NOVEL WEB Chapter 288.1
Chapter 288.1. Acquisition
Kamishiro Serika. A young genius. A girl who amassed a great fortune through numerous inventions. Her flowing silvery hair and ruby-red eyes gave her a beauty that seemed almost inhuman. Though petite, her figure was well-proportioned, blending youthful innocence with charm. Her porcelain-like skin seemed to glow, making her an enviable albino beauty.
Serika fully understood her own appearance. Using her extraordinary intellect, she skillfully leveraged it as one of her many assets.
“Now, is this acquisition amount acceptable?”
Clad in a beautiful dress made from simple yet high-quality fabric, a small emerald necklace gleaming at her neck, Serika crossed her legs and offered a delicate smile to the men seated across the table.
The men in suits, sweating slightly, repeatedly reviewed the contract on the desk before them. Sensing their discomfort, Serika exuded an air of calm confidence.
The current setting was the reception room of Serika’s mansion. Acquired from a fallen noble family, it resembled a Victorian palace with its vast estate and countless rooms. This luxurious reception room was one of the spoils of her success.
The room was extravagant. A plush, long-pile carpet lined the floor, embroidered with gold threads that shimmered elegantly. Antique white-and-silver contrasting tables and couches adorned the room. The paintings displayed were so valuable their prices were beyond estimation. Every piece of furniture and decor was arranged with refined taste.
The graceful, beautiful mistress of the house sat like a queen, her commanding presence causing the men to shift uncomfortably as they wiped sweat from their brows.
Still, these men were no strangers to fierce power struggles, having thrived in cutthroat competitions. Regaining their composure, they took a deep breath, shot Serika a sharp glare, and spoke.
“This acquisition amount is far too low! A milling company is worth at least 20 billion yen. Offering only 2 billion—are you mocking us, Miss Serika?”
One of the men slapped the contract with his hand, snorting disdainfully. The others nodded in agreement, echoing his sentiment.
The business they were attempting to sell to Serika was a milling company with branches across Japan. A fairly valuable enterprise with minimal debt and consistent annual profits. Yet, the outrageously low offer left them indignant.
Despite being faced with men decades older than herself, the albino beauty smiled with unshakable composure, even letting out a soft chuckle.
“I’m not trying to lowball you that much. I believe I’ve made an extremely reasonable offer. Shall we wait a few more days? You’ll see what the market truly values.”
“Ugh…”
Lifting a fine porcelain cup with her slender, graceful fingers, Serika sipped her coffee. Even the simple act of drinking looked picturesque, causing the men to blush despite their frustration.
Perhaps it was due to their embarrassment or the pressure they felt under, but they coughed awkwardly, trying to conceal their reactions.
“The day after tomorrow, isn’t it? When Amatsugahara Corporation’s wheat is set to be delivered to the inner town? Some people might be watching closely to see how much is handled. Can it overwhelm existing milling companies? How’s the quality? Maybe there’s something rare in the mix?”
With a faint smile, Serika raised a hand slightly. A waiting maid by the wall exited the room and soon returned, pushing a cart.
The clinking sound of plates drew the men’s attention, and they gulped nervously as they stared at what was presented.
“Well, well, let’s not tire ourselves with endless discussion. Let’s take a break. How about some tea? Maybe some bread?”
The maid, with meticulous movements, placed fresh coffee and kaiser rolls before them, accompanied by jam.
These men, accustomed to lavish lifestyles and gourmet delicacies, found it almost insulting to be offered such simple bread.
One might have expected them to erupt in anger or storm out of the room. Such treatment was arguably the worst for guests of their standing.
However, Serika’s confident smile never faltered, and the men, rather than expressing outrage, gulped nervously as they eyed the bread.
Could this be the rumored bread? They glanced at the albino girl, who caught their gaze and smiled sweetly. That subtle confirmation made them cautiously reach for the rolls.
Soft to the touch? Slightly. But the bread appeared unremarkable. The men hoped it was ordinary, suspecting otherwise. Tentatively, they bit into it.
The moment it entered their mouths, the bread vanished—no, it melted like mousse, sliding down their throats. Though it had seemed merely soft to the touch, it dissolved mysteriously upon contact.
Its ethereal texture and faint sweetness were utterly enchanting. This was no ordinary bread. Without even adding jam, its flavor was exquisite, akin to a fine dessert.
“Delicious, isn’t it? That’s Amatsugahara Corporation’s new product, made from a wheat variety called Awayuki. Like snow, it melts away the moment it touches your tongue—a magical wheat.”
A wheat that defied scientific understanding. Ordinary until consumed, it transformed in the mouth as if by magic.
“There’s also a dense wheat that pairs well with meat dishes, and another with simply the best quality. A single bite is enough to make your cheeks melt with delight.”
The men recognized the premium wheat, rumored to be magical. They had leveraged connections to try it once before. Initially dismissing it as merely a novelty, they had realized its true, otherworldly quality upon tasting it.
It was unparalleled. This bread, once tasted, made all others obsolete—a flavor so divine it was almost painful to recall.
“But… surely such a product comes at a high price?”
“About five times the usual price. Yes, it’s costly. I worry it won’t sell much. We’ve only just managed to produce it in larger quantities.”