She stammered in an attempt to explain herself, "You’ve misunderstood me, Mr. Tanaka. I-I don’t harbor romantic feelings for Mr. Alan at all."Koichi Tanaka heaved a long sigh. "Young Mistress, I have served the Ito Clan for many years and stayed by your side for a long while, so I know you well. There is no need to hide anything from me, nor do I mean to pry into your private affairs. The trouble is, if I can read your thoughts so clearly, the Chairman’s sharp eyes will see right through you without a doubt. I fear you will never get to meet Mr. Alan, yet your secret affections will be laid bare before the Chairman instead.""I..." Keiko Ito fell speechless at once.She knew Tanaka was only reminding her out of genuine concern.She also understood her father Takehiko Ito would never allow her to pursue any relationship with a foreign man. He had told her countless times that she could only marry a native Japanese of pure blood.In his eyes, even descendants of migrants who came from

Jeffrey’s heart ached terribly as he kept slapping his son, yet he dared not stop until the patriarch gave the word.Relieved to hear Franklin finally speak, he lowered his hands, stifling the distress gnawing at his chest, and snapped at the servants standing nearby, "Hurry up and drag him out of here!"Several servants stepped forward at once and hauled Garnett away. The young man spat blood, his head spinning and ears ringing from the beating.The patriarch Franklin cleared his throat and carried on. "In this partnership with the Japanese, we must secure operating rights to Tokyo Port, Yokohama Port and Osaka Port for no less than twenty years. They are also required to supply us with various cargo ships and oil tankers totaling a displacement of no less than three million tons. Whoever can offer the most resources will earn a place alongside us. Therefore, when you travel to Japan, thoroughly assess the true strength of both the Ito and Takahashi clans. Above all, press them to de

Louise’s words infuriated Jonas greatly.He pointed at her, seething with exasperation. "You dare say such things only within these walls. Try uttering them outside, and Grandfather will tear you a new one!"Louise pulled out her phone and smiled faintly. "Shall I give Grandfather a call right now and repeat every word to his face?""Cut that nonsense out at once!" Jonas hastily interjected. "Enough, I won’t argue with you anymore. Besides, nothing has even gotten off the ground yet. The two of you hurry up and finalize your plans for Japan, then set off as soon as possible!"Michael quickly spoke up. "Here’s what I propose, Father. We’ll follow Louise’s earlier plan: meet the Takahashi Clan first, then the Ito Clan. As for departure, the sooner the better. I’ll have the flight crew make preparations immediately, and we can take off right after lunch. What do you think?"Jonas nodded. "Very well. Get yourselves ready without delay. Don’t rush off straight after lunch—come report your

Alan smiled faintly. "Running into a fellow countryman in a foreign land is something to be glad about."Afraid the girl would try to give the money back, he turned to leave right after speaking.Just then, several shifty-looking young Japanese men strode over to the girl. One of them snatched her guitar away and shouted aggressively, "Who said you could busk here? Did you clear it with the Bunkyō Bōsōzoku gang?"Japan is a country where yakuza organizations operate legally, and all kinds of criminal syndicates permeate its society.The famous actor Jackie Chan once starred in a film called Shinjuku Incident, whose plot revolves around Japan’s yakuza underworld.Groups like the Yamaguchi-gumi and Inagawa-kai sit firmly at the very top of the criminal food chain in Japan.Still, not every street tough belongs to these major syndicates.Smaller local gangs operate in every city and district.These crews typically refer to themselves as "bōsōzoku".Bōsōzoku’s signature pastime is tearing

He waved sharply at the cars ahead and behind him, and more than a dozen burly men in black suits stepped out from the Rolls-Royces at once.Every single one of them was a bodyguard of the Takahashi Clan, each a top-tier elite fighter.The bodyguards surrounded Alan the second they got out of their vehicles. All of them kept their eyes locked on Alan while glancing toward Eikichi Takahashi, ready to attack him the instant Eikichi gave the order.Inside the car, Michael and Louise exchanged a quick glance, then Michael spoke up. "Do you think this whole thing’s a trap?"Louise shook her head. "I doubt it. If someone had spent ages plotting against us, they’d never strike on a busy downtown street in central Tokyo. The elevated highway we took from the airport into the city would’ve been a far better spot for an ambush."Michael relaxed and chuckled. "Eikichi Takahashi must be utterly humiliated. He just finished bragging that no local jaywalks, and boom, we hit one straight away."He r