Hera smiled. “It’s indeed quite magnificent. I’d like to take a picture here too if I get the chance,”


    Checking the time, Hans then informed solemnly, “It’s getting close to our appointment time. Let’s go in


    quickly.”


    The three of them arrived at the security checkpoint and provided their appointment


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    information. The security personnel then gave them a supplier’s pass before escorting them to the


    main business building.


    Frankie, the senior manager of the Legal Department, was walking briskly toward the entrance while on


    call with Fabian.


    “Melody is a member of the House of Representatives. Be polite,” Fabian instructed.


    “Alright, I got i-”


    “Ouch!”


    Yvonne had been looking around when Frankie identally bumped into her.


    “Don’t you watch where you’re going? How did you even miss me when I’m standing right here?”


    Yvonne shouted at Frankie with a re.


    Hera turned around. When she caught Frankie’s title of ‘Senior Manager’ on his work badge, her


    expression paled dramatically. She immediately pulled Yvonne back and whispered, Yvonne, lower


    your voice!”


    Yvonne covered her chest and whined in an aggrieved manner, “But he bumped into me…”


    Frankie frowned slightly and when he thought about how he was supposed to go pick up Ms. Stone, he


    pushed his anger aside and said, “I apologize. I was on the phone just now and wasn’t looking where I


    was going.”


    Yvonne responded to his apology arrogantly, “That’s more like it. You’re quite handsome, so I guess I’ll


    forgive you.”


    Frankie chuckled. “Thank you for thepliment. I have something to do now, so I’ll be on my way.”


    Then, he quickly walked away.


    After he had gone away, Hera scolded, “Yvonne, you need to tone it down. We’re here to secure a


    partnership. It’s not going to happen if you don’t behave yourself.”


    Yvonne just smiled sweetly and replied, “I know, I know!”


    The three of them then followed the security personnel to Meeting Room 9 that was nestled in the


    Business Department.


    Justin, the manager of the Business Department, was leading a team as they reviewed a stack of


    project documents.


    The security personnel knocked on the door. “Mr. Long, Ms. Lewis is here from Baroque.”


    “Let them in,” Justin answered without lifting his head.


    The security personnel opened the door and smiled, saying, “Ms. Lewis, please.”


    “Hans, youe with me. Yvonne, you stay outside,” Hera said. After what Yvonne did earlier, Hera


    was worried that she might cause trouble and so, did not want her inside.


    “Fine,” Yvonne replied, her head lowered in frustration.


    Hera and Hans entered the office. Without looking up, Justin simply said, “Please have a seat.”


    When Hans saw Justin’s professional attitude, he felt somewhat inferior despite having previously


    worked in a state-owned enterprise.


    “Mr. Long, have you had a chance to review our project proposal?” Hera fidgeted nervously, not


    knowing where to put her hands.


    “I’ve reviewed it. The price needs to be reduced by 12%,” Justin said coldly. He still had not lifted his


    head to look at Hera.


    Chips were a part of the hundreds of businesses he managed daily. Baroque Group was just a small


    chip manufacturer until recently when they acquired a 7-nanometer lithography machine from an


    unknown source.


    Considering that the technology they used was still in its nascent stage, their chips came with


    significant risks. If they were to fail to negotiate the price down, he would choose other suppliers that


    relied on more mature technology. If domestic suppliers were unaffordable, he could also opt for


    imported chips.


    Hera was taken aback. “12%? Mr. Long, we determined our prices after makingparisons with two


    other 7-nanometer chippanies. Our price is already 3% lower than theirs.”


    Hera was so shocked that even herplexion had gone pale. Would there be anything else for them


    to earn if they were to reduce their price and then subtractbor costs?


    Lucky for them, Nash had been the one who bought the lithography machine. If they had bought it


    themselves, it would take ages for them to earn back the cost of the machine.


    Justin looked up, his expression cold as he said, “Universal Group focuses on high-end brands. We


    have very strict quality standards for our products. It’s still a question of whether or not your products


    will even pass our quality inspection.”