By the next morning, the stock prices of Kitaoji Group plummeted and it had been revealed that the group had been acquired by Fuse Corporation. The news of Young Master Kitaoji attempted to rape a young woman and Madam Kitaoji planned to silence her were enough for the reporters to have a field day.
What made the matters worse, several victims who had been sexually harassed by Kitaoji Masaru had came out and provided the evidences against him. They had been laying low for years, being afraid of his power but seeing how the press hounded him mercilessly, they finally decided to team up and go to the police station. As the appreciation for the bravery and for the sake of safety, the police and Fuse Family bodyguards kept an eye on them.
Tsubaki saw the news when she was watching the television with Grandma Fuse after breakfast. She could only marvel at how quick her man turned the tables in their favour.
"This child, he sure could be ruthless," Grandma Fuse sighed.
"I want to talk to him," Tsubaki placed the remote controller on the table. "Do you want to change the channel, grandma?"
"Oh! It's already the time for my favourite drama! You go to him, I'll just sit here."
Tsubaki chuckled when she saw the opening of the popular soap opera played on the screen. If she was not mistaken, it was about a pair of star-crossed lovers. Various obstacles came in their way yet they remained inseparable and in love. The handsome male lead was grandma's current favourite actor.
The old lady was so young at heart. Ren had just told her that before this drama started airing, grandma had been swooning over another popular young actor.
She quietly left the old lady and went upstairs. The door of the study was slightly ajar and she could hear Hibiki's voice from inside the room. Judging from Hibiki's tone, they were discussing serious matters and without a doubt she knew they were related to Kitaoji Family.
"The shareholders of Kitaoji Group do not have any negative reactions following the news of the acquisition. Matsuzaki has met all of them but they still want to see you, master."
"I'm busy." Ren signed the last of the papers brought by Matsuzaki earlier and placed them aside. He turned to his laptop. "Just notify them that I'd meet them on a later date."
"Yes, president. And... regarding Madam Kitaoji, Lawyer Furukawa has already rejected her request to see the madam but she's so persistent. What should we do?" Hibiki glanced at the phone on his hand, the message from Lawyer Furukawa appeared on the screen.
"Ignore her."
Ren said nonchalantly while typing on the keyboard. He had already expected that shrewd woman's desperate calls for help after his legal team led by Lawyer Furukawa went to see her last night. He didn't have any intention to entertain her.
"Yes, master."
He didn't his master's precious time shouldn't be wasted on something so trivial. Hibiki wanted to call Furukawa, asking him to deal with the matter accordingly but the creaking sound of the door being pushed inside the room distracted him. He startled.
"Madam!"
Ren looked up, his eyes met Tsubaki's. He stopped doing his work and stood on his feet. "Do you need something? You should just send a maid to come to me."
Tsubaki shook her head. "I have something to tell you. I want to meet Madam Kitaoji."
"What?" Ren frowned. "You don't have to follow what she wants. It's unnecessary."
Ren didn't want Tsubaki to be bothered with trivial matter. She just had to be happy without any concern. That was what he wanted for her.
Tsubaki's determined gaze locked on her husband's eyes. Her tone remained gentle but she stood firm with her request. "I know you want to shield me from troubles but I shouldn't let you handle everything for me. If she wants to see me, I should fulfill her request."
For her to be happy, she needed to learn on how to fend for herself. She shouldn't let her whole happiness being determined by only one person. Even though it was her husband. She was still her own person who had her own views and way of judging things.
Ren knew he couldn't talk Tsubaki out of this. Heavyhearted as he was, he would eventually comply to her. He glanced at Hibiki, signaling him to arrange the matter. Hibiki restrained himself from laughing at his boss.
Master, you can't even say no to your wife!
Hibiki immediately left the study room with the excuse of having to attend to the matter at hand. He wanted to escape and give the couple some space. He knew that his master was still dissatisfied with his lady boss' choice but there was nothing he could do.
"I'll go with you." Both of them had seated on the couch. He linked their fingers and tracing circles on her hands. "I don't want you to meet her alone. Besides, the detention center is not a good place even though you just go for a visit."
"You can accompany me, but I want to meet her personally." Tsubaki refused Ren's request adamantly. "She would feel pressured with you by my side."
"But..."
"Trust me." Tsubaki smiled. She understood her husband's concern. "I won't be softhearted toward her. She committed a crime, I'd let the law be the judge."
Ren sighed in relief. Sometimes he forgot that this dainty woman in front of him was not as delicate as she appeared to the world. She knew what she should and shouldn't do. If not, how could she fought Kitaoji Masaru back when he tried to force himself on her.
"Okay, you can meet her." Ren finally agreed wholeheartedly. "I trust you."
Tsubaki's smile blossoming on her face. She knew she could face anything with him by her side. While she appreciated his concern for her well being, she was mostly grateful with his understanding.
Only by becoming her own person she could be his pillar of strength, as he did to her.