Marrying Her Was Easy, Losing Her Was Hell - Chapter 538

Chapter 538:

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As he sat down, Stella followed and took a seat too. “Yes. Our team is working on a project right now, and we really need one of the machines your company 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.”

Stella understood right away. It was like how only certain cities had access 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 Stella appealing, but he was a professional. He wouldn’t let someone’s looks sway his business decisions.

Just as he was about to leave, Stella 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 Stella again, his tone calm and unhurried. “It’s not about how I give you a chance—it’s about how you plan to prove yourselves to me.”

After all, she was the one asking for help.

Stella pressed her lips together, thinking for a moment before speaking. “How about this—you lend me the equipment first. Our research institute is currently collaborating 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, Stella answered, “Then I’ll return the equipment and compensate 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 collateral 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. Stella 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 play out. If our institute wins the collaboration, 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?” Stella 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?”

Stella 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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