Chapter 541: The Three-Step Jade Negotiation

The video continued.

【Jade, it's been a while.】

【It's a great honor to have the chance to work with you.】

Topaz looked at the Jade before her,

her expression showing a touch of excitement and joy.

【Still so uptight, I see.】

【Drop all that talk of rank and just treat me as your equal — you can skip all the unnecessary honorifics — like 'Madam,' like 'you' (formal).】

Jade said with a smile.

【Sorry, it's still hard to get used to in a short while.】

【After all, you... you're a senior.】

Whenever Topaz faced Jade,

she would unconsciously adopt a respectful attitude.

【But now, we are both among the Stoneheart Ten. Topaz, I only need you to bring out your best, because the upcoming negotiation cannot afford any mistakes.】

【Sharp as you are, you must have seen it long ago, right?】

【The true purpose of this meeting.】

Jade asked in a low, measured tone.

【It must be that old Aoidiu acting on his own, wanting to probe the situation before the company's formal talks with Penacony.】

Topaz answered without hesitation.

【Correct, but this is even better.】

【Do you know why?】

Jade continued.

【If we can reach some kind of consensus with old Aoidiu in advance, and then get a clear read on the other side's bottom line, the future negotiations will go much more smoothly — that's the surface layer.】

Paimon: "Mm... worthy of a company executive."

Paimon: "What a sharp mind..."

Paimon: "Why can't Paimon think of things this deep?"

Lumine: "If Paimon could think of it, she wouldn't be Paimon."

Furina: "Miss Topaz said... the surface layer?"

Furina: "Then what's the hidden layer?"

Topaz: "The hidden layer is that old Aoidiu's act of going rogue was clearly, in all likelihood, not discussed with the other families."

Topaz: "He has his own private agenda."

Topaz: "This also indirectly reflects that the family isn't united."

Jade: "Hehe, since they're not united, that makes things even easier."

Jade: "After all, if they truly stood as one, advancing and retreating together, solid as an iron barrel."

Jade: "Then the effort required would be far greater."

Jade: "Fortunately, Harmony hasn't truly turned them into selfless saints."

Stelle: "I'm curious — if the branch families of Penacony are like this, what about the main line?"

Stelle: "Is it the same for them too?"

March 7th: "As long as they haven't discarded their humanity, they should all be the same, right?"

Hu Tao: "I think the people of these families are using the great power of the Path of Harmony to shelter themselves."

Hu Tao: "They don't care about Harmony's ideals at all."

Miss Qingque: "Not caring isn't quite right, but not much either."

Miss Qingque: "Anyway, compared to Harmony's ideals, they care more about their own interests."

Dr. Ratio: "This is simply human nature."

The video continued.

【Correct, and the unspeakable layer is... through the head of the Clover family's behavior, we can capture a signal: the five great families may not be as united as the Harmony's hymn sings.】