Chapter 66
Faced with Gregory's question, I didn't answer directly. Instead, I put on a troubled expression, lowered my head and eyes, playing up my disappointment: "Gregory, I don't know how to explain this to you. Considering the relationship between the Lopez family and the Brown Family, why would I have my own factory but not use it, and instead cooperate with the Brown Group, giving them the first and most important batch of products to manufacture?"
With a soft sigh, I looked up at him with a bitter smile: "From the day I came back, Ms. Brown has had misunderstandings about me. I used to wonder why she was so hostile toward me, but then you said I looked like Emma from behind, and now, with what you just said, I think I understand. She doesn't see you as a brother, does she? She's afraid I'll take you away from her, and that's made Mr. Jasper Brown and Mr. Charles Brown misunderstand me too."
Seeing me looking so pitiful, Gregory's expression softened, and he quickly explained: "It can't be like that. If there's a misunderstanding, we just need to clear it up. Jasper spoils Sophia, but he's not that confused."
I smiled bitterly and asked back: "If it's really like you say, then why is Emma getting pushed aside more and more in The Brown Family?"
My words made him think. I'd told him the same thing before, but he never believed it.
People always want to believe what they've already decided is true. Like now - he's decided I wouldn't have any conflict with Sophia, so my accusations make him think maybe Sophia really did do something.
"It's probably the misunderstanding from when you took back the property at the beginning," Gregory said with a smile, trying to explain.
I frowned: "But before taking back the property, I had just returned from Solstice. I didn't even know the Brown Family members. When I bought the building, I was thinking I'd use it myself when I came back. Plus, I'd already negotiated a lease for the floor upstairs and paid them. I couldn't just take the loss myself because they found it inconvenient, could I?"
"So they misunderstood me because of this? If it were you, what would you do?" I asked Gregory.
Who doesn't know how to play the victim?
Gregory nodded with an awkward smile: "Absolutely, from your perspective, you did what you thought was right. I get it. I'll make sure they understand that. Look, now that we've cleared the air, isn't that better?"
I looked at Gregory and sighed with some disappointment: "It's often said that small favors create gratitude, but big favors can breed resentment."
"No, no, it's not about resentment. They just didn't think from your perspective. People are selfish. Really, once we talk it through, it'll be fine. Please don't misunderstand," Gregory quickly explained.
I shook my head helplessly: "Originally, I gave them all my products to manufacture to try to make up for things. You must have heard - Aaron had already decided not to sign a contract with them. In the end, it was me who strongly recommended them, negotiating with headquarters leadership again and again, that finally got this project to The Brown Group. I don't expect them to be grateful, but at least they shouldn't act like I'm taking advantage of them."
Gregory was now convinced I was telling the complete truth, and sighed along with me: "It's probably still because of their initial impression. The cooperation between Watson Tech and The Brown Group really did help The Brown Group through a tough time. Otherwise, they couldn't even pay their employees' salaries."
I immediately changed my tone: "Actually, if you hadn't come, I was planning to find a chance to talk with you properly anyway."
My gaze was so eager that Gregory's face couldn't help but redden: "Talk... talk about what?"
I slowly pushed a cup of coffee toward him: "Compared to them, we're really family. Even though I'm now chairman of Watson Tech, SoftGlow Biotech is what I truly founded. The production issue has been temporarily resolved, but I've been worried about sales channels after production. I've been in some talks, but none are particularly satisfactory. Uncle Oscar could help me, but his focus is now on the Emerald City western project. He doesn't care about company matters at all. Your Novagen Group is actually more mature."
Gregory's face showed difficulty: "We can talk about it, but right now most company decisions are still up to my dad..."
He could probably sense that, in their hearts, his parents were actually resistant to Oscar and me.
I smiled brightly at him: "It's okay. We haven't reached the point where our two companies need to sit down together yet, right? I just see you as a friend and wanted to share my thoughts. Actually, the first time I saw you, I felt you were different."
Gregory's face reddened even more. He rubbed his hands together, barely able to stay calm: "The main thing is our company has long-term contracts with The Brown Group, and the market is only so big right now..."
I spoke regretfully, "That's really too bad. I was thinking, since we're family, even though SoftGlow Biotech might still be a new brand in Lumaria, in Solstice, it's already captured 30% of the market. Both the feedback and reputation are excellent. If it's difficult for your company, then I'll go have a good chat with the general manager of the Silvercrest Group."
The Novagen Group and the Silvercrest Group had many overlapping businesses and were always in open and hidden competition.
I casually picked up a document, and a business card slipped out, with the Silvercrest Group's logo clearly falling into Gregory's view.
"That's not what I meant."
As a businessman, he wasn't completely useless. He quickly caught a different scent and hurried to tell me with a smile, "What I mean is I need to go back and discuss this properly with my dad. Actually, The Brown Group's products are already a bit behind market demand, but out of respect, we can only keep being tolerant. If there's a better choice, in business, we should still focus on win-win situations."
He had quickly switched from being Gregory to being the young president of The Novagen Group.
My smile grew even brighter: "Now you're talking sense. Just like me, even though I know Mr. Brown and the others misunderstand me, business that benefits both sides still needs to be done. I've even said that if their company is really struggling, I don't mind helping them. If they really can't continue, I'm willing to pay a high price to acquire them. If they really don't appreciate it, there's nothing more I can do."
Gregory didn't notice anything inappropriate in my words. He'd even forgotten his original purpose for coming here, and said with a cheerful expression: "Would you mind if I toured the company?"
"Of course, you're welcome anytime." I also stood up with a smile. "Come on, I'll show you around."
Gregory stood up and, very gentlemanly, stepped forward to open my office door. I walked ahead, the corners of my mouth curling up bit by bit, revealing the satisfaction of a hunter watching prey walk step by step into a trap.