Chapter 19

"Make friends? Are you kidding me?"

Charlotte scoffed, "You bribed my staff, stole my formula, made a crappy knockoff to mess with uas in the market, and then had the nerve to trash our brand online."

She added, "You even teamed up with the media to shut us up. Do you really want to make friends with us?"

Charlotte didn't hold back her anger.

She'd heard of Lucas before. Climbing to the top position in a large multinational company was indeed impressive.

But so what? Anyone who messed with her was in for a fight.

Lucas looked a bit surprised, then smiled warmly.

"Since you're so straightforward, I'll cut to the chase. Ouar EX Company wants to buy your company. We think 'Crush' has huge potential. With your formula and our industry clout, we can take it global."

Charlotte saw the excítement in his eyes but felt a twinge of sadness and anger.

She asked sarcastically, "Since EX Company set up shop in Starland, how many local brands have you crushed? Even you probably can't keep track." Charlotte's tone was firm, "Fair competition is fine, but your dirty tricks are disgusting. I've heard your company hasa solid foundation, but did you build it all on such shady tactics?" Charlotte finished and chuckled.

Her words pissed Lucas off; his face went cold, and his brows furrowed.

"Ms. Russell, that's not funny. If I wanted to, I could sue you for defaming my company."

Charlotte almost wanted to applaud his shamelessness.

"The villain sues first, huh? That's a new one."

"Ms. Russell, I was hoping for a win-win, but it seems there's nothing to discuss."

Lucas stood up.

He smiled maliciously, "I didn't expect a company started by two women with no connections to hold out against us this long, but I hope you consider my offer. Join our R&D team, and I'll let bygones be bygones.Otherwise..."

Charlotte squinted at his blatant threat.

"What if I say no?”

She knew EX Company hadn't crushed them yet and was still negotiating to get her real perfuming skills. What good was the formula without her skills? They couldn't replicate Crush' completely."Ms. Russell, a wise person knows when to yield. Don't be stubborn. This time I'm negotiating, but next time I won't be so gentle." "Is that so? Then I'll be waiting." Charlotte's competitive spirit was ignited. Before coming, Charlotte had hoped money could settle things. After all,she'd saved quite a bit over the years.

But she didn't expect EX Company to be so slimy.

Charlotte left EX Company, feeling a lump in her chest.

For small businesses like hers,getting started was tough as nails.

It had been a real struggle for her and Taylor to get the company to where it was.

But even being super careful, they still couldn't dodge the dirty tricks of their competitors.

Charlotte told Taylor about the failed negotiation with EX Company.

Taylor wasn't surprised at all, just quickly comforted Charlotte before diving back into factory matters.

There had been a few inspections before,but they were just routine checks.

This time was different. Those inspectors had already checked the factory three times and still wouldn't leave.

Charlotte felt even more frustrated after the call ended.

This time, no matter the cost, she was going to stand up to EX Company and not back down an inch! And now, the online slander against JXL Company was at an all-time high.If it kept up, it would cause even more damage. So what Charlotte needed to do now was to deal with the media slander as quickly as possible. She thought for a moment and called Frederick's secretary to find out where he was.

Knowing that Frederick was at the company, she felt relieved.

She really didn't want to go back to the villa or see Serena.

But things ddn't go as she wished.

When Charlotte took the elevator to the top floor of the Percy Group,she immediately saw Serena's face.

Serena still looked pale and frail, like a gust of wind could blow her away.

And Serena's expression changed instantly when she saw Charlotte.

The secretary who brought Charlotte up quickly explained,"Mr. Percy is in a meeting. Ms. Brown is here to deliver food to him. Mrs. Percy,please wait a moment."

"Got it." Charlotte nodded to the secretary.

Serena was displeased with the secretary's words. She furrowed her brows and rudely scolded the secretary, "You're stil calling her Mrs. Percy? Don't you know Frederick dumped her? If you want to get fired, I can just tell Frederick!"

Serena's chest heaved with anger; she couldn't stand a mere secretary ignoring her. "You can go now; leave it to mne." Charlotte stepped in front of the secretary, letting her leave first. The secretary gratefully nodded to Charlotte and then left Frederick's office. Serena immediately shouted, "Hey! Did I tell you to leave? Come back here!"

Seeing her furious state, Charlotte sneered, "You sure know hów to throw a fit. Guess that illness of yours is all cleared up,huh?"

"Don't talk nonsense."

Serena's arrogance immediately faded, but she still insisted,"It's because of people like her that my illness hasn't improved."

After saying that, she looked at Charlotte warily and asked unhappily,"What are you here for? Youa saw it before; Frederick is with me now.Please don't bother us."

Charlotte sneered and shook her head, "So. I'm shameless for bothering you and Frederick? Then what were you when you meddled with us when I wvas with him?"