Chapter 135 A Successful Partnership
Inside the reception room.
Manager Taylor sighed in relief as he regarded Daphne and Jesse. Thankfully, they were not the usual type to discuss partnerships—otherwise, he might have had to plaster a phony smile while hiding frustration.
"Please, wait a moment," Manager Taylor said cheerfully, "Our General Manager will be with you shortly."
Daphne's response was as composed as ever, "Fine by me."
Manager Taylor excused himself to seek out their general manager after a brief chat with the guests. He strolled into the general manager's office with a relaxed air and remarked, "Lucky for us it's not those guys from last time. Otherwise, we'd have a tough time explaining things when the CEO shows up."
"Who's here?" Bill, the general manager inquired.
"It's the new investment consultant from the Murphy Group and their assistant," the manager Taylor responded nonchalantly. "Looks like the Murphy Group is using this deal as a training run for them."
"Don't get too comfortable," Bill advised as he closed a file. "There's not a single pushover among the Murphy Group's lot."
Every collaboration with them felt like a battle. After just one negotiation, it would take him days to recover.
Sometimes they'd think about never working with the Murphy Group again. But the thought of the benefits that came with the partnership always drove them back to the negotiating table.
The Murphy Group likely shared the sentiment. They, too, were probably relieved that this time they weren't the ones in the hot seat.
The folks at Lancelot Group were notoriously the most difficult to deal with!
A little while later, Bill and his secretary, along with Manager Taylor, headed for the conference room.
Once seated, the serious business of partnership began. This time, it was only during the negotiation that Bill and Manager Taylor came to understand what real despair felt like.
Throughout the negotiation, Jesse led the discussion, with Daphne chiming in effortlessly at key moments. Her poise was unflappable; she spoke gently, yet her words cut deep!
Half an hour passed and the negotiation was finally ending. Manager Taylor's forehead was beaded with sweat, his smile was forced. "Let's regroup and we'll give you an answer, okay?"
"No problem," Daphne replied, her soft eyes looked at them, generously offering them time to think it over.
Jesse sat with a cool and collected demeanor.
After leaving the conference room, Bill and Manager Taylor left the secretary behind to assist the Murphy Group representatives if needed.
Back in the General Manager's office, Bill walked in and began loosening his tie, a rebellious spark in his eyes now weighted with seriousness.
Manager Taylor took several large gulps of water.
"I never expected these newcomers from the Murphy Group would be even more persuasive than the last ones," Manager Taylor said, clutching his glass, his plump frame making him look rather jolly. "If it weren't for the boss arriving this afternoon, I might have given in to them."
"Isn't that the truth," Bill agreed, sitting back in his chair, with an expression as if lost in thought.
Collaborating with the Murphy Group could bring substantial benefits, and as an entrepreneur, it was an attractive opportunity. Yet the Murphy Group was demanding an additional seven percent compared to their previous transactions!
It made more sense for them to get the lion's share of the project, but after all the negotiations, the Murphy Group was poised to take an even bigger cut than theirs.
Should they agree, it would seem like a loss now, and the hope of getting the Murphy Group to revert to the previous terms seemed unrealistic. Disagreeing, however, meant that no other partnership would offer such favorable terms.
What should they do?
It was such a dilemma!
"Why don't we tell them we'll have a decision by this afternoon?" Manager Taylor suggested. "We could wait for the CEO from headquarters to arrive and handle the negotiations."
"That's not an option." Bill flatly refused.
Aside from the CEO questioning their competency, the Murphy Group wouldn't likely grant them some time for consideration.
These guys were different from the previous negotiators; they had resources beyond those controlled by the Murphy Group at their disposal.
If they were to promise an answer and then postpone it until the afternoon, there would surely be complaints. By then, whether the partnership would proceed was another question altogether.
"So, what do we do?" Manager Taylor was genuinely torn.
"We will go ahead with the partnership," decided Bill after some thought. "In the long run, we won't be at a loss."
"Are we truly going through with it?"
"Yes."
"And after that? The Murphy Group has more projects coming." Manager Taylor was sincerely concerned. He dreaded dealing with these two again. A consternated whimper escaped him.
But General Manager Bill suddenly smiled, his whole demeanor relaxed. "After that, it won't be our problem anymore."
Manager Taylor was perplexed. What did that mean?
"The word from Mark is that the CEO will be positioned in Gedser for the long term," Bill included this in his considerations. "We just need to ensure this project is profitable. The CEO will take care of the rest."
With this revelation, Manager Taylor had an epiphany. Exactly. Why hadn't he thought of that?
Their big boss would be stationed in Gedser long-term, and when it came to these matters, both the boss and Mark were shrewd negotiators.
"All right, let's get the contract signed," Manager Taylor felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Bill fixed his appearance, straightening his tie before returning to the meeting room.
Faced with Daphne and Jesse, both men resumed their serious, no-nonsense demeanor.
"Let's make it official, we're in business together," declared Bill with a warm smile in his eyes, a blend of seriousness and joy coloring his expression.
Daphne didn't show much emotion, just offered a professional, understated smile. They shook hands and signed the agreement. The partnership was sealed.
"To be honest, before we sat down to finalize things today, both of us took a sigh of relief," Bill confessed, admirably looking at Daphne. "We were glad to move past the difficult folks we used to deal with, never expecting that Ms. Murphy would turn out to be the real deal at the Murphy Group."
"Absolutely," Manager Taylor chimed in with direct affirmation.
Daphne smiled subtly.
Before she could say anything, Bill was on it again, "Would I have the honor of having a casual lunch with you?"
"It would be my pleasure," Daphne replied courteously.
The secretary promptly made reservations. That same afternoon, Daphne and her colleague Jesse joined Bill and Manager Taylor for lunch.
As they casually chatted over the meal, Bill ventured, "By the way, where do you hail from, Ms. Murphy?"
Daphne replied, "Gedser."
"Are you single by any chance?"
The question brought the table to a sudden hush.
Manager Taylor shot Bill a dumbfounded look, eyes darting wildly as if to say, 'Bill, what are you doing?!'
Bill's answer was unspoken but clear, he attempted to pursue.
Manager Taylor was baffled.
"I'm single," Jesse interjected before Daphne could answer.
Daphne threw him a glance, wondering, 'What was he playing at?'
"Single is good. I'm single too," Bill cheered up instantly, a slight smile on his face broadcasting a mature and stable presence, "What do you enjoy doing in your free time, Ms. Murphy?"
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