Chapter 1817: The Crawford Family
Not long after, Jonathan arrived hurriedly at the café. Roxanne, foregoing any reprimand for his previous night's actions, went straight to the point. “Did you raise the price?”
He immediately shook his head. This sudden price hike, he realized, was definitely Frieda's doing; he'd relegated those businesses to her. Lucian's cold glance silently urged him to resolve the matter swiftly.
Jonathan nodded, promising, “I’ll handle it immediately, Ms. Jarvis. You won't need to pay the material fee this time. I’ll solve this.”
He returned to the Queen residence, enraged. Finding Frieda applying makeup and preparing to leave, he frigidly questioned, “Did you raise the price of the medicinal herbs? Lucian entrusted these businesses to us for stable profits, to prevent others from coveting them! Why did you raise the price? I demand an explanation!”
Frieda’s expression remained unchanged as she glanced at him. “Business is business, Jonathan. Besides, we’re only middlemen. If the farmers producing the herbs increase their prices, I merely pass on the cost. Is that so wrong? Or should we provide them to Roxanne at a loss?”
This was a pre-prepared excuse. She wasn't afraid of his investigation. Her goal was to enrich those managing the companies, fostering loyalty, and to attract the Queen family's existing suppliers to her. Eventually, Jonathan's resources would be merely titular.
“Are you sure this isn't for personal gain?” Jonathan pressed, unconvinced. The prices of medicinal herbs he managed had always increased gradually; a massive hike was unprecedented.
“Investigate if you like. If Roxanne dislikes the price, we’ll cancel our collaboration. I’ll charge the same price to anyone,” Frieda retorted, glaring at him before stowing her makeup, grabbing her bag, and preparing to leave.
“Don’t you dare go overboard! I will investigate!” Jonathan barked.
He immediately contacted the medicinal herb suppliers. To his shock, they had all raised their prices. Moreover, many of his suppliers were complaining and hinting at potential price increases.
He eventually discovered Frieda was the culprit, having raised purchase prices and swayed numerous northern and southern suppliers to her side.
“What is she trying to do? Is she acting for that man again?” Jonathan, unable to remain silent, quickly informed Lucian by phone, mentioning the man his sister was interacting with.
“I’m sorry, Lucian. I thought I could control my sister, and I’ve been monitoring that man. I was wrong,” he apologized.
Lucian, however, remained remarkably calm. “I know that man. He’s Shawn Crawford, of the northern Crawford family. They clashed with my grandfather in the past and lost badly. They’ve been waiting for an opportunity. Don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”
“Thank you, Lucian. I shouldn’t have let my sister manage so many herb supplies,” Jonathan regretted, the deed already done.