The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 393

“What I need is authenticity,” Leilani continued, her voice firm but polite. “The quality must be impeccable. I absolutely cannot accept herbs that have been fumigated with sulfur or soaked in chemical preservatives. In exchange for that guarantee, the price is negotiable.”

Barlow had expected a much more difficult demand. Hearing this, he laughed and thumped his chest. “Ms. Sloan, rest assured! I can’t speak for others, but here in Maple Village, we follow the old ways. Our processing is strictly traditional. We’re miles better than those black-hearted merchants in the city!”

He lowered his voice, his expression darkening slightly. “To be honest, Gilbert, the man who runs the city market... he relies on his cousin at the regulatory bureau to monopolize the supply channels. He crushes our prices constantly. We’ve been wanting to cut ties with him for a long time.”

Leilani’s eyes flashed with recognition, though she kept her own history with Gilbert to herself for now. It was too early to reveal her hand or burden these new acquaintances with her personal vendettas. Instead, she steered the conversation toward the contract.

“That works perfectly for me,” she said. “I can sign a long-term contract with you immediately. I’ll pay ten percent above the standard market price.”

Barlow’s eyes widened. “Is that a promise?”

“My word is my bond,” Leilani smiled. “But I have a stipulation. Before every shipment, I will extract random samples for laboratory testing. If any sulfur or substandard quality is detected, the penalty will be five times the contract value.”

While the price she offered was generous, it was the only way to ensure Maple Village prioritized her quality standards. For Leilani, the cost was secondary to the efficacy of her medicine.

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