The store manager told Giselle, "We can't get our hands on that vaccine that's been in high demand lately."
The vaccine she was referring to was for preventing a recent outbreak of an "atypical canine infectious respiratory disease". It was spreading fast, but only between dogs. However, once infected, symptoms would appear within seven days—fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, convulsions, and in severe cases, death.
It was essentially an epidemic in the animal world. In less than a month, there had already been over 100 reported deaths.
To combat it, the veterinary pharmaceutical market had recently rolled out a newly developed vaccine. Any dog that received it would be effectively protected from infection.
However, since the vaccine hadn't yet gone into mass production, supply was limited. Only a handful of pet hospitals could get their hands on it, and they sold it to pet owners at steep prices.
"What do you mean?" Giselle was puzzled. "I thought this vaccine was readily available right now. Why can't we get any?"
The store manager fumed, "It's the supplier. The second they heard you were the owner of this hospital, they said their higher-ups gave strict orders not to sell to us.
"They claimed our hospital has been involved in multiple violations. It's ridiculous! No matter how we explain, they won't listen to us."
As soon as her words sank in, Giselle put the pieces together. "Which company is manufacturing the vaccine?"
"Kane Group's Concord Pharmaceuticals."
The moment she heard the words "Kane Group", her heart sank.
Giselle hadn't expected a certain man to stoop so low just to make her life difficult.
Her pet hospital had been open for years, and she had always relied heavily on products from Concord Pharmaceuticals. Their products were effective, high quality, and far more dependable than those of other manufacturers.
After breaking things off with that man, she had resolved to stay far away from anything and anyone connected to the Kane family. However, when it came to purchasing medicines and medical equipment, she had stuck with Kane Group out of habit.
After brooding in silence for most of the day, she couldn't think of a better solution. So, she apathetically said, "So be it. There are plenty of other manufacturers out there. We can simply buy it from someone else."
Giselle refused to believe that her small pet hospital could be under anyone's thumb. She'd rather see it shut down than have anything to do with that man again.

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