Chapter 364  364 Supply


    Mary Kay, momentarily caught off guard by the shift in topic, hesitated before responding. "Oh, you know how it is, Reaves. Business conflicts and personal differences—it''s the way of the world."


    Reaves, ever the diplomatic conversationalist, probed further. "I understand, Mary. But perhaps there''s room for reconciliation? Life''s too short for perpetual animosity."


    Mary Kay, still wearing a veneer ofposure, nodded thoughtfully. "You might have a point, Reaves. But some things run deeper than business."


    As they continued their conversation, Reaves contemted the delicate bnce between business and personal rtionships in the cutthroat world of Castra City''s elite. He knew the shattered ss symbolized not only Mary Kay''s inner turmoil but also the fragility of alliances in this intricate social web.


    Reaves, with a concerned expression, leaned in and said, "Mary, I''ve said it before, and I''ll say it again. This feud with Selina, it''s not worth the trouble. There''s more to life than these business conflicts."


    Mary Kay with a determined look in her eyes, responded, "Reaves, you don''t understand. Selina has always crossed a line, and I won''t let her get away with it. This is about standing up for myself and my business."


    Reaves sighed, realizing the futility of his advice falling on deaf ears. "Mary, I get it. But sometimes, letting go is a strength, it is not a weakness. There''s more to gain in reconciliation than in perpetuating this feud."


    Mary Kay''s face hardened at the mention of reconciliation. "Reaves, this is a matter between women. It has nothing to do with you or any other man. I can handle it on my own."


    Undeterred, Reaves shook his head, his concern face was evident. "Mary, I respect your strength and independence, but I can''t help but worry. Life is short, and these conflicts they can consume us if we let them."


    Mary Kay was unmoved, and she insisted, "I appreciate your concern, Reaves, but I''ll handle it my way. Are you still waiting for Selina or will you discuss something else with me."


    With a resigned shake of his head, Reaves wished Mary Kay well. "Take care of yourself, Mary. If you ever need a friend or some advice, I''ll be around."


    As Reaves made his exit, he couldn''t help but chuckle in worry at theplexities of interpersonal dynamics in the elite circles of Castra City. Some battles, it seemed, were destined to be fought alone.


    As soon as Reaves departed, Selina summoned the butler and instructed him to inform Mary Kay toe in "Inform Mary Kay that she maye in," Selinamanded with a tone that brooked with arrogance. Intrigued by Selina''s arrogant tone, the butler, a wise old man with a face lined by time and experience, nodded dutifully and made his way to where Mary Kay was sitting, when he got there he found Mary Kay engrossed in an intense conversation with none other than Reaves himself. He decided to wait patiently until their exchange concluded before delivering Selina''s message.


    As Mary and Reavespleted their mysterious exchange of words, the butler approached Mary and ryed Selina''s request for her presence. "Miss Kay, Miss Selina requests your presence."


    Mary''s heart beat and she furrowed her brow, knowing all too well the animosity that often swirled between her and Selina. "I have been humiliated enough, I have to achieve what I came here for," sheposed herself, forcing a smile upon her face as she prepared to face the challenge in front of her.


    With measured grace, Mary walked through the opulent hallways, her footsteps barely making a sound against the polished marble floors. As she reached the door to Selina''s office, she took a deep breath, gathering her courage.


    Rumors of animosity between Selina and Mary had always spread throughout Castra City, making their uing meeting all the more intriguing.


    As Mary Kay walked into Selina''s intricately adorned office, she noticed the air thick with anticipation. Selina with her raven-ck hair cascading down her shoulders, sat regally behind her desk. Her piercing eyes locked onto Mary, betraying nothing but a hint of intrigue. Mary took a moment topose herself, ensuring her intentions were well concealed beneath herposed facade.


    As Mary Kay entered Selina''s office, she couldn''t shake off the tension from her earlier encounter with the other customers. Selina, with a seemingly innocent smile, greeted Mary Kay, "Mary, it''s been a while. Please to have you in my abode," and gestured at her to sit.


    Suppressing her irritation, Mary Kay forced a smile and replied, "Thank you for hosting me, Selina. How have you been"


    Selina, ying coy, responded, "Oh, it''s my pleasure. I have been good, this is a rare visit Mary, please have a sit."


    As they settled into their seats, the air between them thick with unspoken tension, Selina observed Mary Kay''s strained smile and decided it was time to address the elephant in the room. With a knowing look, Selina said, "Mary, there''s no need for pretenses. Your smile doesn''t fool me. Let''s drop the act and talk openly, shall we?"


    Though seething inside, Mary Kay decided to y along for the sake of her business interests. She forced a strained smile and replied, "Alright, Selina. What do you want?"


    Selina looked at her with a gloomy look and said "First things first, Mary. That disguise of yours, the smile you''re forcing – it''s worse than your tears. Let''s drop the act and talk openly."


    Mary Kay, feeling a bit exposed, her face underwent an immediate transformation, as her previously forced smile gave way to a visible unease. The mere mention of removing her disguise struck a deep chord within her, causing her to contemte a swift departure from Selina''s office.


    She hesitated before removing her disguise. As she revealed her true expression, the tension in the room seemed to escte. Selina was however unfazed instead, she nodded approvingly andughed "Yes, I am more familiar with this stinky face of hers," she said silently.


    Mary, now exposed in her true emotions, felt a surge of vulnerability. Selina''sughter, though, hinted at a certain camaraderie they shared, even in their adversarial rtionship. The atmosphere in the room, fraught with tension, was now tinged with a strange blend of honesty and underlying motives.


    "Much better, Mary. Now, let''s discuss how we can make this discussion work. After all, in the world of business, a genuine smile is often more valuable than a forced one." Selina''s words hung in the air.


    Mary, having shed her disguise, met Selina''s scrutinizing gaze with a mix of determination and acknowledgment. It was as though the unspoken understanding between them carried more weight than any facade.


    "I need a bulk supply of Vitality elixir from you, Selina," Mary asserted, her tone firm. "And I know how scarce it is, I am prepared to pay handsomely for it and if you can tell me how to meet the alchemist expert directly, I am willing to pay you half of each profit I made."


    Selina, leaning back in her chair, studied Mary''s face. The request wasn''t surprising; the recent surge in demand for the elixir had caught the attention of various establishments. Selina, however, was intrigued by Mary''s direct approach.