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?"