“Spoken like a true member of my Long clan,” said the Lady in Black, who finally chose to grace us with her presence. “So, who is the guest you brought with you, Tian?”

“This is Nicole Roah, number six on the list, grandmother.” I replied.

“Oh, I see that you found your answer.” Of course, Kouzuki Miya remembered my words. “So, what exactly do you need my help with?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but can someone tell me what is going on here?” Intervened Nicole, just as I was ready to start my explanation. “Tian? Grandmother? Long clan? What happened in those three months since our last meeting, Michael?”

Ah, so many questions. I fought back the rising ire. Even if she tried to keep me from my prey for a bit longer. Well, at least she hasn’t asked about the list, and her apparent placement there.

“Yes, hm, right? I guess the introduction should go both ways. This is Kouzuki Miya, the wife of Long Hào, mother of Long Chen, whom you should have known as Leon Roah.” I dropped the bomb onto Nicole. “Now, with this out of the way, mind repeating why exactly you asked for my help?”

***

“I see.” It was the only thing my grandmother said after hearing the story. “What do you need me to do, Tian?”

“You won’t even ask why am I doing this?” I couldn’t help but voice my curiosity.

“I won’t mind hearing it, but it won’t change anything for me. You are asking for my help. That’s all I need to know.” One of the most powerful women in this city told me this in a tranquil tone.

I expected way more questions, not going to lie. Taking another sip of the tea, the Lady in Black kept pouring it for me, which she seemed to really enjoy doing. My mind went into overdrive, evaluating, planning, and discarding plans.

“I need you to apply the pressure on the very top of their ladder.” I gave her a very general level of directions, fully aware that Kouzuki Miya will fill in the details herself, and do a much better job at that than me. “Since Kouzuki Shinji made his debut regarding the matter of Su Yin, Long Tian should do something as well. Since this pig so nicely volunteered to be made into an example, let’s show the world what why you shouldn’t offend the Long clan.”

My grandmother nodded, showing her approval, as well as a bit of appreciation. I could just use the Kouzuki clan’s seal to do so myself, but I wanted to show her my trust. I took another sip of the tea. Having trustworthy people to delegate your work felt so great.

As for Nicole, she was sitting there, nesting a cup of hot chocolate with both of her hands, a light meal she barely touched on the table in front of her. She looked a lot less haunted, so, I guess, that’s progress.

***

About an hour later, the door to the bar opened, and a very familiar to my future self figure walked inside, while wearing all white. A few years older than me, a bit taller than the current me as well. Dark black hair slicked back. Uselessly handsome face.

I worked with him. I worked for him. And I worked against him. The future Head of Security of ‘RobCo’. What was his name again? Something Italian, starting with a letter f. Fabiano? Filippo? Federico?

“Greetings, Lady Kouzuki. Mister Bayat sends his deepest apologies,” the guy in white said with a perfect bow. “At the moment of your call, he was in the main headquarters, and his flight will take at least eight more hours. My name is Francesco Bianco, and I was granted full authority to assist you in this case until his arrival.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

His gaze quickly darted around, evaluating the rest of the people in the room. Stopping for a brief moment on Nicole, who tensed, on the verge of triggering a fight-or-flight response.

“I would prefer it if you stopped trying to scare my friend,” I called him out.

“You are?” He managed to sound polite, and I must commend him for not dismissing a dude wearing a hoodie and sweatpants outright.

“Long Tian.” I introduced myself.

“Young master Long.” He bowed once more, correctly guessing my status and instantly changing his attitude. “I apologize for any possible offense.”

“Mr. Bianco. My grandson and his friend just brought to my attention a recent development that makes me feel a bit concerned.” Kouzuki Miya returned to her polite and icy tone. “One of your employees, and at a rather high position at that, has allegedly used his position to solicit a certain kind of relationship from an unwilling party.”

“Lady Kouzuki…” the man in question tried to say something.

“While it isn’t my place to advise you on the matter of your internal affairs, in doing so, he allegedly also sabotaged a rather substantial deal and allegedly put the blame on the said unwilling party.” My grandmother continued, ignoring the guy’s attempts to say something. “As an investor, I can’t help but feel concerned that, in case those allegations are true, it could not be the first deal he intentionally sabotaged.”

The white-clad Italian’s polite smile changed into a concerned frown. This was a serious matter, and it required immediate action.

“I heard your words, Lady Kouzuki. I must assure you that a complete and thorough investigation will be conducted immediately, and everyone found guilty will be severely punished.” Another bow, this time apologetically.

“Mr. Bianco, with all due respect, but there is another layer to this incident. Whether your investigation will find that person guilty or not, they already offended my grandson.” Familiar steel resurfaced in my grandmother’s voice.

Her whole demeanor followed closely. I could only pity the poor Bianco guy, since he was on the receiving end.

“I already sent my people to retrieve him for questioning. They will be here shortly. I must insist on your presence as Mr. Bayat’s proxy for this session.” Kouzuki Miya declared. “Please, take a seat.”

“As you wish, Lady Kouzuki.” Followed a formal confirmation from the still bowing man in question.

***

From that point onward, things went in a predictable and swift manner. A bit later, a few shadows appeared with a bound and gagged pig. Judging by the distinctive lack of clothing items, this piggy was seized right from its sleeping place. Going by the expression on its ugly mug, It was confused, disoriented, and scared shitless.

After the pig understood what situation it had actually landed itself in as well as the only two alternatives it had, it quickly started talking. I guess, between the two choices of admitting its wrongs and taking the blame and a simple disappearance, its continuous existence won.

With every word it spoke, Bianco’s expression became more and more unreadable. If there was a clear bottom line in the corporate world, it was wasting the company’s money. The complete investigation was definitely pending.

After the pig finished its words, the guy in white asked for permission to deal with this situation through official protocol. Since it coincided with my goals of making it an example as well as clearing Nicole’s official records, I granted him that permission.

In a show of her complete support for my actions, the Lady in Black kept her silence. Another easy-to-understand message that Bianco would spread around

The rest was a technicality. The pig was bound once more and taken away by the internal affairs security forces. After making sure that it was everything that was required of him, the white-clad Italian excused himself as well.

I thanked my grandmother for the help, and promised to visit her again shortly. Then, since it was almost six in the morning, Nicole and I also excused ourselves.

Overall, the hunt came to a satisfying, if a bit boring, conclusion.