An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori Chapter 1335
What Mr. Yaxley had brought was a box of gold bars. They sparkled brightly under the sunlight, creating a visual impact more stunning than money ever could.
“Dustin, here’s a token of appreciation from the Welch family. Take it as your payment for saving Eleanor,” Joanne said calmly as she glanced at the gold bars.
“What is the meaning of this, Mom?” Eleanor pouted in displeasure. “The Welch family never owes favors. Since Dustin saved you, it only makes sense that I reward him handsomely,” Joanne said matter-of-factly.
“Mrs. Welch, I did not save Eleanor for money.” Dustin shook his head.
“What? Is this too little for you?”
Without saying anything else, Joanne gestured to Mr. Yaxley, “Joaquin, bring out another box.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Mr. Yaxley promptly turned to leave.
“Mom!” Eleanor couldn’t keep it in any longer. “Not everything is about money! What the miracle doctor needs is the Dragon Panax! He needs it to save lives, not some useless gold bars!”
“The Dragon Panax?” Joanne repeated impassively. “You do realize it’s your grandfather’s precious collection, right? Don’t you know that it’s a priceless treasure?”
“What priceless treasure? Isn’t it just a herb?”
Eleanor challenged indignantly, Besides, he saved my life! Is my life not worth as much as the lousy Dragon Panax to you?”
“Of course your life is worth more than that. But his contribution doesn’t justify getting the Dragon Panax.”
Joanne continued breezily, “Doctors only save lives for money. So it’s only fair that we pay him for saving your life. But that’s all that we’re going to give.
“We can’t give him our valuable possession just because he saved you. Business is business. We can’t bring emotions into it. Do you understand?”
“Mom! How … How could you be so heartless?” Eleanor felt angry.She could not believe that her mother treated her life as business!
“Mrs. Welch is right,” Dustin said. “But right now, I’m in desperate need of the Dragon Panax. I really hope that you can give it to me.
“But, of course, I won’t be taking it at no cost. I can buy it from you or even trade it for other items. Please consider it, Mrs. Welch.”
“You’re smart.” Joanne nodded before she continued, “You may have the Dragon Panax. But only if you exchange it for something of equal value.”
“What do you have in mind, Mrs. Welch?” Dustin asked. “I heard that you can make an ointment called Dew Balm and that it works miraculously to heal festering wounds in an incredibly short time. Is that true?” Joanne asked.
Ever since her daughter had gotten into the accident, she had looked into everyone and everything that had to do with it. And that included Dustin.
Finding out about Dew Balm had been an unexpected surprise. As a businesswoman, she was very much interested in it.
“I never expected you to know about it, Mrs. Welch.”
Dustin raised his brow in astonishment. Then, he quickly nodded. “It’s true, I do know how to produce Dew Balm. However, it has adverse side effects, so it cannot be produced in bulk.”
“You’re a doctor, and you have pharmaceutical knowledge. It shouldn’t be hard for you to make some slight changes to it to reduce the side effects, am I right?” Joanne looked at him thoughtfully.
“If we were to reduce the side effects, its effects would also be greatly affected,” Dustin said truthfully. He wouldn’t have told someone like Zion this much. But this woman standing before him wasn’t one to be messed with.
She knew what she wanted, and her gaze was sharp. She was a shrewd and calculative woman, so it wouldn’t be easy to deceive her. Most importantly, she had something he needed, so he had no choice but to be honest.
“How much of its effects can be retained if we reduce the side effects?” Joanne asked again.
“About 30%,” Dustin answered honestly. “30%? That’ll do.” Joanne nodded. ” I’m very interested in Dew Balm. If you give me the formula after tweaking it, you can have the Dragon Panax. How’s that?”
“It’s an heirloom formula, Mrs. Welch. I can’t sell it.” Dustin shook his head. “Everything has its value. Besides, you’re not selling it. You’re just trading it for something else.
“You need the precious Dragon Panax to save lives. I believe your forefathers would not fault you for it.” Joanne looked at him casually.
“Well…” Dustin tried to make it seem like he was in a dilemma. After a few seconds of hesitation, he acted as if he had made a decision.
“Mrs. Welch, I can give you the formula for Dew Balm. However, just the Dragon Panax alone is not enough. I’ll only give you the formula if you agree to give me two other herbs.”
“Oh? What else do you need?” Joanne narrowed her eyes at him.
