Female Novel
Chapter 808
Victoria struggled to speak, her words catching in her throat.
How could she have assumed that her ex-husband wouldn't leak the prototype of their new product?
Just because of their past relationship?
She had been careless and made a fatal mistake by revealing all her cards before securing theirpartnership.
If he had malicious intentions and leaked the design blueprint, it would result in rampant piracy in theoutside world.
Saunders Group's new product would become a laughingstock, flooded with countless imitationsbefore its official launch.
“I...” Victoria began, but Lionel interrupted, his tone stern.
“Ms. Saunders, your nonchalant attitude and lack of caution make it difficult for me to decide whether tocollaborate with you. The business world is a battlefield, and a single misstep can make you a target foreveryone. I only engage with intelligent and meticulous individuals to avoid unnecessary trouble.”
Victoria pursed her lips and offered an apologetic response, “I apologize for my carelessness this time,which has left a negative impression on you. However, please rest assured, Mr. Gezmond, I guaranteethat such a situation will never occur again. I have recently taken over the company, and there are stillmany rules I am not fully familiar with. But I can promise you that if LG Corporation agrees tocollaborate with Saunders Group, I will ensure that no confidential details of our cooperation will be
leaked.”
Lionel stretched out his hand and rubbed his chest wearily, feeling a sense of fatigue.
“In that case, you should reorganize the information. There's no need for further discussions with me.Instead, contact the person in charge of the cooperation department directly. By the way, I've reviewedthe proposal from Bright Future Corporation as well. Their designs bear a striking resemblance to thoseof Saunders Group. Your plan lacks a competitive advantage. Considering the past collaborationbetween Bright Future Corporation and LG, we will give priority to our established partners. You maynot necessarily secure this promotional contract, so be prepared for that.”
A tinge of embarrassment washed over Victoria, her face reddening with anxiety. That was the first timeshe had gathered the courage to discuss cooperation with him, but her massive mistake had broughther merciless scolding. She didn't blame him for his harsh words. Instead, she blamed her owninexperience, which had almost led to disaster.
If she hadn't crossed paths with him today, she would have remained oblivious to the irreversiblesituation she could have found herself in.
“O-Okay then. I apologize for taking up your valuable time, Mr. Gezmond. After organizing theproposal, I will discuss it with the person responsible for the cooperation department in your company.You can carry on with your work. I'll take my leave.”
With those words, she stood up and picked up the proposal document from the table, walkingunsteadily toward the exit.
In all her years of existence, she had never felt so disheveled. She had confidently ventured into thebusiness world, only to realize how laughably ignorant she was of its fundamental rules She had beenfar too naive.
Within this circle, undercurrents surged, and conspiracies lurked at every corner.
A single careless move, and both she and Saunders Group would be irreparably damaged. Just as sheapproached the single-seater sofa, a strong arm suddenly extended before her, tightly gripping herwrist. In the next moment, the world seemed to spin, and she stumbled, finding herself falling into hisembrace and awkwardly seated across his long legs.
“Mr. Gezmond, please show some restraint.”
She struggled, trying to stand up, but her waist was firmly held by his powerful arm, rendering hercompletely immobilized.
“Don't behave like this. We're already divorced. If you continue to cling to me like this, people mightthink I'm using my body to secure this promotional contract,” Victoria implored.
Lionel remained silent, burying his head in her neck, his breath growing increasingly rapid. Victoriastruggled a few more times, sensing his body's response, and panic instantly gripped her.
She obediently nestled in his embrace, refraining from any further movement.
Lionel leaned in close to her ear, gently nibbling her earlobe, and whispered ambiguously, “You canattempt to please me with your body.
“If you satisfy me, I will dedicate all of LG Corporation's resources to promoting your Saunders Group'snew product. How about that?” Victoria reached out to push his head away, her eyes filled withdefiance.
“Are you suggesting that in order to have a chance at collaboration, I must play by these unspokenrules? If I collaborate with others in the future and they share the same mindset, should I also...”
Her words were abruptly interrupted by a sharp pain as the man fiercely bit her ear, causing her toimmediately fall silent.
Lionel withdrew from her neck and sighed, “Feeling wronged? You must endure it. If I am not firm withyou, you will face numerous setbacks in the future. Don't overly concern yourself with the collaboration.Focus on creating an outstanding product. As the saying goes, good wine needs no bush. If yourproduct itself is enticing, it can penetrate the market even without LG's promotion.”
Victoria relinquished all her strength and wearily leaned against his chest, questioning, “Am I reallyuseless if I can't even handle such a trivial matter?”
Lionel reached out and soothingly patted her back, offering comfort.
“Reviving Saunders Group and successfully launching a new product within such a short span of timeis already quite remarkable. Sometimes, for a product to make a breakthrough in the internationalmarket and become a bestseller, it's not solely about its merits. Luck also plays a significant role. Sodon't exert yourself too much in everything. Just give it your best.”
Victoria struggled to disentangle herself from his embrace, retrieved the proposal from the floor, andgazed down at him, enunciating each word deliberately.
“I must secure this promotional contract.”
If the sales don't increase even after LG Corporation's promotion, indicating an issue with the productitself, then I will accept it. But until then, I will strive to seize this opportunity.”
Lionel straightened his slightly rumpled shirt, propped his leg up on the chair, and raised an eyebrow,saying, “Very well, I'll give you a fair chance to compete. If you can outperform Bright FutureCorporation, I will authorize LG Corporation to mobilize all its resources for the promotion of SaundersGroup's products.”
“Alright, it's a deal,” she responded firmly. In the living room of Xuereb residence, Olivia suddenlysprung up from the sofa, her gaze filled with fury as she glared at Justin, who stood before the teatable. novelbin
Through clenched teeth, she declared, “I will never agree to have the name of that deceased woman,Veronique, included in the Xuereb family's ancestral records. You better give up on that idea right now.”
Initially, she had assumed that Justin had returned to discuss his marriage plans with Scarlett.However, she had never anticipated this scoundrel to suggest adding Veronique's name to the Xuerebfamily's ancestral records.
On what grounds? That woman had never gained the approval of the Xuereb family. What right doesshe have to be included in the ancestry records?
Such a request was outright audacious, prompting Olivia to vehemently oppose it without a moment'shesitation.
Including Veronique's name in the Xuereb family's ancestral records would be a deliberate provocation.Even if she had to risk her own life, Olivia would never commit such a foolish act.
Witnessing Olivia's strong reaction, Justin remained unaffected emotionally and turned to walk towardthe door.
“If that's the case, then I won't marry Scarlett either. Let her unborn child be regarded as an illegitimatechild for life.”
Upon hearing the threatening words from Justin, Olivia was greatly alarmed.
She hadn't anticipated that he would stoop so low as to use such tactics against her.
As she noticed him about to leave the living room, she instinctively opened her mouth to call him back.
However, someone else was quicker and rushed in front of Justin. It was Scarlett.
Scarlett blocked Justin's path and spoke earnestly, “Veronique is your lawful wife, so it's only natural forher to be included in the ancestral records. Let me try to persuade Mrs. Xuereb on your behalf.”