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Stephen had never experienced such an easy negotiation before. There was no hassle, no drawn–out discussions- just a straight green light; clearing the way without obstacles.
Andrew stood and said, “Well, if that’s settled, we’ll be on our way.”
He turned to Dylan and added, “Dylan, keep an eye on things here with Stephen in the future.”
Dylan nodded. “Got it, Mr. Lloyd!”
Stephen was elated. “Thank you, Mr. Lloyd! I knew something good was going to happen today—I’ve had this twitching in my eyelid since morning!”
Dylan raised a brow and teased, “How do you know that wasn’t a sign of bad luck?”
Stephen chuckled. “Same difference! Good luck, bad luck–they’re two sides of the same coin. I got both today, didn’t I?”
Andrew smirked in amusement. Businesspeople were always like this–slick, adaptable, and sharp. Stephen had just been disciplined but was already smiling like nothing had happened.
Nonetheless, Andrew understood why. Stephen saw a chance to cozy up to Jayrodale’s underground king and profit from the connection.
Andrew did not take Stephen’s flattery too seriously. A pharmaceutical CEO had his uses, but people like him needed both the carrot and the stick. If you were too kind, they would get ahead of themselves and think they were untouchable.
After personally escorting Andrew, Marcus, and Dylan out, Stephen called someone to bandage his head before returning to his office with a cheerful grin.
Aspen and Christina were still there, watching him with shock and disbelief. Aspen asked, “Mr. Brunner, you just got beaten up, and you’re still smiling? Are you really going to let this go?”
Stephen lit a cigarette, waved dismissively, and said, “It’s no big deal–just a minor injury. Back when I was hustling to survive, I got beat up more times than I can count. Compared to that, this is nothing!”
Aspen and Christina exchanged baffled looks. They could not believe the reasoning he just gave them. Getting beaten when you were struggling was one thing–you had no choice.
However, he was the head of Jayrodale’s pharmaceutical industry. Was it not humiliating to let someone slap him around without retaliation?
“Mr. Brunner, listen to me,” Aspen insisted, her voice rising with frustration. “Andrew is out of control! If you rally the industry, you can take him down!”
Aspen was like a rabid dog at this point. If there were even a shred of a chance to harm Andrew, she would seize it
she would probably even try to rally some random street thug if she thought it might work.
However, Stephen had had enough. “Alright, that’s enough. Getting hit was my business, not yours. I’m not complaining, but you two sure have a lot to say about it. If there’s nothing else, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
He made it clear he wanted them gone. He had important work to do–Rhodes Corporation needed those medicines manufactured, and he was not about to waste time entertaining idle visitors.
Christina’s eyes widened in panic. “But Mr. Brunner, what about our collaboration?”
Stephen shook his head firmly before she could finish. “Sorry, Ms. Stevens. Our previous agreement is off the
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table. If Stevens Corporation wants to break into the pharmaceutical industry, you’ll have to find someone else to partner with. Glorious Pharmaceuticals won’t be able to help you.”
Aspen and Christina were outraged.
“Why?” Aspen demanded, her voice trembling with fury. “Mr. Brunner, we need an explanation!”
