Chapter 10 Winning the Bid

Jayce and Cora sat down and found most of the people around them engaged in conversation. Jayce, with his keen hearing, caught snippets of their remarks. "Who are these two? How did they get to sit here?" "Yeah, I thought this seat was reserved for Mr. Wade. Why are they taking his seat?" "I recognize the woman; she seems to be the daughter of the Edens." "The Edens? Haha! Since when do the Edens qualify to sit with us?" Jayce turned her gaze back to the man who was speaking. He was a young, fair-skinned, handsome fellow that exuded a subtle effeminacy. His expression was marked by arrogance. "Who is he?" Jayce asked. Cora glanced back quickly before turning around again. She urged, "Don't look, Jayce! That's Otis Hanson, the second son of the Hansons." Jayce turned around, but his gaze was icy. The bidding was about to begin. Otis declared, "The Boleyn Group's pharmaceutical project belonged to my family. Anyone who dares to bid against us is an enemy of the Hansons." His words were arrogant, but no one dared to contradict them. The room fell silent. The Hansons were not to be trifled with. Though the Boleyn Group was a comprehensive company, its main business was pharmaceuticals. The Hansons brazenly declaring they would monopolize the pharmaceutical project was incredibly domineering. Cora frowned slightly. She was clearly dissatisfied. Jayce asked, "Cora, do you want the project?" Cora nodded. "Of course." Jayce offered, "Alright, I'll make sure they give it to you." Cora was taken aback. He'll make them give it to me? She shook her head helplessly. Jayce seemed to take a likely joke nowadays. What kind of existence were the Burrells? That family was the most powerful family in the entire Eserith region, the wealthiest in the province, and ranked among the top ten nationwide. Even the big three had to show deference to the Burrells. Second-tier families like the Edens, with no real influence, couldn't possibly have any say, let alone Jayce, who had no power or connections. The Hansons were so overbearing, and Cora couldn't do anything about it. Soon, the opening ceremony began. Eric took the stage to deliver a speech. Since the company was initiated by the Burrells, the Boleyn Group's opening attracted nearly all of the region's bigwigs. After Eric's speech, Milton also spoke. Then, the bidding began. Cora held onto her bid form, hesitating to fill in the price. She lacked confidence and courage. Against a giant like the Hansons, neither she nor her family had any chance. Offending the Hansons would make it impossible to survive in Eserith. Moreover, even if she did set a price, her company wouldn't win. The Boleyn Group was a bemoth. Her small pharmaceutical company would never be chosen. Forget it! She sighed deeply and thought. Let's consider this as a learning experience. Jayce shook his head when he heard Cora's sigh. He filled out the bid form and wrote a price on her behalf. "Hey! Jayce, what are you doing!" Cora shook her head, resigned. If Jayce wanted to mess around, let him. It wouldn't matter; they wouldn't win the bid anyway. A few minutes later, everyone handed in their bid forms. Eric stood on the stage to announce the results. Otis wore a confident smile. No one dared to challenge his family in Eserith. The Boleyn Group's project was a huge opportunity. The Hansons would claim the lion's share, leaving the scraps for others. Eric stood behind the podium and made an announcement. "The winning company that will represent all of the pharmaceutical projects of the Boleyn Group is … " "Vitalis Medica. Swoosh! Suddenly, the room fell silent. Everyone was stunned. Vitalis Medica? Whose company is this? How come we've never heard of it before? Is it a subsidiary company of the Hansons, the Lanes, or the Capells? Everyone exchanged puzzled looks. They were clueless, having never heard of such a small company. Cora was equally shocked. I … I won the bid? And for all the pharmaceutical projects? The Boleyn Group's primary business was pharmaceuticals. Although it was a comprehensive enterprise, most of its funds are invested in the pharmaceutical sector. In other words, a significant portion of the 7.5 billion investment would go to Vitalis Medica? Cora was utterly dumbfounded. Why would they choose my company? She asked, "Jayce, how much did you write on the bid?" Jayce replied, "7.4 billion." Cora was at a loss for words. She was on the verge of vomiting blood. Cora chided, "Jayce, have you lost your mind? The total investment is 7.5 billion, yet you quoted a figure of 7.4 billion. That's practically their entire budget! Who would agree to that?" Other bidders usually try to lower their prices as much as possible, sometimes even below the cost. Jayce, however, set an astronomical price! Jayce said, "Didn't I leave them 100 million? Besides, you've already won the bid." Cora opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. Jayce was right; no matter what, she did win the bid. A 7.4 billion project! It was a huge profit! It felt like a windfall. Cora felt she was dreaming. Following the announcement of the other projects, the two stood up to depart. Cora was still in shock, feeling dazed. Today, she wasn't even qualified to get into the venue, let alone win a 7.4 billion project. The change was overwhelming. As they prepared to leave, a young man who looked feminine blocked their way. It was Otis. Otis looked grim. His eyes were cold as he stared at Cora. "Ms. Eden, you are quite audacious to snatch the Hanson family's project. Do you think you can walk out of here safely?" Cora's face paled. She had forgotten about this. "Mr. Hanson, it was the Burrells' decision, not mine." Otis sneered coldly, retorting, "Not your decision? If you were sensible, you wouldn't have submitted a bid. Clearly, we've been too lenient with your family." Cora was terrified by the threat. Her face turned pale at the remark. Jayce took a step forward. He stood in front of Cora and looked at Otis with a mocking expression. "Are you family powerful?" Otis's gaze finally fell on Jayce, finding him unfamiliar. "Who are you?" Jayce replied, "I'm from the Howes. The Howes." Otis frowned and asked, "The Howes? I never heard of them." Jayce said, "Ten years ago, your family was nothing more than dogs for my family. What's the matter? You have never heard of your former master?"