Chapter 16: If You Don't Repay Your Debts, Retribution Will Find You

Ai felt deeply humiliated as she was forced to run laps around a pillar.

She tugged at her oversized dragon robe, dodging Shoichi's toy knife.

He seemed to be having a wonderful time playing such a childish game.

Yuko was even filming it with a camera, calling it "recording the beauty of life."

Was this life really beautiful?

Ai lay sprawled on the sofa, offering no resistance, letting Shoichi's toy knife hack away at her body.

She was tired; let it all just be destroyed.

Did this boring man enjoy role-playing this much?

He was such a childish person; no wonder he couldn't tell that she was Shiho Miyano.

"Can't you put up a fight?" Shoichi poked Ai's arm.

Ai buried her head deep into the sofa.

*Hmph!*

*Just wait until I avenge my sister in the future; I'll poke your arm too.*

At home, Ai acted as if she had been worn out by the ordeal, remaining completely motionless. Shoichi then went to the company to bother Akemi Miyano.

Akemi didn't need Shoichi to bother her.

She was busy enough as it was.

With her sister being used as leverage, Shoichi seemed very at ease with her, leaving all matters to her even though her official position was merely his assistant.

However, to this day, she had yet to see her sister's face; she had only received the lab coat Shoichi had sent over.

Now, she was working under dark circles, handling Shoichi's affairs.

Because there was so much she didn't understand, she had to spend a vast amount of time studying and learning.

Meanwhile, Shoichi remained indifferent to everything, as if letting her handle it however she saw fit.

If it weren't for her sister's whereabouts and her desire to prevent many employees from losing their jobs, she would truly love to see all of Shoichi's industries go bankrupt.

"Let me tell you something first: if your company goes bankrupt, it certainly won't be because of my management," Akemi said.

"Why?"

Akemi pulled out some documents and said, "Takeda Construction's operating status is not good. They have several projects for which they haven't received final payments. Furthermore, the real estate and construction industries are currently in a slump, and since they just took on a massive project, the banks might not grant them loans."

In the construction industry, construction companies must advance the funds to begin work.

The client only pays once the project has been inspected and accepted.

Moreover, project payments are often delayed by a year or two, so most construction companies rely on bank loans to fund construction.

But if a company encounters problems or if banks stop lending, the company can easily fall into a bankruptcy crisis. Without money to complete the project, they can't get paid, and the project ends up as a "ghost building."

Once a project becomes a ghost building, getting paid becomes even more impossible.

Takeda Company had fallen into such a predicament.

They couldn't collect the payments from several projects, and they couldn't repay the bank, so the bank would no longer extend credit to them.

Shoichi had acquired Takeda, inheriting its client resources and human resources, and correspondingly, its debts.

"There's no need to rush regarding the money," Shoichi said calmly.

As a Sumitomo, Shoichi held considerable influence in Japan.

As long as he personally stepped in, was there anyone who wouldn't pay him back?

"Haha, I've heard of you for a long time. I didn't expect it to be you who acquired Takeda. It's truly incredible that you chose to enter the construction industry," Mitsui said with a laugh, patting Shoichi on the shoulder.

Shoichi showed a look of disgust and signaled Akemi Miyano to wipe his shoulder clean.

This blatant display of disdain made Mitsui's expression darken slightly.

"Mr. Mitsui, I would still like to ask: when will you settle our project payments?" Shoichi asked with a cold face.

Mitsui maintained his "good guy" expression: "Of course I will pay. I wouldn't go so far as to default on such a small amount."

"Then pay quickly."

"I will pay, of course," Mitsui said with a smile. "However, the day after tomorrow is my daughter's birthday. I hope Mr. Shoichi can grace us with his presence."

Shoichi frowned. "What does that have to do with paying the money?"

*Is this old man trying to recruit me as a son-in-law?*

Mitsui stroked his small mustache and said, "It has nothing to do with the money, but it can bring us closer together. Having a drink at the party might make me pay even faster."

In this day and age, the debtor is the master, especially those who owe large sums.

This kid was still too young; he didn't understand the rules of society. Was this how one acted when collecting a debt?

No gifts, no drinking, not even a word of flattery—just a cold face the entire time.

Did he really think that just because his name was Sumitomo, everyone in Japan had to cater to him?

*Kid, once you enter society, no one is going to treat you like a child.*

"Those who owe debts and do not pay will face divine retribution," Shoichi said.

"Of course," Mitsui replied with a smile.

...

At Mitsui's daughter's birthday party.

Shoichi arrived at the table accompanied by Akemi Miyano.

Akemi adjusted the mask on her face, ensuring no one could see through her identity.

She was very uncomfortable attending such venues.

Everyone present wore hypocritical smiles, constantly clinking glasses with those around them and occasionally letting out nauseating, fake laughter.

In contrast, Shoichi's expression was much more sincere.

He maintained a constant look of someone to whom others owed hundreds of millions of yen, scaring away anyone who tried to approach him.

"I'm glad you could come. Here, have a drink?"

Mitsui approached to offer Shoichi a glass.

As if he hadn't seen it, Shoichi picked up a nearby juice and clinked glasses with Akemi Miyano.

Mitsui gritted his teeth.

The children of these great families were the most detestable; they carried themselves with the arrogance of those who had never been bullied, looking down on everyone.

*Hmph!*

Mitsui said with a forced smile, "If you could drink this glass, I might have a greater desire to repay the debt."

Shoichi also said with a smile, "I have a rather unpleasant little habit after I drink. If you don't mind, I can drink this glass."

"Oh? What kind of habit?"

Mitsui gave Akemi Miyano a suggestive wink, wearing an expression of understanding.

*Does he get frisky when he's drunk?*

*It's just his true nature; no need to hide it.*

"I kill people when I'm drunk."

Mitsui's face turned ashen. "Then you'd better stick to your juice."

He left in dissatisfaction.

Akemi Miyano whispered, "It looks like you won't be getting that money back."

"No one can owe me money and not pay," Shoichi said confidently.

Akemi Miyano raised an eyebrow.

Why was he so confident?

Was it just because of his surname?

"Today, for my daughter's birthday, I am truly grateful to all of you for traveling such a long distance to this villa to celebrate with her."

"And today, I have also invited a very special guest: the recently famous Mr. Kogoro Mouri."

Akemi Miyano followed Mitsui's gaze and saw a familiar little boy.

"What's wrong? Do you know that brat?" Shoichi asked ominously.

"No," Akemi Miyano shook her head stiffly.

"Is that so? I thought you knew him. That kid is quite suspicious; if your eyes hadn't drifted over there, I might have forgotten to investigate him."

(End of Chapter)