Although Hera didn’t want to co across as boasting about her academic background, she struggled to find a reason or excuse to persuade the manager to let her review the business plan without drawing Gael’s attention or raising suspicions.
The manager quickly grasped Hera’s intent and decided to play along. He feigned surprise and responded with a pleased nod, "Oh! I didn’t realize Miss Hera was so capable. Please, feel free to review this business plan and see if it ets our standards." Without hesitation, he handed the folder to Hera.
Hera smiled as she noticed Gael growing increasingly nervous when she took hold of the folder. He began fidgeting and rubbing his thumb anxiously. Hera then opened the folder and carefully reviewed each page. Like the manager, she found herself rereading the profit distribution several tis to ensure she wasn’t misinterpreting it.
Hera thought, ’What does he an by an 85% to 15% split? Is he planning to work for free? That 15% profit won’t be enough to sustain his operations. Is he really offering his services at such a low rate?’ As she looked at Gael with concern, she noted that aside from the unusual profit distribution, his overall plan and distribution line was clear and well-organized.
Gael planned to distribute the coffee beans exclusively to aristocratic families through a small auction. While this approach could potentially yield higher profits compared to traditional distribution thods, the cost of managing the auction would still be significant. Gael’s goal was to establish a Treasure Pavilion, showcasing the finest items and running an auction house to highlight his collection. However, this ambition ant competing against the established Lakeside Pavilion Auction House, a well-known and formidable competitor.
This is not what Gael had achieved in the novel. In the story, he was more of a secondary character, an aide rather than a central figure. However, Gael’s current ambitions show a significant shift. He now seeks to build his own identity and power outside the Harrison legacy, aiming to establish himself as a force independent of the Harrison na.
Perhaps it was because, unlike in the novel where Rafael helped him bring the Harrisons down, Gael felt a deep sense of indebtedness and chose to beco their aide rather than pursue his own power. This realization made sense to Hera once she considered the possibility.
Reading his business proposal sparked an idea in Hera’s mind. If the Avery could partner with an auction house that has the potential to rival Lakeside Pavilion, it could be a strategic investnt rather than a missed opportunity. It would provide an initial foothold in a promising venture. It seed that Gael intended to feature their coffee beans as the centerpiece of the auction house for now, given his current lack of valuable treasures to auction.
Since the Black Ivory and other coffee beans were just as rare, they would attract considerable interest due to their limited availability. Hera could see the potential success of this plan. The only remaining concern was the profit distribution.
Hera nodded in satisfaction as she reviewed Gael’s business proposal. She exchanged a glance with the manager, who appeared to share her view but was hesitant to discuss the profit distribution openly. Despite feeling uneasy about the situation, the manager refrained from pushing the issue, as he didn’t like taking advantage of soone in a vulnerable position. He was content with his well-compensated position at the Avery and had no desire for the modest sum in question.
Hera decided to address the issue directly. "I see great potential in your business plan, but there’s one aspect I don’t quite understand. Mr. Harrison, why have you proposed such a low profit distribution? You could easily aim for 20% or even 30%. Do you think the Avery family would exploit the vulnerable or act like opportunistic predators?" Her tone was friendly, but a subtle edge of threat lingered in her words, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
Gael felt a wave of nervousness under Hera’s intense scrutiny, while the manager’s silence indicated his agreent with Hera’s concerns.
"No, please don’t misunderstand ," Gael stamred, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t think that way at all. It’s just that my mother needs urgent dical attention. I’ve heard that the Avery family has established a renowned laboratory dedicated to finding cures for many incurable diseases and assisting with difficult cases. I was hoping that by offering a lower profit margin, I might be able to request a favor and have my mother treated at that facility."
His face grew red as he really did feel so weak and has little to offer to even ask for this kind of favor from the Avery family, he knew that in their circle, what matters most was benefit and what the other person could offer, especially when it cos to making friends, what’s important is not the genuine feelings but the status and standing of the said friend. It was a toxic tradition but yet, it was widely practiced by many socialites.
He understood all too well that in their world, falling from grace ant losing friends who were rely fair-weather companions. Despite being the true heir of the Harrison family, Gael had been dismissed as a re clown in their social circle, while his illegitimate half-brothers were treated with far more respect. It was as though he were the real illegitimate one, a reflection of the old saying that the mistresses are often the unloved ones.
Feeling the weight of Hera and the manager’s gaze, Gael felt utterly small and wished he could vanish into a hole. Then he heard Hera’s soft chuckle, a sound like the delicate chi of bells on a sumr breeze, which only deepened his embarrassnt. It was painful to realize that not only had she witnessed his previous helplessness, but even now, he felt as if nothing had changed, leaving him feeling more insignificant than ever.
"Gael, it seems there’s been a misunderstanding about the Avery family," Hera said, her tone a mix of amusent and reassurance. She found Gael’s reaction refreshing, especially in a social circle full of opportunistic predators eager to exploit any sign of weakness. "Even if you had asked for a 30% profit distribution, we would still extend our help to your mother. We value our business partners and are committed to supporting those in need through our charity work and even our laboratory was built with the sa ideology. Why would we demand anything in return for helping your mother? Do you think my ancestors would rise from their graves to reprimand ?" Hera’s voice trailed off into a laugh as she wiped away a tear, finding humor in the situation.
"Sister, what do you an by ’your ancestors’? Are you also an Avery?" Bry’s innocent question jolted Hera back to reality. She instantly bit her lip, her eyes widening in realization. She had made an unintentional slip of the tongue, and even the manager looked taken aback. From Hera’s earlier actions, he had suspected she was concealing her identity, and Cindy’s remarks had suggested as much. But now, Hera’s inadvertent admission had made it clear.
Hera’s eyes widened as she glanced between the manager, Bry, his father, and the stunned Gael. Her mouth opened and closed, but she was at a loss for words.
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