Chapter 649: Teach Them a Lesson

With the circumstances as they were, it became difficult for Cecilia to ask the mothers for help.

Just as Cecilia worried over her next move, Mason added, “However, their investment will be wasted. It won’t last. Mrs. Rainsworth, if you have a friend in that group, do everything you can to stop her from investing.”

Cecilia perked up. “Really? Why are you so sure it will fail?”

Before Mason could answer, Nathaniel explained, “Adrian’s group-purchasing business, focused on fresh vegetables, faces significant challenges. Storage and shipping costs are substantial, and competition is fierce. It’s a race to capture market share by undercutting prices, driving out competitors, and ultimately creating a monopoly.”

He paused, omitting his own company’s involvement in this market. Groceries directly impacted people’s livelihoods; a monopoly in Tudela would be disastrous.

Cecilia had noticed the recent surge in group-purchasing options for vegetables, offering exceptionally low prices. “Group purchasing is popular, but I don’t think it’s sustainable if it compromises basic necessities,” she observed.

Nathaniel was surprised. He hadn’t expected Cecilia’s insight. “Yes, that’s why I said it wouldn’t last.”

Mason was equally shocked. Mr. Rainsworth agreed with Mrs. Rainsworth? Why, then, was he competing with Adrian at a loss? The project had cost them considerably; if they couldn’t recoup their investment, it was a pure loss.

“Jon’s preschool is having a parent association election tomorrow. I’m considering running. Mr. Sanders, could you provide all the data you have on the group purchasing industry?” Cecilia assumed Mason possessed extensive information and planned to use it to expose Miranda’s business.

Mason was about to agree when Nathaniel instructed, “Just give her the report on Adrian’s losses over the past few weeks.”

Cecilia was astonished. “You have a report on that?”

The mothers would be filled with regret upon seeing it.

“Mrs. Rainsworth, I’ll get it for you immediately. You’ll definitely become president.” Knowing it was for Jonathan, Mason immediately dispatched a subordinate.

Cecilia reviewed the report; the massive losses stunned her. “The billions invested by the mothers are insignificant compared to Adrian’s losses. He must be gambling everything.”

“It’s a desperate gamble,” Nathaniel replied gravely.

Cecilia reconsidered meddling in Adrian’s affairs. Nathaniel himself had predicted the business’s failure, and Elliot had described Nathaniel’s company as small and struggling.

Cecilia decided against showing the mothers Adrian’s losses. Instead, she planned to teach a lesson to those who’d broken their word at the parent association meeting. First, she asked Vivian to warn Dante’s mother against investing. However, Vivian reported that Dante’s mother had rebuked her, forbidding further contact with Cecilia. Respecting their fate, Cecilia said nothing more.

She had another task: identifying the informant. This proved easy. The next day at preschool, Priscilla, usually unable to find a parking space, had secured a prime spot.

“So it’s you…” Cecilia murmured. Priscilla had even sent a supportive message the previous night, wishing her luck.

Cecilia had Sven stop the car, then exited and greeted Priscilla.