Tsubaki carefully led Grandma Fuse to the living room. Even through the layers of clothes, she still could feel the shaking of the old lady's body. It was due to fear and uncertainty.
And she couldn't deny that her own body was shaking too.
Assistant Matsuzaki was there alongside two other men. The three of them immediately focused on Old Madam Fuse and Tsubaki once they stepped inside the living room. While Matsuzaki nodded respectively to Grandma and Tsubaki, the other two men were frowning when they saw Tsubaki.
"Old Madam Fuse, this is..."
The taller man asked in uncertainty. He looked suspiciously at Tsubaki who was now sitting next to Grandma Fuse on the couch. Her closeness with the Matriarch of Fuse Family sent alarm bells ringing inside his head.
"Mr. Sagara, this is Miss Hanada Tsubaki, our new Madam of Fuse Household." Butler Yuuzo introduced Tsubaki to the old man. He stood beside the couch. Two maids accompanied him. They were Grandma's personal maids.
"I've heard that President Fuse is recently married." There was a hint of mockery in Mr. Sagara's eyes as he scanned Tsubaki from head to toe. "But I haven't heard of Hanada Family before. Or are your family is from another city?"
Tsubaki's bright eyes narrowed as she watched the man in grey suit. They had just met each other but he dared to insult her? She understood the meaning behind his words. He was mocking her for not coming from the elite families. She wanted to speak but as she didn't want to make Grandma worried, she kept quiet.
Grandma Fuse took a glance at Tsubaki and saw the hurt in her eyes. She too was hurt when Mr. Sagara was ridiculing her granddaughter in-law right in front of her. She squeezed Tsubaki's hands that were holding her arm, reassuring her that it was fine if she wanted to speak out.
Once Tsubaki grasped Grandma's intention, she straightened her back and looked directly to Mr. Sagara's sneering face.
"Excuse me, Mr. Sagara. It might sound rude but aren't you here because of my husband's situation? I think my family background isn't supposed to relate with our current situation."
Mr. Sagara was dumbfounded when the lady who looked delicate would actually talk back to him. He wanted to further argue with her but when he saw her sharp gaze, he turned speechless. In the end, he could only tear his gaze away from her.
"Matsuzaki." Old Madam Fuse landed her gaze on the young man. "What happened? Ren... what happened to him?"
Matsuzaki glanced at Mr. Sagara and his assistant beside him. His eyes hid complex emotions beneath. He was fuming inside. This old fox had deliberately interfering with their plan thus he had no choice but to follow him. If not, he couldn't avoid the suspicions that would arouse.
"Old Madam, Madam." Matsuzaki tried to remain calm. He needed to find another way to solve this. "Master was supposed to come back tonight but... something had happened during his journey back."
"What was it? Isn't Ren supposed to stay at the city tonight? Tell us immediately!" Old Madam Fuse was agitated when she heard him. If not because of Tsubaki trying to calm her, her old heart couldn't handle this nervousness.
"Master..." Matsuzaki trailed off. He caught a sight of a sneering Mr. Sagara beside him.
This won't do! I would just bite the bullet head-on! Forgive me, Master!
"Master rode a helicopter to come back to the city but the helicopter got into an accident."
The living room was in pin drop silence as Matsuzaki spoke the last words.
"Ac... accident?"
Grandma Fuse looked at Matsuzaki, her face turning pale. Tsubaki's hands that were tightly holding on Grandma's arm started to loosen. She too stared at Matsuzaki in disbelief. Her eyes widened as she felt hollow all of a sudden.
"Master..."
"The helicopter crashed into the forest nearby." Mr. Sagara butted in. "The debris has been found. The rescue team has been dispatched to the location. It happened almost one hour ago before we could finally detect its location. It hasn't yet to be decided whether what happened might be due to pure incident or..." Mr. Sagara intentionally trailed off, wanting to spike Old Madam Fuse's anxiety. He said with a solemn face, "I'm sorry because we could just inform you now, Old Madam. We didn't want to startle you."
"So... do you find him? Did you find Ren? Tell me!"
Grandma started to wailed. Her emotions had fluctuated from disbelief to anger and sadness. Tsubaki was having a hard time to calm the old lady. Old Yuuzo immediately left for the kitchen and return with a glass of water. Tsubaki reached for the glass and helped Grandma to take a sip.
"Careful, Grandma." Tsubaki brought the glass to Grandma's lips. After Grandma had taken three sips of water, she returned the glass to Old Yuuzo. She continued patting her back. "Don't worry, Ren would be fine."
"The rescue team hasn't found anyone." Mr. Sagara spoke. "The winds suddenly became harsh during the flight. They said... it might be impossible for anyone to survive the crash."
"What did you say?"
Grandma's entire body was shaking terribly as her face turned paler and paler till it seemed like there was no blood within her. Tsubaki started to panic. Old Yuuzo and the two maids came to help the old madam.
"We should bring Old Madam to rest, Madam." Old Yuuzo said to Tsubaki as the two maids held the old lady. "We shouldn't further agitate her. I'll call for Old Sahachirou, for just in case anything happens. Madam, you should stay here."
Tsubaki nodded. "Thank you, Old Yuuzo. Please watch over Grandma."
The maids supported Old Madam Fuse and brought her to her room. Old Yuuzo went to make a phone call to Toshiro's doctor grandfather. Only Tsubaki was left alone in the living room with Matsuzaki, Mr. Sagara and his assistant.
Tsubaki closed her eyes, trying to calm herself before she turned to look at Matsuzaki. Her husband's assistant's gaze on Mr. Sagara was not simple. There was hatred in those eyes mixed with another complex feelings.
This is too sudden, she thought. I should be careful.
Mr. Sagara's presence here was questionable. If she wasn't mistaken, she once caught the mention of his name during Ren and Hibiki's conversation. It seemed like he was one of the major shareholders of Fuse Corporation.
Why did he come here with Matsuzaki? To provide assistance? Or perhaps...
Tsubaki's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the man's face.