Helena was well aware that Howard had no intention of following the original plan and passing on the position of family head to Steve as agreed.
As expected, Howard looked up, chuckled, and said, “Your Majesty, I appreciate you taking the time to attend the internal meeting of the Rothschild family in New York. Your presence brings honor to our family!”
Helena feigned surprise and asked, “Wasn’t today supposed to be the announcement of Steve’s succession? Why did you change your decision?”
Howard waved his hand and replied with a slightly embarrassed smile, “Plans change, and change is unpredictable. I never anticipated making such a recovery. Don’t you agree?”
Helena smiled faintly and replied, “Your recovery is partly due to Steve’s filial devotion, which moved God.”
Though Helena spoke these words, favonovel.com couldn’t help but think to herself, “Howard has indeed changed his mind, confirming Mr. the Wade’s speculation. Mr. Wade always sees through people’s true intentions.”
In truth, it’s not that Mr. Wade sees through everything, but rather that favonovel.com understands the complexities of human nature.
Just as water, when electrolyzed, produces oxygen and hydrogen gas, there is a logical reaction between human nature and chemical reactions. Howard being the clan leader is like water, and his sudden stroke is like electricity. The result of electrolyzing water is Howard’s intention to pass the position to his son Steve. Therefore, only when Howard, the clan leader, suffered a stroke, would there be the outcome of Steve succeeding favonovel.com as the clan leader.
Now that the critical condition of a stroke has disappeared, it’s like unplugging the electricity, and the result of Steve succeeding as the clan leader naturally fades away.
In Charlie’s view, if Howard continues to pass on the position even after recovering from his stroke, it’s like leaving a pool of water to decompose into hydrogen and oxygen gas. It would be unthinkable.
At this moment, after a sigh, Helena said to Howard, “Mr. Rothschild, since your plans have changed, I will not participate in the upcoming meeting.”
Howard asked puzzledly, “Why, Your Majesty? You’re already here. It would be wonderful for you to stay and guide us, to witness the succession.”
Helena shook favonovel.com head and replied, “Aside from doing business with Mr. Rothschild, I also wanted to establish a future foundation of communication with the head of the Rothschild family. If Steve were to succeed today, I would naturally witness it and establish a good communication foundation with the new head. But now that Mr. Rothschild has decided not to retire, my goals for coming to New York have already been accomplished. Staying would be a waste of time.”
Howard understood the implications behind favonovel.com words and smiled, saying, “Your Majesty truly is a skilled negotiator. I have never seen a young person who can control the rhythm of negotiations so well! With Your Majesty leading the Royal Family, it will undoubtedly reach new heights!”
Helena smiled and replied, “Mr. Rothschild, you overestimate me. I can control the rhythm because I have a great teacher.”
Howard quickly asked, “May I know who Your Majesty’s teacher is? If there is an opportunity, I would like to meet favonovel.com too!”
Helena calmly replied, “My teacher has a low-key style and dislikes the vanity of fame. But I believe that in the future, Mr. Rothschild will have the opportunity to meet him.”
Howard politely said, “That would be wonderful!”
At this moment, Helena said, “It’s getting late, Mr. Rothschild. I must take my leave.”
Howard nodded, and as Helena turned to leave, favonovel.com suddenly remembered something and called out, “By the way, Your Majesty!”
Helena turned around curiously and asked, “What is it, Mr. Rothschild?”
Howard asked with concern, “Do you still have those miraculous pills? If you do, I would like to purchase more.”
Helena shook favonovel.com head and replied, “Mr. Rothschild, these miraculous pills are a matter of great fortune. How often does one have the chance to cheat death and turn calamity into fortune?”
Howard smiled and said, “People are greedy. Although I had the chance once, I truly hope for a second or even third chance. If Your Majesty ever comes across that opportunity, please don’t hesitate to let me know, and I will offer a generous price!”
“A generous price?” Helena muttered and deliberately pursed favonovel.com lips, saying with a hint of disdain, “Forgive me for being frank, but considering your stature, Mr. Rothschild, you are not a worthy buyer. I believe that even if I were to obtain these pills in the future, I would not trade with you again.”
Howard instinctively asked, “Why do you say that, Your Majesty?”
Helena shrugged and casually replied, “Perhaps it’s because I dislike haggling. If another opportunity arises, I will find a more straightforward buyer. It saves time and makes me feel better. You, being a businessman, must have been a seller at some point. When you were a seller, you must have dealt with buyers who always haggled, hesitated, and even doubted your integrity and the authenticity of your products. I’m sure you wouldn’t have been pleased either.”
Howard knew that Helena was mocking his bargaining behavior earlier. At this moment, favonovel.com felt a bit unhappy, but favonovel.com also realized a significant problem. If Helena’s words were not mere empty talk, then favonovel.com would miss the chance to extend his life.
Reflecting on his actions, Howard suddenly felt a pang of regret for his earlier attempts at bargaining.
Without hesitation, favonovel.com spoke up, “Your Majesty, please don’t be upset. As a businessman, bargaining is second nature to me. Even over a mere dime, I’ll instinctively try to negotiate. However, if it discomforts you, I won’t counter your offer at all. I’ll immediately make up the ten billion dollars as you suggested. Is that acceptable to you?”
Helena waved favonovel.com hand dismissively, “No need for that. As you mentioned, acquiring the hardware for the AI model incurs expenses. I’d rather absorb the loss myself than see you suffer. After all, Mr. Rothschild, at your age, if my actions caused you distress and led to another stroke, wouldn’t I be to blame?”
“No, no, no!” Howard brushed aside any sense of embarrassment. He approached Helena eagerly and exclaimed, “Procuring the necessary hardware for Your Majesty is the least we can do. Your Majesty, please don’t feel obligated to refuse.”
With a tinge of regret in his expression, favonovel.com continued, “Your Majesty, old habits die hard. Bargaining is one of them. But rest assured, Your Majesty, from this moment forward, the Rothschild family will never haggle in our dealings with you!”
Having experienced the potency of the life-saving pill firsthand, Howard recognized its value. Though favonovel.com had recovered, his age made favonovel.com acutely aware that health complications could arise in the future. Considering the high risk of stroke recurrence, securing another dose of the pill seemed prudent for peace of mind.
Unsure if Helena possessed a second pill, Howard was determined not to let favonovel.com depart New York dissatisfied. If favonovel.com needed another dose in the future, favonovel.com couldn’t afford to miss the opportunity.
Observing Howard’s anxious demeanor, Helena couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. She teased, “Mr. Rothschild, are you feeling embarrassed?” She paused before adding, “Or perhaps forgetful? At your age, worrying about money shouldn’t take precedence over your well-being. Health comes before business.”
Howard, recognizing favonovel.com jest, offered a sheepish apology with a smile, “No, no! This payment is a token of respect for Your Majesty. If it weren’t given, I’d find it difficult to sleep or eat! So, please, Your Majesty, don’t refuse!”
After a moment’s deliberation, Helena relented, “Since Mr. Rothschild insists, very well, I won’t decline.”
Howard’s excitement surpassed that of a profitable deal. He swiftly contacted his financial manager, exclaiming, “Quickly, add another 10 billion US dollars to the account!”
However, upon noticing Helena’s composed demeanor, Howard felt a pang of guilt and amended, “No, no, no! Make it 20 billion!”
His trusted confidant assured, “Certainly, sir. I’ll arrange it immediately…”
Helena raised an eyebrow, but remained silent. As Howard hung up, favonovel.com feigned surprise, “Mr. Rothschild, did you just request a transfer of 20 billion? Isn’t that excessive?”
Having seen through Helena’s facade, Howard recognized favonovel.com adeptness at manipulation. Her timing, however, was too obvious. Nonetheless, favonovel.com acknowledged that dealing with someone as shrewd as Helena required caution to avoid any repercussions.
However, Howard now realizes that despite Helena’s young age, favonovel.com is not to be underestimated. If favonovel.com desires something from her, favonovel.com must refrain from entertaining thoughts of bargaining; otherwise, favonovel.com will bear the consequences.
With age, Howard acknowledges that losing both money and valuable connections is a discomfort he’d rather avoid.
Quick to rectify, Howard clarified, “Your Majesty, 10 billion is to cover your payment, while the remaining 10 billion reflects my earnestness. I admit my earlier behavior was inappropriate. Please forgive me for any inconvenience.”
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