Chapter 1137. Before Sunset / Negotiations 2

Chapter 1137. Before Sunset / Negotiations 2

「 Either way, weren’t you going to contact the police with the case that Anna Erica-san ran away from home, weren’t you? 」

Kaan Momoko-neechan talks to Anna-san’s father on the other side of the phone.

『 Are you threatening me? 』

Anna-san’s father’s voice comes from the speaker.

「 Oh? I believe that expression is extremely inappropriate. We’ve come to this situation because your young lady sought protection from us. I should be the one saying that it’s causing us trouble 」

『 If it troubles you, then you can return my daughter right away 』

Anna-san’s father is holding anger in his words.

『 Anyway, this is a problem within the family. I’m thankful that you worry for my daughter, but this is something we can’t consult to Kaan Momoko-sama and Kouzuki Ruriko-sama who are still students 』

Kaan Momoko-neechan pressed the receiver, and then…

「 He said, what do we reply? 」

I…

「 Give the phone back to Shou-neechan…adults should deal with the adult talk 」

「 You’re right, okay 」

Momoko-neechan gives the receiver to Shou-neechan

「 I’m taking the phone again, this is Seki from Kouzuki SS 」

『 I only have one request, that is to return my daughter. As soon as possible! 』

Anna-san’s father speaks with a forcing tone.

「 We can’t do that 」

Shou-neechan replies coldly.

『 Why?! I’m Erica’s father! That girl is still minor, and so if you don’t return her to her relative, which is me… 』

「 However, Anna Keniichirou-sama is currently having a relationship that contradicts your interests with Erica-sama 」

『 W-What are you talking about? 』

Anna-san’s father panics.

「 According to Erica-sama, Anna Keniichirou-sama’s trying to take away the inheritance Erica-sama received from her Grandfather, were you? 」

『 T-That’s what I mean when I said that it’s a problem within the family 』

「 No, it may be a domestic thing but this is an alarming problem. As a minor, Erica-sama’s assets are currently managed by her designated guardian, a lawyer, isn’t it? I heard that was the in the will of Erica-sama’s late grandfather, to wait until she’s mature 」

『 T-That’s true, but… 』

「 Despite that, Anna-sama, you’re trying to take away the inheritance of your still 14-year-old daughter, isn’t that an act of extortion? 」

『 Erica and I are parent and child! 』

「 Please say that in court. What’s important is that the young lady, Erica-sama felt that she was being extorted 」

Shou-neechan asserted.

「 No matter what your intentions are, Anna-sama, if your daughter feels that you are forcing her, then that would be extortion. That’s not allowed, even if you’re her father 」

「 As expected of Seki-san 」

Momoko-neechan’s impressed with Shou-neechan.

『 Wait a second! Anyway, let me talk to Erica!! 』

Shou-neechan says while making sure the other side doesn’t hear it.

「 Your father wants to talk, what about you? 」

She asks Anna-san.

「 I-I don’t want to talk! 」

Anna-san refused.

「 The young lady doesn’t seem to want to talk. 」

『 No, hey! You! 』

「 One more thing, the forced engagement, I believe that the judge will view that poorly 」

『 You keep talking about the court since earlier, but… 』

「 I believe that this will reach a court battle if this reaches Kakka’s ears. Kakka hates insincerity, and so I believe that he will not be frugal in supporting the junior of Ruriko-sama, his precious granddaughter 」

Shou-neechan said.

「 Kouzuki house’s judicial people are quite formidable. Well, I believe that the companies that rely on Anna-sama’s auditing will drop down 」

If Jii-chan contended them in court, the companies close to the Kouzuki house will all stop relying on Anna-san’s company for their financial affairs.

Furthermore, if they discover that the cause of that is an inheritance dispute with his daughter, the confidence in Anna-san’s father will sink down.

『 You’re making threats! 』

「 If Anna-sama thinks that it’s a threat, then you can sue us. We’ll settle it in the courtroom 」

Shou-neechan doesn’t step back.

『 Okay. I lost this one. What do I do? 』

Anna-san’s father accepted his loss.

However, that’s not how he truly feels.

Unable to turn it around, he’s now looking for alternatives.

「 Shou-oneesama, let me 」

Ruriko takes the phone from Shou-neechan.

「 This is Kouzuki Ruriko. I have three requests. First is that Erica-san’s grandfather’s inheritance should not be transferred to her father, but should be discussed properly. As far as Erica-san’s concerned, I think that there’s still a room for discussion 」

Yeah. Anna-san isn’t that interested in the stocks or bank accounts her Grandfather passed to her.

The problem is that “something” that only Anna-san knows.

We have to know that that is somehow, but for now…

「 This discussion will be under the presence of Erica-san’s current guardian, the lawyer. The judicial affairs people from the Kouzuki house will be present as well. The lawyers of both parties will draw up a legally binding force based on the result of the conversation. And, there will be a check to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen again. That’s my second request 」

Ruriko said.

He could show a good face to us and then try to take away Anna-san’s inheritance soon after.

Legal papers should be able to tie him down.

「 The third is that Erica-san shows no consent in the engagement. Therefore, please void it, so that the engagement talks never happened. That’s all three 」

『 Those are some strict conditions 』

Anna-san’s father mutters.

「 Really? I believe that Anna-sama’s demands for Erica-san are much more unreasonable 」

Ruriko calmly says.

『 Anyway, if I accept the three conditions, you will return Erica? 』

「 Oh? Please don’t say something so scandalous. You make it sound like we’re kidnapping Erica-san 」

『 You’re right. Erica ran away from home out of her own volition 』

Anna-san’s father speaks gloomy.

「 Yes. Erica-san will not return home until you accomplish the three requests 」

『 I understand. I accept all three conditions 』

「 Thank you. The discussion with Erica-san will be held in the Kouzuki group’s hotel tonight. We will contact you as soon as the location is decided 」

Of course, we don’t trust Anna-san’s father at all.

Therefore, we’re choosing the location where Kouzuki SS can move freely, which would be a hotel of the Kouzuki house.

『 Tonight? 』

Anna-san’s father is surprised.

「 Oh? I believe you don’t want to prolong Erica-san’s escape from her home? 」

『 No, Ruriko-sama’s right 』

「 Will your lawyers be able to attend? 」

『 I’ll ask them so they could come tonight 』

Anna-san’s father replied.

Then.

「 Ah, please wait! Ruriko, give me the phone 」

Momoko-neechan said in a hurry.

Ruriko gives the phone to her.

「 This is Kaan Momoko. Anna-sama, I have something I have to ask by all means! 」

Something she has to ask Anna-san’s father.

『 What is it? 』

「 I would like to ask why is Erica-san engaged to that person? 」

Momoko-neechan asks, filled with curiosity.

「 Why did you choose someone, after reviewing your standards, to choose Madohori Tadashi-san as your 14-year-old daughter’s fiance? 」

If Momoko-neechan goes that far, then that Mad Hori man must be a really weird person.

Anna-san’s father.

『 I do not understand my daughter 』

He speaks in a depressed tone.

『 What Erica’s thinking, doing…even I, her father, don’t understand it 』

Anna-san hears her father’s voice quietly.

『 Therefore, I thought that Madohori-kun… That man is smart despite young, so I thought that he might understand Erica 』

「 Oh, I see. Thank you for your input 」

Momoko-neechan said. Then she gave back the phone to Shou-neechan.

「 This is Seki. We will notify you once the meeting place is decided 」

『 I understand. Then I will be waiting for your call 』

Then, she ends the call.

◇　◇　◇

「 Haa, that was surprising. To think that men on Anna-san’s generation call Mad Hori as an intelligent young man 」

「 It shocks me too. As expected of the man overly conscious of how the old men view him 」

Momoko-neechan and Mariko are getting fired up talking about Anna-san’s fiance. Madohori Tadashi.

「 Shou-neechan, what’s Anna-san’s father’s relationship with the other side? 」

I asked.

He likely accepted the negotiations but he’s going to forcibly take Anna-san back by using his connections to the other side.

「 He’s doing auditor work, and so he should have some acquaintances, but, he hasn’t used them proactively. If he started loaning from the other side, it’ll affect his business 」

Shou-neechan said.

「 I checked them just in case, but I don’t think there would be any of them that dare to confront Kouzuki SS. That is as of now 」

Yeah, they specialize in auditing large enterprises after all.

They should know fear when it comes to the Kouzuki house or Kouzuki SS.

「 Right… As of now…anyway, he thinks that he managed to deceive us, and he can manage as soon as he takes back Anna-san 」

「 I believe so too 」

Misuzu nods.

「 I don’t want to go back! 」

Anna-san?!

「 I don’t want to meet Father!!! 」

The call ended, and so the thread of her tension is also cut off. Now she’s shouting loudly.

「 It depends on Anna-san what happens. We’re just doing what Anna-san wished for 」

「 B-But, giving me to my father!! 」

「 It’s just a means to an end. Anyway, if we don’t meet him, there will be a lot we don’t know 」

I said.

「 Anyway, you have to face your reality upfront. If not, everything will remain unknown 」

「 I-I don’t mind staying ignorant to it! 」

Anna-san said.

「 Can’t let that happen. Never. It’s better if you know, it’s Anna-san’s family after all 」

「 Yes. Erica-san doesn’t know about her father or her late Grandfather 」

Ruriko said.

「 Yes. I don’t like how your father gave up saying “I don’t understand my daughter,” but, Anna-san too, you might not understand your father either 」

Momoko-neechan told Anna-san.

「 I-I… 」

Anna-san fell silent.

I…

「 It’s okay. We got this. It’s the usual thing for us 」

「 Seriously, it’s always a lot of trouble every time, Yo-chan 」

Nei laughs.

「 Oh? Kou-chan? You do something this fun all the time? 」

Momoko-neechan asks smiling.

「 It’s nothing fun. It’s human lives on the line here, so we take it seriously. 」

I replied.

「 Then, I’ll make arrangements to the hotel where the discussion with Anna-san will be held 」

Shou-neechan looks at the watch in the dining room.

It’s six in the evening already.

「 It’s going to be 8:30 to 9 PM. If the lawyer from the other side is coming, that would be the time 」

「 Yeah. Get that in the schedule, Shou-neechan 」

I asked her.

「 Okay. Ruriko-sama, is the Kouzuki Grand Hotel good as the venue? 」

「 I’ll let Shou-oneesama decide 」

Ruriko replies.

「 Certainly 」

Seems like Shou-neechan decided that way since it’s the easiest hotel to keep bodyguards in.

「 A city center hotel? 」

I asked Shou-neechan.

「 It’s more of a bay coast than the city center. It’ll take 45 minutes of driving to arrive there 」

Then that means, we still have time.

I mean, I’m worried that we might depart right after dinner.

「 Katsuko-nee, there’s still time before dinner, right? 」

I shout to the kitchen.

Katsuko-nee just came home, and since we have a lot of people in the family, it’ll take time to prep the meal.

「 Yes, even if I hurry, it’ll still take 40 minutes 」

「 Everyone’s helping out so we’ll be finished sooner 」

Katsuko-nee and Mana show up from the kitchen and said.

「 You don’t have to rush it! Take it easy 」

I said.

「 Then, Anna-san, why don’t we begin before dinner? 」

I tell her with a smile.

「 What? 」

Anna-san’s looking blankly.

「 Your training. Training 」

Right, now, Anna-san…

「 Anna-san, you’re interested in training, weren’t you? Didn’t you say that earlier? 」

「 That’s true, but… 」

Anna-san’s confused.

「 N-Now? What? 」

「 Yeah, let’s do it while we have time! Besides, it takes time to do this 」

「 B-But… 」

「 Huh? Were you lying when you said that you were interested in sex, rape, and training? 」

I purposely speak sadistically.

「 I-I’m not lying! I’m not! 」

Anna-san;

「 B-But, is it okay to do it? 」

「 Obviously it is. No, I said that it is so it’s okay 」

The truth is before she could talk to her father…

I want to ask out what’s the actual inheritance her Grandfather left her.

But, this girl won’t answer it when I do frontal attacks.

「 Hey, hey, Sebastianus! You need to get trained together with Erica-san! 」

Momoko-neechan told Yamada Umeko-san.

「 Y-Yes, uhm, if possible, I’d like the same too 」

Yamada Umeko-san seems to have a firm resolve that I will violate her.

「 Then, Onii-sama, shall we get to a room above? 」

Ruriko smiles.

「 Yeah, the SM room 」

I replied with a purposefully loud voice.

It’s to shock Anna-san.

「 My, that seems fun! Of course, I’m watching! 」

「 Me too! I’m going to watch! 」

Momoko-neechan and Mariko want to join in.

「 Me too, Danna-sama 」

Misuzu and Ruriko are coming too.

The young ladies group are all seniors to ANna-san.

If that’s the case, let’s give someone from the seniors as mercy to her.

「 Arisu and Karen, help out Katsuko-nee. I’ll ask you to prepare dinner 」

「 Yes, certainly 」

「 Certainly 」

The two show their faces from the kitchen.

Also.

「 Eri and Rie, help Katsuko-nee out 」

「 Eeeh? 」

「 Can’t help it, Eri-chan 」

「 I guess 」

「 Yeah 」

The twins stood up and head to the kitchen.

While at it.

「 Mitama and Kinuka, I’ll have you guard the mansion. Go to Margo-san and ask her to teach you how to use the monitoring systems in the mansion 」

「 Roger that! 」

「 That! 」

Then…

「 I’m going to go up to the second floor, Yo-chan 」

「 Me too, I’m coming 」

Nei and Edie are coming.

Yeah, these two should be there to monitor Anna-san’s mental state.

「 What about Michi? 」

I asked.

「 I’ll accompany you 」

She’s Misuzu’s bodyguard, after all, she can’t leave Misuzu’s side while Kaan Momoko-neechan’s here.

「 Me too, I’m going. This looks fun 」

Yukino smiled.