Chapter 74
Dexter sat back at his desk, powered up his computer, and signaled John to take a look. Seeing the email, John looked at Dexter with admiration. “Good job, Mr. Whitaker. The price is so low!” Dexter nodded, accepting the compliment.
Early Tuesday morning, Aurora arrived at Giles’ office. Giles smiled. “Take a look, Ms. Whitaker.” Aurora took the report, turning to the final page. Seeing the percentage, she smiled with satisfaction. It mirrored the laboratory data.
Giles, having read the report, showed surprise. “Ms. Whitaker, we can definitely win the business today.” He hadn’t expected the medicine to be so effective. Aurora glanced at her watch. “It’s almost time. Let’s go to the conference room.”
After they sat down, to ease Aurora’s nervousness, Giles made small talk. “It’s rare to see you so formally dressed.” Aurora, in a suit with her hair up, looked very capable. She smiled. “We’re discussing business; it’s naturally different from usual.”
A knock came at the door. The secretary ushered Dexter and John into the conference room. Seeing them, Aurora was stunned. Dexter, thinking he’d mistaken someone, glanced at John, who nodded. Dexter was surprised.
Giles, unaware of their prior meeting, stood to introduce himself. “Mr. Whitaker, I’m Giles Hansen, general manager of Sunrise Pharmaceuticals, and this is—” Dexter raised a hand, interrupting. Looking down momentarily to mask his displeasure, he then looked up with a perfect smile. “Nice to see you again, Miss.”
He was increasingly certain Aurora was prepared, but not by his aunt. She’d obtained his itinerary somehow and deliberately met him at Bradley Mountain to secure this contract. Dexter hated underhanded tactics.
Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Giles looked at Aurora questioningly. Aurora gave Giles a reassuring look, walked around him, and stood before Dexter. Though shorter, she was confident. Extending her hand, she aimed for a positive start. “What a coincidence, Mr. Whitaker. We’ve met. I’m Aurora Whitaker, a major shareholder of Sunrise Pharmaceuticals. Nice to see you again.”
Dexter looked at her hand but didn't shake it. He remained silent, sitting down casually. The atmosphere was strained; the secretary’s expression changed. Giles’ smile faltered. He wondered if Aurora and Dexter had a prior unpleasant encounter. He intervened, smiling, “Oh, Mr. Whitaker, you’ve met Ms. Whitaker. Same surname—what a coincidence!” He signaled the secretary to leave, which she did promptly and discreetly.
Aurora raised an eyebrow, surprised by Dexter’s cold shoulder. Such awkwardness was nothing new to her from past contract negotiations. She withdrew her hand, turning to Dexter. “Mr. Whitaker, you asked me for directions that day. Why are you ignoring me now?”
John looked embarrassed. On Saturday, he and Dexter, driving to Bradley Mountain, had encountered heavy traffic on the Blue Overpass. Near Bradley Mountain, with only a mile left, they’d opted to walk, believing it would take only eighteen minutes. Instead, they’d walked for an hour, nearly losing their way, before encountering Aurora and desperately seeking directions.
Dexter’s expression softened somewhat, recalling the incident, but he still didn't shake hands. He always separated business and personal matters. He was grateful for Aurora’s directions and retrieving Holt’s phone, but that small favor didn't warrant a multi-million dollar contract. A meal would suffice.
Thinking of a swift resolution, Dexter spoke. “Ms. Whitaker, I’m sure you know my intention. This is our termination agreement. Any further requests, please state them now.” John produced the agreement, placing it on the table and showing it to Aurora and Giles.
Giles asked, “Mr. Whitaker, no further consideration?” “No,” Dexter replied firmly. Giles and Aurora exchanged glances, then presented the medicine.
Giles produced the medicine and test report, leaving the presentation to Aurora. “This is Sunrise Pharmaceuticals’ new anti-hair loss medication. It stimulates dormant follicles, effectively treating seborrheic alopecia, traumatic alopecia, hair loss from stress or anxiety, and endocrine disorders.” Young people feared hair loss; a genuinely effective treatment would be popular.
John, mentioning hair loss, subconsciously touched his bangs, concealing a receding hairline and near-bald patch. He avoided windy days.
Dexter hesitated, but Aurora’s prior assistance, coupled with his earlier snub, made ignoring her again seem unreasonable. He decided to look at the report, planning a quick dismissal afterward.
He picked up the report casually, then grew serious. The rustling of pages filled the quiet room as everyone waited. When Dexter saw “76%” in the report, his shock was evident. Though he quickly composed himself, his heavier breathing betrayed his excitement. Aurora and Giles smiled.
John peered at the report. Seeing the efficacy rate, he exclaimed, “Is this real?” Research indicated 16.7% of the population suffered from hair loss. Arapixil, by Acheson Pharmaceuticals, held a monopoly, with terrifying profits yearly. However, Arapixil had side effects and only 58% efficacy. Aurora’s medicine boasted 76%.