BXBX NOVEL Chapter 583 - Tiny Ulterior Motive
Chapter 583 - Tiny Ulterior Motive
"So that was your plan?" Sevenz laughed aloud after listening to what the little girl had just said.
A few minutes ago, Yvonne had shrugged, unaffected by Sept's presence as she began narrating what she had planned as the next step for her business.
From its inception, CLOVER had first catered to the needs of the commoners, giving them the commodity for a cheaper price.
This had made the competition, Earl Blaise's soaps, incur a loss as earlier they were making a huge profit by selling slivers of soaps for an overpriced rate.
Sadly, that came to an end after CLOVER entered the market.
Its targeted audience were the commoners, to begin with, and by the time Ocular had toured the entire Kingdom, only a few fiefs were still trading with Earl Blaise while the rest had already signed contracts with CLOVER.
That had been Yvonne's first step in creating a foundation for her business.
The next step was a slightly crafty and calculative move that she had made based on the situation.
When the King had sent word regarding the shortage of food in the fiefs riddled with the plague, she had sent a letter using her alias, VC, offering to lend her aid as well.
The cartons filled with hundreds of soaps that she had sent for free had a secret purpose which she was sure to have accomplished by now.
Everywhere that the soaps with CLOVER's branding were used would by now have left a deep impression in people's minds.
Whether they were commoners or nobles, all of them would now have heard about CLOVER's selfless contribution during the plague.
'How can someone ignore the helping hand they received?' The little girl had thought to herself as people often remembered the favors they received.
Since they could not do anything to repay the graces they received from the other fiefs as they were private bodies, they would turn their sights to the only business that had stepped forward in that time of need.
Their gratitude to that business would reflect in them becoming its loyal customers.
This was exactly what Yvonne had just explained to those around her.
In fact, she was waiting for news of CLOVER's contribution during the plague to spread throughout the land by word of mouth.
'Once that happens, more and more people will start purchasing from us.' She surmised as that was how things worked in the business world.
Jax and Howard weren't too surprised as she had already spoken to them about this in the presence of the Earl.
However, Sevenz, Sept, and even the old butler were impressed with how she had used the situation to her advantage.
She did a good deed but had a tiny ulterior motive which could bring her massive amounts of profits in the future.
"CLOVER won't force anything on anyone, it is up to them whether they want to support the brand which supported them or opt for the one who did nothing and watched everything from the sidelines." The little girl finished speaking and there was a slight smile gracing her face.
The final decision was still with the general population but who in their right minds would not opt for the better option with the moral high ground?
This had been Yvonne's intention when she had sent that letter to the King back then.
His approval had only increased CLOVER's status among the citizens and by now, she could guarantee that most of them were her loyal customers.
As for those who weren't, they would turn to CLOVER soon enough.
"As long as Earl Blaise doesn't lower his prices, they will continue to buy your products." Sevenz added after giving it a moment's thought.
This made the St. Claire siblings chuckle as they were well aware that a greedy man like Earl Blaise would rather latch onto the remaining few customers he has than lower his prices to cater to the masses.
If he had planned to then he would have lowered his prices by now but he had not done anything even to this date which implies that he had no desire to do so.
"Anyway, his targeted audience belongs to the nobility." Yvonne rubbed her chin as this was where she was going next.
The commoners were either choosing CLOVER for its lower prices or their gratitude for its support during the plague.
It did not matter to her which of these reasons was being used as long as the final choice was CLOVER.
However, the same reasons could not be used for bringing over the members of nobility onto CLOVER's side because they were unaffected by the plague and would not choose a cheaper alternative.
Earl Blaise was exploiting the latter reason as nobles loved exclusive products which others could not get their hands on.
"But he does not have the ingenuity and the research that my people have." She sneered while comparing his men with her staff consisting of the Hagen family who were pioneers in the art of soap making.
The research funds that she had allotted to them had been put to good use in the many months that CLOVER had been operating.
The head of the Hagen family had done an excellent job in creating different varieties of soaps that were both innovative and eye-catching.
All that was needed was to find a way to get the noble families interested in CLOVER's soaps as well.
"So what are you planning to do?" Sevenz inquired as this was not part of his duties.
The contract he had signed only concerned the sales of soaps in the different fiefs and this was not added to it.
Therefore, Yvonne would have to look into this matter on her own.
"I will think of something," She reassured him with a smirk as she could come up with ideas, and this, he did not doubt at all.
CLOVER's entry into noble markets was something that needed to be planned and timed perfectly if she wished for it to become an instant hit.
Therefore, at least for now, that needed to wait while she accomplished other things.
"You on the other hand might have to prepare your caravans to be sent out to distribute our soaps once again." She prompted as the plague had come to an end and things were going back to normal.
The people must have already used up the soaps they had sold before the plague.
Therefore, they would soon have to resume distribution to make up for the time and the profit they had lost during this plague time.
Sevenz nodded but a glance at his nephew made him halt.
Yvonne too noticed his hesitation and a subtle smile of understanding appeared across her face.
He was worried that leaving this young boy at the Capital and disappearing for long durations would be going against the three C's that she had just given to him as advice.
"You have already signed the contracts with the Fief Lords so I doubt there would be any more work left for the Master of Ocular to attend in person." She reminded him which made his face brighten up.
What she had said was right and his men could carry on without him.
His presence was needed here more than with his men traveling with Ocular, therefore, Sevenz had come to a conclusion on what needed to be done after paying heed to the little girl's suggestion.
Sept had already grasped that his arrival had changed the plans being made but this was a decision that Sevenz had already made so there was nothing he could do.
Now that Yvonne had achieved what she had come here for, to visit him and also reveal her plans for CLOVER, she decided that it was about time they returned home.
Howard had been silent as his sister was busy discussing her work plans but noticing her desire to leave, he was ecstatic and was ready at once.
"We shall be meeting often." Sevenz declared as everyone rose from their seats.
The elder brother's face froze for a split second but he was tempted after recalling his sparring match with Sept.
This thawed the frost in his eyes in the next second.
'Maybe it isn't all that bad…' He contemplated the pros and cons of this situation.
He would get to practice with Sept who was powerful and knew new techniques and Jax could keep an eye on the 'pervert' Sevenz.
With this plan in mind, Howard gave his nod which made Yvonne raise her brows.
'Did you plan this on purpose?' She blinked her wide eyes at her business partner who was snickering away in silence.
Letting Howard spar with Sept had ignited his competitive spirit as well as his desire to learn new methods.
This left Yvonne to spend time with Sevenz which made him feel victorious now that his plan had succeeded.
Sadly, what Sevenz had not accounted for was the other member of the St. Claire's family who was unwilling to let his daughter spend time alone with him.
However, the Master of Ocular was celebrating his momentary victory to even be bothered about it.
Yvonne's eyes alternated between her brother's excited grin and her friend's sneaky smirk.
Shaking her head at the schemes in each of their heads, she walked out of the mansion along with the rest of the group.
The driver of their carriage was already prepared for them to leave and all that was left was for them to board their transportation.
Sevenz as the host had walked them out and just as Yvonne was about to get into the carriage, a single whisper was heard only to her while the others remained clueless.
'We still need to speak about what took place this last year.' A solemn voice that belonged to his business partner resounded in her mind.
Yvonne took her seat inside and glanced at the man who had just spoken before giving him a slight nod.
'All in its good time, Sevenz.' She responded in a similar grim tone.
She knew what he was talking about but had hoped that he had forgotten all about it.
However, it looked like he wasn't as easygoing as he pretended to be.
Howard and Jax took their places soon after and the carriage began moving away from the mansion where Sevenz and Sept stood.
"We need to have a talk, Uncle." A young yet stern voice was heard while the Master was lost, gazing at the carriage that was now long gone.
Looking down, his white irises met those pale pink ones after which Sevenz nodded at his nephew and soon followed him into the mansion.
'I think I got myself in trouble.' The uncle groaned as this nephew of his could be a little scary, just like his recently deceased mother.