Chapter 519

Daniela nodded.

Soon, Marc stepped into the room, carrying a gift. "Ms. Harper, it's been a while. Just a small token of appreciation."

Daniela barely glanced at the gift. "What do you want?"

Marc knew Daniela had little patience for small talk or needless conversation, which only added to her enigmatic nature. People like her were the hardest to read.

He let out a short, nervous chuckle. "Well, there's something I need to discuss with you."

Daniela nodded again. "Then get to it."

Marc swallowed hard. "The cost of raw materials has risen recently. So, would you consider raising our price?"

Daniela remained calm as she looked at Marc. "We have a contract, don't we?"

Marc nodded quickly. "WVe do. But business has been rough, and I'm in a tight spot. Could you consider a little flexibility, maybe a slight percent increase?"

Lillian rested against the doorframe, her gaze fixed on Marc.

Daniela, however, remained unfazed. "How much are you asking?"

Marc licked his lips nervously. "Just twenty percent." He stole a glance at Daniela, but her expression remained unreadable. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a badge."I'd also like to invite you to join the National Commerce Association. This is the badge."

Daniela glanced at the badge, then met his gaze with a faint smile. "I understand what you're asking."

Marc exhaled in relief, thinking he'd completed his mission. "If you no longer wish to continue our partnership,that's finn1′′Daniela added.

Marc's smile stiffened. "No, no, that's not what I meant," he stammered, panic creeping into his voice."We can renegotiate the price. And as for the association, at least consider joining. We're very sincere about this."

Marc was about to speak again when Daniela slowly lifted her hand.

Marc stood still, frozen.

He had meticulously prepared for this meeting, envisioning countless possible responses from Daniela and crafting the perfect replies for each. But he hadn't anticipated this.

Daniela simply stated, "Our partnership with you ends today. Lillian, please show him out."

Marc's mouth was wide agape. "Ms. Harper, please, listen! I wasn't trying to threaten you! I just wanted to persuade you. The association offers real benefits. Please, give me another chance."

Lillian picked up the phone and called security. She tossed the badge out along with Marc.

Shortly after, Elite Lux's official website announced the termination of its contract with Marc's company.

The news spread fast, shaking the entire association.

Everyone was astonished as no one had expected Daniela to be so ruthless.

A partnership worth billions a year was terminated just like that?

No negotiations, no second chances?

Marc stormed into Hackett's office, fuming. Hackett, however, merely smiled, consoling him. "Relax. Just wait. How long do you think Elite Lux will last without a major supplier like you? Women make impulsive decisions. Give it time. She'll come crawling back."

That very evening,Hackett paid Daniela a visit.

She had just stepped out of her car when he intercepted her. "Daniela, was that necessary? I was an old friend of your mother's. We've known each other for years. Why would you make this unpleasant? I have only one request. Call off your acquisition plans, or at the very least,leave our association members out of it. Let's move forward without bad blood. Otherwise, Marc will be just the first. More companies will walk away, one after another. Elite Lux may be powerful, but it's still finding its footing in the domestic market. Its foundation isn't äs solid as you think. Who will stand by you then? Take my advice, play fair, and the road ahead will be much smoother."

Still smiling, Daniela sidestepped Hackett and walked into the Elite Lux building without a word.

Days slipped by.

Contrary to Hackett's predictions, Elite Lux stood firm. Not only did it maintain its supply chain, but Marc's company was the first to collapse.

Elite Lux's business was vast, and the association members' contributions were nothing more than a drop in the ocean. They couldn't make up for Marc's losses.

Desperate, Marc rushed to Elite Lux, hoping to see Daniela but instead, he found Cedric tending to a row of lush green plants in the hallway.

"Mr. Phillips, please, could you put in a good word for me? Tell Ms. Harper we're willing to stick to the original contract and continue our partnership. We can talk about joining the association later. Please, help me out."

Cedric looked up, mildly surprised. "You're too late."

Marc's stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

Cedric smiled faintly. "Were you not aware? When Elite Lux entered this market, it had already built its own raw material processing plant."

Marc waved his hands frantically. "That's impossible. I checked! There was no plant. And we signed a non-compete agreement. Elite Lux wasn't allowed to process its own raw materials. Ms. Harper knows that!"

Cedric nodded: "That's true, but Daniela has me. My company never signed a non-compete with you. So,when you terminated your contract with Elite Lux, we stepped in and sealed the deal. You're really out of the loop. It's been days, and you're still living in denial?"

Marc stumbled back a few steps, his eyes wide in disbelief. Without wasting a second, he ordered his team to investigate the company Cedric had mentioned.

Moments later, Marc broke down right then and there.

He collapsed at Daniela's office door, sobbing, "Ms. Harper, please give me another chance! I swear I won't threaten you again! I won't raise prices anymore! I was misled! I can't survive without Elite Lux's orders.Please, I'm begging you!"

But Daniela never showed up.

Marc's company's funds dried up. Investors pulled out one after another.

Five days later, the once-thriving company declared bankruptcy.

Before his bankruptcy was finalized, Marc turned to Hackett, clinging to a last shred of hope for help.

But Hackett merely smiled and said, "There's no room for you in this game anymore. Coming to me won't change that. If you need someone to blame, look in the mirror and blame yourself for being stupid."

That same day, Marc tragically ended his own life by throwing himself off the association's headquarters.He was dead on impact.

Unfazed, Hackett instructed his staff to take care of the matter.

That same day, Daniela continued her expansion, securing another acquisition under the association's umbrella.

The entire association fell into a state of silent, suffocating fear.