Chapter 157

"I'm afraid I can't sell them to you." Elliot Dawson hesitated, rubbing his temple. "As you know, Crimson Mahogany isn't easy to cultivate. We've invested years of research and labor into these specimens. Besides, our stock is limited—they're not meant for bulk purchase."

Evelyn Carter didn’t back down.

This was from N?velDrama.Org.

"I don’t need bulk. Just half of what you have here." Her voice was firm. "I’d take the rest, but I’ll leave them for now—provided you continue nurturing them. And you won’t sell to anyone else."

Elliot shifted uncomfortably. "I’m sorry, but we can’t agree to those terms."

"Name your price," Victoria Sterling interjected, sensing Evelyn’s determination. She recognized the rarity of grafted Crimson Mahogany—if they secured it, it could be invaluable. But the cost would undoubtedly be steep.

"It’s not just about money," Elliot explained, frustration creeping into his tone. "These are still experimental. We’re refining the cultivation process—"

"You can continue your research with the remaining half. I won’t interfere. I only want half, and I’ll pay upfront."

Elliot exhaled sharply. "I’ll need to consult my team." The offer was tempting, but this wasn’t his call to make alone.

Victoria pulled Evelyn aside as Elliot stepped away to make a call. "Evelyn, think this through. Do we really need this much? We haven’t even tested these in a finished product yet. Even if we create an extraordinary perfume, the material cost alone would drive the price sky-high. How many customers would pay for that?"

Her concerns were valid. Perfumery was a business, after all—luxury or not, profitability mattered.

"There will always be those who recognize true craftsmanship," Evelyn countered, unwavering.

"But Phoenix Labs is still new. Most don’t see us as a luxury brand yet."

"That’s exactly why we need to make a statement." Evelyn met her gaze. "If this fails, deduct the cost from my salary."

Victoria’s eyes widened. "You’re being reckless."

Before she could argue further, Elliot returned, clearing his throat. "If you’re set on purchasing, we can proceed. But the price—"

"We’ll negotiate."

Elliot chuckled at Evelyn’s resolve. "Your sincerity is noted. We won’t inflate the price unfairly, but cultivation costs are high. Even with minimal markup, the final number won’t be small." He scribbled a figure on a notepad and slid it toward them.

Victoria paled. "That’s—"

A six-digit sum glared back at them.