Chapter 85 Negotiation Talent
At home.
Robert groggily picked up the phone and asked, "What does David want to talk to me about? I have nothing to say to him."
"I don't know, either. He just asked me to tell you that he wants to meet and chat," his friend replied softly.
Robert pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright then. But I'm not going to him. I'll give him an address tonight, and you tell him to come over."
"Okay, I'll let him know."
"Alright. That's it."
After a brief chat, Robert went back to sleep without taking his upcoming meeting with David seriously.
The street names in Pine City were quite mixed because the entire Ninth District was very diverse, with people of all colors.
At 8:30 PM, on Southside Charles Street, David, accompanied by two friends, was led into a dilapidated building.
They went up three floors and arrived at a crowded, smoke-filled card room, where Robert was sitting at a table inside, wearing a cotton jacket. He waved with a smile. "Come andhave a seat."
David grinned and stepped forward to sit across from Robert.
"Do you want to play?" Robert asked, holding a deck of cards.
"Sure, let's play." David nodded.
"Hey, you two, come over and join us," Robert called out.
Soon, two young men from the card room came over and sat at the table, and the four of them started playing.
After two rounds, Robert didn't ask David why he had wanted to meet him, focusing only on the game. Seeing this, David had to speak first, "Robert, the Maple Street incident is in the past. Both our sides suffered losses. When you guys came back this time, we didn't make a fuss or cause trouble. You messed with Chris the other day, and Terry didn't say a word, right?"
Robert continued playing cards without responding.
"Peace brings profit," David continued patiently, "You guys have lowered the drug prices so much that once buyers get used to it. Everyone's profit margins will be squeezed. Let's be honest, we're all in this for the money, not to save people, right? If we keep fighting like this, you'll have to hide to sell your goods, and our goods won't sell well either. In the end, it's a lose-lose situation."
Robert smiled, looked up at David, and replied, "At first, we were willing to do this, but you guys couldn't tolerate us and tried to crush us. Now that you're hurt and in pain, you want to talk? Does Terry think he can do whatever he wants?"
David's face darkened. "It loses its significance when you put it that way. Talking is for everyone's benefit."
"Do youeally want to talk?" Robert asked, stretching his neck.
"If not, why would I have come here? To play cards with you?" David smiled wryly.
"Alright, let me lay out the conditions," Robert said, rubbing his eyes and looking at his cards. "We'll take the market in Pine City, including Black Street District and Maple Street. The rest is yours. Keep your people out of our territory, and I'll raise the retail prices to match yours."
David was stunned. "Are you kidding?"
"I'm not kidding," Robert said, taking a puff from his e-cigarette.
David's face turned pale. "Do you think we can agree to that? Black Street District has the highest sales in Pine City, and Maple Street accounts for 70% of Black Street District's sales. If we give you both, how will we make money?"
"You insisted on talking, so I have to state my terms. You can disagree; I'm not forcing you, right?" Robert replied expressionlessly.
David gritted his teeth in silence.
"I'm curious, if William can't make decisions on your side, what are you here to talk about?" Robert mocked, "I ask you for five dollars, and you have to report it. What are we negotiating? Tell Terry if he's sincere, he should come himself, okay?"
"What do you mean?" David snapped, standing up.
"David, when will you grow up?" Robert asked, looking up at him. "What, are you going to hit me?"
David felt humiliated but remembered his purpose and held back.
"Once again, if you want to talk, let Terry come and divide the market," Robert said, pushing his cards. "I won. Pay up before you leave."
David clenched his fists, took out his wallet, and said, "Robert, you're really becoming a leader."
"Why don't you join me? I could really use a negotiation ace like you on my team."
"Screw you," David cursed, throwing the money down. "I'll discuss it with Terry."
"I'll wait for your news, David," Robert said, taking the money.
A few minutes later.
In a police car, David called Terry, "Terry, I met Robert."
"What did he say?"
"He wants us to give him Black Street District and Maple Street."
"What did you say?"
"I didn't refuse and just said I'd discuss it with you," David replied honestly.
"Alright, I got it. Come back."
"Okay!"
They ended the call.
In Neon Club, Terry turned to Chris and said, "Robert is really arrogant, wanting the drug rights for all of Black Street District and Maple Street."
Chris laughed. "That fool might be good as a thug in the planning district, but he's far from being a businessman."
"What should we do next?" Terry asked.
"Have David..." Chris whispered to Terry.
Outside 88th Avenue, Alexander locked the motorcycle he borrowed from Andrew and approached his house with some dinner. But before he could enter, he heard indecent sounds from inside.
"Chloe, the night is so quiet, and I love you so deeply. Come, let me look at you."
"Luke, let go of me."
"Chloe, don't push me."
Outside, Alexander was stunned by what he heard.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
