Chapter 566 A proposal (2)
Lysa guided Erik through a set of frosted glass doors into her tastefully decorated office.
Some unnaturally large windows flooded the room with natural light, highlighting the contemporary furniture and the gleam of the polished wooden floor.
She motioned for Erik to sit across her broad mahogany desk. As he made himself comfortable, she took her own seat behind the piece of furniture.
"Mr. Kay," she started, her voice tinged with relief and caution, "it's not every day that someone offers a lifeline. So, I bet you understand how hard it is for me to trust your offer for help."
Erik nodded, acknowledging her point. "Life is full of surprises, Lysa. I'm here for a mutually beneficial arrangement, not to rip you off."
Her eyebrow arched in curiosity. "And what might this arrangement be?"
"As I said, I need some vehicles," Erik began, "Specifically, four large VANs capable of handling the weight of Thaids and rugged terrain."
Lysa reclined in her chair, her fingers interlocking thoughtfully. "I can provide the vehicles, but even given our circumstances, I can't just give them away with a huge discount."
Erik offered a knowing smile. "I wouldn't expect you to. The discount doesn't need to be much," he said, winking at the woman.
Lysa sighed; she was in a position where she was in desperate need of money. So, she directed Erik to a series of holographic displays showcasing the shop's inventory. "For your requirements, the Traxler V-12 Cyclone vans would be perfect. They're engineered by Aeon Dynamics Corporation," she said, pointing to a rotating hologram of a sleek, modern van. Their design was aggressive and elegant, with a matte gray finish that added a touch of sophistication.
"These vans come with adaptive suspensions, suitable for city driving and off-road conditions. They're also powered by hybrid hydrogen fuel cells, offering a range of over 5,000 kilometers between refueling," she elaborated, her voice tinged with a hint of pride.
"Additionally, they feature NanoSkin technology, a self-repairing technology that fixes the exterior and can mend minor damages within hours."
Erik moved closer to the display, scrutinizing the details. "Impressive. What about the interior?"
Lysa tapped a few commands, and the hologram split to reveal the van's spacious cargo area. "The interior is modular, allowing for customization based on your needs. The driver's cabin also has cutting-edge NaviTech AI navigation and robust anti-hacking security."
Erik nodded, clearly impressed. "It sounds like the right fit. What's the price tag?"
Lysa leaned against the console, her demeanor shifting to a more business-like tone. "Given the technology and capabilities, each Traxler V-12 Cyclone is priced at 180,000 Eurems, but I can offer them at 150,000; I can't go lower, though."
Erik pondered briefly. The price was high, but the vans offered good value for the money. "I'll take them," he said, nodding decisively. "But I have another request."
Lysa's eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued. "Do tell me."
"I need teams—two to be exact, each consisting of five individuals," Erik began cautiously, carefully choosing his words. "Their role would be similar to that of a Porter company."
Lysa looked at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and interest. It was clear that Erik's true goal was more than she had initially expected. Still, in a world of high stakes and unpredictable turns, it was an offer that held the promise of changing their fortunes.
And so, in that well-lit office, two savvy business minds prepared to strike a deal that could redefine their respective paths.
Lysa appeared thoughtful. "It's doable. Do you have any specific qualifications in mind for the team members?"
"I'd prefer someone with experience in this line of work to lead," Erik replied, "but it's not a strict requirement for everyone. I just need a leader who can provide directions to the others."
The atmosphere in Lysa's office was electric with the tension of pending deals. Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting a pattern of light and shadow on the polished desk that separated them. Erik leaned in, his elbows on the table, the overhead lights glinting off his iconic mask.
Breaking the momentary silence, Lysa asked, "So, where should we deliver the vehicles?"
Erik hesitated, his eyes briefly wandering to the view beyond the window. "I haven't secured a location yet," he admitted, a tinge of self-directed irritation in his voice.
Lysa's eyebrow shot up, clearly surprised. "You're diving into this considerable investment without a parking space lined up?"
Erik met her gaze unflinchingly and nodded.
Lysa leaned back, reassessing Erik. "Fascinating and yet stupid," she mused, primarily to herself. Erik's candid admission had subtly shifted her view of him. The conversation hung in the balance, with each party contemplating their next move. After a moment, Lysa spoke again.
"Erik, if you don't have a place for these vehicles, how about a different arrangement?"
Erik's eyebrow arched in curiosity. "I'm listening."
"We have plenty of space here," she said, gesturing broadly to her expansive facility. "You could keep the vehicles on our property. In exchange, you could sell the Thaids' bodies directly to us."
Erik paused, weighing the unexpected offer. It was a mutually beneficial proposal. Selling directly to Lysa would cut out the middleman and associated costs. But he needed to clarify the terms.
"And the rate you'd offer for these bodies?" he asked cautiously.
Lysa leaned in, her eyes meeting Erik's. "Market price. It's a fair deal. Once we have the bodies, we'll handle all the logistics and details. You just need to ensure a steady supply."
Erik pondered the offer. A direct deal with Lysa would bypass the Porter Company and their 10% fee, a significant saving. At the same time, Lysa would acquire a new supply chain to boost her company.
<But I still have to pay the drivers,> Erik thought. <Having my own team would reduce costs over time. Instead of paying a third-party service, I'd have fixed salaries for my drivers. Plus, given our arrangement, the vehicles wouldn't need to travel far, saving on fuel and reducing wear and tear. The entire operation could be streamlined; the handoff would happen right here.>
The more Erik thought about it, the more appealing the idea became. He leaned back, taking a deep breath.
The offer was too good to pass up. It could be the key to expanding his operations and making them more efficient and profitable. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"In that case, Lysa. We have a deal."
Lysa beamed with happiness, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and a triumphant smile spread across Lysa's face. "You won't regret you did this, Mr. Kay."
With a solid shake of hands, they sealed their new relationship, and Erik couldn't help but think of the life-changing potential of their collaboration.
Yet, A small, persistent voice in his head cautioned him to proceed carefully. Alliances in his field were as likely to break as a pane of glass, no matter how promising they initially seemed. People were like this, after all.
Foll𝑜w current novels on fre(e)w𝒆bnovel