Chapter 15 After getting nagged endlessly by the uptight Troy , Lorrayne finally gave up on keeping the spider . 10 vouchers She handed it over to Troy and told him to trace where it came from - preferably to find out who had planted it in the first place . Troy agreed . " What about Roman ? Nothing happened to him , right ? " Lorrayne asked with concern . " What could possibly happen to him ? " Troy dismissed it . " That kid's way too crafty ." Lorrayne added , " That's good . One more thing - I need you to find a certain kind of soil for me . " D She carefully described its traits . " It's white or grayish - white , very sticky when pinched , smooth with a bit of a sheen once rolled flat - it's a soft mineral . " " Hold it right there . " Troy cut her off . " You said all I had to do was protect you . Why are you piling more jobs on me ? " Lorrayne narrowed her eyes , her face twisting into the greedy look of a shrewd capitalist . " You still want those gold coins or not ? " Hearing this , Troy shut his mouth . " Good . Then get to it . I'm heading back to school now , " Lorrayne continued . She dared not linger too long outside the campus walls . Every time she stayed out , it felt like someone might jump out and try to kill her . " Wait ," Troy said . " What now ? " Lorrayne snapped impatiently . Troy's hand slid to the hilt of his sword , his sharp eyes fixed on something behind her . " Someone's following you . " A chill ran down Lorrayne's back . She spun around . " Where ? " There was no answer- -Troy had already drawn his sword and charged off . Lorrayne thought , ' This customer service is really terrible ! The autumn wind chilled the back of her neck . Hugging her hands close , Lorrayne bolted back to the academy . The world outside is far too dangerous , she thought . Lorrayne had originally decided not to step foot out again that day , but two hours later she found herself leaving the gates once more . Because Harkins ' Shop had finished the samples . A whole day earlier than she'd expected . Only when Lorrayne saw Barton , with huge dark circles under his eyes , did she realize why the samples were done so quickly . Barton must have stayed awake two nights straight . His hair was a mess , his face pale and haggard , like his soul might drift out of him at any second " Miss Lorrayne , please take a look at this fabric ," Barton said , holding out a small square of cloth no bigger than a handkerchief . " Please sit down , Mr. Harkins . You don't look well at all ," Lorrayne answered . Afraid he might faint , Lorrayne quickly took the sample from him . The fabric was soft and white , smooth and debcate to the touch . When she lifted it lightly , it floated like a veil . " Not bad . This is exactly what I wanted . Mr. Harkins , have someone draft up the contract , " Lorrayne said . Rubbing his hands together , Barton gave a fawning smile . " Miss Lorrayne , there's something I'd like to ask , if you wouldn't mind. ....... " " Go alwad , Mr. Harkins Lorrayne set the fabric down and motioned for him to speak . Barton hesitated , then asked , " Is it really impossible to sell this fabric to anyone else ? " PD Chapter 15 10 vouchers . He had a strong hunch . If Harkins ' Shop could mass - produce and sell this fabric , his family y wouldn't just dominate the Duchy of Luncos -they would become the greatest textile merchants in all of Westvale . At that moment , there would be mountains of gold coins flowing into his coffers , barrels of treasure pouring in from every corner of the continent . Fame , fortune , power - all within reach . Just the thought of it made Barton dizzy with excitement . He thought , " The value of this fabric , the value of those secret formulas - no price can measure it . ' Barton didn't know what " technological innovation " was , nor what it meant to hold a monopoly . He just had this instinct that once this fabric spread , his life would change forever . This wasn't just a piece of fabric . It was his golden dream . And the notes even mentioned things like assembly - line production and improved machines . If Lorrayne revealed those as well , no cloth merchant in the world could ever compete with him . Eyes blazing , Barton waited for her answer . " Mr. Harkins . " Lorrayne frowned , " I clearly told you this fabric is for my use only , and you agreed ." Ashamed , Barton lowered his head . " Yes , you did say that . " " But .. " Barton still couldn't give up , begging humbly , " you only said that because you paid us the buyout price . What if we give that up and provide you with clothing for free ? " His voice grew more confident as he went on . " As long as you allow Harkins ' Shop to sell this fabric , I'll cover all your clothing needs- every single one - without you spending a penny . " And since we're using your formula , of course we'll pay you a price that will satisfy you . " You can trust us . Harkins ' Shop has always built its name on honesty . We'll never reveal your secrets . I won't even ask for ownership of the formula , only your permission to use it . " As a merchant , Barton knew well that money could move mountains . But when Lorrayne stayed unmoved , Barton gritted his teeth and blurted , " How about one hundred gold coins a month ? " A hundred gold coins . Every month . Lorrayne's eyelids twitched . She had never imagined he'd be willing to pay that much . In her mind , ten coins a month would've been more than enough . Seeing the flicker of temptation in her eyes , Barton knew he had her . He immediately raised the stakes . " Miss Lorrayne , one hundred gold coins a month - that's just the base price for using your formula . " On top of that , for every garment sold , you'll get thirty percent of the profit ." Now Lorrayne was truly swayed . Her heart pounded so hard it echoed in her ears . " Deal " Her voice came out hoarse , startling even herself . Lorrayne cleared her throat and tried again . " I accept , Mr. Harkins . You really are a generous merchant . " Barton's breathing grew ragged . I've done it . I've actually closed the deal . I know it - no one can turn down money , not even a Highborn lady " For a moment , Barton's chest swelled so much it felt like he could float . He thought , " There's no business under the sun that I can't seal .' Riding his high , Barton pressed on . " Then let's draft the contract right away , Miss Lorrayne . Now it was him rushing the process . Tomayne smiled . All right . " Wisle drafting the contract , Barton calmed down a little . In truth , one hundred gold coins a month were far too steep . It would normally take him four or five years to earn that mitch . If not for his miserly father and the family fortune built up through generations of trade , Barton could never have afforded it . 273 P Chapter 15 10 vouchers Still , Barton didn't regret it . He thought , I know the value of those formulas . As long as I go all in , I can ship out the first batch within three months . " Once the goods are out , I'll earn it all back quickly . Those first three months will just be living off my savings , and I can bear it . After the contract was signed . Lorrayne smiled . " Mr. Harkins , your generosity and decisiveness truly impress me . That's why I've decided to give you a gift . Barton lit up . " Oh , my gracious lady , what gift could that be ? " Lorrayne lifted her chin with composure . " Since you're in the fabric business , I'll give you a few secret formulas related to textiles ." " Fabric formulas ? " Barton nearly leapt out of his chair in joy . " Yes , " Lorrayne replied . " Some dyeing methods , along with designs for a spinning machine and a jacquard loom . I'll have them delivered to your shop tomorrow . " With those in hand , Barton's production of cashmere fabric would speed up considerably . " But , Mr. Harkins , there's something I need to warn you about those machines ," Lorrayne said seriously . Barton straightened immediately . " Please , go on ." " These machines must never be leaked , " Lorrayne added . " Not because I'm stingy , but because once they spread , they could bring you a death sentence . " The spinning machine marked the start of the first industrial revolution . Lorrayne would not risk triggering the land enclosure movement too early . The horrors of sheep driving people off their land had already happened once in Eldoria . +373 Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.