Four Great Families, with superior influence in various aspects compared to the Torby and Stratford families. Especially in the field of medicine, they were the industry leaders.
Starting a feud with such a behemoth was not a wise choice.
"A joke?" Emma snorted. "Miss Isabela, from the looks of it, you don't seem like you're joking at all."
"Chairman Emma, those who understand the times are wise. Ten percent profit is already quite generous. Our Revival Cream is destined to become a hit, and no one can stop it," Isabela said proudly. "If you miss this opportunity, the losses for your Thompson family will be immeasurable. I believe you understand the stakes."
With the agreement in place, Torby provided the formula, and Stratford handled production and promotion. According to their arrangement, the profits from the cooperation would be evenly divided between the two families.
If they gave Thompson Medical Group thirty percent, then the Torby and Stratford families would only receive thirty-five percent combined. This was clearly unfair.
The Revival Cream had incredible medicinal properties, and it would undoubtedly sell well. Why should they give such a high profit share to Thompson Medical Group when they hadn't contributed anything except sales?
In Isabela's view, offering a ten percent profit share to Thompson Medical Group was already quite high. According to her perspective, even giving five percent could be considered generous.
"If your Revival Cream is so incredible, then why bother with Thompson Medical Group? You can go and cooperate with someone else!" Emma said coldly.
"Chairman Emma, we are giving you an opportunity. Ordinary companies wouldn't even have the qualification to be agents for our Revival Cream," Isabela remained arrogant.
"Thanks, but I'm not interested," Emma firmly declined. "Both of you, I have other matters to attend to, and I won't see you off!"
"Chairman Emma..."
"No need to say more, please leave!"
Owen was about to speak, but he was interrupted by Emma's sharp tone.
Since when had the Thompson family been threatened like this? Just for a single product, did they really think they could threaten the Thompson family's position? At most, they would lose a portion of the market, and the Thompson family could withstand such a minor disturbance.
"Miss Emma! Do you even realize how much damage your decision will cause to the Thompson family? You better think carefully!" Isabela frowned slightly.
This woman had no sense of decorum!
"Even if the Thompson family suffers losses, it has nothing to do with you. If you want us to serve as stepping stones for your two families, forget about it!" Emma said in a stern voice.
"You—!" Isabela was getting quite frustrated. She didn't expect this woman to be so obstinate, willing to let her company lose money rather than cooperate with the Torby and Stratford families.
Chapter 1438: Audacious
"Too foolish!"
"Oh! We have visitors?"
At that moment, Samuel walked in with a group of people. He was holding a folding fan and had a carefree demeanor as always.
The female martial artist, Anna, followed closely behind him, her sharp gaze scanning for any potential threats in the surroundings.
"Samuel, why are you here?" Emma's expression softened when she saw the newcomer.
"Big sister, I bet you haven't had lunch yet, right? I specially brought some food from the Imperial Tower for you to try," Samuel said as he received the food container from Anna and arranged the dishes neatly on the office desk.
Six dishes and one soup, with both meat and vegetables, they were delicious and well-prepared.
"Samuel, you're so considerate. It's clear that my doting on you hasn't been in vain," Emma immediately smiled.
All the earlier frustration was swept away.
She felt truly comforted by having such a thoughtful little brother.
"Big sister, are these two here for something important?" Samuel's gaze shifted toward Owen and Isabela.
As fellow scions of prominent families, he naturally recognized them, though they weren't particularly close.
"It's all business matters, but we haven't reached an agreement," Emma explained.
"Are you the young master of the Thompson family?" Isabela approached and said confidently, "We've recently developed a Revival Cream with miraculous effects, set to dominate the market soon. Originally, we intended to cooperate with the Thompson family. Unfortunately, your elder sister doesn't know how to appreciate opportunities and declined our invitation. It's a very foolish decision. I hope you can inform the Thompson family's upper management to reconsider our proposal."
"Declined cooperation?" Samuel glanced at his elder sister and then back at Isabela, asking cautiously, "How much profit are you planning to offer to our Thompson family?"
"We're offering you ten percent of the profits," Isabela replied, extending one finger.
"How much? Ten percent?" Samuel blinked, as if he couldn't believe his ears.
"That's right."
"Miss Isabela, are you out of your mind? Ten percent? Are you begging for handouts here?" Samuel retorted, his tone far from friendly.
Dustin had given him a forty percent profit share for the genuine Jade Dew Cream, and now this woman was offering a mere ten percent for an inferior product. Did she really think the Thompson family was that gullible?
"Thompson Young Master, mind your manners!" Isabela frowned. "With our Revival Cream about to become a hit, you'll have a steady stream of income. Ten percent profit will be more than enough for your Thompson family to make a fortune!"
"Without my Thompson family's distribution channels, your product won't be worth a damn!" Samuel rolled his eyes. "No matter how good your stuff is, it's useless if you can't sell it. Do you think we're fools, trying to milk us with nothing in return?"
"How dare you speak like this?!" Isabela was getting increasingly frustrated.
With her status and beauty, she was usually treated with politeness by men. She expected a certain level of gentlemanly behavior. But this guy was using foul language and profanity without any manners.
"I'll speak however I want. If you like it, listen; if you don't, get lost!" Samuel showed no mercy.
"You... you... you're audacious!" Isabela was seething.
"Is this considered audacious? I can be even more audacious if you want!" Samuel snapped his fingers and ordered, "Guards, kick these two idiots out. If they resist, break their legs!"
Chapter 1439: Bunch of Losers
With Samuel's command, his group of bodyguards immediately surged forward, surrounding Isabela and Owen. Their fierce and intimidating appearance made it seem like a pack of tigers were eyeing two defenseless lambs.
"What are you planning? I warn you not to act recklessly. I am Torby family's heiress. If you lay a finger on me, you will pay a heavy price!" Isabela warned, her tone firm.
She didn't expect Samuel to be so unreasonable. He was far more difficult to deal with than Emma.
"Young Master Samuel, calm down. If a deal can't be made, there's no need to escalate things like this. Let's maintain some decency," Owen quickly tried to mediate, wearing a placating smile.
Samuel's status was incredibly high, well-known in the elite circles of Stonia. The entire Thompson family treated him like a treasure, and no matter what mistakes he made, they would unreasonably protect him.
Looking at the various prominent offspring of wealthy families, none could compare to Samuel.
In other words, even if Samuel were to hit them today, Torby and Stratford families wouldn't dare to do anything in return.
"Mr. Samuel, don't get too excited. Business can't always be successful, and it's unnecessary to make such a fuss," Owen quickly tried to de-escalate the situation with a friendly tone.
The Torby family had high hopes for their Revival Cream, but Samuel's position and influence were not to be underestimated.
"You two came here acting all high and mighty, trying to intimidate us at Thompson Pharmaceutical. Did you really expect me to be polite? I advise you to leave before I lose my temper. Get out!" Samuel showed no hesitation.
With the position he held and the protection of the Thompson family, he had no qualms about confronting competitors head-on.
"You with the Thompson surname! Just you wait!" Isabela threatened, her emotions flaring.
"Today, you've treated us with indifference. Tomorrow, you'll regret not showing us respect!"
"When our Revival Cream becomes a hit, I will make you kneel and beg for mercy!"
Enraged, Isabela said.
"Sure, I'll be waiting. I'd love to see how amazing your Revival Cream really is," Samuel sneered.
"Hmph! One day, I'll make you kneel and beg for mercy on the ground!"
After uttering this furious parting remark, Isabela stormed out of the room.
"Mr. Samuel, your family made a wrong decision this time. You'll have to face the consequences," Owen said as he left.
The cooperation between the two sides had completely fallen apart.
"Spit! What a bunch of losers!" Samuel spat on the ground, a look of disdain on his face.
"Samuel, although these two individuals are despicable, we shouldn't underestimate them," Emma said. "I've already investigated the situation with the Revival Cream, and it does seem to be ahead of our Thompson's Golden Wound Medicine in many aspects. Once it becomes a hit, it will pose a significant threat to us. You should go and inform Father to prepare in advance."
"Big sister, don't worry. I don't even care about that junk Revival Cream," Samuel dismissed it.
"Samuel, you don't understand the gravity of the situation. To avoid greater losses, we must prepare early," Emma's expression became serious.
"Big sister, trust me, I already have a plan."
Samuel smiled faintly and pushed his food bowl forward. "Your most important task right now is to eat well and fill your stomach. Leave the rest to me."
"What plan do you have?" Emma was curious.
"To be honest, the Revival Cream developed by the Torby and Stratford families is actually a stolen formula, and it's subpar. Not only does it have poor efficacy, but it's also costly, and prolonged use can lead to certain side effects. We don't need such a subpar product," Samuel explained.
"How do you know all this?" Emma was surprised.
"Hehe, the person who possesses the genuine formula has already approached me, and we've reached a cooperation agreement," Samuel grinned.
"What?" Emma was astonished. "Samuel, are you joking with me?"
"Sis, how could I joke about something like this?" Samuel said seriously. "I've personally verified it, and the medicine I have now, in terms of wound-healing effects, far surpasses the so-called Revival Cream. As long as our Thompson family vigorously promotes it, we can crush the schemes of the Torby and Stratford families, and they won't even get to taste success!"
Chapter 1440: Lifelong Happiness
"Good, good, good... This is fantastic!" Emma's face lit up with joy, and she felt rejuvenated.
She had been worried about how to prepare for the impact of the Revival Cream and minimize losses. Little did she expect to receive such good news so quickly.
The Thompson family was already a leader in the industry, controlling nearly 70% of the pharmaceutical market in Stonia. With a quality product in hand, they had no concerns about selling it.
This was why the Torby and Stratford families had approached them for cooperation. To promote the Revival Cream, they had no choice but to involve the Thompson family.
Unfortunately, both families were too greedy and unwilling to share profits, leading to the failed negotiations.
Now, with the unexpected good news brought by her brother, Thompson's Pharmaceuticals would no longer be constrained. They could even use this opportunity to put pressure on the Torby and Stratford families.
"Wait a minute..." After the initial excitement, Emma seemed to have a thought and suddenly asked, "Samuel, who are the people you're cooperating with? Are they reliable? What's their character like? Could there be any hidden motives?"
"Big sister, don't worry. I'm not useless; I wouldn't easily be deceived," Samuel replied confidently. He used two fingers to pick up a piece of braised pork from the plate and popped it into his mouth, chewing while continuing, "I've thoroughly investigated it. The person I'm cooperating with is called Dustin, from the Southern Province. He has a good reputation locally, excels in both academics and martial arts, and is also a skilled physician. There are no issues with his background or character."
"Why he chose to cooperate with me has two reasons: making money and seeking revenge. He possesses a family heirloom formula, which was initially intended to be sold to the Torby family. However, the Torby family reneged on the deal, took the formula, and refused to pay. They even tried to kill him to cover it up. Left with no other options, he had to seek protection and heard about our Thompson family's substantial resources, so he came to me."
"I've already put him to the test, and he's trustworthy."
As Samuel spoke, he picked up another piece of braised pork and continued eating, clearly savoring it.
"I see," Emma nodded, and most of her doubts were dispelled. As his elder sister, she naturally worried that her brother might be deceived. However, upon careful consideration, even though her brother seemed unreliable at times, he had never let her down in critical moments.
"Big sister, please eat in peace. Don't overthink it. The food is getting cold," Samuel urged.
"Alright, I'll eat."
Emma smiled, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and began to enjoy her meal. While eating, she said, "Samuel, if you have the chance, bring this Dustin over for me to meet. A talent like him should be well-treated in our Thompson family."
"Sis, you're not trying to have some ulterior motive, are you?" Samuel suddenly grinned mischievously.
"Huh?" Emma was momentarily taken aback.
"Sis, this guy is great in every way, except he's too serious."
Samuel shrugged and said with a hint of helplessness, "Originally, I wanted to use your beauty to seduce him into marrying into the Thompson family as my brother-in-law. However, this guy didn't even spare a glance and flatly refused. He didn't give me any face at all."
Emma's eye twitched.
"Sis, don't worry, I won't give up. For your lifelong happiness, I'll definitely persuade him! If all else fails, we'll use force to get our way. We'll cook the raw rice into a mature meal, and then he won't be able to back out even if he wants to!"
"Hehe... I'm truly a genius!" Samuel said with confidence and a mischievous grin.