CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 174: CONTRACTING EASTMINSTER MOUNTAIN

"You’re not willing to do this?" Oliver Johnson was an impatient man. He interrupted Sienna Johnson before she could finish speaking.

Sienna remained calm and composed, speaking eloquently, "Cousin, although I am just a woman, I keep my word. Since I said I would return Eastminster Mountain to you, I will. However, as Uncle just said, we are all family. My father recently passed away, and I’ve only just taken over the Eastminster Group... Considering we’re all Johnsons, you should help me out, shouldn’t you?"

"..."

"Uncle, what do you think?" Sienna adopted the posture of a junior, leaning forward slightly, her smiling eyes full of trust as she looked at Dave Johnson.

Dave Johnson looked at the young woman before him and finally nodded. "What do you want?"

"I want to lease Eastminster Mountain!"

Everyone was stunned. They hadn’t expected Sienna to want to lease Eastminster Mountain. They exchanged glances, not knowing what to do.

They had come to reclaim Eastminster Mountain, and Sienna had readily agreed to return it. Now, she was sincerely asking to lease Eastminster Mountain; refusing her would seem unreasonable.

"Don’t worry, everyone. Business is business. Since I plan to lease Eastminster Mountain, I naturally won’t let you lose out. I’ve recently reviewed Eastminster Mountain’s production. After deducting labor and maintenance costs, the profit from its medicinal herbs is around four to six hundred thousand. I’ll cover the labor costs myself, so you won’t have to manage anything. I’ll lease Eastminster Mountain for one year at a rent of 750 thousand dollars. What do you think?"

Dave Johnson wore a solemn expression. Oliver, beside him, looked smug and clearly interested. Derek Johnson, on the other side, also nodded.

Sienna simply lifted her cup and took a slow sip, not rushing them, allowing them time to consider.

After a moment, Dave Johnson said, "An annual rent of 750 thousand dollars is too low."

Sienna didn’t respond, but Kathryn’s eyes widened in shock. An annual rent of 750 thousand dollars was definitely not a small sum. Dave Johnson still claimed it wasn’t enough. Could Eastminster Mountain truly be hiding a treasure?

"Indeed, it’s too low," Derek Johnson chimed in. "Cousin Sienna has never managed a business, so she naturally doesn’t understand. In recent years, the cost of medicinal materials has skyrocketed. Plus, the Government has implemented public benefit initiatives, which prevent drug prices from being too high. Our pharmaceutical factory is finding it increasingly difficult to operate. That’s why we wanted to reclaim Eastminster Mountain. Its annual output of medicinal herbs is enough to supply ten large pharmaceutical factories... The profit, even without detailed calculation, is astounding..."

"Yes, yes, it’s too low..." Oliver, hearing this, also disagreed with Sienna’s price.

Sienna sneered inwardly. Did they really think she was clueless? It’s the farmers who grow the crops that don’t make money; the profit goes to the middlemen, the wholesalers, and the companies that can process agricultural products into refined goods.

Fourth Uncle Roland Johnson had remained silent, so Sienna directly asked Dave Johnson, "Uncle, what do you consider a suitable rent?"

Dave Johnson snorted coldly, making an outrageous demand, "It has to be at least 1.5 million dollars!"

Dave Johnson shamelessly quoted this exorbitant figure. Sienna merely raised an eyebrow, but Kathryn was fuming.

1.5 million? Why don’t they just ask for even more?!

The Old Madam merely smiled faintly, then gently sipped her tea, appearing completely unconcerned.

Sienna maintained a calm exterior, but inwardly she was furious. If she weren’t unsure about how those few difficult-to-cultivate medicinal herbs would grow in Blackwood, she wouldn’t be letting them extort her like this.

Derek’s mother, Monica Faber, spoke up, "We discussed this before coming. We know Dexter just passed away, and it hasn’t been easy for you, an orphan, and your widowed mother. As Sienna said earlier, we’re all Johnsons; the same blood flows in our veins. Sienna’s determination to carry on her father’s legacy is truly commendable. However, we also have our own livelihoods to consider, and we truly can’t absorb too great a loss..."

"I understand you also need to make a living, but an annual rent of 1.5 million dollars is too much. I can’t afford such a high price. You are all my elders. Please, try to be more understanding and give me some support..."

No one responded to Sienna.

Not wanting the stalemate to continue, Sienna calmly addressed Dave Johnson, who held the most sway. She knew they had been tempted by her initial offer, yet they countered with much harsher terms, demanding a steep 1.5 million dollars. What were they really after?

"Since Sienna will need people to help manage the company, let Derek and Oliver go assist her..." Dave Johnson took a sip of tea, moistening his throat.

So, their plan was to place their own people in the company. Of course, Sienna wouldn’t agree. Leaving aside Derek and Oliver’s capabilities, their very connection to this branch of the Johnson family was reason enough to refuse. If she conceded, wouldn’t that be like inviting wolves into her house?

"Uncle, 1.5 million dollars is really too much. How about I add another 150 thousand, making it 900 thousand dollars per year?" Sienna didn’t address his suggestion about Derek and Oliver joining the company.

"900 thousand is still too little! It has to be 1.5 million! If you don’t agree, I won’t lease it to you," Oliver Johnson said bluntly.

"Since you’re all demanding such an exorbitant price," Sienna said, "then I suppose I won’t lease it after all."

"Not lease it? Why not?" Oliver exclaimed. He had been counting on that 1.5 million dollar annual rent. "That’s almost the entire annual profit of our Archbright Pharmaceutical Company!"

Sienna smiled. "Because it’s too expensive, of course. Making money isn’t easy these days. My father entrusted the family business to me. I can’t very well run it into the ground, can I?"

Roland Johnson, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, "What are you all doing? Dexter always used Eastminster Mountain. Even if we intend to take it back, there’s no need to be so hasty. Since Sienna wants to lease it, then let her."

Sienna couldn’t help but glance at Roland Johnson. He appeared much younger than Dave Johnson and also managed a pharmaceutical factory. He was a renowned doctor, skilled in both traditional and modern medicine. Roland Johnson had even developed a highly effective asthma medication that was selling very well.

"I’ll add another 150 thousand dollars, for a total of 900 thousand per year. If you agree, we can sign the contract now. If not, then let’s forget it."

If it came down to it, she could simply halt production of those particular medicines for a time.

Ultimately, they reached an agreement: Sienna Johnson would lease Eastminster Mountain for an annual rent of 900 thousand dollars.

Dave Johnson and the others took the lease agreement and left without even staying for the meal. The living room, bustling just moments before, suddenly fell silent.

The Old Madam looked at Sienna and said only, "The rent is too high."

"It’s only for one year."

"Oh?" The Old Madam regarded her with interest, waiting for her to elaborate.