Chapter 9: Plans 2

The next day, they both woke up feeling refreshed. The combination of a healing potion, a blood regenerating potion, and two cubes of blood and bone soup worked just as Zeke had hoped they would. 

Their bodies were in dire need of blood when they were done with the process last night. Such dire need had even awakened their two bloodlines just enough to help the body recuperate. The blood and bone soup cubes were like pieces of A5 wagyu steak in front of two starving beasts.

This allowed the bloodlines to fuse a minuscule amount of mana in their blood. They still wouldn't be able to wield mana before unlocking the System, but it would accelerate their development a lot.

Then the blood regenerating potion helped them in generating their Neo-Human blood, forcing the bloodlines back into dormancy. The healing potion first focused on the wound on their wrists and then healed the body of any hidden injuries that could have formed during the procedure.

They went to the gym, only to find Alexi exercising again. Alexi on the other hand, was surprised to see the boys so energetic even after losing so much of their blood the night before. He had talked with Katherine after the boys had fallen asleep and knew that in two days, they would do it again. He was relieved to see them all recovered. 

He started their training and discovered that their endurance had increased a little. Even then, they still needed a healing potion after they were done. 

It was a Saturday so they had no school today. Chris had invited them both to his house for a sleepover but Zeke declined so only Cass went. This worked in Zeke's favour because Katherine had told him that she needed to talk to him and Alexi regarding Nephilim Pharmaceuticals. 

After Alexi dropped Cass at Chris's house and returned home, the three of them sat down in the living room.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Alexi asked. 

" I discovered a big loophole in our plan."

"What loophole?" 

"Even if we control all the Azure Grass available, nothing is stopping the military from growing more. And not just Azure Grass. The military can easily grow any other low-level herb rendering our plans useless."

"Shit, what do we do now?"

"We change Azure Grass with Violet Grass." Zeke said. 

"Violet Grass? What is that?"

"It's genetically engineered Azure Grass. In simpler terms, it is Azure Grass on permanent steroids. If one didn't know about the effects of Azure Grass, nobody would link them together. And the best part is that-"

"- it would be considered intellectual property therefore we can get a patent for it." Katherine finished Zeke's sentence with glee evident in her voice. 

"Correct. So you can acquire all the Azure Grass plantations you find."

She then told Zeke what she and Alexi had discussed about the cosmetics company. (refer to ch6 in case you forgot). 

"That's perfect. And it allows us to cover our tracks for some time."

"How so?"

"Do not buy the plantations. Give the money to the owner of that cosmetics company and ask him to buy the plantations. Then after some time, buy the company with all the plantations. It will create doubt if this was our plan or dumb luck."

Then Katherine said, "There is another problem."

"What?"

"We're short on funds."

"Huh? How?"

"If we buy all the plantations and the cosmetics company, we will only have 50 million credits left instead of 100 million."

"...Oh"

"Yeah...Any ideas?"

"What about our inheritance? I'm pretty sure that there are around 400 million credits in that inheritance."

"I am not touching a single credit of that inheritance. When you and Cass become adults, you can do whatever you guys want with it. But I will not touch that money."

"She's right. That is something Magnus and Isabelle left for the both of you. There will be no further arguments on this topic. We'll figure something else out."

"But-"

"No arguments."

"Alright, but when do we leave? I am assuming that we will be conducting negotiations in person." Zeke asked.

"We can leave today. It takes around two hours to get there by train. I'll arrange a meeting with him for tomorrow." 

"Let's do this. Uncle Alexi can stay here for emergencies."

Alexi was glad that he could stay behind. Business meetings bored him. He was more than happy to play the role of an investor who was only in it for the money. Of course, he wasn't in it for the money, but who doesn't love wealth?

He said, "Zeke is right. I'll stay at home. You guys go and make us some money."

Zeke said, "I'll go and pack."

Then he saw Katherine observing him up and down. 

"What? Is something wrong?"

"Not really but if you are going to be a 'Young Master', you need to look the part. Come on, we're going shopping."

"What 'Young Master'?"

"On paper Alexi and I are the owners of the company, and you along with Cass are my godsons. Unless you want to reveal that you are the brains of this company, you will be a 'Young Master' of a multi-million credit company.

Scratch that, even if you do reveal it, it doesn't change the fact that you are my godson. So, I guess you are stuck with it. Now get ready, we're going shopping."

Zeke muttered, "I'm already hating this..."

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing."

"That's what I thought."

Then they went to the mall. First, Katherine took him to a barber. He got a nice haircut but the problem was that he was attracting too much attention. Zeke was a person who liked keeping a low profile.

At least ten talent agencies tried scouting him, and that wasn't even the worst part. Katherine made him try hundreds of outfits. He just wanted this to be over. 

After three hours, Katherine was satisfied with the clothes she had bought for Zeke. This was fun. She decided that she would also take Cass shopping like this. 

At Chris's house, Cass suddenly shivered. Chris asked, "Hey man, you okay? I can increase the temperature if you want."

"No, it's fine. I just suddenly had a bad feeling."

"Bad feeling? Like what?"

"Like a monster is out to get me. It's probably nothing."

"Yeah, it probably isn't. Let's continue the game."

At that time, Cass did not know how wrong he had been. But that's a story for later. 

Back at the mall, Zeke was utterly exhausted. He would rather train with Alexi twice a day in place of ever going shopping with Katherine again. They returned home and packed their bags. 

They booked tickets for the train and left for the station. They reached the station, and they waited for their train to arrive. Half an hour later, the train arrived and they boarded it. 

The ride wasn't anything special. They discussed their demands for the negotiation. After they reached their destination, they got off the train and headed to their hotel. 

They rested for the day. The next morning they had breakfast at a small cafe nearby. The meeting was supposed to take place at noon at the company's headquarters. They got ready and were looking classy.

Katherine had styled her deep red hair in a waterfall braid. She was wearing a black dress and had put on very light make-up. She wore a pearl necklace, diamond earrings and red stilettos. 

Zeke had slicked back hair. He was wearing a royal blue three-piece suit with a white shirt but later decided to ditch the coat and fold the sleeves. He was wearing an expensive-looking watch and shiny black formal shoes.

They took a cab to the company. They arrived at the headquarters of the company and a young man resembling a butler was waiting for them.

"Lady Katherine, I presume."

"Yes."

"And the Young Master..."

"He is my godson, Ezekiel."

"Will Young Master Ezekiel be attending the meeting?"

"Yes, he will."

"I understand. The Master is waiting for you in his office."

He then escorted them to the office and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Albert, Master. I'm here with Lady Katherine and Young Master Ezekiel."

"Come in."

They entered the study and saw a middle-aged man sitting on a sofa. 

"Thank you, Albert. You are excused."

Albert gave a small bow and left the room. He closed the door on his way out. 

"My name is Alessio de Luca, the owner of Azure Beauty Cosmetics."

"Hello Mr De-"

"Please, call me Alessio."

"Right, hello Alessio. I am Katherine and this is my godson, Ezekiel. We wanted to meet with you because we heard that you were interested in selling your company."

"Straight to business. I like it. You are correct. I am interested in selling this company. I assume you know about my conditions?"

"Yes, we do. And we accept them. But we also have a few conditions of our own. First, we want you to buy all the Azure Grass plantations. We will provide the funds for that.

Second, all employees, even the janitors, must make a System Oath to not reveal the company's secrets. Nothing special, just the standard ones for pharmaceutical companies."

Alessio was a smart man. His grandfather had built this company when the uses of Azure Grass were recently discovered. But by the time of his death, there were many better products on the market.

His father was a stubborn man and wanted to continue his grandfather's legacy. He didn't sell the company when he should have and eventually, the company stopped producing any profits. 

When he finally succeeded his father, the first decision he made was to sell the company. He added the condition for the employees because many of them were working here from his grandfather's time and he felt a sense of responsibility towards them. 

But he was confused. Why was someone so interested in Azure Grass? Did someone discover a new use for it? And was it a game changer so big that they wanted to control all the Azure Grass in the market? As he thought about this, a plan gradually formed in his mind.

"These conditions, are they non-negotiable?"

"Yes."

"Then I accept. Now let's discuss the price."

"We are willing to pay you 350 million credits."

"350 million for everything? I know that there are ten other plantations that I would have to buy to fulfil your condition. The price for a single plantation would be around 20 million. So according to that, you want to pay 300 million for all the plantations and 50 million for the rest of the company? No deal."

"Do you have a counteroffer?"

"Yes. 400 million for everything."

"What about 37-"

"Or, 275 million credits and shares of your company. 20%"

Katherine was shocked by the offer but didn't let it show on her face.

"Why do you want shares in our company?"

"Call it a businessman's hunch. So, do we have a deal?"

"I have a counteroffer. 250 million and 10% shares. And there is a condition. You will remain the sole owner of these shares until you die. It's either this or, 375 million for everything. Your choice."

Alessio wanted to take the 375 million but he had a gut feeling that he would be missing out a lot if he did that. 

"You drive a very hard bargain, Katherine. I choose the 250 million and the 10% shares. Just one thing, I want to have the choice to transfer those shares to my daughter should I ever wish to do that. Of course, she will remain the sole owner of the shares under her name."

Katherine smiled and replied, "Deal."

They talked over some finer details. They used a Soul Contract to sign the deal. After they were done Alessio and Katherine shook hands

"Welcome to Nephilim Pharmaceuticals. You will not regret your choice."

"I sure hope so."

After that, Katherine and Zeke left and returned home.

Time flowed like water and soon two years passed. 

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Author's Note:

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