Chapter 5958

Hearing that Tawanna had finally agreed to continue the performance, Mitsui Yoshitaka, who was beside her, let out a sigh of relief. He had been worried that this young woman might suddenly withdraw, fully aware of her temperament. If she got truly upset, she wouldn’t take even the boss of Universal seriously. After all, she had earned enough money and held enough influence that if the company annoyed her, she could simply step back. Even if it meant enduring a bit of discomfort, she could easily blame the record label for forcing her into something she didn’t want to do, and the label would undoubtedly face a backlash from her fans. Consequently, even Mitsui Yoshitaka had refrained from pressuring Tawanna to perform. However, he never expected that Charlie's firm stance would bring Tawanna around so quickly... At that moment, Charlie said, “Now that Miss Sweet has decided to proceed with the performance as planned, let’s not waste any more time here. Miss Sweet and Mr. Kennedy, please return to the party so that you won’t be away too long and raise suspicions among the guests. If anyone inquires about what just happened, you can simply say that you have a confidentiality agreement and can’t disclose any details.” Tawanna nodded slightly but asked with concern, “What if they leak this information to the media?” Charlie glanced at Mitsui Yoshitaka with a smile and replied, “Don’t forget that today’s event was organized by Mr. Mitsui, and all the guests here are either his friends or friends of friends. I’m confident that with Mr. Mitsui’s influence and stature, he will be able to ensure that these guests remain quiet, ignoring what they’ve seen and heard, and pretending they don’t know anything.” Upon hearing this, Mitsui Yoshitaka felt anger welling up inside him, wanting to curse. Typically, keeping legitimate matters secret was the guests’ own responsibility. Among them were gossipmongers who, once they caught wind of some juicy tidbits, would spread the news faster than wildfire, making it difficult for anyone to silence them. However, with Charlie’s statement, it felt as though the burden of secrecy was placed squarely on his shoulders. According to Charlie, if any of the guests couldn’t keep quiet, it would be seen as his failure. Just as Yoshitaka was seething, Charlie turned to him with a smile and asked, “Mr. Sanjing, do you think I’m right?” “Your mother…” Sanjing Yoshitaka cursed internally, but he bravely forced a smile and said, “Yes, yes, Mr. Wade is correct. You can rest assured; I will remind all the guests firmly and clearly not to disclose what happened today!” Tawanna felt a sense of comfort from seeing such a high-profile figure as Sanjing Yoshitaka being managed by Charlie. It’s often said that misery loves company; seeing someone else in a sticky situation can alleviate your own troubles. Noticing that Sanjing had to shoulder this hefty responsibility, Charlie felt satisfied but still cautioned Tawanna: “If this information does manage to leak and the media approaches you for questions or confrontations, just play dumb. If anyone asks you anything, say you don’t know and have nothing to say. The key figures present today are all here and manageable. There’s no way anyone will find other clues or evidence.” Charlie continued, “Those who prepare to strike hard are most afraid of missing their target. If you hit something solid, even if you can’t hurt them, you’ll still hear a sound. Hitting nothing is the most dispiriting and helpless. What you need to do is become as inconspicuous as air in front of these people.” “Okay…” Tawanna felt a little relieved after hearing Charlie’s advice and found herself relying on him. She asked, “Mr. Wade, if someone in the United States wants to kill me, what should I do next? I can’t stay in Japan forever; eventually, I have to go back. Wouldn’t it be very dangerous then?” Charlie replied, “The person who wishes you harm is likely someone you were closely associated with in the past. Now that circumstances have shifted, some are trying to protect themselves, even if it means sacrificing others. Just like firefighters battling wildfires, they sometimes have to create controlled burns to keep the flames in check. Consequently, even without being directly involved, your knowledge of certain secrets puts you at risk. That’s a key reason why they want to eliminate you.” Tawanna found herself at a loss for words. Although she had not actively participated in various matters, she was well aware of many hidden truths and had even witnessed certain events firsthand. With those in power now at risk of exposure, they might want her silenced to protect themselves. Yet, sharing those details with Charlie felt intimidating, especially knowing there were others like him. Fortunately, Charlie wasn’t overly interested in her past actions or knowledge. He continued calmly, “Given the current situation, if you want to safeguard yourself, you must first secure strong protection. In Japan, the Mitsui family is your best option.” As he spoke, he looked at Mitsui Yoshitaka and added, “Of course, this depends on the Mitsui family’s sound judgment.” Mitsui Yoshitaka felt uneasy, his gaze avoiding Charlie’s.

When Tawanna heard Charlie’s words, her sense of security grew significantly, and her perception of Charlie began to change. She increasingly viewed the man in front of her as exceptional, someone who could strategize effectively. Charlie continued, “If you want to return to the United States safely, you must also have a strong connection there. Miss Joules undoubtedly has that power, but I recommend you show goodwill toward the winning side. If she decides to protect you, your chances of returning safely will increase dramatically.” Tawanna instinctively protested, “But… How can I do that? I have criticized him multiple times in public and on social media before. Even if he can overlook the past, I can’t make such a contradictory choice; otherwise, people will definitely criticize me…” “Indeed, Mr. Wade.” Trevor interjected, “Tawanna was quite vocal about her stance on many issues. If she shifts her position now, it’ll look like she’s just flattering someone in power, which would greatly harm her reputation.” Charlie reassured her, “It’s fine to be more like someone without publicly endorsing him. As long as you make noticeable changes and allow observant individuals to recognize that you are softening your stance, they will pick up on your intentions.” He elaborated, “For instance, in the past, you often brought up topics unrelated to music during your concerts. Starting with this one, maybe you could aim to keep those off the agenda. I believe that with your stature as a star, they’re bound to pay attention to your actions. If today’s concert avoids sensitive topics as before, they’ll likely notice that you’re intentionally conceding or even displaying goodwill. If this pattern continues, the other side may even reach out to you first, at which point you can privately make amends.” Tawanna couldn’t help but ask, “Really? What if they don’t contact me?” Charlie shook his head. “No need to worry; you and they are not on the same level at all. Show genuine goodwill, and give them some time to assess the situation. Their team will undoubtedly reach out to you.” Tawanna said, “But after my performance in Japan, I was supposed to return to the United States for some rest…” Charlie waved his hand dismissively, “Why rush back to the United States? Who’s there for you? Is it worth losing your peace of mind over a few extra days here?” Tawanna hesitated, saying softly, “There are… my family in the US… I just miss home and my family. Being at home makes me feel more secure…” Charlie pressed her, “Given today’s circumstances, do you genuinely believe going home is the safest option? Do you feel secure? Is your family’s influence in the US really stronger than those who wish you harm?” Remembering Charlie’s earlier analysis, Tawanna shook her head and said, “Then… maybe I shouldn’t go back. I’ll listen to you, Mr. Wade, and wait until my relationship with the winning side improves before I return…” Charlie nodded, adopting a teachable tone, “That works. But don’t you have several shows in Tokyo coming up? It wouldn’t be appropriate to overstay your welcome at Mr. Mitsui’s place. Perhaps you should consider going to China.” Tawanna blinked in surprise, “Ah? Going to China?” “Yes,” Charlie confirmed. “It’s not far. You can fly from Tokyo and be there in three hours.” Tawanna asked, puzzled, “But… what would I do in China?” Charlie pretended to ponder for a moment before exclaiming, “I’ve got it! Here’s an idea! You could visit three to five cities in China and hold several concerts—eight or nine in total. Since you have some free time, you might as well make some money while you’re at it.” Tawanna’s eyes widened, “Hold concerts in China?!” “Yes,” Charlie said. “You can have fun and earn money at the same time—killing two birds with one stone. Plus, China’s public safety is much better than Japan’s, ensuring your security—killing three birds with one stone.” Tawanna sighed, “But I was supposed to rest after the Tokyo concert. I don’t have any other performances planned, and my team is preparing for a break.” “Don’t worry about that,” Charlie waved off dismissively. “Have them work overtime in China and compensate them adequately for it.” With a serious expression, Charlie advised, “You must understand this is a crucial and sensitive time for you. Holding concerts in China now, besides the benefits I mentioned, also sends a strong message to those back in Washington.” “Send a message?” Tawanna asked, “How would I do that?” Charlie explained, “It’s simple: Just focus on performing wholeheartedly without saying anything else. If you conduct yourself differently across several consecutive shows—avoiding irrelevant topics—the other side will likely be surprised and think, ‘This troublemaker has suddenly become so compliant!’ They’ll definitely catch on.” “Once they pick up on that hint, their team will surely reach out to you. When they do, you can extend a hand for peace without having to humiliate yourself. This way, you maintain your dignity while ensuring your safety. Frankly, the benefits you can gain from this approach are immeasurable.”