Chapter 487
The Porter family easily secured Mercer Construction, claiming exactly what they wanted. While it seemed like just one transaction, it sent a glaring signal to the market: if the two families ever locked horns, the Porters would crush the Mercers. This was Shane’s very first step in devouring the entire Mercer Group.
During Mira’s medicinal training, Master Ellis looked at her curiously. “You’re really just going to sit back and watch the Porters swallow Mercer Construction p>
“What else should I do? I’m definitely not stepping in now. Adrian planted these seeds himself; he needs to choke on the fruit p>
Less than a week after the construction company’s transfer was finalized, Roxanne moved again. Citing Porter Entertainment’s previous financial injections into the Mercer Group, she executed a hostile takeover of Mercer Jewels. Even though Ethan had liquidated many of the high-end collections to raise capital earlier, the brand name and prime storefronts were still worth a fortune.
Losing the construction firm meant the Mercer Group lost a foundational pillar. Losing the jewelry division meant they had officially lost half their empire. The Mercers still held numerous smaller subsidiaries, but none of them could generate the sheer profit or hold the intrinsic value of those two titans.
These aggressive takeovers didn’t bother the minor shareholders in the slightest. If those assets shifted to the Porters, they simply became Porter shareholders. Given the Mercer Group’s rapid decline, they were far more eager to align themselves with the thriving Porter empire.
In the Mercer living room, the atmosphere was suffocating.
“I don’t think we’re going to get out of this cleanly with the Porters,” Adrian confessed to Fiona. The terrifying reality was finally dawning on him: he had willingly invited wolves into his home. Welcoming them in had been easy; surviving them was proving impossible.
“What are we supposed to do?” Fiona asked, her voice tight. When Shane had first offered help, Adrian had asked for her opinion, and she had eagerly agreed. At the time, she was completely consumed with destroying Lacey and Ethan, viewing them as the ultimate villains. She never imagined Shane and Roxanne would be so much
worse.
“We’ll just have to counter whatever they throw at us.” Honestly, Adrian was terrified he wouldn’t even be able to save the Mercer Group.
When Ethan had been in charge, he merely siphoned off funds to protect them. Adrian knew deep down that if he hadn’t viciously driven Ethan away, his son would have brought all that capital back the moment the company truly needed it. Even in his old age, Ethan wouldn’t have left him destitute. But Shane and Roxanne were different-they were ruthlessly bottom-fishing, bleeding him dry without a second thought. At least the Porters had physically exited the Mercer offices now.
Clinging to that small comfort, Adrian and Fiona exhaled. “At least we can finally have a few days of peace p>
But the very next second, their butler, Norman, rushed in. Someone was massively shorting the Mercer Group’s stock.
“Damn it all! We’re already bleeding
out, and
Someone is still kicking as while we’re down! Tell me, who is doing this? Adrian roared his faw clenched so hard his teeth ached.
“It seems… it seems p>
“Spit it out p>
Norman glanced at Adrian, his eyes darting away nervously. “It seems to be Mira p>
“Mira? That rebellious brat?!” The
mere mention of her name sent
Adrian into a blind rage. Other families hat children who rushed to their aid but his children were
actively orchestrating his
destruction. That stupid woman
Lacey had only given birth to
absolute monsters.
“I believe so,” Norman replied cautiously.
“Where the hell did she get that kind of capital p>
“Maybe Ethan funneled it to her,” Norman smoothly fabricated.
But before Norman could even step out of the room, a frantic call came in from a company executive.
“Chairman! Shane Porter is shorting us p>
“Are you absolutely certain it’s Shane p>
“Positive p>
Adrian’s head whipped toward Norman, his eyes blazing. “Didn’t you just tell me Mira was behind this p>
vet
“I… I must have misread the reports.” Norman had originally planned to pin it on Ethan, but realizing Mira’s background in internet finance made her a much more believable scapegoat, he had pivoted. His undercover mission for the Porters was almost complete, he needed to
keep his real boss’s identity hidden just a little longer to secure his future position.