"Cousin, why do you have that look on your face?" Rosalyn Lowell whispered.

Heath Lowell silently pointed toward the main conference hall outside.

Celia Sterling didn’t notice Heath’s odd behavior. She gently sat on a stool and took out her notebook. Around her sat a group of young people from the various great families, all holding their breath in concentration, intently following the discussion in the main hall.

The pleasantries continued. The two heads of legendary families who had rushed here from abroad were enthusiastically setting the mood in English:

"It’s always been Mr. Trenton handling our dealings. This is the first time we’re seeing his boss, and to our surprise, it’s you, Mr. Norwood! Over the years, Aurelian has had little overlap with the industries under your command, Mr. Norwood, but your reputation is world-renowned. My own daughter has long spoken of wanting to see your vast business empire..."

"Hahaha! We at Valois are also quite shocked! But we’re delighted as well. Everyone says you, Chairman Norwood, are a man of integrity, refined and affable—someone very easy to talk to. Today’s meeting will surely be very pleasant..."

’Mr. Norwood? Chairman Norwood?’

’Which Norwood?’

The name inexplicably jumped out at Celia Sterling.

But her position was completely blocked by a screen, and with so many people in the observation area, the rustling of pens on paper alone created a certain amount of background noise, even without anyone speaking. She couldn’t be sure she had heard correctly, and the thought that flashed through her mind was quickly dismissed.

The exchange of pleasantries continued for several more minutes. Eventually, Adeline Lowell joined in, sparring with the two foreign families for a few rounds with her signature gentle but firm approach.

A very soft tap of a finger on the table sounded.

It wasn’t loud, but it carried an immense pressure that instantly seemed to shrink the room.

The room fell silent in an instant. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Then came the familiar voice of Mr. Trenton. Miles Trenton, who was so polite and friendly in front of Celia, was aggressive and domineering in front of outsiders, showing a completely different side of himself:

"Our boss is a very busy man. He can spare two hours at most today. If you can’t reach an agreement after two hours, this strategy meeting will be canceled, and our boss will not consider a second collaboration with any of you for the next three years."

With that, no one was in the mood for pleasantries anymore.

Aurelian and the Valois Family quickly presented their market division proposals and their strategic layouts for the next ten years, getting straight to the point.

The domestic market was enormous, and Adeline Lowell, as the sole representative of the domestic legendary families, also joined the discussion.

Where there was strategy, there was a fight for profit.

Aurelian and Valois made exorbitant demands, while Adeline Lowell refused to yield a single inch. The atmosphere, initially calm, gradually grew tense and hostile.

But the great Rivermoon, seated at the head of the table, remained silent.

Miles Trenton occasionally interjected during lulls in the discussion, but his attitude was aloof, as if the current squabble over profits was beneath his notice.

This continued until only ten minutes were left in the meeting.

Seeing that this bickering was pointless and the one person who should be speaking remained silent, Aurelian and Valois finally grew anxious and turned to the man at the head of the table:

"Mr. Norwood, although we initiated this proposal, it targets the global market. The Lowell Family’s perspective is too narrow-minded, but you hold the world’s largest fragrance resource library. You must be very willing to join this strategy. You are a busy man, so we don’t need you to contribute anything. Just allow us to establish a presence in fragrance bases worldwide, and we will give you ten percent of the resources we monopolize, free of charge."

Adeline Lowell sneered. "I don’t care what you do abroad, but you will not lay a hand on our domestic market. Cut it out with your capitalist tactics. We believe in letting a hundred flowers bloom. Our domestic market is highly inclusive and willing to give every brand a chance. This constant talk of monopoly—are you relying on the number of bases you have, or the thickness of your skin?"

"You’re just a woman, acting on emotion and making a scene! The person we’re negotiating with today is Mr. Norwood. You’re merely a guest who was invited along for the ride. You have no right to speak!" the head of Valois sneered.

Adeline Lowell retorted with a cold laugh, "While you’re here discussing how to plunder resources and target brands on the market, have you forgotten that Mr. Norwood is also from our country?"

"A man like Mr. Norwood is no longer limited by the perspective of a single country. His sights are set on the entire world..."

...

Celia Sterling frowned as she jotted down brief notes in her notebook, a slight anxiety growing within her.

’Although it seemed like they were just arguing, they were revealing a lot of information.’

’The two legendary families, Aurelian and Valois, were no longer content with their own turf. They’d set their sights on the major perfume-making brand families around the globe, including several top-tier brands like Delia Caine and Starlight of Seraphina.’

’They wanted to launch a commercial assault to seize a larger share of the global market.’

’They even planned to use certain tactics to seize more base resources.’

’To put it bluntly, they would either crush the smaller brands or force them into submission, making them vassals.’

’What a shameless game.’

’And Rivermoon, the man who possessed the most fragrance resources in the world, was the key to today’s negotiation.’

’His attitude would determine the great trend of the perfume world for the next decade.’

After a few more minutes of their war of words, that distinctive tap on the table sounded again.

The room once again fell silent.

This time, Mr. Trenton didn’t speak.

Another voice spoke up—noble, cool, and indifferent, carrying the oppressive air of a superior:

"Of the total profits, I will take forty percent. The Lowell Family will take thirty. You two can split the remaining thirty percent."

At these words, Aurelian and Valois nearly jumped out of their seats!

Celia Sterling’s hand, which had been writing in her notebook, froze abruptly!

Then, in disbelief, she fixed her gaze on the screen, her eyes dark, as if she could burn a hole right through it!

That voice, familiar to her very bones, spoke again. Though the tone was level, it carried an autocratic air that brooked no defiance:

"I will protect the domestic market. No one is to touch it. As for the foreign markets, do as you please. Just make sure the profits arrive in my account on time."

"Mr. Norwood, you’re being completely unreasonable!" Aurelian raged.

"I am indeed unreasonable," Silas Norwood’s voice was frigid. "I’m simply not interested in this area. But if you want me to be reasonable, I will start by launching an attack on your two families. That is my reasoning."

Miles Trenton coughed lightly at his side. "My boss has always believed that might makes right."

"Mr. Norwood, how is this any different from outright robbery?" The head of Valois restrained the urge to slam the table. "You won’t let us touch your domestic market, yet you want to take the lion’s share of the foreign markets..."

"If you don’t want to give it, then scurry back to your little mouse holes and stop trying to wreak havoc on the market every chance you get." Miles Trenton snorted. "My boss has been displeased with you for a long time."

"Mr. Norwood, you may have many bases, but our two families combined have a larger industrial chain than you. Do you really think we’re afraid of you?" The head of the Aurelian family slammed the table.

"Oh?" It was Miles Trenton’s voice again, dripping with sarcastic disdain. "What’s this little industrial chain of bases? It’s merely the tip of the iceberg of my boss’s total industrial chain. You really want to go at it? Be my guest."

The heads of Aurelian and Valois belatedly recalled that this man was also the head of the Norwood Family, the world-renowned super-conglomerate...

They instantly deflated.

Silas Norwood glanced at Miles Trenton. "You and President Lowell handle the rest. I have a flight to catch."

He rose gracefully.

Before his long legs could take a step, Miles Trenton, beside him, began to cough sharply.

Then, he pointed to the large, half-wall screen in the far corner.

Silas Norwood looked over with an indifferent expression and met a pair of familiar, almond-shaped eyes.

Silas Norwood: "..."