Building The Strongest Family

Chapter 402: Hostage Plan [ 1 ]

The room was silent, a stillness characteristic of an enclosed space. Lights danced across the marble floor, highlighting the faces of those who seemed to be both family members and council members.

Arthur rose to his feet. He didn’t raise his voice or smile.

"Evolon," he said.

Evolon emerged in various shades of blue. Holograms appeared, revealing charts and data.

The screens displayed test results and parameters, showcasing labs and one unmistakable conclusion: the cancer treatment candidate had successfully passed its evaluation. The proof was irrefutable; the methods were solid.

"You’re already acquainted with the science," Arthur continued. "This meeting isn’t about the medicine; it’s about power and organization. Stay focused."

Evolon began to speak, its voice lacking warmth yet rich in clarity.

"Stage one involves a regulated release, targeting Osborn hospitals and foundation clinics in phase one. Phase two will extend to major distribution outlets, while phase three will open public channels linked to Osborn financial accounts and the Hivemind network."

The screens shifted again, now showing health IDs, delivery routes, and payment systems. The family watched as the map formed an interconnected network centered around a single point.

Arthur moved closer. "We’ll set a price for the cure that everyone can afford," he explained. "At first, we’ll offer it for free in specific areas to foster gratitude and build trust."

Margaret’s voice softly interrupted. "You mean we use the cure to create reliance."

"I mean we make ourselves essential," Arthur replied firmly. "I want a child born in an Osborn hospital, dressed in Osborn clothes, educated in an Osborn school, working for an Osborn company, and if fate allows, buried in Osborn grounds. I want our systems woven into every facet of life."

Silence hung in the air as the family processed the plan, with some faces showing curiosity while others tightened in worry.

Emily, who handled media relations, leaned forward enthusiastically. "So we control the narrative?" she continued. "We present this as an act of mercy while framing our foundations with humility."

"Exactly," Arthur confirmed. "You craft the story; you decide the images people will remember when they think of their saviors."

Nathaniel was quiet for a moment before speaking in a practical tone, suggesting he was already strategizing logistics: "If we own supply chains, we control access and if we control access, we create dependency."

Philip added another layer of thought: "If transactions consistently flow through us, habits will form,people will associate their salaries and savings with us, along with their access to healthcare."

Evolon displayed strategies that combined soft rules with firm advantages: refund guarantees tied to Osborn Bank accounts; reliance on the Hivemind app for scheduling treatments; insurance linked directly to health statuses; education vouchers eligible only at Osborn institutions; public subsidies that required an Osborn account for claims.

"The mechanics are clear," Evolon stated. "Integration raises the costs of switching, making exit less likely. When leaving becomes challenging, dependency arises."

Julian raised his hand, voicing the concern weighing on everyone’s minds. "You’re leveraging salvation," he said plainly. "You’re creating a system where life itself becomes a bargaining chip. That seems like hostage-taking."

Arthur met Julian’s gaze unflinchingly. "Label it as you wish," he replied. "Empires have always traded what people need for what they want. I prefer to be straightforward about it. If we find ourselves in the thick of it, I want our refuge to carry our name."

Julian remained firm. "You want to make them love us by making them dependent on us," he countered. "That’s a dangerous kind of affection."

Ashley chuckled softly. "Let’s face it; ’dangerous’ sells way better than ’boring,’" she said. "We’re going to elevate our brand, think jewelry collaborations for those feeling grateful, eye-catching ad campaigns, and glamorous events. People will buy into the lifestyle we promote."

Arthur didn’t smile; he allowed her words to hang in the air.

"When people choose our products, they start to rely on us more. Once that reliance becomes significant, it’s nearly impossible to sever ties without serious consequences."

Evolon switched to a display that illustrated various figures and scenarios, showcasing what it called the "dependency index."

It demonstrated how abruptly pulling our services could disrupt entire economies, leading to a domino effect of failures and shortages in critical areas like food and water, transportation issues, overwhelmed hospitals,ultimately triggering social unrest.

"I’m not making a threat here," Arthur stated firmly."This is the truth. If we’re integral to seventy percent of essential services, taking that away could completely dismantle systems,that’s where our power lies."

Philip spoke with a precise, analytical tone: "You want us to trade ethical concerns for stability."

"Exactly," Arthur replied confidently.

"I’m asking you to consider our long-term survival over immediate worries." Margaret pondered this for a moment and questioned, "And when future generations look back at us and see this decision..."

"We will be the ones defining history," Emily interjected with a smile. "We’ll craft its narratives and fund its records; we’ll position ourselves as the heroes,that’s part of what we’re here to do."

Evolon cycled through various strategies and contingencies: showcasing legal frameworks that would allow for emergency procurement from vulnerable governments in exchange for early supply deals; demonstrating how community clinics could launch initial programs linked to Osborn’s charitable endeavors; outlining education grants that would keep students connected to Osborn systems for years; and detailing pathways into jobs within Osborn companies.

"All of this creates a connected ecosystem," Nathaniel emphasized clearly. "An ecosystem is much harder to dismantle than a simple structure,you can replace a building in no time, but disrupting an ecosystem takes years to fix."

Arthur absorbed every word, fully aware of the implications of his proposal.

He studied the expressions around him,Julian’s barely contained frustration, Margaret’s careful contemplation,and grasped how this pressure might shift their family dynamics.

He wanted them to make a choice, to embrace the vision he had carefully constructed.

"Will we be loved?" Bella asked quietly, finally breaking her silence with a sincere question. "We will be essential,"

Arthur answered. "Those ideas aren’t the same. Need drives actions; love is something else." "I don’t agree with that distinction," Julian replied.

"In a world where resources are scarce, total consent is a luxury we can’t afford," Arthur shot back. "We’ll have tough decisions to make, and our priority must be to safeguard our family."