Page 8 of Hate to Crave You
Without speaking, the black man with spectacles rose and began to distribute heavy folders of rich burgundy.
“My company has decided to move more in the direction of mining, particularly the mining of precious metals. We’ll be divesting ourselves of the gem mines we own so we can focus on the others.” He paused, clearly giving them a chance to take in the news he’d just delivered.
A pause was definitely welcome.
Templeton Legacy Jewels was just one of the offshoots of the overall Templeton Legacy Corporation, but while they weren’t the name that either of Montrose Jewelers or Castle Jewels were, they wereaname. And the gems and metals from their mines were first rate.
“We won’t be selling our stores,” Edgar continued. “That’s another part of the company and my daughters will continue with the stores. However, my sons and I are eager to embark on this new venture. But first we need to sell the gem mines.” His eyes gleamed as he added, “And to sweeten the deal, if you read the material I provided about the company, if you know anything about Templeton Legacy, then you know we’re on the cutting edge of technology. For the past several years, one of my sons has been working with our lab team and they’ve developed a prototype that…well, let’s say it revolutionizes the way gemstones are handled and cut.”
Julianna’s mind was whirling. Her father turned to her as Edgar lapsed into silence but before he could say anything, she held up a hand to silence him.
Cutting was everything in the gem industry. You could have a flawless stone and a bad cut would render it almost worthless. Some of the best developments in the industry in the last few decades had come from Templeton Legacy’s labs, so she wanted to know more about this.
Her father settled back in his seat, clearly content to let her lead, even though the legal team was already battering him with questions.
Julianna had questions herself.
One in particular. Catching Edgar’s eye, she smiled warmly and leaned forward. “This all sounds fascinating, Edgar. As I’m sure you are aware. But…” She laughed, keeping the sound amused and dry. “You have to know that dangling a carrot in front of us isn’t going to be enough to make us bite. We need to know more about this new prototype. Let us see it.”
Edgar wagged a finger at her, smiling broadly. “I knew you’d be the first to ask, Julianna. I’ll tell you what. Your family will have the first look at what can be done with this tech—for seventy-two hours. And I’ll instruct my men at our lab in Thailand to stand by to answer questions should you have them.” He slanted a look toward the table where the Montrose party waited. “You’ll get a look at it after the seventy-two hours are up. You’ll also have three days and the same access to my team in Thailand.”
“Why do they get it first?” Michael asked, waving a hand across the room toward the Castles.
“The early bird gets the worm,” Edgar said easily.
He went on to speak in more detail about the sale itself, sealed bids, winner takes all.
Julianna’s mind was whirling with everything, but most especially with what Edgar’s team might have on their hands with this new prototype. Templeton Legacy’s people had discovered the latest change in mining precious metals within just the past couple of years and it had significantly changed the game, especially as far as platinum and gold went.
If this was going to be another game-changer, her familyhadto be the one to get it.
