A Tall guy with dark skin, with the same physique as the knights who trained every day, approaches her.
Xavier bows and kisses her hand out of courtesy.
"I have been waiting for your arrival, my lady."
"I apologize if it took too long, but I need to talk to you privately with Lord Aizen."
'It's been a few days or maybe a week; why does he make it sound like it's been years?'
Xavier greets Aizen.
"Greetings, my lord. You must be Aizen Harion. Welcome to our Production."
"And you are?" Aizen asks him with a poker face.
"I'm Xavier Leon. I'm the one handling the production."
They shook hands tightly, but you could feel the strong tension between them.
As they walked to his office, Xavier could feel the mad gaze of Aizen, but he didn't mind it.
"Aizen, you can join us in our meeting if you don't mind?"
"Sure, don't worry, I'll just listen. I'm not gonna bother you."
As they entered Xavier's office, he handed her the transaction papers.
"Xavier, did my plan work?"
"Yes, the feedback from the customers is great, and most of them like it."
"Why just most of them, not all of them?"
"Well, some of the furniture that Arthur managed has already been shipped out, and we couldn't stop the arrival of those orders. They're confused that it's not the same as the new ones that we have."
Serlina sighs in disappointment, but she suddenly thinks of a solution.
"Since we can't control the shipment to them, we'll replace their furniture with a new version of ours. We also have to apologize to them and not charge them with anything since it's our fault that the quality that they received is not what they expected."
"We should value the feedback of our customers and—"
Aizen interferes with their conversation,
"May I comment on your plan?"
"Sure, I don't mind."
"I admire your enthusiasm, but it's gonna be a big loss in your business. Let me tell you about the problems that will occur if that's your solution. First, you can't afford to give them the furniture that they deserve; you should think more about other ways, or you're gonna be in huge debt. Second, it's gonna cause trouble and public outrage among past customers as well, because they didn't receive the same treatment.
Third, if you're going to track all of your customers, you'll need more manpower, which will be more expensive.
Business is not about fairness. Business is about making money."
Even though Serlina is pissed at him, he's right about what he said.
'He's right, I really can't afford to lose more money. If it's my own business in the modern world, it's gonna be easy, but it's different here.'
"How about I offer a discount to the customers?"
'If I only favor the ones who are affected by the poor quality of our furniture, it'll be unfair to our past and future customers, so it's much better to make a sale for all.'
"You may, but as I say, as long as it's not gonna be a huge loss."
"It's not gonna be a huge loss since it'll only appear as a discount, but we're still gonna earn money."
'In the modern world, it's also used as a business tactic. They say that it's gonna be 50% off, but the price is still fair; consumers will think they saved money even though it's not.'
Aizen is impressed with her solution while Xavier nods in agreement.
"Since you both agree, we'll need to decide the specific date and time, then we'll have to publicize our upcoming sale through newspapers and posters."
"I also have a prior meeting with the nobles from the banquet. I had a conversation with them regarding the upgraded quality of our furniture, exclusively for them. Since it's exclusive, the price will also get expensive. Xavier, please hand me all the samples of the new designs of the furniture, and I'll pick which one is the best and suited for them."
Xavier hands her the samples of the designs.
"Is that all, my lady?"
"There's one more thing that we need to discuss. I'm planning to release a luxurious design of teapots since I have been invited to a tea party, and I would like to release it there to show the ladies."
"I'll have Nestor design a set of teapots for you, my lady."
Serlina is checking the sample of the design that Xavier handed to her.
"Did Nestor design this?"
"Yes, my lady. He's the one who drew these samples. He's our new designer for our furniture."
"Ohh, He's talented. I'll have this all checked on our way to Count Bruce's manor, and I'll inform you right away which one I'll pick."
Xavier and Serlina talk about the marketing of the furniture, as well as the release of the luxurious design of teapots and cups. She knows the importance of the tea parties for the ladies and nobles; it's gonna be a huge hit for them.
"Since we have nothing more to discuss, we shall take our leave, since we still have a matter to attend to."
"Alright, my lady. I hope you'll have a safe journey."
Serlina remembers that she needs help to find Sophia. They are about to take their leave, but Serlina tells Aizen to wait for her in the carriage.
"I almost forgot, I still have to talk to Xavier. You may wait for me in the carriage, Aizen."
Aizen is hesitant to leave them alone together, but he still listens to her request.
"I'll wait for you, but don't be long, since we need to travel to Count Bruce's manor and it's a bit far."
"Alright, it's not gonna take too long."
After Aizen left, Serlina walked close to Xavier.
"I'm gonna ask you for a favor."
With no hesitation or questions, Xavier agreed.
"Of course, anything for you, my lady."
"This favor needs to be handled with discretion since it's a sensitive matter. I need you to look for Sophia. She was our maid, but she vanished without a trace. I don't remember anything about her, but hopefully you could find her."
"I'll try my best, and I'll look for her myself."
Serlina held his hand and thanked him sincerely.
"Thank you, Xavier. She's important to me, so I'm hoping you could find her."
Serlina took her leave after conveying her request to Xavier.
She saw Aizen standing, waiting for her outside the carriage.