“I’m glad that you feel better, Ms. Vivian. Please have a taste of this wine from my collection. I apologize for my subordinate’s rudeness; it’s my fault for not training him well. I hope you don’t take it to heart.”
“Sure.” Winnie clinked her glass with Harold’s and said, “Since you’re so nice to me, I definitely won’t take it to heart. I’m not an ingrate, you know. By the way, your wine tastes great, Mr. Horton.”
Harold smiled and said thoughtfully, “If you like it, I’ll ask someone to send two more bottles to your room later. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange new accommodation for you. I promise you’ll be satisfied with it.”
“You’re so hospitable, Mr. Horton. Thank you in advance,” Winnie replied with a faint smile.
“It’s my pleasure. You’re my guest, so it’s only right that I show you great hospitality. Here, try these freshly picked fruits.”
Harold entertained Winnie enthusiastically as if she was really an important guest of his.
As for Winnie, she decided to hold her horses until the enemy made a move. Hence, she played along with Harold and accepted everything he offered.
By doing this, she also learned that Harold was much more patient than she thought.
However, Winnie herself was not in a hurry either. No matter how patient he was, she was determined to outdo him.
In a negotiation, the one who grew impatient first would be the one who slipped up and exposed their emotions first.
Therefore, since Harold didn’t bring up the formulation, Winnie stayed quiet about it. She focused on feasting on the food and drinks nonchalantly.
In the end, Harold caved in first.
“Recently, I did hear a rumor circulating. It is said that someone new came to Lightspring with a formulation that has a higher purity than the Horton family’s formulation. Ms. Vivian, have you seen our goods? Is it really worse than this new formulation they’re talking about?”
A soft smile remained plastered on Winnie’s face as she said, “I haven’t had the chance to expose myself to the market of Southeast Aploth, but I found out a lot during my stay here these days. I’ve heard that your goods have a high purity level, but from what I know, it’s only ninety percent.”
Harold furrowed his eyebrows, slightly amused. “Only ninety percent? Ms. Vivian, your standards are quite high.”
“Of course. After all…” Winnie paused and raised her glass at Harold before adding, “The formulation I have has a purity of ninety-four point seven percent. I believe I don’t have to explain what that means, right?”
Hearing that, Harold narrowed his eyes. “Ms. Vivian, you’re joking, aren’t you? I have never heard of any formulation with such high purity, be it in Southeast Aploth, Southwest Aploth, or South Adrune.”
Winnie chuckled lightly. “I may sound rude for saying this, but you seem to be living under a rock, Mr. Horton.”
“I guess you aren’t joking about that purity percentage since you sound so confident, Ms. Vivian,” Harold responded. Despite Winnie’s insults, he did not get upset.
Winnie smirked. “Do you think I’d have the time to come all the way to your place to joke with you?”
“Then, may I ask for the reason? Why did you choose me? Since you’ve done some research in advance, you must know that I don’t have a monopoly here. I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a free lunch.”
After saying that, Harold stared at Winnie, trying to look for clues in her expression.
Winnie remained calm and collected. Her unchanging expression gave nothing away at all.
“Of course, I chose you after careful consideration of various factors, such as…”
“Such as what?” Harold questioned with narrowed eyes.
Winnie grinned frivolously. “Such as the fact that your subordinate is good in bed, or…”
Her face turned solemn as she continued, “The fact that this place is stacked with men and weapons. With such a treasure in my hands, I will definitely become a much sought-after prey to you bunch of drug lords. I don’t want that kind of life. I just want to live every day happily, counting my money and drinking wine in a man’s arms. Then, when I’ve saved enough, I’ll travel around the world. That’s how simple my dream is.”
Harold understood what Winnie meant right away.
“No problem. As long as you can give me that formulation, I’ll risk even the entire Horton family’s fortune and our lives to ensure your safety,” he promised.
Winnie nodded at his words. “That would be wonderful.”
“I have one more question. May I ask where you are from? After all, I’ve never heard of you before meeting you today, Ms. Vivian,” Harold remarked as he looked at Winnie.
Raising her brow, Winnie quipped, “Mr. Horton, are you going to look into my family background and history? Well, everybody has to start somewhere. I wouldn’t have come to this unfamiliar place if I could keep my business going in my hometown.”
Harold went along with her and smiled. “That’s true. Everyone has secrets. If you can’t talk about it, then I won’t ask.”
“You’re so understanding, Mr. Horton. I have a feeling that our collaboration will go very smoothly. To show my sincerity, I’ll tell you my nickname from before. However, please remember that it’s all in the past. Here, I am simply Vivian, an ordinary woman. Do you agree, Mr. Horton?”
“Of course. What nickname did you go by in the circle before, Ms. Vivian? Who knows? I may have heard of it.”
“I wasn’t popular. I’m sure you’ve never heard of it.”
As Winnie spoke, she observed Harold’s expression carefully. “People used to call me Big Black Bear.”
Harold bobbed his head in a serious manner. “Indeed, I have never heard of it. I just didn’t expect a beauty like you to have a nickname like that.”
“I had no choice.” Winnie took a sip of wine and explained, “I had tanned skin before. I got my fair skin now with the help of cosmetic technology. You know how women are obsessed with looking good. Plus, isn’t it true that I’m well-endowed?”
Harold nodded again in agreement. “You’re so straightforward, Ms. Vivian. Let me give you a toast to celebrate our successful collaboration in advance. Have a good rest tonight. Tomorrow, I’d like to check out the high-purity goods with you.”
“Sure.”
“Let’s have another toast. When the time comes, everyone in the Horton family will be at your disposal.”
“Really?” Winnie glanced at Harold. “Everyone will be at my disposal?”
“Of course.”
“Even Chris?”
Harold chuckled. “Ms. Vivian, I thought you just had a fallout with him. Why is he still on your mind?”
“He’s the one who wanted the fallout, not me.” Winnie raised her eyes and went on, “I don’t have many strengths, but I have lots of weaknesses. The more a man rejects me, the more I want to conquer him. Do you get that feeling, Mr. Horton?”
“Yes. It’s only fun when things are wild, isn’t it? I get it.”
“Hahaha!” Winnie burst out in delighted laughter. “Great minds think alike. Mr. Horton, I hate that I didn’t meet you earlier. Here, let’s finish this bottle.”
Winnie could hold her liquor, so she only felt a little tipsy even after drinking for so long. Nevertheless, she pretended to be drunk.
She could see that Harold was also acting inebriated.
Soon, the two “drunk” people finished the wine. When Harold offered to walk Winnie back to her room, she placed her arm around his shoulders and started babbling, “If not for the fact that I don’t like having an ambiguous relationship with my boss, I would have kept you to myself. You’re young and good-looking, after all. Sadly, you’re my boss. Remember to take Chris with you tomorrow, okay? You got it? I want him. I want him to act like a simp toward me. Do you understand?”
“Yes, don’t worry. It’s just Chris. Even if you want ten men like him, I’ll bring them to you.”
In his “drunken” state, Chris started to probe, “By the way, where did you place the formulation? You’ve been staying with Chris these past two days. Could it be in his room? Should I ask someone to go get it?”
Winnie giggled and stared at Harold with dazed eyes. “You big bosses are so mean, always trying to trick your subordinates. Do you think I can show you the formulation? How will I survive if you know where it is? Let me be honest with you, Harold.”
Winnie pointed at her own head and continued, “It’s in my head. No one else can see it, except for me. My income and my life depend on it.”
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