A woman dressed in an office attire opened the door as she saw Old Madam Fuse was closely approaching the meeting room. She bowed her head down before she stepped aside. The old woman entered the room, followed by Assistant Matsuzaki and a young lady.
Once Old Madam Fuse appeared inside the room, the shareholders stood up and bowed their head in respect. She took the seat at the head of the table. Tsubaki chose to stand beside Matsuzaki, deciding to observe the situation first.
She only knew the face of Mr. Sagara, who sat at the nearest seat to Grandma's at her right. A young man in early thirties was sitting opposite him. He's the youngest shareholder in the room. It looked like he was about the same age as Ren.
"Old Madam Fuse, we're sorry for you to make this urgent trip to the company," Mr. Sagara said as he looked at Grandma.
Grandma just nodded her acknowledgment. She focused on the young man at her left.
"You're the new CEO of Z-Tech Group, Wada Tatsuya?"
"Yes, Old Madam." The young man smiled respectfully. His face was dashing, yet it carried the air of calm and peace. There was no hint of arrogant belied on his face. "I'm here as an observer. Since we just announced our plans to collaborate with Fuse Corporation, the board of directors isn't at ease when the news about President Fuse was released yesterday."
"It's okay. You made a good choice by coming here." Old Madam Fuse smiled. She knew this young man was a nice and respectable man. Ren had told her about him and his situation.
"For our main agenda," Old Madam Fuse didn't wait for the other shareholders to speak as she brought up the topic that they had been waiting for. "Do all of you really need an Acting CEO immediately even though my grandson has just been missing yesterday?"
Mr. Sagara's eyelids twitched as he heard what the old madam had said. He straightened his back and looked at the old lady as he spoke, "This is a crucial time for the company since Z-Tech Group has just begins the collaboration with us. By taking the incident at the Summer City Hotel into account and the disappearance of President Fuse, it'd do us no good if we're just waiting to find the President."
"I could take over the post." Old Madam Fuse coldly looked at Mr. Sagara. The calm image of a grandmother was changed to a strict matriarch. "I still have the the capability to lead the company. And I have my granddaughter in-law with me. We could hold the fort until my grandson returns."
"Your granddaughter in-law?" Mr. Sagara sneered as he glanced at Tsubaki who was standing beside Matsuzaki. The young lady looked calm as she returned his gaze.
The other shareholders too were staring at the young lady. Mr. Sagara had informed them about the new Mrs. Fuse but they were still shocked to actually see her. After all, President Fuse's love life was almost non-existent in their eyes. How could he suddenly got married?
"What could this young lady do?" Mr. Sagara smiled. "She's not from the high society who knows about the rules of the corporate. How could you, Old Madam, place such importance to your granddaughter in-law."
Old Madam Fuse was seething with anger. Since last night, Mr. Sagara had been degrading her granddaughter in-law. She wanted to refute but she needed to keep her cool. She glanced at Tsubaki and nodded slightly. Tsubaki smiled as she caught the signal from Grandma.
"Mr. Sagara," Tsubaki started to speak as she focus her gaze on the older man. Her smiling face was calm yet it brought coldness to Mr. Sagara. "You're so eager to replace my husband with someone else. Like what my grandmother has said, my husband has just been missing. Assistant Matsuzaki has found positive leads this morning so appointing a new Acting CEO could wait for later."
"Mrs. Fuse, I..."
"Or, do you have a hidden agenda?" Tsubaki smiled sweetly as her eyes glinted in amusement. "I heard that your company is going to sign an exclusive contract with a foreign company in a few days. Why don't you just focus on your own company and let my grandmother handle ours."
"I think you have no say over this matter, Mrs. Fuse." Mr. Sagara tried to hide his anger as he looked at the young lady. How did she know about it? He clenched his fist under the table. "As much as my own company is important to me, Fuse Corporation is important too since I hold their shares."
"Old Madam Fuse," Mr. Fujita spoke after he met Mr. Sagara's gaze. They can't let this woman keep talking. "We are truly sorry but you can't involve your new granddaughter in-law in our meeting. Even though as the wife of President Fuse she holds half of his shares and assets, it's clear that she doesn't know anything about managing a company. It's wise to appoint another person as the Acting Chairman while you remain as the adviser."
"It's not half of the shares and assets."
Every pair of eyes turned to Matsuzaki as he suddenly spoke.
"What do you mean, Assistant Matsuzaki?" One of the shareholders asked. He had been watching their drama without any intention to intervene but he was attracted to what the special assistant of the President had said.
Matsuzaki looked at Tsubaki before he faced the small crowd. "President Fuse has left all of his assets and shares under Madam's name. By right, Madam could lead the company or be the person who would select the new leader."
"What?"
"Are you serious?"
The meeting room was in an uproar. Grandma was unfazed with the sudden revelation. She had known it from the start. Ren had once mentioned that he wanted to left all of his fortunes under his name to his wife. Grandma had even supported his decision.
The calm on Tsubaki's face made Mr. Sagara turned angrier.
"Are you serious, Matsuzaki?" Mr. Sagara gritted his teeth. His fiery gaze to Tsubaki looked as if he wanted to burn her alive.