The jewel suppliers looked at each other. Nicole had clearly seen through them.

"I'd been wondering whether it was just malicious competition from my peers or whether you suppliers had collaborated to increase the prices. Now it seems that it's both."

Nicole looked at all of them.

"Someone must have been in touch with that mysterious buyer and struck a deal. That person must have instigated the other jewel suppliers to raise their prices.

"Once you all have stopped all other collaborations