Chapter 277 Jessica's Tactics
"Such a big shot coming to our company to discuss cooperation in person, I feel like something's off," William muttered. He understood that with Mary's temperament, if there was any threat from Evander, neither side would benefit.
"What's there to be off about? BK Pharmaceuticals and the Carter family have been cooperating for years. This time, their chairman is coming personally. Maybe there's a major project. If we seal the deal, we won't have to worry about not getting a raise," a male colleague said with a cheerful smile.
Ignorance was bliss.
While William was pondering how to deal with Evander, the marketing director, Evelyn, had already gone up to greet Evander.
With a full smile, she said, "Mr. Carter, I didn't expect you to arrive earlier than scheduled. We weren't even ready to welcome you yet."
Evelyn was indeed a workplace elite, knowing exactly how to speak appropriately. Today, with her fiery red short skirt paired with a crisp white blouse, she looked both charmingly mature and appropriately professional.
She was a powerhouse at BK Pharmaceuticals, a key player Mary had recently recruited.
Evander chuckled, "Haha, it's my honor to be personally greeted by Evelyn. You are indeed a flower in the business world of Lindwood City."
"Oh, I'm so flattered. The real flower of Lindwood City's business world is Ms. Smith," Evelyn said with a standard smile. Over the years in the workplace, she had mastered when to speak and when not to.
She had heard plenty of compliments from men.
A male colleague scratched his head and said, "Damn, why do I feel like Mr. Carter is a bit flirty with Evelyn?"
William sneered, "Men always take a second look at a beautiful woman."
Then, he shifted his gaze to Mary, thinking, 'My wife is the most beautiful.'
Mary naturally noticed William's gaze and playfully rolled her eyes at him.
Today, Mary was wearing a black blouse and smooth wide-leg pants, with 1.5-inch heels, looking very professional and elegant.
"Mr. Carter, shall we talk inside?" Mary asked with a smile.
"Sure," Evander responded, following Evelyn and Mary into the conference room.
In the conference room, Evander sat alone on a large leather sofa, sipping a small cup of coffee.
He was flanked by eight imposing bodyguards, all wearing sunglasses.
Mary and Evelyn sat at one end of the conference table, with laptops in front of them and a projector on the wall.
Evander said, "Ms. Smith, since you've said so much, let me have my say."
Evander, always shrewd, got straight to the point, "The Carter family has put a lot in the entire investment and research plan for the new drug project. But time waits for no one. Due to the recent counterfeit drug case, the government has started paying attention to the pharmaceutical industry and has initiated a crackdown in the Imperial City. Our investments over there have encountered some issues, and funds are a bit tight. So, after a board discussion, we've decided to temporarily withdraw our investment from the new drug research project in your company."
Evander reclined on the sofa, sipped his coffee, and then sat up, watching for a response or negotiation from the two ahead.
"Withdraw investment?" Mary muttered, frowning. Although she had received prior notice, hearing it directly from Evander was still somewhat shocking.
"Mr. Carter, why the sudden withdrawal? I've heard about the situation in the Imperial City, but those issues don't seem to have much impact on your industry. Why are you in such a hurry?"
Mary wouldn't fight a battle which she wasn't confident in. She had secretly investigated and found that the Carter family's industry in the Imperial City was not affected at all and was still running smoothly.
So, Evander must have another reason.
Evander replied, "Ms. Smith, don't be anxious. This isn't something I can decide alone. It's the result of our board's discussion."
He then nodded and continued with a smile, "I value your research project. But I can't explain it to the board. I even had a big argument with those old guys on the board over this, but the meeting's result was to withdraw the investment."
Mary fell into deep thought, her brows tightly furrowing.
Evelyn interjected with a smile, "Oh, Mr. Carter, there's always room for negotiation. You know better than anyone the potential profit of this research project. It's almost at its final stage, and if you suddenly withdraw your investment, it would put us in a very difficult position."
"It doesn't have to be a withdrawal," Evander said with a sudden smile. "Actually, there's another way. What do you think, Ms. Smith?"
Mary frowned and looked at Evander, sneering in her heart, 'Finally revealing your true intentions!'
Evander revealed, "For this cooperation, the Carter family only gets thirty percent of the profit. After a board discussion, if we don't withdraw, we will have to invest heavily to complete this project. Such a high investment is unprecedented for us, so we need sufficient profit guarantees to ensure returns."
Adept at reading the room, he continued with a statement that quickly silenced the conference room, "Fifty percent! We need fifty percent of the profit return, and we need BK Pharmaceuticals to transfer all the rights and experimental data related to the new drug research project."
Hearing this, Mary blurted out, "Impossible! Fifty percent profit exceeds our bottom line, and as for the research project data, we had already agreed it would belong solely to BK Pharmaceuticals!"
Mary's face turned cold, and her tone sharpened. "This is a unilateral breach of contract!" she exclaimed.
She hadn't expected them to breach the contract!
Evander's eyes flickered. He didn't expect Mary to agree immediately and said with a smile, "These are just the conditions proposed by our board. No need to get upset, Ms. Smith. I think you understand this research project better than anyone. It's a significant step for your company's transformation and a necessary move for entering the Imperial City. I believe you have prepared for so long and won't let it go to waste. Think it over, and we can discuss it further once you've made up your mind. How about that?"
Evander's words were clearly laced with threats.
Mary frowned and said, "Mr. Carter, are you threatening me?"
"Oh, Ms. Smith, that's too harsh. I've been investing in BK Pharmaceuticals for years. I'm considering your best interests too," Evander said, showing a sly smile.
Hearing this, Mary immediately flushed with anger.
Mary announced, "There's no need to continue this discussion. If you want to withdraw, then withdraw. This research project will proceed without your support!"
Hearing this, Evander finally showed a cold smile. He said, "Ms. Smith, I know you're tough and competitive. But you know better than anyone that without the our investment, it's hard for you to proceed with this research project. Even if you manage to develop it, how will you handle the subsequent sales channels? Don't think that securing the Sanchez family's sales channels in the Southern District means you can rest easy. Although the Sanchez family's sales rights have been transferred to a new company, thirty percent of the national pharmaceutical distribution channels are controlled us in Sunshine Bay City. If you want to enter the Imperial City, you need to cooperate with us. So, I hope you reconsider."
Then he warned, "After all, this is your strategic move to enter the Imperial City. If you lose this time, your company will have to disappear from Lindwood City."
Mary fell silent. Evander was right. BK Pharmaceuticals had invested too much in this research project. If it failed, it would be a disaster!
After discussing this with Evelyn for a few minutes, Mary looked up, her face icy as she said, "Forty percent! That's my bottom line and the maximum concession I can make! We will not give up the research project data!"
Mary gritted her teeth. This concession already made her very unhappy. She hadn't expected Evelyn to pull such a move at this critical moment!
If William were here, how would he handle it?
Could he help her?
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