Escape from the evil lady (GL)
Chapter 110 - 18. Competition

Chapter 110: Chapter 18. Competition

After the sudden statement of the building’s owner, Jeremy and I exchanged a look of amazement.

«Really?» I asked again. I couldn’t believe that this man, who was so skeptical of us just a while ago, could change his mind so quickly.

— Y-yes... — he nodded hastily, — If that’s the case, I’m ready to consider your offer. Let’s discuss the terms of the lease.

«...»

Although it was definitely an unexpected turn of events, I was glad that everything turned out this way.

After discussing all the details with the owner, we eventually rented the building. This meant that half of our work had already been done. The store’s opening was also just around the corner, as we started making the necessary preparations almost immediately.

Having set up the store on the ground floor, we also decided that we would live in the same building in order to save money on renting a house. Fortunately, this building was two storeys high, and there was just enough room on the second floor for the three of us to stay there.

The interior of our flower shop was quite cozy. At least, that’s exactly what we were trying to create. The scent of fresh flowers wafted pleasantly throughout the room. Jeremy and I enthusiastically arranged bouquets and decorated the windows. Bright flowers — roses, lilies and gerberas — pleased the eye, and the sun’s rays, breaking through the windows, created a warm and cozy atmosphere.

— Let’s put these orchids on the center table, — I suggested, picking up one of the delicate plant pots. — It seems to me that they will look better there.

— Great idea!

Jeremy nodded, helping me with the arrangement. We were both full of hopes and expectations, anticipating and preparing for our official opening, which was to take place in a few days. At that time, while the baron’s youngest son and I were hard at work, Yufil just continued to sit on the stairs and watch our actions without much interest.

— Hey, aren’t you going to help us? — in the end, I couldn’t stand it.

— Why is that? — he asked.

— What do you mean, why? Isn’t it obvious that we can finish faster this way...

— I wasn’t going to agree to this stupid adventure from the very beginning, so it’s all your responsibility. Besides, you’ve already forced me to sacrifice our family’s heirlooms for this nonsense...

Apparently, the incident was still a sore spot for him. And yet... Wasn’t «sacrifice» too exaggerated a word?

I let out a long sigh.

— One way or another. You could at least help us arrange the flowers...

But at that moment, before I could finish, suddenly the door of the store opened with a loud ringing of a bell. A tall man with a ponytail and a smug smile on his face, whom I had certainly never seen before, entered the room.

Obviously, we couldn’t have expected any visitors at such a time, and therefore we expectedly tensed up.

— I’m sorry, but who are you...? — Jeremy was the first to awkwardly address him.

«I heard that a flower shop will open here soon,» the young man remarked.

— what? Did the rumors about our discovery spread so soon? — I must admit, I was a little glad that such newcomers like us could already be heard. Isn’t that a good thing?

— Yes, it’s true! — the friend confirmed enthusiastically, — But we are going to open only in a few days, so you could come to us later...

At this moment, this man suddenly laughed.

«My name is Wilson Anderson and I own a flower shop located right across from you,» he introduced himself.

«The Anderson?» Yufil suddenly said the name aloud, as if remembering something, but at that moment his words went unnoticed. Meanwhile, the man’s attention was entirely focused on Jeremy and Camille.

— Well, what do you have here? — he said with a grin, looking around the interior. — Not bad for beginners, but I’m afraid that all these efforts will be for nothing.

— I’m sorry...?

— Ah, I just wanted to say that you don’t have a chance.

«...»

Jeremy and Camille exchanged puzzled glances. Meanwhile, Wilson Anderson continued to sneer as he walked past them and viewed their work with obvious disdain.

— Do you really think you can compete with my store? — He remarked, picking up one of their flower vases as if it were something insignificant. — We already have a lot of loyal customers, so you may not even hope that you can win anything here.

The baron’s youngest son, feeling increasingly irritated, tried to remain calm.

— We don’t want to try to compete with you. We have our own proposals and we believe in our business.

The owner of the nearby store laughed, and his voice sounded arrogant.

— Do you really think that you are unique? — He asked with a laugh, — You don’t even know how to arrange bouquets properly! I just saw you arranging the flowers in the window. It’s just ridiculous. Absolutely tasteless!

«This is too much! How can this rude man who came out of nowhere talk like that?!..»

The duke’s youngest daughter, unable to stand his open bullying, resolutely stepped forward.

— We are not going to give in to you just because of your threats. And I am sure that we will have our own clients who will appreciate our work.

The man, considering their confidence in their business absurd, just grinned.

— Well, good luck to you. You will definitely need it to survive in this business.

With these words, the cheeky man turned around and left, leaving an atmosphere of tension in his wake. Jeremy and Camille remained standing in the store, both filled with angry feelings.

Of course, I initially understood that competition in any business could not be avoided, but nevertheless... I didn’t expect our competitors to try to put a stick in our wheels from the very beginning. After all, this arrogant bastard who suddenly showed up here clearly felt like the master of the situation here! I wonder what kind of store he runs?

— Don’t worry. It’s just this person’s opinion.

Jeremy, who noticed the obvious tension on my face after the scene, softened his gaze.

— Yes, I know.

Exactly. Although we understood that the competition would undoubtedly be fierce, it only spurred our desire to make our store successful.

— We can handle this, — I said softly, looking at my friend. — Let’s do our best to show them all what we can do.

The guy nodded decisively at me. But at this moment...

«I agree that you have no chance,» Yufil suddenly intervened.

— what?

— Do you even know who owns this store? — The duke’s heir crossed his arms over his chest, — Anderson’s is the largest flower shop in the capital. Do you really hope that newcomers like you can match him?

— The largest flower shop in the capital...? — asked Jeremy, — What are you talking about?

— Of course, someone like you, who had never been in high society circles before, would not understand this, — the guy said with condescension, — «Anderson» is the most famous floral salon, which became famous after the Empress herself ordered flowers from there for a celebration in the imperial palace. Since then, this place has been very popular and in great demand among the nobility. I can’t believe that, having decided to take up this business, you don’t even know about it.

«....»

Jeremy and I looked at each other, dumbfounded, and the same thought was evident in both of our eyes.

It was definitely a turn of events that we could not have predicted. Rather, I couldn’t even imagine that we might encounter such an obstacle.

It looks like we’re really doomed!