Chapter 386

Dawn had barely broken when the herbal market erupted into chaos.

Prices of whitening ingredients like bletilla striata, pearl powder, and ginseng plummeted overnight.

A flood of herbs from Montreal saturated the market. Sterling Manor opened its supply channels, causing prices to halve instantly.

The oversupply crisis crushed the already struggling market.

The Macmillan family's warehouses held thousands of tons of herbs—their golden ticket for year-end profits. As Vienna's leading herbal supplier, they'd always reaped fortunes during winter.

But by morning, every merchant who'd placed premium orders demanded refunds.

Macmillan Group's stock nosedived.

Margaret Valentine and Eleanor Macmillan became trending targets of shareholders' fury.

Inside the Macmillan estate...

Harrison Macmillan nearly fainted reading the news.

The elder Macmillan had just woken when his son Harrison Jr.'s enraged shouts echoed from the dining room.

Eleanor remained oblivious, still plotting revenge against Evelyn.

"Father, Evelyn and Nathan's arrogance last night was unacceptable. Sterling Manor means nothing—we'll simply cut off their supply!"

The patriarch massaged his temples.

The memory of that doubled-price contract made his chest tighten.

Harrison Jr. slammed his palms on the table.

"While Evelyn hosted tea exhibitions and gifted million-dollar Da Hong Pao to secure partnerships?"

"Now Montreal's herbs are everywhere, and our stockpile is worthless!"

"Our shares will hit limit-down today—all thanks to you!"

His glare turned icy.

"Grandmother knew your first love's family had petty minds. Now your life's work is destroyed by this daughter-in-law."

The door crashed shut behind him.

Eleanor and the elder Macmillan exchanged stunned looks.

"Father... what bankruptcy is he talking about?"