1322: Pleasant Surprise

Pleasant Surprise

Hearing the praises, Cheyenne blushed shyly and smiled. "You're really flattering me, Ms. Westwood. It's my goal to be an intellectual and graceful woman with a successful career like you!"1

They exchanged pleasantries for a bit before Dawn finally said, "I'm actually here to look for you today, Ms. Carter. I'd like to discuss a huge business deal with the Stardust Corporation. Are you interested?"

"May I know what you mean, Ms. Westwood?" Cheyenne asked.

Just as Dawn was about to speak, she suddenly raised her hand to look at the time on her watch. She said with a smile, "Oh dear, I rushed here as soon as I finished my work at the company and lost track of time. Since it's already noon, how about we go out for lunch and discuss it over the meal?"

Cheyenne was stunned.

It was indeed common for business people to discuss business deals over a meal.

But Cheyenne didn't like entertaining clients over wine because she was a woman. Later, she had managed the Brilliance Corporation, so she rarely had to socialize like this.

Seemingly afraid that Cheyenne was worried about something, Dawn added, "It will just be the two of us. No one else is coming.

"Actually, I really hate negotiating business over wine and food with those trashy men, but I have to put up with their smoking and drinking. Sometimes, I even have to listen to their nonsense and terrible jokes. It's really annoying.

"It's great that we're both women. It will make chatting over a meal much more enjoyable!"

Dawn was quick, straightforward, and reasonable. After giving it some thought, Cheyenne realized that she was right. It would be fine to have a meal with Dawn since it'd just be like going out for a meal with a female friend. They could just discuss the cooperation after lunch, and there wouldn't be any annoying things either.

"Alright, since you've said so, let's go out for lunch! It'll be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better," Cheyenne agreed as she stood up with a smile.

Ten minutes later, the two of them drove to a restaurant near the Stardust Corporation.

This restaurant was famous in DC for its delectable and unique food.

Cheyenne had just arrived in DC not long ago, so she wasn't too familiar with these places yet. Dawn, who had lived in DC for years, had recommended this restaurant. It made Cheyenne, who was supposed to be the host, feel that she needed to know more about the food scene in DC.

Since she was already living and working in DC, she should familiarize herself with it and gain a better understanding, lest she makes her future partners and clients pick the place to dine at all the time.

"Ms. Carter, since we're here, why don't we try some of their signature dishes? I've been here a few times, and the food is superb!"

Dawn was more than ten years older than Cheyenne, and coupled with her warm and friendly attitude, she was just like a big sister to Cheyenne.

Cheyenne naturally agreed.

Thus, the two of them ordered some of the restaurant's signature dishes.

When Dawn asked Cheyenne whether she drank alcohol or not, Cheyenne shook her head and politely declined, "No thanks, I don't really drink."

Dawn smiled and said straightforwardly, "Since it's just us two today, let's skip the drinks. We'll order some beverages we like."

Afterward, she ordered a pot of floral tea and a pitcher of freshly squeezed watermelon juice.

This made Cheyenne feel much more at ease. Dawn was indeed a very personable person. After just half an hour or so of chatting with her, Cheyenne had already formed a good impression of her.

While waiting for the food to arrive, Dawn took a sip of floral tea and said, "Ms. Carter, I'm a very straightforward person who doesn't like beating around the bush, so I'll get straight to the point.

"Not long ago, the Stardust Corporation bought a large plot of land in the eastern suburbs of DC. The company plans to build a Stardust City, right? I heard that it's a major project with ample capital.

"Actually, the Fly Corporation is very optimistic about this project, so I came to discuss cooperating with you. I want to join the Stardust City project, and the Fly Corporation is looking at an initial investment of two billion dollars. Of course, we can invest more if more funds are required in the future."

Hearing Dawn talk about investing in the Stardust City project, Cheyenne was stunned, but a look of disappointment soon appeared on her face.

The Stardust City project was the Stardust Corporation's biggest project for the next few years. When Lucas bought the land, he had brought Cheyenne with him.

Lucas had no plans to attract any investors for the Stardust City project. He had sufficient funds, and he wanted the Stardust Corporation to have 100% control of the project.

If he let other companies invest, the corresponding percentage of equity would be diluted, and it wouldn't be fully owned by the Stardust Corporation.

Thus, Cheyenne couldn't agree to Dawn's proposal.

"I'm really sorry, Ms. Westwood. The Stardust Corporation has no plans to have any investors on board the Stardust City project. I'm afraid I can only let you down," Cheyenne said apologetically with a touch of disappointment.

"Oh, I see…" Dawn sighed with disappointment.

But she soon smiled again and said, "It's okay. I understand. Since the Stardust Corporation wants to solely own and control the Stardust City project, there's no way that investors can join.

"But putting aside the investments, the start-up and construction of this massive project should require a lot of building materials, right? There's also the interior design, landscaping, and so on.

"The Fly Corporation owns subsidiaries that specialize in building materials, interior design, and landscaping. Would you be interested in cooperating in these aspects, Ms. Carter?"

Cheyenne was overjoyed and quickly said, "Of course! The Stardust Corporation indeed requires a large amount of building materials for the construction of Stardust City, and we'll also need a lot of interior designing and landscaping. It would be wonderful if the Fly Corporation has suitable subsidiaries that specialize in these aspects!"

She originally thought that the cooperation with the Fly Corporation would fall through, but she was surprised to hear Dawn's sudden proposal that turned the situation around.

In fact, the Stardust Corporation's Stardust City project wasn't going to be built only in DC. There were more than 20 that would undergo construction simultaneously across the country. The construction would require building materials such as cement, steel, and so on in tremendous amounts every day. Many small suppliers were already starting to find the demand a little overwhelming.

If the Fly Corporation could provide more cost-effective building materials, it would be a great help.

Dawn said with a smile, "Great. To be honest with you, I've already made a special application to the chairman of the Fly Corporation and gained his approval. If the Stardust Corporation is willing to cooperate with us, we can supply you with all the materials you need for the project at ten percent below the market price. Take it as a little token to commemorate our first cooperation."

Cheyenne was pleasantly surprised, so much so that she was at a loss for words!

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