Note: if you want to get access to +20 Advance Chapters before everyone else and help Translate and pay for the Chapters because we start paying for every chapter from the author join my patreon.com/flokixy
The Old Furukawa Garden was a beautiful estate resembling a park, with a European-style mansion located to the north of the garden.
The three-story mansion was surrounded by a typical European-style fence and wall, protecting the artistic structure within.
Fujihara Toru parked his car nearby. As soon as he stepped out, he heard a honk from a Land Rover parked not far outside the mansion's fence.
From the driver's seat of the Land Rover emerged a mature woman dressed in a tailored suit, her figure accentuated by a snug pencil skirt paired with sheer stockings. She exuded an air of confidence and professionalism.
Her chestnut hair was elegantly pinned up, and glasses perched on her nose added an intellectual charm. This was none other than Eri Kisaki, the "Unbeatable Queen of the Courtroom" and the top lawyer and owner of the "Kisaki Law Office."
Seeing Eri Kisaki, Fujihara quickly approached her and gave her a big, warm hug—a greeting typical of Western culture.
A flicker of discomfort crossed Eri Kisaki's elegant and mature face at this overly enthusiastic gesture.
However, considering that Fujihara had lived in the U.S. for so many years, she assumed this was simply his way of greeting people. With a resigned smile, she accepted it.
After feeling the swell of her figure against his chest, Fujihara released her and chuckled. "Ms. Kisaki, why were you waiting for me outside instead of going in?"
Eri adjusted her glasses and replied with a professional smile, "Once the documents are signed, this place will belong to Mr. Fujihara. As the rightful owner, how could I, as a guest, enter before you?"
With that, she handed Fujihara a set of keys.
Fujihara smiled and opened the tall iron gate of the garden. He gestured for Eri to follow, and both parked their cars inside the courtyard.
The Old Furukawa Garden was renowned as a prime spot for viewing roses, especially during the spring and autumn seasons. It was now spring, and although the roses had not yet fully bloomed, the garden was filled with various varieties of vibrant flowers, each vying for attention.
As they walked toward the entrance of the European-style mansion, Fujihara asked, "Has everything been investigated clearly?"
Eri straightened her posture, instantly slipping into her professional demeanor. With confidence, she replied, "Yes, Mr. Fujihara, everything has been thoroughly investigated."
Normally, property sales and contract signings were tasks far beneath someone of Eri Kisaki's caliber—it would be a waste of her expertise.
However, this mansion was different. The circumstances surrounding its sale were complex, beyond the capabilities of ordinary lawyers. Coupled with the lucrative commission, Eri had decided to take on the case herself.
"Tell me," Fujihara said, "why is the Toyokawa family—one of the prestigious noble families—selling this mansion? In Tokyo, it's rare to find such a mansion complete with a garden like this."
"Most mansions of this kind have already been taken over by the government and turned into museums or tourist attractions. Privately owned ones are extremely rare nowadays."
"The Toyokawa Group hasn't gone bankrupt, so they shouldn't need to sell it. Compared to its price, the historical and collectible value of this mansion is much higher."
Upon entering the mansion, they found themselves in a grand hall adorned with high-end furniture—all belongings of the previous owner.
Fujihara and Eri took seats on separate sofas. Fujihara fired off a series of questions.
Eri carefully chose her words before responding. "The Toyokawa Group never intended to sell this mansion. However, the deed to the property is no longer in their possession."
"Oh? Do tell."
Fujihara had entrusted Eri Kisaki with this task because there were suspicious circumstances surrounding the sale of the mansion. He didn't want to expend CIA resources to investigate it himself, and using this as an excuse to interact with Eri suited his purposes perfectly.
"The current chairman of the Toyokawa Group—the head of the Toyokawa family—had a daughter who married one of the company's employees, Tsuchiya Shunichi."
"Over the past twenty years, this son-in-law, now known as Toyokawa Shunichi, performed admirably. The Toyokawa Group entrusted him with managing a subsidiary company, and this mansion became the couple's marital home."
"But last year, Toyokawa Shunichi suffered a failed investment, leading to the bankruptcy of the subsidiary. As a result, he was expelled from the Toyokawa family."
Eri leaned back against the sofa, her hands resting neatly on her lap as she spoke with clarity and precision.
"Expelling someone from the family just for a failed investment? After twenty years of loyal service to the Toyokawa family, that seems incredibly heartless. Investments inherently come with risks—both wins and losses."
Fujihara cut straight to the heart of the matter.
For a large family-run conglomerate like the Toyokawa Group, a single failed investment wouldn't justify outright banishment. Such harsh treatment would only alienate their subordinates and leave them without loyal followers.
Eri smiled approvingly. "Precisely. If it were merely a failed investment, Toyokawa Shunichi wouldn't have been treated so severely."
"The real issue lies elsewhere. He developed a gambling addiction and engaged in reckless high-stakes gambling in Macau, Monaco, and Las Vegas, losing everything he owned."
Fujihara nodded knowingly. "Ah, if it's gambling, then I understand. Gamblers truly deserve no sympathy!"
Once someone becomes addicted to gambling, nothing they say can be trusted—especially when they ask to borrow money. One must immediately cut ties with such individuals!
Gambling has the power to destroy families and lives.
"This mansion wasn't originally under Toyokawa Shunichi's name. However, through deceitful means, he managed to obtain the deed from the head of the Toyokawa family."
"It was likely due to his twenty years of diligent service to the Toyokawa Group that earned their trust, allowing him to succeed in his deception."
"Afterward, he used the mansion as collateral to secure funds, hoping to gamble his way back to wealth. Predictably, he ended up losing everything."
"When his gambling habits were discovered, the Toyokawa family disowned him, leaving him to fend for himself. His wife also divorced him."
As Eri recounted these details, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, clearly showing her disdain for such reckless behavior.
"He truly deserves it."
Fujihara remarked.
"He absolutely does."
Eri agreed wholeheartedly.