Chapter 409: Continue Being My Girlfriend
Aaron didn't even try to hide it. He just slapped the collaboration proposal right on the table.
"Yeah, I got this plan," he said coolly. "But they ain't been responding. So, since I'm heading to Novaria, I'm gonna meet their boss."
"So, you're gonna meet their boss, huh? Word is, the owner of Velvet Sky Ballroom is pretty mysterious. You might not even get a chance to see her."
Susanna wasn't about to spill the beans on her identity either. She'd been handling business from the shadows for years.
Edward had always told her to keep a low profile to dodge the Abbott family drama and keep her health in check.
But now that Aaron knew who she was, there wasn't much point in hiding anymore.
Aaron turned to her and asked, "You know the owner of Velvet Sky Ballroom?"
"How would I know? Maybe Edward does. I've been bored outta my mind at home all these years, just figuring out where to blow my money every day."
"Nice, living the dream, huh?"
"Yeah, not everyone has a bunch of brothers who spoil them rotten and are all super successful! They love throwing money at me!"
Aaron caught the bragging tone and smirked. "If you can help me get in touch with the owner of Velvet Sky Ballroom, I'll cut you in on the deal."
Susanna's eyes lit up. "You mean a cut from the whole project or just the deposit?"
Aaron's eyes narrowed. "Seems like you know your stuff."
"Even though I've been chilling at home, I've been around Edward for years, picking up bits and pieces."
Aaron stayed cool. "10% of the deposit."
"10% of the deposit? That's chump change. But why do you wanna team up with Velvet Sky Ballroom?"
"It's simple. Teaming up with Velvet Sky Ballroom gets me a slice of the high-end hotel market in Lindwell. That market's wide open right now. If we team up, we can take over Lindwell in no time. It's a win-win!"
Susanna had seen the Abbott family's project proposal before.
She knew they wanted to use the Velvet Sky Ballroom brand to break into the Lindwell market fast.
With the Abbott family's clout in Lindwell, it could really work!
She thought for a sec and said, "The owner of Velvet Sky Ballroom has the cash to do this solo. Why team up?"
"It's different. If she doesn't team up with me, I'll just create a similar project and push her out of Lindwell."
Susanna's mouth twitched. "Damn, Mr. Abbott, you're cold."
She didn't expect Aaron to be so ruthless if she didn't play ball!
He was ready to make Velvet Sky Ballroom vanish from Lindwell!
Aaron was as cutthroat in business as the rumors said, showing no mercy to his enemies!
Susanna had thought about taking over Lindwell's market herself and didn't see the need to team up with Aaron.
She didn't expect Aaron to target Velvet Sky Ballroom in Lindwell so quickly, which was why he sought her cooperation.
She wanted to know Aaron's reasons and purposes for teaming up because, in today's world, you gotta be careful not to get played.
Aaron didn't disappoint her.
"That's how it is in business," Aaron said coolly. "Competition's fierce. If I can't partner with the owner of Velvet Sky Ballroom to secure this project, then she'll just have to be my opponent."
He looked down at Susanna and said, "And I never show mercy to my competitors, not giving them any chance to breathe."
Susanna met his sharp eyes and saw Aaron's ruthlessness and decisiveness in business.
She'd been in business long enough to get why Aaron would do this.
Susanna gave a fake smile and said, "Mr. Abbott, you make a good point. But if you want my help, I have a condition: I want 1% of the total cooperation amount."
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "1% of the total amount? Isn't that a bit steep?"
This was the entire Lindwell project, worth tens of millions or even hundreds of millions. She'd be raking in almost tens of millions with just 1%.
Susanna took a bite of fruit and said, "Meeting the owner of Velvet Sky Ballroom isn't easy. But I can make it happen. I'm worth it. If you think I'm too pricey, feel free to find someone else."
Since Aaron came to Novaria to talk about this in person, it showed he thought teaming up would save time and effort.
So, there was still room for negotiation between her and Aaron.
As for the 1% commission, she just wanted to make things tough for Aaron, especially since he wanted to push Velvet Sky Ballroom out of Lindwell.
Since it was a partnership, how to split the profits needed negotiation.
Hearing her confident words, Aaron's lips curved slightly. "I might agree, but I've got one condition."
"What condition?"
"You keep being my girlfriend, and we don't break up."
"No way, I'm not short on money. There's no chance I'd agree to your terms just for money," Susanna shot back.
She'd already figured out Aaron's intentions.
The flight was long, and after eating and messing around on her phone for a bit, Susanna lay down to rest.
Aaron, though, kept working beside her. When he needed to hop on an online meeting, he took his laptop to the back and lowered his voice.
He spoke so softly that everyone in the meeting followed suit.
After wrapping up his work, Aaron got a message from Sam: [I heard you're on a flight to Novaria? Are you planning to chase Susanna across the country?]
