After saying that, Eric continued eating.

-

In the afternoon, Frederick arrived in Salt City for a meal with Sylvester, Henry, Irvin, and Lucas. Sylvia couldn't make it as she had plans with Elly.

Frederick wasted no time and asked Henry why Sonnex Corp. and Williams Corp. were selling their businesses.

Henry's answer was straightforward. He explained that both families welcomed the Pettersons to Salt City and willingly reduced their market share to help them expand. He also apologized for not foreseeing the war between the Montgomerys and Hernandezes, which had disrupted the related markets.

As Frederick sipped his wine, he wondered if Irvin might be the source of this information, having recently returned from King City.

However, Frederick doubted Irvin's connections there remained. Could it just be a coincidence that some unaffected businesses were handed over?

"Bad luck this year." Frederick sighed. "Who could've predicted the major conglomerates in King City would go to war