Back when the Cunningham Family was the first to open a herbal restaurant, both she and James had felt utterly hopeless. If not for Matthew's miraculous turnaround, which changed everything, they would've likely returned home in disgrace by now.
All the resentment Helen had felt toward Terrance instantly vanished as she gazed at that box of tea. Miller had said it was part of an annual harvest of only three ounces, and Terrance had sent her two of them. It showed how much he valued and wanted to apologize to her.
"Miller, don't worry. I'll take charge of the merger. You don't have to be concerned about it."
Miller's face remained soft and friendly as he smiled and nodded, though his eyes betrayed his disdain and contempt for Helen.
It was true that Terrance cultivated tea trees by hand, and the harvest was indeed limited to a few ounces each year. However, those rare leaves were usually gifted to other powerful families to maintain alliances or stored as personal treasures. Even Miller's father, Yann, had only ever had one cup. Did Helen, from a mere cadet branch, really think Terrance would send her something so precious?
The elegant tin box and tea leaves were nothing more than something Miller had picked up in Cathay before coming. The whole thing had cost just over a hundred bucks, and even that was mostly for the fancy tin. The tea itself wasn't worth more than a mouth rinse.
Helen reached for the tin, opened it, and held it up to her nose, taking in a faint whiff of the tea's subtle fragrance. Although she detected only a light, barely noticeable scent, she didn't want to reveal her ignorance, so she spoke up. "As expected from Old Master Cunningham's personal cultivation. This tea is top-tier, no doubt about it."
Miller's smile widened, both on his face and in his eyes. He nodded enthusiastically. He had to keep smiling as brightly as possible—otherwise, the ridicule bubbling beneath the surface might slip through.
Watching someone praise a cheap gift like it was a treasure made Miller feel like he was watching a clown perform.
"Mr. Cunningham, Ms. Freeman, I hope you don't mind if I ask—would it be possible for you to share the distribution channels for S&L's Breakfast?" Tritus, who had been sitting nearby, bored with the conversation, suddenly asked Helen.
Helen's face stiffened, and she hesitated. The supply routes for S&L's Breakfast were critical information. Even family members typically weren't privy to such details. If anyone with ill intentions managed to interfere along that route, the whole business could suffer massive losses, possibly even leading to bankruptcy.
After a moment of deliberation, Helen looked at Tritus and Miller, both of whom seemed curious. She gritted her teeth and said, "Alright, you two aren't outsiders. Since you want to know, I'll tell you."
With that, she stood up and headed to her bedroom. As she walked away, Miller and Tritus exchanged a glance, their eyes reflecting the same emotions: mockery, scorn, and amusement at Helen's stupidity.
Both men hailed from prominent families in Cathay and knew each other well, even being familiar with each other's dealings. So, when they recognized each other, they immediately realized they were allies. From that point on, they worked together to mislead and confuse Helen, covering for one another.
As Helen's back disappeared from view, Miller's internal laughter grew louder. A woman like her, running a company as big as S&L's Breakfast? My family helping her keep the business afloat is a favor. Otherwise, this old lady would probably run it into the ground!
In her bedroom, Helen began searching through her wardrobe. She tapped a wooden panel three times with her palm and then once more in a different spot. A small compartment suddenly popped open from the wardrobe.
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