Building The Strongest Family

Chapter 407: Consolidation

"There’s no denying the Osborns have amassed millions," one person remarked, "but their actions have thrown the global industry into disarray."

"It’s not their fault," another interjected.

"They’ve simply highlighted how fragile it really is."

"Fragile or not," a third person shot back, "no single family should wield that much power over people’s lives!"

--------

Later that evening, Arthur watched the segment with the sound turned off. As he gazed out at the city glowing in the night, the images played against the window. He didn’t appear angry,just deep in thought.

Evolon’s voice emerged from the speakers: "Public sentiment among the elite is split, but among everyday people, it’s unified. In low-income areas, the approval rating surpasses ninety-eight percent. The underprivileged view the Osborns as their guardians."

Arthur gave a slight nod. "And the wealthy?" "They see you as a threat to their existence."

--------

Three days passed, and the cycle continued, business collapses, mergers, swirling rumors, and widespread panic.

One particularly shocking episode saw more a hundred major oncology funds go bankrupt back to back, with clips of their CEOs exiting tall glass towers becoming a viral sensation.

In another incident, the governments of smaller countries declared plans to overhaul their entire healthcare systems, opting for Osborn Foundation clinics instead.

They touted the new approach as being more affordable, quicker, and,crucially,free for the first year. Emily seized on the powerful imagery, flooding Osborn Media channels with uplifting stories: mothers reunited with their children, patients healed in just days, doctors lauding their newfound efficiency.

Every piece reinforced a singular narrative, the Osborns were life-givers. Ashley built on that theme, introducing a luxury health brand focused on wellness post-recovery.

The jewelry line she launched was equipped with medical trackers that connected to Osborn Health accounts, branding it as "where beauty meets biology." It sold out almost instantly.

All industries under the family took the opportunity to push forward their products to the masses. New products and services were being thrown into the public like fireworks.

Everywhere one looked, every product and every story pointed back to the Osborns. That night, Richard and Margaret joined Arthur in the operations room.

The central table, a slab of sleek black glass, was aglow with layered maps and stock data. The air buzzed with the soft hum of machinery, echoing the quiet rhythm of a burgeoning empire.

"Here’s the liquidity projection," Margaret said, pulling up Evolon’s model. "We’re absorbing assets faster than we anticipated. But if we buy too aggressively, regulators might suspect we’re coordinating."

Arthur scrutinized the figures. "What’s our limit before it raises eyebrows?"

"Five percent of the sector," Margaret replied. "Any more than that, and they’ll investigate cross-ownership connections."

Arthur nodded in agreement. "Then let’s keep it at four-point-eight. We want them to believe they’re in control."

Evolon’s voice resonated in the room again. "Long-term liquidity pathway projection is ready. Would you like me to display it?"

Arthur gestured for it to proceed. The lights dimmed slightly, revealing a vast three-dimensional model floating above the table,a living holographic network of connected industries.

It illustrated every global financial pulse linked to the cancer cure.

Evolon continued its narration in a calm tone, "LUCEM-9 has generated a medical reliance that has led to increased demand in related sectors. Food, housing, transport, and entertainment are all now indirectly benefitting from Osborn-related enterprises. Current interdependence rate: twenty-two percent and climbing."

The hologram expanded, thin lines of light extending outward, connecting hospitals to banks, banks to media, media to drones, drones to supply hubs, and circling back to Osborn Headquarters.

"Within a year," Evolon stated, "the average consumer will interact with an Osborn entity every six hours. By next three year, it’ll be once every two."

Margaret watched the display with concern. "That’s alarming."

Richard corrected her, saying, "That’s control."

Arthur remained motionless, his eyes reflecting the blue light. "This is evolution."

A silence fell over the room, broken only by the low hum of machinery.

Then Evolon added, "Prediction: significant counteractions are likely from remaining oncology conglomerates. Intelligence indicates coordination among former Helix subsidiaries."

Arthur lifted his gaze. "Any names?"

"Darius Veyne," Evolon answered. "CEO of Aetheris Medical Holdings and is gearing up for legal action."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "Looks like he’s finally showing his face."

Arthur’s expression remained unchanged. "He’s waited long enough."

Evolon opened a live feed, revealing a broadcast studio located across the continent. The Aetheris Medical Holdings logo loomed behind a composed, silver-haired man seated in front of an array of microphones.

He exuded a calm yet dramatic confidence. "We will not stand idly by," Darius Veyne declared, his voice resonating with authority. "The reckless release of LUCEM-9 by Osborn Pharmaceutical has inflicted irreversible damage on global commerce. Our industry sustains millions of jobs, and their so-called miracle drug has decimated livelihoods and economies overnight. We are initiating a global class action against Osborn Holdings for monopolistic abuse, unfair trade practices, and the weaponization of healthcare."

He paused as the cameras captured the moment, then his tone turned ice-cold. "Salvation does not justify tyranny."

Arthur observed in silence, while Nathaniel frowned. "He’s clever,positioning morality as an economic issue."

Richard crossed his arms. "And the public will still rally behind us. It’s too little, too late."

Arthur smirked coldly, "Let him scream. His company is collapsing while he speaks."

Evolon delivered the rest of his update flatly. "Aetheris Medical Holdings stock has plummeted by seventy-one percent. The legal filing has been timestamped but not yet processed. Projected outcome: insignificant."

Arthur thought for a moment and then spoke, his voice steady, yet a chill lingered beneath it. "Let him have his moment," he said. "Every man deserves a last breath before he sinks."

He stood up, gazing once again at the holographic world Evolon had created. The networks, the dependencies, and the luminous expanse of his empire sprawled across the map like breathing veins of light.

Breaking the silence, Richard asked, "What’s our next move?"

Arthur responded without turning around. "We stay the course. The world is still finding its balance. The market inhales before it kneels."

Meanwhile, across the tranquil continents of Panterra, the markets did just that. They took a breath, then began to tumble again.

The cure had saved humanity but had also tightened its grip on an empire.

Yet, amid the chaos, only one man in Varenya was smiling as the numbers dropped.

Arthur Osborn. To him, this wasn’t a downfall; it was merely a consolidation.