Chapter 173: Skill Issue

Fully aware of the situation, Ronald struggled to focus and strategize amidst his frustration.

"Maggie, can you think of anything? I need your thoughts."

Maggie paused, lost in contemplation. Mary, growing impatient with the silence, sharply criticized, "Why the silence? You're known for your effectiveness. After all these years with the Camerons, how can you hesitate now, when it matters most?"

Ronald, concerned, interrupted, "Stop. We're in a dire predicament that can't be solved by just talking."

Despite her harsh words, Mary was on the verge of tears. "We've sunk a massive amount of money into this. What will become of us if we don't succeed?"

Maggie barely concealed her disdain. The Cameron family had heavily invested in the endeavor, from sourcing materials and recruiting employees to setting up factories and expanding their market presence nationwide. Their total investment was monumental, reaching into the tens, or even hundreds, of billions.

Now, they faced not only the loss of materials but also a severe blow to their worldwide reputation. For the Camerons, overcoming this hurdle seemed insurmountable.

Maggie deeply empathized with Mary's distress. Both Noah and Mary had committed substantial resources upon the establishment of Luster Corporation. Facing the possibility of losing everything, Mary's concern was palpable.

"Joseph, retrace your steps from tonight. Think about who you mingled with and who could have planted this bug," she suggested.

Ronald, catching a glimpse of his son's error, fixed him with a severe look. Aware it was deliberate sabotage, Ronald lamented his lack of caution, acknowledging that a more guarded approach might have prevented the crisis.

In the aftermath of discovering the bug on his clothing, Joseph's complexion paled. Despite much thought, he couldn't identify the perpetrator. As the family heir, he'd hosted numerous guests that evening, leaving him baffled about the bug's placement—the identity, timing, and method.

"Reflect deeply. Someone managed to slip this device onto you undetected!" Ronald, increasingly exasperated, pressed him.

"Dad, I encountered so many individuals that night, it's hard to recall—"

Ronald furiously smashed his cup onto the floor, cutting Joseph off. "You don't remember? How can you fail to recall such a crucial detail? Regardless of whether I hold you responsible, what about Andy? You assured me he was on board, so why is he now retracting his—"

That day, Ronald felt an indelible mark of disgrace, questioning his future and the Camerons' prospects. The floor was strewn with fragments of the shattered cup as Joseph, faced with Ronald's fury, maintained a grim and stern demeanor, visibly upset by the reprimand.

Olivia, defending her son, intervened. "Honey, Joseph shouldn't be blamed. The Farrow father and son have shown their true colors by breaking their word and aligning with the Adams. Clearly, the Adams orchestrated this betrayal." She pointed out the treachery of their supposed allies.

"The Adams, always the Adams! Why do they outmaneuver us? Should we just concede, admitting Ronald is no match for them, and my son no match for Phillip's offspring!"

Ronald's voice, initially controlled, escalated. The usually courteous and mild-mannered man exhibited a fierce temper. His eyes were red, veins prominent on his forehead, as he voiced his frustrations, banging the teacup on the table and struggling to maintain his composure.

The explosion silenced the room. The tension was palpable until Maggie offered a composed response.

"Dad, our priority should be damage control. I haven't formulated a complete solution, but I've pinpointed several critical issues," Maggie suggested calmly.

"What is it?" Ronald, calming down, responded in a deep tone.

"First, our supplies of jewelry and jade stones. We rushed into operations without securing sufficient raw materials. Since retrieving the merchandise confiscated by Shawn isn't an option, we must explore alternatives."

Madam Cameron, concerned, inquired, "What of the funds we transferred to Shawn? Is there any chance of recovery?" Maggie detected the blame in her gaze, but remained unaffected. Her detachment was clear; their eventual fallout was inevitable, and postponing it only served her interests.

"We won't recover the funds. Shawn's involvement in smuggling means his assets are likely seized. Our dealings with him were illicit and lacked legal safeguards," Ronald admitted, his eyes cast down.

Though the Camerons had weathered difficulties before, this loss was unprecedented. Ronald understood the need to present a strong front.

"Moreover, we need a strategy to rehabilitate our image and respond to the leaked discussions."

Master Cameron stated, "It sounds straightforward, but it's anything but easy. Once the words are out, how do we rectify the situation?"

Noah suggested, "We must ramp up our PR initiatives and disseminate more content online, arguing we're victims of a smear campaign. Consistent denial might sway some of the public."

Maggie gave him a knowing look, aware of the accuracy, but noting such tactics appealed mainly to budget-conscious consumers. Discerning buyers would likely remain unimpressed. This also presupposed the Adams wouldn't take legal action.

With the Adams launching their new line tomorrow, directly accusing the Camerons of copycat behavior, even the general populace might hesitate to support them.

Maggie maintained a stoic facade. "Thirdly, concerning the plagiarism allegations, we must assess whether the Adams possess concrete proof and the likelihood of their lawsuit succeeding. If they succeed, we might be edged out of the mainstream market entirely."