Despite Nathan Leafcastle’s injury, he still attended the negotiation with Ashton and Kris Cooper that day.

Given the significance of the matter, Kris Cooper maintained a strictly businesslike posture, occasionally throwing a few sarcastic remarks at Nathan Leafcastle, but nothing more.

Overall, the negotiation went quite smoothly. After some discussion, both parties agreed that the project would be bid on jointly by the two companies. Ashton would take 60% of the project’s profits, and consequently, bear 60% of the initial costs, with the remaining 40% covered by Barker. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The draft contract was printed, bound, and placed before the two of them.

Both decision-makers signed and exchanged documents, writing their names, which symbolized the formal commencement of the partnership between the two companies.

Tommy Taylor brought out the champagne that had been prepared earlier, and Kris Cooper personally opened and poured it into several glasses. The participants on both sides raised their glasses simultaneously.

Nathan Leafcastle proactively extended his glass toward Kris Cooper.

"Pleasure to collaborate."

Kris Cooper clinked glasses with him lightly.

"Pleasure to collaborate!"

After everyone drank the champagne, Sally Dalton stepped forward to collect the documents and handed them over to the assistant.

"I owe Kris Cooper a meal from last time. How about we treat you to lunch today?"

"Unfortunately, I have other obligations this noon," Kris Cooper put the champagne glass back on the table. "Tommy Taylor, you can accompany Mr. Leafcastle and Miss Dalton for lunch, and make sure to bill it to me."

With that, he gave a faint smile.

"If you’ll excuse me."

"Wait!" Nathan Leafcastle called out, "When are we discussing the project plan?"

The contract stipulated that both parties would jointly complete the project plan, which had to be ready by the bidding time, which was fast approaching, so Nathan Leafcastle was naturally concerned about the progress.

"This afternoon," Kris Cooper checked his watch, "One-thirty, in the conference room."

After bidding farewell to everyone, he left with large strides, heading directly to the Planning Department downstairs to find Vera Wave, instead of returning to his office.

At that time, in the Planning Department’s conference room, Vera Wave was discussing the Jade River project plan with Kate Palmer and the Engineering Design Department staff.

Upon learning this, Kris Cooper went directly to the conference room.

Hearing the door open, Vera Wave paused her presentation and turned to see him, her eyes flashing with curiosity.

"Everyone, please wait a moment..."

"No need, continue. I just came to listen to the plan," Kris Cooper said as he walked over, giving her chair a gentle nudge, and casually pulling up a chair beside her.

Vera Wave resumed her seat and continued to explain the entire plan, her gaze inquisitively fixed on Kris Cooper afterward.

"Hmm." Kris Cooper nodded, "Does anyone else have anything to add?"

Among Vera Wave’s capable subordinates, including Archie Perkin, several immediately elaborated on some details for him. Kris Cooper listened while nodding, asking a few questions, and offering some suggestions.

"Very well, then amend it now. I want to see the revised plan before one o’clock."

The rest understood the implied urgency in his words and promptly stood up and left the conference room.

With only the two of them left in the conference room, Vera Wave relaxed and leaned into the arm Kris Cooper had draped over her chair back.

"How did the negotiation go?"

"The contract is signed. This afternoon, we’ll discuss the project plan and design proposal. We’ll handle the project plan, and they’ll take care of the design proposal."