Building The Strongest Family

Chapter 406: Crumbling

The first to go under were the small companies since the cure was released.It started with quiet conversations on the trading floors,confused whispers that quickly spiraled into chaos.

The initial casualties were mid-sized suppliers in oncology, their survival reliant on a demand for treatments that no longer existed. They had amassed their wealth on gradual cures and lengthy treatment regimens, but now, one new pill rendered all of that useless.

By the third week following the launch of LUCEM-9, hundreds of these firms were out of business. Their stocks were delisted, their offices locked up, and employees packed their belongings into boxes, leaving under a dreary sky.

Yet, with their downfall, market stability remained elusive. Instead, the markets quaked even more. In the bustling trading rooms across Panterra, thousands of brokers traversed the chaos like ants caught in a storm.

The air was filled with the noise of ringing phones, tapping keyboards, and shouting voices.

Every second brought another number flashing red, and with each passing minute, there was news of another collapse.

The ticker boards of the top ten pharmaceutical conglomerates glowed red in a frenzy:

Pandora Health – down 27%

Aetheris Medical – down 38%

NexGen BioSolutions – down 45%

Helix Global – down 62%...

No one could comprehend how a single drug could dismantle an entire quadrillions of unicreds industry in just a month. The cure accomplished what war had never been able to do,it ended profit.

Across the global networks, news anchors tried to maintain calm, but their unease seeped into their tones.

Markets are still responding to Osborn Pharmaceutical’s cancer therapy, LUCEM-9, now available in over eighty countries.

Government reports confirm a success rate of ninety-eight percent, yet the medical and economic consequences are unprecedented."

Analysts debated on the split screens: some hailed it as a boon, while others labeled it destruction.

One anchor summed it up succinctly: "Humanity prevailed. Capitalism crumbled."

From one of the towering buildings at Dominion Sanctum, Arthur observed the numbers in silence. The study lights were dim, replaced by the soft, silver glow of holographic graphs shifting in the air.

Evolon’s voice permeated the space,calm, cold, and efficient. "Update: Eight major oncology firms have initiated emergency reserve withdrawals to stave off liquidity failure. The current reserve depletion rate is at seventy-four percent. Insolvency is anticipated within forty-eight hours."

Arthur leaned in slightly, resting his elbows on the sleek black marble desk, fingers interlaced. "Which companies are managing to stabilize?"

"None," Evolon answered flatly. "The market is in freefall. The demand for LUCEM-9 has dismantled entire treatment systems. The global oncology sector is shrinking at a rate of thirty percent per week."

Garrick entered the room, his tie loosened and his face tense yet controlled. He set a datapad next to Arthur. "These are the casualty reports. Over thousands of smaller companies have declared bankruptcy within the past twelve hours."

Arthur scanned the information. Each line represented a firm, each firm a framework that had previously supported thousands of jobs. "And how many jobs are affected?"

"About two million across Panterra," Garrick replied quietly. "It could reach five million by next week."

Arthur nodded, revealing no emotion.

Evolon chimed in again, maintaining his neutral tone: "Public sentiment remains steady, with ninety-five percent of those surveyed viewing Osborn Pharmaceutical as a humanitarian entity. Only the financial sector is showing signs of discontent."

Ashley as nosy as ever, voice broke through from the doorway. "You mean the ones who lost money."

Arthur glanced up momentarily as she entered, poised as ever, a glass of citrus in hand.

"It’s odd," she noted, "watching the same networks that once labeled us as leeches now celebrate us like heroes."

"It’s temporary," Emily interjected, joining them with her usual elegance. "They’ll shift their stance as soon as someone points out just how much influence we’ve gained."

She approached the main screen and began scrolling through global broadcasts.

The Osborn logo sparkled on nearly every channel,featuring interviews with successfully treated patients, documentaries about LUCEM-9, hospital celebrations, and even candlelight vigils expressing gratitude.

"Just look at them," Emily whispered. "Billions of people are feeling something because of us."

Arthur’s voice dropped to a murmur. "Feeling is the first step towards obedience."

Silence fell over the room.

Outside the glass wall of the study, the Varenya skyline shimmered like a sea of glass and light.

Garrick placed another file on the table. "Arthur, there’s something else. We’re seeing a coordinated withdrawal trend. A big group of shareholders in various pharma companies is liquidating their assets at the same time. It’s planned, not just panic."

Arthur’s eyes narrowed. "Who’s behind it?"

"Aetheris Medical Holdings," Garrick responded. "Their CEO, Darius Veyne, has been silent since the crash, but their activities suggest they’re strategizing a counterattack."

Arthur leaned back in his chair. "Let’s see the figures."

Evolon projected a spinning sphere of data. Stock symbols, credit movements, and offshore accounts materialized, resembling a galaxy of collapsing stars.

Evolon delivered the information in a flat tone. "Aetheris Medical Holdings has initiated secret capital transfers using eleven shell companies. Estimated volume: one hundred twenty billion unicreds. Reason unclear. Hypothesis: strategic acquisitions, funding for propaganda, or manipulations on the black market."

Ashley folded her arms. "Looks like the rats are still scurrying."

"Let them," Arthur replied. "With every step they take, they’re burning cash. We control the timeline."

Emily tilted her head in curiosity. "So, you’re not planning to confront them?"

Arthur met her gaze. "Not yet. Let the market take a breath."

The world outside their control centers moved as if it were a single, living organism struggling to adapt.

In Verdania, throngs of investors formed long lines outside brokerage firms, yelling at locked doors. Police drones circled above as markets halted trading for hours.

In Aurelia, government officials gathered for emergency meetings, debating whether to take over failing hospitals or allow the private sector to collapse. Ministers bickered on live television while the public clamored for free distribution of LUCEM-9.

Across the globe, one name echoed like a mantra: Osborn.

Even some religious institutions adjusted their messages. In some churches, clergy replaced prayers for healing with praises for the Osborn Foundation.

What they were witnessing had transcended medicine; it was morphing into a mythos.

-------

Meanwhile back in the Dominion Sanctum, Evolon’s updates flooded Arthur’s private network every hour, stating, "Acquisition opportunities are rapidly increasing."

The reports indicated that more than fifty-seven failing oncology subsidiaries were now available for purchase under liquidation protocols.

Arthur issued the same command each time: "Acquire quietly. Utilize intermediaries. Keep Osborn’s name off the documents."

Garrick executed the directives with robotic efficiency. Within a week, more than two hundred small firms, research labs, and distribution companies fell under silent Osborn control.

Richard and Philip joined him on the logistics team and banking, ensuring that all Osborn banks processed the transactions discreetly.

"We can mask ten percent of our activities within normal market fluctuations," Philip stated, analyzing Evolon’s models. "No one will realize what’s happening until it’s too late."

Evolon concurred. "Estimated time until public detection: seventy-two days following consolidation. By then, the ownership will be locked in."

Arthur remained silent.

Nonetheless, the financial world was beginning to tremble.

In the heart of Aurelia’s market, a lively broadcast captured the moment. A panel of economists debated the ethics surrounding the unfolding events.