“Me?” Ariel asked, confused.

    Maurice’s expression held a trace of awe. “We got word internally a couple of days ago. A few years back, Bluum Corp invested heavily in setting up apany in Broburn, Ulyndor. They have the production technique and supply chain ready. Apparently, it just went live this year. I’m just wondering if you could… handle the negotiations.”

    Ariel blinked in shock.

    Jayson had apany in Ulyndor? Why had he never mentioned such an important matter? He would have been working on it for years.

    Investing in such scarce material meant enormous future market share and profits. If sessful, he

    could bring it into Croinia and monopolize the market.

    He could dominate aerospace projects across multiple countries as well: It would be a long–term trend with practically limitless potential earnings. It could drive many investors wild.

    Such massive market potential wasn’t unknown, but starting research wasn’t easy. The initial investment alone would require hundreds of millions of dors, and the risks were enormous. Under the tech blockade, failure rates were unusually high. Any failure would cost a fortune, and the process would

    take years.

    The dangers were significant on all fronts. Few investors would dare to risk it, no matter the potential

    payoff. After all, the risk of loss was equally high.

    Hardly any investor would have the nerve to throw that much money into a niche tech material that the

    general market wouldn’t even touch.

    And on top of that, how had Jayson navigated all the approvals in Ulyndor?

    “Ms. Walker, would you be able to do that?” Maurice asked again.

    He was well aware that Jayson’spany was in Ulyndor. Should a partnership with Croinia form,

    Merinia might limit Jayson’s exports, resulting in some market loss.

    Negotiationsb–/bon partnership terms or pricing–would be necessary to secure the market.

    Ariel finally came back to her senses, her mind reeling.

    Jayson had been quietly pulling off something monumental.

    “I… I’ll try talking to him,” she said.

    If Croinia could lift this restriction, she would not just be happy but genuinely thrilled.

    b1/3 /b

    But she hadn’t expected Jayson to be the one opening the door, and there was no guarantee he would

    agree.

    Her answer eased the tension around the most critical part of the meeting.

    By the time it ended, Samson was still sitting there, his eyes downcast, lost in thought. Then a small smile appeared.

    “Mr. Larkin really is unpredictable. If we could secure a partnership with him, he could be a key figure in tech R&D, potentially gaining control over Croinia and parts of other countries. Bluum Corp might advance to the next level thanks to this single investment decision.”

    It was only the high barriers to entry that kept investors at bay. Otherwiseb, /bthey would be fighting tooth and nail. The potential profits were staggering, after all.

    Midway through, someone came for Samson. He gave Ariel a heads–up before stepping out.

    Ariel considered leaving too.

    Elsie looked at her while biting her lips and suddenly said, “Ariel, let’spete fairly, okay?”

    Whether it was about friendships with Samson or business.

    Ariel nced at her, realizing what this sudden challenge was all about.

    “No need. You can have him.”

    Elsie widened her eyes. “I don’t need your pity!” 2

    Ariel didn’t feel like arguing with her over this, so she turned and walked out.

    As for that jar of candies, she left it exactly where it was.

    After getting into her car, Ariel sat quietly, thinking. This matter was serious. Jayson was a businessman.

    Deals required finesse, and even the government couldn’t enforce things recklessly.

    After a moment, she decided to call Jayson.

    When Jayson picked up, Ariel paused, recalling Maurice’s words. After thinking it through, she asked, ”

    Are you free? Can we meet?”

    His voice was calm, but he couldn’t resist bringing up her old line. “Does your ‘no meeting or contact unless necessary‘ rule still applyb?/b”