“I’ll be direct with you. I’m planning to purchase a letter of authorization from you that allows me to upgrade the MP3 players, President Golding,” Jasper said.
Startled, the smile on Damon’s face grew cold as he said, “Mr. Laine, do you think you have more advanced techniques than I have and that the MP3 player can be further improved?”
“Yes.” Jasper paid no attention to the indignant expression on Damon’s face as he answered confidently.
Damond sneered as he said, “Mr. Laine, I think our conversation has been an utter waste of time. I will never allow anyone to exploit my patent. I don’t need an outsider to come here and say they want to upgrade my inventions!”
“President Golding, you may be a technician, but you’re also a businessman. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of this situation to earn more money if you think the MP3 player has no further room for improvement?” Jasper asked.
Damond laughed and said, “You’re an excellent negotiator, but I won’t fall for your tricks. Goodbye, Mr. Laine!”
Then, Damond got up and left.
“President Golding, it’s extremely rude to up and leave when the other person has not finished speaking. I thought people from Coreana were extremely particular about manners?” Jasper asked.
“I’ll only take a couple of minutes of your time, President Golding. After all, I have many matters to tend to as well. For example, I have a meeting with the president of Sentel Corporation, Emerson Lang, this afternoon.”
When he heard Jasper’s words, Damond finally realized that this young man from Somerland was entirely different from Conrad Monty, whom he had met with before this. This man was like a sly fox and much more difficult to deal with.
“What do you mean?” Damond asked expressionlessly.
“Truth is, Sentel Corporation could not be bothered with your invention of the MP3 player, Mr. Damon. Thus, even though the MP3 player is slowly gaining attention, Sentel Corporation can’t do anything with the half of the patent it owns because you’re currently employed in Sunrea Company, President Golding.
“I trust no one would be pleased with this, would they? Much less a multinational group like Sentel Corporation? You must’ve had a front-row seat in witnessing just how overbearing they could be, President Golding.”
“Are you threatening me?” Damond said as he laughed coldly.
“I’m a businessman from Somerland, not an employee at Sentel Corporation. I have no right to threaten you, President Golding, but I need you to understand what will happen if I obtain 50% of the patent and upgrade the technology in the existing MP3 players.
“When that happens, your MP3 players will be blocked by my patent. You will have to either pay huge amounts of money to get past the barriers or turn around and purchase the rights to use from me. President Golding, this is not a good deal, is it?”
Damond glanced darkly at Jasper as he said, “Are all Somerland businessmen as despicable as you are?”
“No, I’m not being despicable. I merely hope we can build a strong base for our collaboration, President Golding,” Jasper said as he smiled.
“How are you so confident that you’ll be able to upgrade the MP3 players and receive the market’s approval?” Damond asked expressionlessly.
“That’s my business, President Golding. All you have to do is think about how much you’ll price this authorization letter for me and then receive the check. Everyone will be delighted then,” Jasper said calmly.
“One billion US dollars.” Damond quoted his price after a moment’s thought.
Jasper laughed in disbelief.
“President Golding, are you joking?”
“I would immediately pay up if this were the price for the patent. However, are you going to charge me one billion US dollars for only half of an authorization letter to upgrade the technology?”
Damond laughed coldly as he said, “That’s my condition. It’s up to you whether or not you’ll accept it, Mr. Laine.”
“How about we make a bet?”
