Grandma was so happy once she saw the figure of her precious granddaughter-in-law emerged from the car drove by Hibiki. She had been waiting for her arrival since lunchtime. The old lady quickly went to Tsubaki and hugged her.
"Tsubaki, Grandma missed you! Come! Let me look at my great-grandchild!"
Grandma carefully stroked Tsubaki's slightly protruding belly. Her eyes lit up and a wide smile spread on her face as she thought of the small bean inside her granddaughter-in-law's womb. Ah! It would be a torturous and anticipated wait! She had been forcing herself to not start buying any baby items whenever she saw one.
Who knew her ice block of a grandson who had lived like a monk would be able to give her a great-grandchild so soon!
"Grandma, how are you? The weather is a bit hot nowadays. Let's head inside first," Tsubaki laughed heartily as she was affected by Grandma's joyful mood. She swiftly led the frail old lady inside the house.
"Alright, alright. I don't want you to stand under the heat too," Grandma agreed. She quickly asked the maids to bring the cold desserts out from the kitchen.
Tsubaki was stunned once she saw what had happened in the living room. The usually accumulate and the spacious living room was now filled with various kinds of decoration samples. On a closer look, she knew they were for her and Ren's upcoming wedding. Aunt Kasumi was sitting on a couch, she was discussing something with two of her assistants.
"Aunt Kasumi, hello," Tsubaki quietly went to greet her.
Aunt Kasumi looked up as she heard the familiar voice. Her entire countenance brightened at the sight of Tsubaki. "Tsubaki! It's good that you're already here! I'm just discussing the props for your wedding."
The three ladies of Fuse Family sat in the living room and began to talk about the upcoming wedding. Grandma would occasionally show the samples and photos of the decorations to Tsubaki - fresh flowers, lighting, the dresses of the flower girls, etc - hoping to get any suggestion from her granddaughter-in-law. Tsubaki swiftly cooperated with Grandma and Aunt Kasumi, they spent the entire day talking about the wedding. By the time they finished talking, it was already time for dinner.
"Geez, what's wrong with your husband? Is he so busy he couldn't return home yet at this time?" Aunt Kasumi grumbled as she badmouthing Ren once she looked at the wall clock. They had just finished dinner together yet there was still no appearance of her ungrateful nephew.
"He's busy lately, Auntie," Tsubaki let out a giggle, she felt the need to defend her dearest husband from his own aunt's scrutiny. "He'd always stay up late, working in the study. I heard it's related to the project that Takuma takes over."
"But, he takes good care of you right, Tsubaki?" Grandma asked, feeling curious.
"Yes, Grandma," Tsubaki let out a chuckle. She poured the old lady a cup of tea before added, "He would always accompany me to sleep first before resume his work in the study. Even when I'm having morning sickness, he's there to support me. So, don't worry. Ren has been really supportive all this while."
"Well, he's my grandson after all!" Grandma nodded in satisfaction with a proud smile on her face, causing Tsubaki and Aunt Kasumi to laugh funnily.
While the three ladies chatted, in another part of the city, Ren had just gotten off the car. He quietly stared at the majestic hotel building standing in front of him. A glint of menace flashed in his eyes before his icy cold eyes devoid of any emotion.
"Have those two seated in their rooms?" He asked Hibiki without averting his eyes from the blinding lights of the hotel.
"Yes, Master," Hibiki nodded respectfully. "Both Mr. Yagi and Mr. Kurosawa have entered their respective rooms. We'll begin once you started questioning Mr. Kurosawa."
Ren let out a faint grunt. Without delaying any longer, he strode toward the entrance of the hotel. Even during the peak of summer night where no wind blew to cool down the atmosphere, his entire being gave frosty vibes to people who looked at him.
Mr. Kurosawa had just arrived in the city. He was giddy in excitement when the representative from Fuse Corp's subsidiary company brought him here. He didn't expect to receive such a grand welcome while he was here to discuss the development of a plot of land in the village.
According to Hibiki's report, the older man had an amicable chat with the representative and was now eating dinner alone in one of the private dining rooms. Of course, all of it was planned by Ren in advance. He had deliberately booked three of the private dining rooms and let Mr. Kurosawa being brought inside the one at the center while Matsuzaki and a group of bodyguards brought the healthier-looking Yagi Takashi inside one of the remaining two booked rooms.
"Wait for my signal," Ren glanced over his shoulders, looking at Hibiki who stood behind him. "Don't interfere unless I say so."
"Understood, Master."
Ren stared at the closed doors of the dining room where Mr. Kurosawa was happily enjoying the desserts served to him. His brows knitted together and a trace of displeasure flashed past his face. Before he stepped inside the room, he took out his phone and texted a message to his wife. The coldness of his eyes dispelled as fondness gleamed in them when his slender fingers typed on the screen.
Today would be a long night. He would feel guilty if he didn't say anything to her.
Love the Red Camellia: I might be late. I'm sorry, sweetheart. You should go to bed first. Don't worry, you'll wake up tomorrow morning in my arms
Without waiting for the reply, he put his phone into Silent Mode. Hibiki silently rolled his eyes. His Boss could still have the leisure time to be lovey-dovey with Madam at this crucial time?
Ren extended his hand and turned the doorknob open. The door with wooden carvings opened to a narrow slit before it gradually turned wider. His gaze swiftly went on the decorations of the room before it lazily swept over the floor before it finally landed on a frightened man who was sitting at the dining table.
Apparently the man was scared stiff with his sudden appearance. Ren saw the hand that was holding the cake fork trembled as the man's eyes bulged in fear at his sight.
Ren stepped inside the room without saying anything. He closed the doors behind him. His gaze was indifferent as he walked toward the dining table. After pulling up a chair, he sat down opposite the man. He calmly leaned back on the chair while crossed one leg over another.
"It seems like Mr. Kurosawa is enjoying the treatment I gave you," He said in an airy tone, a light smirk hung on his lips.
"I... I just..." Mr. Kurosawa subconsciously let go of the fork, the silver fork let out a clang sound once it hit the porcelain dessert plate. His lips were still quivering when he tried to speak, "You... what do you..."
"I won't beat around the bush, Mr. Kurosawa. I'm short on time," Ren glanced at his phone. A faint smile curled up as he saw there was a reply from his wife. Without paying attention to the man's still frightened expression, he opened the message.
Camellia of the Spring: You've promised! If you're not by my side tomorrow I won't hesitate to let you sleep on the couch tomorrow onwards ヾ(`ヘ´)ﾉﾞ
A light chuckle escaped his lips, further scaring Mr. Kurosawa when he saw the change of the man's mood. But, once the man raised his gaze from the phone to his face, the warmth of his smile turned into a bone-chilling cold one.
"Speak, how did you come into contact with Sagara?"
From his voice, Mr. Kurosawa knew would accept no nonsense from him. But, his strong sense of survival blinded his judgment. He quickly put on a poker face as he replied, "Who's him? I don't know any Sagara. Are you mistaken?"
Ren let out a low chuckle. It sounded eerie in the oppressing atmosphere of the room. Mr. Kurosawa couldn't help but shudder.
"You're sure do not know what's good for you," Ren glanced at his watch. "If I'm not mistaken, a copy of the bribe you've received from him would arrive at the prosecutor's office soon. Even though the office hour has ended but I've asked one of the top city prosecutors to wait for my assistant's arrival."
"You!" Mr. Kurosawa was so shocked until he stood up from his chair. A mixture of emotions - fear and anger - was evident in his eyes. "What... what are you doing?"
"I just want to talk to you, Mr. Kurosawa but it seems like you want to make it difficult," Ren sneered, he lightly tapped the face of his exquisite watch. "You'd be more shocked if you knew the extend of what I've compiled to send to the prosecutor's office. You just need to answer my questions."
"But..."
"My men have been guarding your son's house."
The sentence cut short whatever protests from Mr. Kurosawa's mouth. This time, he no longer felt that he could escape from this mess. The man who sat before him was too well prepared. Especially when he had involved his son.
His only son was in the middle of being appointed to be a high-level city official. If this matter gotten out of hand, he could only watch the appointment being snatched away from him after a painstakingly long waiting.
Ren took the steaming teapot and poured himself a cup of tea. He calmly sipped the black tea, letting its aftertaste lingered in his mouth. His wife could prepare a better tea than this.
"5 years ago, how did Sagara first come in contact with you?" Ren repeated his question. He cast an indifference gaze toward Mr. Kurosawa's pale face.
"He... his assistant called me... asking about you..."
Mr. Kurosawa hung his head low. He didn't have the guts to continue staring at the man's face. After all, he had cut off all of his escape routes. Since the beginning, he had lured him to come here with the prospect of the development.
With the old fox gone, Mr. Kurosawa knew better than anyone that nobody would help him once he entered this man's trap.
"What did he ask you to do?" Even though he had known the answer, Ren still wanted to hear it from this older man.
"He said... he wanted me to lead you to a place before he would bring you back to Fuse Family..."
Ren narrowed his eyes. He gritted his teeth as a sudden anger built up inside him, fury was clearly emitted from his dark gaze. "Then, you conspired with Yagi in this matter?"
Mr. Kurosawa was stunned. He nodded his head repeatedly, like a hen pecking on the grains. "Since he's the closest... to you... That's why..."
"What about Tsubaki?" Ren changed the direction of his question. "I found a secret transaction in your account and it wasn't from Sagara. Tell me if it has anything to do with what happened to my wife that night."
If earlier Ren appeared calm and indifference right from the moment he walked inside the room, the calmness cracked once he asked about Tsubaki. His fiery gaze turned Mr. Kurosawa stiff, the air around them dropped several degrees colder.
"I... that..."
"Did someone ask you to harm my wife?" Ren arched an eyebrow, his smile turned so sinister as black shadows fell on his sharp features.
Mr. Kurosawa gulped. Cold sweats formed on his forehead. Goosebumps sent shivers down his spine as he faced the man's dangerous smile.