Chapter 157

"I'm afraid I can't sell them to you," Ben refused. "As you know, these are difficult to cultivate. We've invested considerable time and effort, and our supply is limited, making them unsuitable for general purchase."

"I don't need a large quantity," Lily countered. "Half of what you have will suffice. I'll leave the rest with you, but you're not to sell them to anyone else."

"I'm terribly sorry, but that's impossible," Ben replied, embarrassed.

"Name your price," Jenny interjected, noticing Lily's determination. Grafting red sandalwood was rare; acquiring all of it would be advantageous, though likely expensive. "It's not about the money," Ben protested. "We've invested heavily, but the process is incomplete. We're still"

"You can continue your experiments with the remaining half," Lily interrupted. "I won't interfere. I'll pay in full for half."

"In that case, I'll consult my colleagues," Ben said hesitantly. The offer was tempting, but not his to accept alone. Jenny, too, was hesitant; Lily's offer was unprecedented, and they hadn't discussed pricing.

These red sandalwoods were expensive, and their unique variety made pricing difficult. Lily's desire to buy them all would likely inflate the price significantly. As Ben left to make a call, Jenny tugged Lily's sleeve. "Lily, reconsider. Do we need this many? We've never used them, and haven't even created a finished product. Even with a phenomenal perfume, the raw material cost would be astronomical. What about the retail price? How many could afford it?"

Jenny's concerns were valid. A perfumer's creations needed to be profitable.

"There will be people willing to pay," Lily stated confidently.

"Even if a few appreciate the scent, you're forgetting the general public," Jenny countered. "Our brand is new; most won't consider Rebirth a luxury brand." While Rebirth wasn't unknown, most consumers equated luxury perfumes with established international brands. Her concerns were reasonable.

"That's why we need to make a statement," Lily replied. "If I fail, the company can deduct the cost from my salary."

"You're being impulsive, Lily," Jenny exclaimed, shocked. Before she could continue, Ben returned. "Since you insist, we can sell them. However, the price"

"We can negotiate," Lily replied.

Ben smiled, appreciating Lily's sincerity. "We won't inflate the price unreasonably, but the cultivation costs are high. We can't lower the price significantly, even if we wanted to. We'll have to slightly increase the price to cover materials and labor." He wrote a price on a piece of paper and handed it to them. "What do you think?"

Jenny's expression changed as she saw the six-figure price. "That's too"

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