Chapter 398: Evening At the Hearth

As the late afternoon sun poured gently into the expansive living room of Dominion Sanctum, it cast long, golden streaks over the gleaming marble floors.

The atmosphere was warm and leisurely, a rare moment of peace following weeks of relentless work.

Classical strings floated softly from concealed speakers, their melody blending effortlessly into the serene surroundings.

Arthur settled into his familiar spot by the window, a half-full glass of ruby wine placed on the table beside him.

He sat quietly, watching the light play across the room. Outside, the sprawling glass walls revealed the Varenya skyline, where skyscrapers glittered under the fading sun.

This evening, the family had gathered in an informal manner. There were no looming board meetings or projections weighing on their minds; no Evolon casting its shadow over them.

As expected, Ashley’s voice rang out the loudest in the room. Cross-legged on the couch, she proudly showcased a diamond bracelet she designed herself.

“Look! Minimalist at its finest,” she said, raising her wrist to catch the light. “You’d think simple lines would be easy, but it took three tries for the jeweler to get this right.”

Julian chuckled from behind his teacup. “You’d make a tough fashion dictator. I’ll make sure to never be your jeweler.”

“Exactly! It’s perfection or nothing,that’s the essence of art,” Ashley replied, grinning.

Soft laughter filled the space. Even Nathaniel, who was nearly buried in a digital report, cracked a smile, despite having not looked away from his holopad for over twenty minutes; his eyes scanned numbers like a well-oiled machine.

Arthur relaxed in his chair and savored a sip of wine. His presence was grounding, a quiet strength that everyone around him could feel.

Julian turned to him, a small smile on his lips. “You should join us more often; I was beginning to think you’d merged with your desk.”

Arthur glanced up briefly. “Work helps keep the family secure.”

“And family keeps you human,” Julian shot back.

Arthur chose not to reply but lightly raised his glass,a subtle toast and dismissal and returned his gaze to the dimming sky.

The door opened softly as Emily walked in, still wearing her tailored suit from the Media Group headquarters.

Her hair was meticulously arranged, but there was an edge of restlessness in her eyes, fatigue mingled with something deeper.

“You’re late,” Ashley teased with a playful tone.

“I had a briefing,” Emily said, setting her purse down on the counter. “And… I’ve got news.”

Her change in tone immediately caught everyone’s attention; even Nathaniel paused, momentarily setting aside his report.

Emily took a brief moment, as if carefully considering her words, before continuing. ” Osborn Pharmaceutical had just finished their final-stage verification. The oncology unit had confirmed it: the cure for cancer is ready. It’s stable and primed for mass production”.

Her announcement hung in the air, reverberating through the room like the rumble of distant thunder.

Silence.

Then, the soft sound of Arthur setting down his glass broke the stillness.

Julian blinked, a mixture of skepticism and hope on his face. “You mean remission rates, right? This is still experimental?”

Emily shook her head with certainty. “No, it’s a full cure. All variations,lung, brain, marrow, the complete spectrum. The results are definitive.”

Ashley’s laughter pierced the tension,bright yet tinged with disbelief. “You must be joking! You can’t just announce that like it’s a sale.”

“I’m not joking,” Emily replied, her tone unwavering. “The report came directly from Velora Tan herself.”

The laughter faded immediately.

Nathaniel let out a slow breath, shattering the silence. “If that’s true,” he murmured, “the global medical market will face devastation.”

Philip whistled softly, processing the gravity of what was being said. “Do you realize how many companies could collapse overnight?”

Julian leaned in, his expression tight with worry. “Hold on, who gave the green light for this? Which department signed off on the release?”

Arthur’s steady voice could be heard from the window. “That would be me.” Instantly, everyone turned to look at him.

Ashley was the first to break the silence. “Wait a minute,you mean it’s already approved for production?”

Arthur nodded once.

Ashley’s brow furrowed, her confusion mixed with curiosity. “Then… what’s the price?”

Arthur met her eyes, replying simply, “The same as ONCURA.”

For a brief moment, the group looked perplexed, but then comprehension washed over them. The room burst into a frenzy.

“You’re pricing it that low?” Nathaniel shot back incredulously. “That’s practically just covering production costs!”

Emily quickly added, “Arthur, this is a universal cure we’re talking about! Do you realize the implications for its value?”

Julian’s voice, calm yet firm, cut through the chaos: “This isn’t a regular product; it’s a chance at salvation! You can’t treat it like ordinary detergent.”

After a moment of silence, Arthur waited as the clamorous conversations around them began to die down,a mix of panic, awe, and greed filling the air.

Ashley leaned in again, her voice rising: “Wait…are you really selling the cure for all cancers at the same price as ONCURA? That’s outrageous! People shell out hundreds of thousands for single treatments; you could charge anything and they’d still be waiting in line!”

Arthur answered in an even tone, “They’ll line up regardless.”

“Then why…” Ashley started.

“Because our aim isn’t profit,” he interjected softly.

A hush fell over the room. Arthur’s gaze swept across the faces of his family,each one remarkable, intelligent, and deeply flawed.

“We’ve healed diseases, stabilized economies, and fed the hungry. Yet the world still views us as just business people. As opportunists.”

Rising from his seat, he stepped into the middle of the room, silhouetted against the dimming light. “This cure changes everything.”

Emily tilted her head slightly, curious. “How does it change things?”

Arthur’s gaze remained steady and deliberate. “Because we can now hold the world ransom.”

His softly spoken words cut through the tension like a knife. The room fell completely silent; even the background music seemed to fade away.

Ashley looked at him, torn between horror and intrigue. “What do you mean by hostage?”

Standing before the expansive glass wall, Arthur’s reflection blended with the deepening shadows. “Not with weapons. But with dependency.”

Confusion washed over the faces of those in the living room; they were unsure of what he meant.

Seeing their bewilderment, Arthur chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in on the plans soon but not just yet. Maybe in a few days.”

The others exchanged glances filled with curiosity, while Julian and the rest contemplated the weight of Arthur’s words.

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