Chapter 423 A Solution
Just when the families were about to lose their patience and before they could approach the princess to break away from her venture, Sarah came to meet Candice as the representative of the Macrae family. Princess Candice had little to no impression of this Macrae family. After all, she was a princess and wouldn't bother about anyone other than the top family of a city. Since Elizabeth family far surpassed them in terms of status, the royals didn't pay attention to the only other family that could compete with the Elizabeth family in their city. It was only when the Princess heard that Sarah claimed to have the solution to her problems did the princess urged her servants to usher her into her study for a meeting. Sarah already knew that the princess wouldn't be able to turn her away once she heard her words. She had come prepared after all. While she waited for the princess to arrive, she marveled at Zach' foresight for being able to predict this kind of situation beforehand. At the same time, she was arranging her thoughts in her head in the order that she wanted so as to convey her meaning in the best possible manner. She wanted to leave a lasting impression on the princess. Of course, she didn't know that just the words she had sent through the servant were enough for the princess to remember her for a long time to come. The problem Sarah had claimed to have the solution for was like pulling out a thorn from the princess' side in the timeliest manner. There was no way the princess wouldn't have an impression of such a savior. While Sarah waited in the study, the Princess walked over to the study with her bodyguard in tow. Even though they were inside their residence, the guard still wasn't willing to leave her side as if the old man wasn't able to trust anyone even when living under the same roof. Candice didn't object to it either. She was used to the overprotectiveness of the bodyguard assigned to her by the royal family. It was not only an acknowledgement of her efforts but also showed how important her brother was to the empire as the next crown prince. Sarah was a capable businesswoman like Christina and wasn't fazed by the fact that she was about to meet the princess. She was even anticipating the princess' reaction to her claims. That way Sarah might even be able to gauge the extent of the problems the royal princess was facing. The conclusion would allow Sarah to determine what kind of conditions she could lay down in front of Candice in order to get her to pay the steepest price for being rid of the distribution problem of sugar. Pushing in both the doors simultaneously, Candice entered her study in a boisterous manner and her eyes stopped at the figure of Sarah who was in the process of standing up after hearing the doors open. Obviously, Sarah had to give due respect to the princess. Not to mention, even if her hostess hadn't' been the princess, she would have still offered the same courtesy. Candice didn't waste time with pleasantries as she wanted to get straight to the point. She had seen too many failures recently, merchants who refused to buy anything but tried their best to make acquaintance with her to further their gains. She didn't want to be disappointed once again. Sarah didn't mind her brusque manner. In fact, she appreciated it as she didn't want to have anything to do with the royal family if possible. "I have heard that you have a solution to one of the problems my business is facing. Is it safe for me to assume that you aren't suicidal, and you truly meant what you said? Or should I have you thrown out before you say anything that might harm you more than you already have. You still have a chance to save yourself. I suggest that you don't waste it." Candice sounded like she was too full of herself, but Sarah felt that she had the capital to do so considering the difference in both of their statuses. Sarah didn't take her threat seriously because she truly had the solution to all of Candice's problems. "Don't worry. I don't like wasting my time and that of others for no reason. I am a businesswoman and someone like me would never travel to the edge of empire just to play a prank on someone, let alone someone of your stature. It is of no benefit to me whatsoever." Sarah was expressionless as if she hadn't even registered Candice's threat. The princess found it interesting. It gave her some confidence that Sarah really meant to buy her stock. "So... what do you have in mind?" asked Princess Candice in a tone that suggested that she wouldn't mind it the least bit even if Sarah couldn't actually provide a reasonable solution. Being skilled in negotiation, Candice too knew that the moment she revealed the slightest weakness, the conditions would go up a notch. She might even end up playing right into the palm of Sarah. "I heard that the stock in your silos is still awaiting distribution. I intend to buy it off your hands. I wonder if that covers for a solution..." Princess Candice was enticed just like that. She had been losing sleep over the same issue for the past few days. The two families she had been using to run her sugar industry were slowly losing their trust in her. They were already thinking of breaking away from her just to cut their losses in time. Otherwise, they believed that the princess would leave them in ruins. While she would be able to return to the royal capital in a short while, they would be left penniless and powerless in Byzantium city where the two other giants would be able to swallow their families whole without even spitting out a single bone. "How much do you intend to buy?" This was the question that had been in her mind ever since Princess Candice heard of Sarah's intention to buy her excess stock. She could only put her worries to rest if Sarah had the intention of buying in bulk. Otherwise, it would be just another petty merchant trying to reap benefits from her while trying to establish a connection with her at the same time. "As much as you can spare." Sarah's answer was lightning fast. It was obvious that she was a decisive woman. Princess Candice immediately felt a liking for Sarah. She was just the kind of women she admired, decisive and heroic at the same time. Of course, her liking of Sarah stemmed from the fact that the latter was willing to take some of her burden off her shoulders. Princess Candice wanted to ask the reason as to why Sarah was willing to buy her stock while no other merchant dared to do so but then held herself back thinking that Sarah might change her mind after listening to her. "Should we discuss the price then?" Candice asked straightforwardly. "Let's. But before we do, let me make something clear. Although I want to buy your produce, I won't buy it at the market price. Your product has no market in the close vicinity. Otherwise, you wouldn't be in such dire straits. Fortunately, I have found a potential market in my home city. My family has a lot of influence there so it wouldn't be a problem for me to introduce the new product. However, the transportation cost is sky high. Since even you can't afford it, it is almost impossible for me." Sarah didn't state her condition outright. She was up against a princess so she had to operate a little tactfully so that the other party wouldn't take offense of her words. "So, what do you want from me then?" Although Candice had almost figured out what Sarah wanted, she wouldn't be so forthcoming as to help her complete her words. "I want the prices to be lower. Since I will be covering the transportation cost as well, I won't buy it on the market price or the wholesale rate. I want you to slash the prices by at least fifty percent." Sarah revealed her intentions only after she had built upon her reasoning. "Shouldn't I just give it to you for free then?" Princess was enraged at the audacity of the woman who was hoping to buy the sugar off her hands at half the price. "Princess Candice, I meant no offense. This is strictly business. Since the product in your hands is bound to waste away in the warehouse, selling it at half the price isn't a bad deal for you. On top of the price of the product, I am also covering for the tremendous transportation cost. It is still a losing deal for me. I hope you can consider my words sincerely." Princess Candice pondered her words, a fleeting discomfort evident in the furrowed lines on her forehead. The realization that Sarah was leveraging her current predicament unsettled her, but the princess found herself cornered with limited options. The distaste for the situation was palpable on her face, reflecting the internal struggle between her pride and the stark reality she faced. Without any alternative buyers in the market, Princess Candice found herself in a difficult position. Reluctantly, she had to accept Sarah's offer for her sugar. Despite the substantial loss incurred by settling for half the price, it was a pragmatic choice compared to the prospect of letting the entire stock go to waste.
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