Chapter 26: She Couldn't Wait Any Longer

"2%?!" Michael was suddenly taken aback. "Didn't we already settle this before? Now that we're about to sign the contract, why are you suddenly raising the price?" Seeing his surprised expression, Stella crossed her legs leisurely and spoke casually, "Indeed, we agreed before. However, this year, the prices in the herbal market have generally increased. If we stick to the originally agreed-upon price in signing the contract with you, we'll be at a considerable loss. I hope I am understood." Michael's expression slightly hardened after hearing the righteous and dignified statement, and he frowned, about to say something, but Chloe stopped him. She turned to Stella and said, "I think you suddenly want to raise the price because you saw me, right? I'm also well aware of the herbal market prices. If you want to negotiate a price increase, we can discuss it, but raising it by 2% at once is simply unreasonable." Chloe intended to handle business affairs professionally, but Stella tried to make things difficult. Chloe saw no reason to tolerate it. Upon hearing this, Stella frowned displeasedly and retorted coldly, "Regardless of the reasons, this is the current pricing. If you find it unacceptable, it marks the conclusion of our collaboration." Chloe calmly replied, "In that case, let's consider today as a wasted trip. A company like your company, which is inconsistent with its words, even if we cooperate, we won't feel at ease." After saying this, Chloe stood up and turned to Michael, saying, "Time to leave." Michael nodded, and the two of them left the coffee shop together. "Is there some grudge between you and Stella?" Michael couldn't help but ask once they were outside. During the cooperation discussion earlier, he could clearly sense Stella's hostility towards Chloe. Chloe didn't want to dwell on the past and replied briefly, "Sort of." Seeing that she didn't want to elaborate, Michael didn't press further. Instead, he shifted the conversation to the matter of the herbal merchant, saying, "If we're not going to collaborate with Winthrop Group, we'll have to find another supplier." Chloe nodded, "Then let's find one. Phoenix is large, and aside from Winthrop Group, there must be other herbal merchants willing to cooperate with us." "Indeed." Michael smiled and nodded. Rather than finding another herbal merchant, he preferred not to see Chloe being targeted. In the coffee shop, after Chloe left, Stella's face was filled with coldness. She ordered Matthew in a cold tone, "Immediately go and greet all the herbal merchants in Phoenix. Any of them who dares to cooperate with BioMed Innovations Institute will be considered an enemy to Winthrop Group!" Matthew didn't know what grudge his boss had with the Dr. Stanhope from earlier. However, he could clearly feel the oppressive atmosphere around her since she saw that Dr. Stanhope. Now, hearing Stella's tone, he shivered and dared not delay. He promptly responded, "Yes, I'll take care of it right away." After speaking, he stood up and left. For a moment, Stella was left alone in the coffee shop. Thinking about Quintus's attitude in the morning and the sharp aura emitted by Chloe just now, she felt a sense of panic. Regardless of whether Quintus refused her because of Chloe, there was indeed a period of marriage between them. She couldn't be sure of Quintus's attitude towards that woman. If this continued, she couldn't imagine what kind of changes might occur. She couldn't wait any longer! In Ellington Group. "Sir, I've gathered information about the man who was with Miss Stanhope last night." Coming in from outside, Hudson stood respectfully in front of Quintus.