Location: Conference Room,Umbra Operations HQ,Dallas, Texas, USA
Time: 10:37 am
"It's a pleasure to meet you all, gentlemen," Lyra said smoothly, glancing around the room.
"Let's begin with the first section of our deal: toxins and antidotes.This is one of our company's core specialties.At present, we've shortlisted five types, three antidotes, and two natural bio-toxins we believe are suitable for Umbra's operational needs."
She tapped to switch the projection."I trust you've all reviewed the quote I sent over.If there's anything that requires clarification, Mulan or I will be happy to address it."
Arthur gave a subtle nod to his team, a signal to keep things in "strictly business" mode.No matter how much she intrigued him, he was still a Texas-bred gambler who never forgot one rule: the business always comes first.
Richard, the Finance guy, cleared his throat and looked over at the WindCore team with a professional but slightly stern expression.
"Yes, Ms. Jar. I just need confirmation on pricing and delivery.Are all the items on this list currently in stock, or are we looking at custom production and backlogs?Also, is your pricing calculated per unit?"
Lyra nodded, calm as ever.She'd decided to keep Mulan quiet for now,West Wind was better as an observer at this stage.Her input would be invaluable for behavioral pattern analysis later.
"Yes, sir. Pricing is per unit. Delivery depends on quantity and drop-off location. Due to expiration and volatility concerns, we do not keep large stockpiles of pharmaceutical compounds, everything is prepared to order."
Richard nodded, typing a few notes into his tablet before glancing up and giving a small, satisfied smile.Then Marcus jumped in, voice clipped and blunt, classic Umbra.
"What's the quality like?" he asked flatly."Are we talking top-grade gear here, or just flashy but useless boutique shit?"Mulan smiled into the camera, smooth and unfazed.
"Captain, I can say with confidence, within this price range, you won't find anything better than WindSource's inventory.If you're willing to spend more, we do offer a premium series.
And if Umbra's serious about testing, Lyra has samples on-site today.You're welcome to request a private, unregulated test. We'll provide full third-party reports and raw lab data from the WindSource team."
That landed like a grenade in the room, unregulated private testing, with full transparency?It shut the room up fast, and earned her a small, impressed nod from Arthur. He'd never enjoyed a business meeting quite like this.
Jason gave a short, intrigued grunt. The mention of premium samples had definitely gotten his attention."If Ms. Jar has them here, I'd like to see what the premium series looks like.Personally. Data, too."
Lyra didn't answer him right away.Instead, she turned to Arthur."Your thoughts, Commander?"
Arthur's gaze swept across the room before locking onto hers,steady, confident, amused."I'm a simple man," he said smoothly. "I only take the best."
Lyra nodded once, then swiped to another file in the projection."We're not talking about a small upsell here." she said evenly."The next tier of antidote series carries an additional 25% per unit. And yes,I do have samples with me.But you know the rule, unless you place a minimum order of 800 units per series and pay half as a holding deposit, we won't be able to release the samples or data."
Arthur raised a brow.Damn.She really was something else, those red lips knew how to negotiate like a goddamn cartel lawyer.Sharp, focused, and dripping with controlled authority.
He couldn't help it, he chuckled, crossed his arms, and leaned back in his chair with an audible hum."Extra 25%, huh? Baby… bargaining with you is brutal."
"But if the product's worth it, I'll take the premium rate."He paused, smiling curling wider, voice low and deliberate."Once again, Umbra, and myself, only go for the best."
Lyra glanced at the faces on the screen.Fay lowered her head with a subtle smile, Jenny had her chin resting on interlaced fingers, looking completely unfazed, while Mulan simply gave a calm nod of approval.
With that silent support behind her, Lyra turned back to Arthur and gave him a quick wink. "Thank you for your generosity and transparency, Commander."
"If we calculate all five compounds at the minimum order quantity,4,000 units total, the estimated full contract would land at roughly 13 million USD."
"Under my authority as a WindCore board executive, I'd like to personally offer you a 5% off discretionary discount on the total medication order price,As a thank-you… for the lovely cup of caramel latte you served me this earlier."
WTF?! Damn! He loved that.
Hell, he loved her way too much.He had just agreed to pay full price, and now she was handing him a personal discount? Goddamn, what a woman.
His grin widened, practically glowing with amusement, and his voice dropped into a husky chuckle.
"5% off… just for that cup of coffee?" he said, shaking his head with exaggerated disbelief.
"Oh darlin', you're such a sweetheart and you just spoiled me like no one ever did. That's damn more than a half-million-dollar favour,I won't forget it anytime soon."
She nodded then turned to Mulan with a smooth efficiency, smile still lingering at the corners of her mouth.
"Please prepare the full compound data and laboratory reports once this meeting concludes. I'd like everything uploaded to the shared drive within 24 hours. Is that doable?"
Mulan nodded without hesitation."Absolutely, Ms. Jar. WindSource Lab is at your disposal."That reply sparked a few appreciative chuckles from the Umbra side.
Jason even gave a low whistle, clearly impressed by the sheer control and command Lyra had over her team, and the meeting itself.
Arthur couldn't stop smiling.It took effort to pull his focus back to the business at hand.A full lab dossier in 24 hours.A custom order worth over 13 million USD. This team was no joke. Efficient as hell.
Richard gave a short nod and looked directly at Lyra. "Ms. Jar, I look forward to seeing the lab results.If they're half as sharp as your proposal, I've got a feeling I'll be a repeat customer.And I do appreciate that discount…"
Lyra didn't respond directly, but her eyes shifted back to Arthur as she spoke:"It's my honor to extend a personal discount to the Umbra's commander. Once the deposit is confirmed, we'll release the samples and schedule your lab's private testing."
Mention of Monday made something flicker behind Arthur's eyes, damn it, the thought of her leaving already was enough to sour his mood. He hadn't even finished this goddamn meeting and already, he wanted it over, just to steal a little more time with her before she disappeared again.
Lyra didn't notice.But someone else did.Mulan, sharp-eyed as ever, caught the shift in his expression through the screen.
Without a word, she rested her chin on her right hand, tapping her cheekbone once with her index finger. A signal.An old code, used since they were kids sitting at family negotiation tables. It meant: The person sitting to your right needs you to rethink your last sentence.
Lyra's eyes flicked sideways, subtle as a breeze.Then, slowly, she picked up her empty coffee cup. Her thumb brushed over the Houndstooth logo, almost contemplative, as she angled her face slightly to the right, just enough to let Arthur catch the motion.
She turned back to the screen, her voice calm and precise:"Fay, please inform the Secretariat that I'll need to cancel my Monday flight. In light of Umbra's new procurement requirements, I may need to stay a few extra days to assist with data support and technical coordination."
Arthur didn't even bother hiding the way his posture straightened, how his pulse kicked up like someone had just handed him a winning bet.
She was staying. Not because he asked.But because she chose to.He wasn't sure what exactly had tipped the scale. That coffee? The deal? Or something he missed entirely?
All he knew was, hell, he needed to start regaining control of the board.
This woman was a silent strategy incarnate, and his instincts, honed from a hundred battlefields, whispered that she might've just set a trap, velvet-lined and all.
He leaned forward slightly, tone smooth, but with a dark glint in his eyes: "Well now, sweetheart…A few more days sounds like a very good idea." He smiled, slow and razor-sharp."So go on, what other surprises do you have for us?"
On the screen, Mulan had stopped smiling.Her hand dropped from her chin, and her gaze settled firmly on Arthur. So, he noticed. Sharp, indeed. Not just muscle and ego.
Lyra, as if reading the room's temperature, nodded with professional calm and shifted the tone back to business.
"Well then," she said smoothly, her voice once again steady, clear, and composed. "Let's move on to the next segment of our proposal."