?Chapter 538:


    As he sat down, Ste followed and took a seat too. “Yes. Our team is working on a project right now, and we really need one of the machines yourpany distributes. I was hoping we could purchase one.”


    Rutherford hadn’t expected her to get straight to the point.


    “Ms. Gilbert, here’s the thing. Our machines are under limited national authorization. Not every institute is eligible to buy them.”


    Ste understood right away. It was like how only certain cities had ess to high-end luxury boutiques.


    “I understand, but our institute has solid capabilities. We’ve made consistent progress and earned a good reputation in the field.”


    Rutherford nodded, though he seemed distracted. “That’s what every institute says, Ms. Gilbert. I’m sorry, but these machines are in short supply, and I really can’t help with that.”


    Sure, Rutherford found Ste appealing, but he was a professional. He wouldn’t let someone’s looks sway his business decisions.


    Just as he was about to leave, Ste quickly spoke up. “Please, wait. Could you tell me what it would take for our institute to even have a shot at this?”


    Rutherford turned back to assess Ste again, his tone calm and unhurried. “It’s not about how I give you a chance—it’s about how you n to prove yourselves to me.”


    After all, she was the one asking for help.


    Ste pressed her lips together, thinking for a moment before speaking. “How about this—you lend me the equipment first. Our research institute is currently coborating on a project with the International Research Association and Briggs Group. If we manage to secure the deal, you provide us with a machine for free.”


    Rutherford raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “And if you don’t secure it?”


    Without a second’s hesitation, Ste answered, “Then I’ll return the equipment andpensate you with ten million.”


    A flicker of admiration sparked in Rutherford’s eyes. The equipment in question? Worth no more than eight million, tops. Yet here she was, offering ten million as coteral if she lost the bid. A woman throwing out that kind of offer without blinking made him genuinely curious about where her confidence came from. Ste met his gaze without flinching—no nerves, no second-guessing. Just quiet determination, steady and sincere.


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    “Sir, you’ve got nothing to lose by letting this y out. If our institute wins the coboration, that proves we’re good enough to deserve your authorization, doesn’t it?”


    She had a point. For Rutherford, there really wasn’t any downside—though, truth be told, the benefit wasn’t all that big either. Ten million wasn’t even worth his time. But what was interesting was her.


    “I can give you the equipment,” he said. “But if you lose the deal, I want the ten million—and one additional condition.”


    “What condition?” Ste asked cautiously.


    “I haven’t decided yet,” Rutherford replied with a smile. “I’ll let you know when I do. But since you’re so confident, I assume you won’t have to worry about that, right?”


    Ste stared at the man in front of her. That smile of his was all charm on the surface, but something told her there was a fox lurking beneath. He definitely wasn’t the simple type.


    Still, she didn’t hesitate. “Deal,” she said.


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