?Chapter 596:


    Marc still had the menu open, trying to y it casual. “Let’s order first. You’ve been running around all morning—you’ve gotta be starving.”


    His voice was gentle, almost like how he used to talk to her when they were married. But now, it just made Ste ufortable.


    She skimmed the menu and randomly picked two dishes. “Alright. Now talk.”


    Marc finally sighed and set his menu down. “Mr. Briggs wants a long-term partnership. If Neb’s willing tomit, we can offer you a twenty percent discount—on this order and all future shipments.”


    Ste raised her eyebrows. A twenty percent discount? That was a serious markdown. But a long-term deal… she’d need to run it by William.


    Marc leaned in. “Stel, this is the best deal I could get you. These new foreign materials? Tons of buyers are lining up.”


    He looked dead serious—hoping she’d just say yes.


    “I’ll think about it,” Ste said. “Can’t give you an answer right now.”


    If it were her ownpany, she might have signed then and there. But this was William’s call.


    Marc frowned. “What’s there to think about? You still think I’d try to screw you over?”


    Ste met his eyes. Honestly, she had doubted him at first. But this particr deal? He had no reason to y her.


    She didn’t say anything.


    Marc exhaled hard. “Alright, I get it. You don’t trust me. I’ll give you until tonight—but I need your decision by tomorrow morning. Offer’s only good till noon.”


    “Fine,” she said quietly.


    After lunch, Ste drove home. Once she got out of the elevator, she knocked on William’s door.


    She waited ten minutes. No response.


    Your favorite stories g?lnσνels


    Left with no choice, she dialed him.


    When the call connected, she immediately asked, “Mr. Briggs, are you not home?”


    But it wasn’t William who answered. “Ms. Russell,” Luca’s voice came through. “Mr. Briggs is in a meeting. Would you like me to pass on a message?”


    Ste hesitated. “Just tell him I need to talk about the coboration.”


    There was a short pause. Then Luca came back on. “Mr. Briggs said you can handle it. He trusts your judgment.”


    Ste was quiet for a second. “Okay. Thanks.”


    Back in her apartment, she reviewed Alonzo’s profile again—checking his credentials, verifying his overseas supplier license, even searching online for any red gs.


    Everything checked out.


    If Alonzo could really secure that long-term deal with the discount, it was worth considering. Twenty percent off wasn’t small change.<fn90ef> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find·novel</fn90ef>


    Ste mulled it over all night.


    .


    .


    .