Chapter 15: Cheap Liquor

“Let me put the ointment on your ankles.”

Robin put Elise’s feet on his lap, fetched some ointment, and rubbed against her skin. He focused fully. If his soldiers saw the scene, their jaws would go slack.

In their opinion, Robin was a tough man.

However, the brutal general had tenderness.

Robin had owed his wife and daughter too much in the past seven years. Besides, Elise was the only goal that supported Robin in surviving different battles.

Gazing at Robin, Elise thought he looked handsome. Suddenly, she said, “Robin, by the way, I received the news that the Robin-Sophia would hold an opening ceremony in town and announce their business partner. It depends on the gift received.”

“Help me figure out what gift to present. We lack money. Most expenses are based on my 10% of the company shares. My mother loves buying luxury bags and jewelry, so she spends most of them. Currently, we have only 160,000 dollars in cash.”

Elise discussed it with Robin seriously as she had gradually accepted Robin.

‘160,000 dollars?’

Mixed feelings surged in Robin’s heart. Seven years ago, when Elise was still the chairwoman of the board and president of Lands Corporation, she had over 200 million dollars. However, she only had 160,000 dollars left now.

With a smile, Robin replied, “Honey, do you have any news about the Robin-Sophia Group’s chairman of the board?”

“News? Let me ask my friend.”

The next second, Elise dialed Miranda’s number. Soon, she ended the call and said to Robin, “Right. There’s news about the Robin-Sophia Group’s president. It’s said he resigned from the military of Eastern Kisia, a high-ranking officer.”

“OK. I know what gift we shall prepare.”

“What gift?”

“A bottle of liquor. For example, Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum.”

“What?”

Elise gaped at him, widening her pretty eyes. She had thought he would suggest something valuable, but he asked her to buy a bottle of Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum, which cost only 20 dollars or so.

“Are you serious, Robin? Stop kidding with me.”

Elise thought Robin wanted to amuse her.

However, Robin shook his head and held her feet tightly to warm them up. He replied, “The Robin-Sophia’s chairman of the board resigned from the military of Eastern Kisia, and so did I. I know he must like Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum the most. Why? Eastern Kisia is on the eastern board with a large desert. In summer, there were cold waves from time to time. Bitter wind cut through our uniform and froze us. We could hardly bear it. According to the discipline, we were not allowed to drink alcohol.”

“However, Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum was an exception. It had low alcohol by volume but tasted strong. After gulping it down, the burning sensation would warm us up. All soldiers in Eastern Kisia loved it.”

Robin’s explanation made Elise understand why he suggested so. However, she shook her head and said, “It makes sense, but he has a high ranking, so he’s different from the common soldiers. The officers may have other measures to keep warm. I don’t think he likes the liquor.”

Elise imagined the scene where she presented a bottle of liquor in public. Once failed, she would be disgraced and become the laughingstock of Stillwater again.

In that case, she could never do business in town.

“In Eastern Kisia, commanders, generals, and officers were the same as the soldiers. Actually, the higher the officer’s position was, the more he would be the role model. He stayed in the same place and ate the same food as his soldiers. He wouldn’t have had any privileges,” Robin disagreed.

“Really?”

Elise still didn’t fully believe him.

“Of course.”

Robin nodded.

Elise was silent for a moment but gave up this idea. She couldn’t present cheap liquor at the Robin-Sophia’s opening ceremony. Others might think she wanted to provoke the company.

It was too risky for her to take the bet.

However, she didn’t tell Robin to avoid disappointing him.

The message tone sounded on Elise’s phone. She tabbed to read. “Ms. Houry, it was my mistake last time. I accidentally bought the wrong necklace. I’d love to invite you for dinner in Celeste Restaurant tomorrow evening. I’ll apologize to you and also talk about the cooperation between Lucas Corporation and Lands Corporation.”

It was from Reginald.

Elise locked her phone screen immediately after reading it, as she could tell his invitation was with evil intentions.

The following day, Elise met Miranda again. They worked together to look for a company for cooperation. However, one day passed, and they failed to find a company again. Due to Miranda’s connections, Elise met several company presidents. None agreed to cooperate with Lands Corporation, though.

Their reason was pretty simple. Elise couldn’t make the final decision on Lands Corporation’s behalf. They all knew she was a dumped pawn by the Houry family.

On the street, Miranda encouraged Elise, “We still have another day tomorrow. Let’s keep up the hard work.”

“All right.”

Elise nodded.

However, Elise knew the next day would probably end the same way. Miranda and she had visited all the companies that had the qualification to work with the Robin-Sophia Group, but none of them was willing to cooperate with Lands Corporation.

After parting, Elise sat in the chair. Under the breeze, she rubbed her forehead, looking worried.

“One night and one day left. The Robin-Sophia Group’s opening ceremony will be held the day after tomorrow. What should I do?” Elise muttered to herself, almost breaking down.

Finally, after sitting in the chair for a long time, she unlocked her phone screen, tabbed the message received the previous night, and replied to the sender, “OK.”

Then she called Robin. “Hello, Robin. I’m at No. 27, Broadway Street. Come to pick me up.”

Shortly after, Robin arrived. Elise checked her watch. “I have an appointment at eight o’clock. It’s half past seven now. We can arrive on time. Let’s go.”

Elise let Robin sit in her car.

Sitting in the passenger’s seat, Robin asked, “What’s wrong, Honey?”

“Nothing serious. Remember to take me home. You can’t leave me in those bastards’ hands?”

Elise had been ready to get drunk to reconcile with Lucas Corporation and regain their cooperation with them, which was the only way to obtain the Robin-Sophia Group’s project.

She couldn’t care if Reginald had evil intentions or not.

If Robin didn’t lie to her, he had been in the military for seven years, so he could be a good fighter. Then he would take her home. Elise couldn’t fully trust him, though, as he didn’t leave her a good impression.