Seeing her angry but also sad expression didn't allow me to take any other action than to obey, so I quickly let him go.
Gan'an: "You... You... dare..." He said between gasps as he pointed at me before being interrupted by my mother's slap. Like a beast, she proceeded to scold him for 15 minutes. Strangely, his servants didn't interrupt this time. When she finally finished, she sighed and helped him to his feet. She brushed the dust off his clothes and brought him in front of me.
Jeanne: "Now speak. What are your true motives?" She said, revealing her pair of rubies.
Gan'an trembled as he was observed by those dangerous eyes and spoke.
Gan'an: "W-Well, I received information that you've become very good friends with the granddaughter of the Otori family. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to unite both groups, I decided to appoint you as my heir and future head of the Shinomiya Group. Personally cultivated by me to become the ultimate heir to lead our group to a bright future. What better than my flesh and blood becoming the leader of the Shinomiya group and, in turn, the powerful Otori Group with abundant connections abroad." He said with dreamy, very happy eyes about the great unlimited future that awaited me.
Tadano: "And what about Kaguya and the others?" I asked.
Gan'an: "Kaguya is a woman, not worthy of becoming the leader, and as for your brothers, I don't think I need to explain again, do I?" he grumbled somewhat disgusted.
Sigh
Tadano: "I refuse," I said as I turned around and began to search for my things.
Gan'an: "What?! Are you serious?!" he replied, astonished by my response.
Tadano: "I'm not cut out to be an important CEO. Besides, I'm still very young, and I want to enjoy my life a little more. And the most important reason. I won't use Kaede to fulfill your absurd dreams," I said firmly.
Gan'an: "You're not serious, are you? She's just a woman! I'm giving you the opportunity of your life! Don't be stupid and reject her just like that," he shouted, very angry.
Tadano: "Following your logic. Then is my mother just a woman to you?" I said coldly.
My mother looked at Gan'an, waiting for his response. Gan'an started to break into a cold sweat upon seeing my mother.
Gan'an: "Of course not! Damn it! I, Shinomiya Gan'an, would never let anything happen to your mother!" he exclaimed.
My mother smiled upon hearing his words. The servants behind him also nodded. They seemed to know this side of him.
Tadano: "Then you understand my position..."
Gan'an: "..."
Seeing him still somewhat indisposed, I said.
Tadano: "How about if I grow little by little? After all, to avoid 'unexpected accidents' from my brothers, I have to demonstrate my worth a bit, right?" I said, emphasizing 'unexpected accidents.'
Gan'an: "What do you mean?" he asked.
Tadano: "You see, I plan to found an entertainment company under my command. With the help of a few friends, I'm very confident that I can become a giant in the industry in a few years. If I achieve this goal, I will merge my company with the branch responsible for entertainment companies of the Shinomiya group. Thus, earning myself a strong position, as well as a solid foundation as one of your heirs. And having a larger capital to support my future position as head of the group," I said.
Gan'an: "That's perfect, with that, we..." he was quickly interrupted by my next words.
Tadano: "However, I don't plan to use Kaede or the Otori group unless it's by their own initiative," I said firmly, leaving no room for objections.
Gan'an: "...Fine. For now, let's do that."
Tadano: "Good... with all that said. I have a question."
Gan'an: "Speak."
Tadano: "Where is Komi-San?"
Gan'an: "Who?"
Jeanne: "Oh right! Shouko-Chan!" exclaimed my mother.
Male Servant: "If you'll permit me, Hitohito-Sama, Miss Komi Shouko-Sama is waiting in the main hall. If you wish, I can send a maid to bring her here," said the man very respectfully.
Tadano: "What is your name?" I asked.
Male Servant: "Forgive my rudeness for not introducing myself first. The name of this servant is Hayasaka Masato. I am the accountant of the Shinomiya group, as well as Gan'an-Sama's personal servant; this woman by my side is my wife and head of the Shinomiya maids, her name is Hayasaka Nao," said the man in a polite tone, while casting a glance at the beautiful servant standing beside him.
Seeing her husban's gaze, the servant looked at me and made a respectful bow as she introduced herself in a friendly tone.
Nao: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hitohito-Sama. My name is Hayasaka Nao, if you have any requests, please don't hesitate to call me, and I will fulfill them as soon as possible."
I nodded at the couple's cordiality.
Tadano: "I understand that you have a few connections with my first and third brother. As well as being aware that your daughter is Kaguya's personal maid," I said casually.
The faces of the couple turned pale in record time. Gan'an's eyes shone with a dangerous tint. Before he said anything, I quickly spoke.
Tadano: "Come on... you don't need to worry about these power games, right? You, a big, strong, and very healthy man, wouldn't be fooled by the tricks and schemes of young people, would you?"
Gan'an: "Of course not! Who do you think I am! I, the great Gan'an, fear no one..." he said arrogantly.
Jeanne: *Cough*
Gan'an: "Well, almost no one!" he said once again, regaining momentum.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
Tadano: "Anyway... I earnestly ask that you cease your secret dealings with my brothers. For the sake of everyone..." I said the last part in a cold tone.
The couple shuddered for a moment. But then nodded.
Tadano: "Well... with that, I hope to lighten the burden on the heart of little Ai a little."
Nao: "What do you mean?" asked the beautiful blonde, somewhat confused by my words.
Tadano: "Oh? You're her mother but didn't notice?" I asked.
Nao: "Is there something wrong with my daughter?" she said somewhat worriedly.
Tadano: "Of course there is... in case you haven't noticed, your sweet girl has long considered Kaguya more than just her mistress. She considers her as her own sister and feels very guilty about having to fulfill the role of a spy for my eldest brother. You've chosen a good business partner, huh?"
The couple's faces went from their previous paleness to a red of anger.
Tadano: "Oh... and in case you didn't know, she's also being threatened. If she doesn't comply with his orders, something bad will happen to you. So, the poor girl has no choice but to obey the orders of this great evil man," I said melodramatically.
Masato: "Impossible! How dare he threaten my daughter!" growled the man.
Nao: "Unforgivable! I... I'll tear him in two..." said the woman very angrily as she tried to leave the room.
After a slight gust of wind, I appeared beside the servant and held her by the shoulder to stop her. Which cost me a little. There's no doubt that their stats must be high.
Shinomiya: "Remember that both she and Hayasaka Ai herself are highly trained servants to be assassins if necessary."
Nagisa: "Although I'm not in favor of violence, I think it's necessary to teach that older brother of yours a lesson. One should not mess with other people's children," said the young one. Tadano could swear that she was clenching her fists right now as she shook them fiercely.
Tomoya: "Just let her go; after all, one less brother won't do much harm, right?" said the young man with a dangerous tone. It seems that the topic of children was a sensitive one for the couple.
Nao: "Hitohito-Sama, I beg you to let me go. I don't care if I'm fired. Today I have to show that bastard Oko that no one can intimidate my daughter more than me!" said the woman with a haughty tone.
Tadano: "Come on... calm down a bit. Although I despise my brother's behavior, he's still useful to me. So, I ask you not to kill him. On the other hand, why don't you try to spend a little more time with your daughter? I think that would be a better option, as for how to deal with Oko, leave it to me and this old man here," I said as I patted Gan'an's shoulder.
The woman hesitated for a moment. But I reassured her a little more as I infused calmness into her through my [Singing – Master] ability.
Gan'an: "Do you plan to deal with Oko so soon?"
Tadano: "Of course not. I don't have the footing in this family yet. Although it pains me for my mother. At the moment, I'm just another bastard son of yours, because I doubt that our existence is known to many, right?"
Gan'an nodded.
Jeanne: "I refused to let them be part of the Shinomiya house. This is a very cruel family to raise a child in. Besides, your brothers wouldn't hesitate to use clandestine means to deal with competition..." my mother said.
Gan'an: "Hmph! If I, Gan'an, want to protect someone, who among all the Shinomiya would dare to harm you!" he snorted somewhat annoyed.
Jeanne: "I appreciate your concern. But my decision remains the same. If I hadn't been so desperate before, I wouldn't even have contacted you. I want my children to have peaceful and carefree lives. Not to worry about family and political dramas. Just worry about teenage problems or their studies. Please respect that," she said in a kind tone.
Gan'an snorted in annoyance but didn't refute.
My mother gave him a gentle smile and approached me.
Jeanne: "Although I can't keep you in the dark about these matters anymore. I hope you can leave your sister out of this, for as long as necessary. She's still too young to deal with these things," she said with concern.
Tadano: "Don't worry. I wouldn't drag that stubborn brat into this hornet's nest. Despite being somewhat disrespectful, she's still my little sister, and I'll protect her as I should," I said, puffing out my chest.
My mother smiled lovingly and ruffled my hair.
Jeanne: "I knew I could trust you. Hito-Chan is always the best."
Author's note: Well with this I am up to date with what I had written, now I wanted to take a little longer to update until I fully recover. but I will delve into the Gan'an and Jeanne relationship in the future. Having said that, remember to drink a lot of water and that I love you very much. Sincerely your favorite depressive author.
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