Chapter 155

Evelyn was severely dehydrated, and it took several bottles of water to revive her energy. "The reputation of this place is well-earned," she remarked, her voice still slightly hoarse. "The variety of flowers is impressive, and the fragrance is remarkably pure."

She pulled out a notepad and scribbled down her requirements. "I'll list the types and quantities I need. How about a twenty percent discount from your initial offer?" Evelyn expertly negotiated, flashing a charming smile as she gestured for a better deal.

The seller hesitated, wiping his brow. "T-That's a bit too low. The best I can do is ten percent. You won't find a better price anywhere else."

"Honestly, I know this isn't the lowest market price," Evelyn countered smoothly. "But I genuinely admire the quality of your products. We're both looking for a long-term partnership, aren't we? A little extra margin for us would go a long way."

She paused, letting the words sink in before adding, "We didn’t come here specifically to scout suppliers, you know. I could easily forward this list to DR Holdings, and our procurement team would take over. Trust me, their terms won’t be as generous as mine."

It was common knowledge that corporate procurement followed strict protocols, with seasoned negotiators who drove hard bargains. The seller shifted uncomfortably before finally relenting. "A-Alright, fine. Is this everything you need? Anything else?"

Evelyn was about to decline when she glanced back at Victoria, who had been silently observing.

"We’d like to browse a little more," Evelyn said. "Do you have any specialty flowers or plants with unique scents?"

"We do, but they might not be considered 'unique' to experts like you."

Large nurseries like this often stocked rare botanicals that fascinated enthusiasts, but what was exotic to the average person might be mundane to professionals like them.

"It doesn’t matter. I’d still love to see them," Victoria chimed in.

With the seller leading the way, Evelyn and Victoria stepped into the greenhouse. Despite the bright sunlight outside, the air inside was pleasantly cool, thanks to the efficient circulation system.

"Elliot! Elliot!" the seller called out.

Moments later, the same man who had greeted them earlier in the flower fields appeared. His white sweatshirt was damp with sweat, evidence of his labor.

When he spotted them, his face lit up. "Oh, it’s you again!"

"These guests want to see some rare plants. Could you show them around?"

"Of course!" Elliot agreed cheerfully, rinsing his hands at a nearby tap. "Right this way."

The greenhouse flowers were far more delicate than those outside, requiring precise conditions of sunlight and moisture. Their prices reflected their exclusivity.

"Is this all you have?" Victoria asked after a thorough inspection, unable to find anything that caught her eye. Evelyn, however, had already noted several varieties she wanted—though further price discussions were inevitable.

"Most of them are here," Elliot admitted, scratching his head. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "We do have a special variant of Crimson Mahogany. Would you like to see it?"

"You grow that here too? It’s expensive, but not exactly rare," Evelyn remarked skeptically.

"Ours is different," Elliot explained carefully. "It’s a unique cultivar we developed ourselves. I doubt you’ll find it anywhere else."

He was careful not to make absolute claims, but the pride in his voice was unmistakable.