Chapter 5956

Mitsui Yoshitaka is not an unintelligent man, yet he has made a significant misjudgment in the past, leading his thought process to stray further from the truth. This was precisely why, when his daughter Mitsui Shinmei challenged him, he reacted not with concern but with an instinctive defense of his own perspective. However, after hearing Michaela's explanation of the current situation, he suddenly became acutely aware of just how foolish his error had been! Upon reflecting on the stakes involved, he was left in shock and a cold sweat broke out on his skin. Michaela’s words were far from an exaggeration; if Tawanna were to die because of this, the reputation of the Mitsui family would be irreparably tarnished! He was certain he would have to resign as head of the family; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to offer a satisfactory explanation to the public. Moreover, while the societal norms in Japan can feel quite hypocritical, they are contingent upon the premise that hidden truths remain undisclosed. Once the deception and ugliness of the underbelly are exposed, society swiftly casts aside those who have been revealed, leading to widespread scorn and abandonment. This often results in a common occurrence within Japan: a company or its owner can get away with selling counterfeit products for years, feeling no guilt as they amass wealth. Yet, once the truth comes to light, such individuals are frequently driven to suicide under the weight of societal contempt. Consequently, Japanese society has come to an unspoken consensus that if someone commits a grave error and chooses to take their own life as atonement, they earn the respect of the community. Public opinion tends to soften, allowing the matter to gradually fade away. Conversely, if an individual commits a significant wrongdoing but does not take their own life in penance, the collective judgment of society paints them not only as a sinner but as a thick-skinned one, resulting in universal disdain. As such, those who err gravely and do not take their own lives effectively announce to society that they have lost all sense of shame, forfeiting their social worth. Given this societal backdrop, if Tawanna were to die in Japan while being deceived by an assailant in the presence of Mitsui Yoshitaka, he would undoubtedly have to step down from his position as head of the family; the Mitsui lineage would not permit him to remain in power. Realizing this, he felt an overwhelming gratitude towards Charlie and quickly inquired of Michaela, “Miss Joules, have Mr. Wade and the others returned?” “They're back,” Michaela replied. “You should gather all the security personnel from the Mitsui family immediately, secure all entrances and exits, and ensure that no outsiders enter the parking area or allow the party to leave.” “Understood!” Mitsui Yoshitaka responded respectfully. “I will arrange that right away! Thank you, Miss Joules, and Mr. Wade, for everything!” Michaela clarified, “There’s no need to thank me; I’m merely a messenger. If you wish to express gratitude, save it for Mr. Wade when he arrives!” “Of course!” Mitsui Yoshitaka nodded vigorously, wiping away the sweat and added, “Miss Joules, I will organize everything immediately. Would you like to step out and wait with me?” Michaela replied, “Let’s go together, but please, do not disturb the guests.” “Understood!” At that moment, Mitsui Yoshitaka appeared almost subservient in front of Michaela, his status significantly diminished. Mitsui Shinmei urgently piped up, “Father, Shinmei wants to go with you!” Mitsui Yoshitaka hesitated, contemplating a refusal, but recognizing that his daughter had a clearer understanding of the situation than he did, he relented, saying, “Very well, you can accompany me.” He then quickly summoned the Mitsui family bodyguards, instructing them to secure the entrances and exits of the VIP parking area. This semi-enclosed space, located in the underground level of the dome, was designed exclusively for VIPs and performers, featuring a wide underground passage to restrict access to unwanted guests and paparazzi. The Mitsui family's security team was quite large, with over thirty personnel present today. Their responsibilities extended beyond the protection of Mitsui family members and guests to maintaining order on-site as well. However, the more Mitsui Yoshitaka looked at his security detail, the heavier his shame became. Despite the considerable manpower at his disposal, he allowed a deceiver to lead Tawanna away right under his nose. If word of this got out, it would be mortifying. Though he was not particularly professional, he was fortunate that his bodyguards had been carefully selected. They quickly made the necessary arrangements and stood vigilant for any potential emergencies. At that moment, a Toyota bus pulled back into the dome. Several security guards lined the entrance, wearing white gloves, bowing in respect as the driver maneuvered the vehicle smoothly into the dome, followed closely by the cars behind it. Mitsui Yoshitaka observed the returning convoy with a shiver of both fear and anger coursing through him. Being deceived and allowing people to be harmed right before his eyes was not just a blow to his honor; it felt like a humiliation layered upon another humiliation. As the car came to stop in front of Mitsui Yoshitaka and Michaela, the door swung open, and Charlie stepped out, turning to beckon Tawanna and Trevor inside: “You two get out first.” Without hesitation, the two jumped from the vehicle, as though escaping, their faces etched with shock. Both bore bloody puncture wounds on their necks, surrounded by blackened bruising—an alarming sight. Mitsui Shinmei quickly exclaimed, “Tawanna, are you alright?” Tawanna spotted Mitsui Shinmei and rushed over, throwing herself into her arms, sobbing, “Shinmei, I thought I would never see you again…” Mitsui Yoshitaka approached quickly, seeking Trevor’s condition: “Mr. Kennedy, are you okay?” Trevor nodded emphatically, struggling to contain his panic as he stammered, “Thanks… thanks to Mr. Wade, otherwise we… we would have died…”

Charlie exited the vehicle alongside Pete Roger and the driver. When Mitsui Yoshitaka saw Charlie, he felt like a long-lost child rushing to his father. With emotion welling up, he grasped Charlie's hand and said, “Mr. Wade… you… you saved my life!” Charlie offered a nonchalant smile and replied, “Mr. Mitsui, I’ll leave this man in your care for the moment.” Mitsui Yoshitaka looked at Peter Roger, hatred etching deep lines on his face, and said coldly, “How dare you kill on the territory of the Mitsui family! I will ensure you do not leave in one piece!” Peter Roger, frightened by Mitsui’s fierce demeanor, quickly turned to Charlie, seeking help. Charlie addressed Mitsui Yoshitaka: “Mr. Mitsui, you cannot harm any of these individuals. You must protect them well, ensuring nothing goes awry, and keep this incident away from public scrutiny.” “Huh?!” Mitsui Yoshitaka blurted in surprise. “Mr. Wade, why do you want to spare them? These miscreants deserve death, and not a single one should be left standing!” Charlie’s brows furrowed as he replied frostily, “I’ve said, you must protect them. Do you understand?” Mitsui Yoshitaka saw the serious expression on Charlie's face. Though he struggled with his compliance, he knew that with Charlie’s intervention that ultimately saved Tawanna and Trevor, he could not disregard what was owed. So he nodded, saying, “I will comply with Mr. Wade's instructions…” Charlie looked him in the eye and warned, “I have dealt with many Japanese before; frankly, I’ve encountered few who appreciate the value of a contract. Thus, I must make my expectations clear: since you have made this promise, it must not waver. If it does, I will ensure you face the consequences, no matter where you are!” As Mitsui Yoshitaka observed the intensity of Charlie’s demeanor, unease settled over him. He had encountered individuals capable of acts of violence, but none appeared as menacing and intimidating as Charlie. At that moment, he found himself curious about Charlie's true identity. He couldn’t fathom why such a young man exuded this kind of menace or why Michaela treated him with such deference. Feeling the weight of Charlie's authority, he could only respond respectfully, “I assure you, Mr. Wade, that since I promised, I’ll uphold my word.” “Very well,” Charlie replied with a nod, then turned to Peter Roger and said, “From now on, Mr. Mitsui will oversee your safety and daily needs. I’m not concerned about who is behind you, so you need not share that with me. Simply focus on staying safe, and our agreement will be honored.” Peter Roger, filled with respect for Charlie at that moment, hastily expressed, “Thank you, Mr. Wade! Thank you so much!” Charlie then addressed Mitsui Yoshitaka again, “I asked you to keep them safe and to ensure everything that unfolded today remains confidential. So, do not pressure them into revealing anything against their will; treat them with utmost respect, understood?” Mitsui Yoshitaka felt frustrated. These people had come perilously close to ruining him and Charlie was asking him to treat them like honored guests—something he found unthinkable. Yet, with Charlie’s formidable presence demanding compliance, he bravely nodded, saying, “Rest assured, Mr. Wade, I will fully comply with your expectations.” “Good,” Charlie said with satisfaction. “Some of the individuals inside are injured, but not critically. You will be responsible for their care; for those who are disabled, ensure that their needs are met in terms of food and daily living.” “Understood!” After a moment's consideration, Mitsui Yoshitaka had acclimated to Charlie’s demands. As long as he wasn’t expected to treat them like family, he could handle it. Charlie then looked between Tawanna, the others, and stated, “Now, I will inform everyone of the next steps.” Everyone turned their attention towards Charlie, eager to hear his directives, particularly Tawanna, who appeared anxious and uneasy. Charlie spoke calmly, “Mr. Mitsui is responsible for sealing off all information, ensuring everyone is settled immediately, clearing any vehicles, and disposing of them without leaving any evidence. From this moment on, we will act as if this incident never occurred.” Mitsui Yoshitaka promptly affirmed, “Absolutely, Mr. Wade. I’ll have someone handle this without delay.” Charlie continued, “Pete, I don’t know if ‘Pete Roger’ is your real name, but from now on, you must sever all connections to the outside world and follow Mr. Mitsui’s instructions.” With respect, Pete Roger responded, “Yes, Mr. Wade. For the record, my real name is Liam Smith. I served in the US Marine Corps…” Charlie nodded, then shifted his gaze to Tawanna, saying, “Ms. Sweet, you may rest now and prepare for tonight's performance. Additionally, this matter is to remain between us; do not inform anyone, including your parents.” When Tawanna heard this, tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed, “I can’t perform! I want to cancel the concert!” “Cancel?” Mitsui Yoshitaka exclaimed, overwhelmed. Everyone knew this performance was orchestrated by the Mitsui family, comprising a high-society event. With crowds of thousands gathering outside, the decision to cancel at this juncture would make it exceedingly difficult to explain to the public! Thus, he patiently urged her, “Oh, Miss Sweet, how can we cancel a concert hours before it begins? Many fans have traveled from far and wide, including international visitors. Canceling now would significantly tarnish your reputation!” Tawanna cried out, “I nearly died! Why would you force me to sing... I don’t care about anything anymore; I just want to return to the United States!” “Return to the United States?” Charlie snapped coldly. “The very people who want to kill you are in the United States. I won’t stop you if you wish to go back to die, but you cannot leave today! You must complete your performance tonight! I have the song list ready, and you will not skip a single song!”