Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

Chapter 209 The Poisonous Apple of Ecstasy

Late November 1989.

Nikkei Average: 30,120 points

Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Akasaka Prince Hotel, Royal Suite, New Building.

The early winter wind, carrying a fine drizzle of ice, howled down from the northern mountains. The gale violently pounded against the silver skyscraper, designed by Kenzo Tange, with its jagged, zigzag-like exterior. The thickened bulletproof glass vibrated at extremely low frequencies under the wind pressure.

Inside the suite, a constant temperature system precisely controls the room temperature at 24 degrees Celsius.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, dressed in a fine dark gray flannel suit, sat upright behind a large marble desk.

He held a half-burnt cigar between his fingers. His gaze was fixed on the newly delivered document on the table, past the swirling bluish-gray smoke.

Confirmation of Property Transfer for Akasaka 1-chome Commercial Building (formerly Pink Building).

At the very bottom of the document, the bright red registration seal of the Legal Affairs Bureau was prominently displayed.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi picked up the bone china coffee cup beside him and took a sip of the warm coffee. The rich bitterness spread on his tongue, and the sense of accomplishment swelling in his chest grew even stronger.

The Saionji family's most crucial cash cow in the Minato Ward has finally been uprooted and firmly planted in the soil of the Seibu Group.

"Knock, knock."

A dull knock on the door interrupted Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's thoughts.

Secretary Shimada pushed open the heavy walnut double door and walked very quietly to the side of the desk. He bowed slightly and spoke in a very low voice.

"President, Ms. Saionji Satsuki requests a meeting."

Shimada glanced up at Tsutsumi Yoshiaki's expression and continued to add to the explanation.

"Her convoy is already in the parking garage outside the hotel's main entrance."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi paused slightly in the hand holding the cigar.

He placed the cigar on the edge of the crystal ashtray. He leaned back slowly against the soft leather chair back, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Please invite her up."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's voice revealed an undisguised joy.

"It seems that the farce within the Saionji family has finally come to an end."

Shimada respectfully left the room.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi looked out the window at the gloomy, cold sky. His fingers tapped lightly on the marble tabletop.

From Kensuke, that old fogey, coming to him with the building's title deed to cash in, to Saionji Satsuki personally visiting him now, less than a month has passed.

He had long anticipated that the shrewd and resourceful eldest daughter of the Saionji family would never allow a group of rigid and conservative elders to dictate the family's direction for long. She would inevitably launch a thunderous counterattack, suppressing those old fogies who were trying to seize power by exploiting loopholes in the infrastructure funding.

The fact that she is standing here in person is enough to prove that the power of the Saionji family has returned to her hands.

but……

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's gaze fell once again on the property transfer confirmation document.

No matter how swiftly the young girl seized power, this internal family conflict has undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the Saionji family. To fill the financial hole, the old guard has been recklessly selling off peripheral assets in a short period, even at the cost of selling off core buildings. This haphazard cash-out behavior has torn a huge hole in the Saionji Group's previously tightly managed cash flow system.

Kensuke, that old guy, is ultimately too useless. Despite receiving a huge premium from the Seibu Group, he couldn't even last a month.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi picked up his coffee cup.

But it doesn't matter. Kensuke's life or death is none of his concern.

All he wanted were the bloodstained assets the Saionji family had thrown away in their panic. Now, that proud and arrogant young girl had just regained power, and faced with the family's chaotic financial records, she had no choice but to come to him to clean up the mess.

The sound of steady, very light footsteps echoed across the thick carpet of the corridor.

The double walnut doors were pulled open from both sides by the waiter.

Saionji Satsuki stepped into the luxurious royal suite.

Today she wore a dark gray haute couture winter coat. The cashmere fabric had an excellent drape, and the slightly austere cut completely enveloped her slender figure. Her long black hair was simply pulled back with an antique-style silver hairpin, and she wore no other jewelry.

Fujita Tsuyoshi, dressed in a sharp black tuxedo and carrying a black briefcase, followed half a step behind like an invisible shadow.

"Uncle Di. Good afternoon."

Satsuki stopped three steps away from the desk. She gave a slight bow, performing an impeccable junior's greeting.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi stood up and walked around from behind his desk. His face was full of the kindness and concern typical of an elder, and he extended his right hand.

"My niece, Satsuki. It's so cold outside, why did you make the trip yourself?"

Satsuki extended her right hand, which was covered by a thin black leather glove, and shook hands lightly with Tsutsumi Yoshiaki before quickly withdrawing it.

The moment their eyes met, Yoshiaki Tsutsumi keenly caught the details on Satsuki's face.

This once-noble lady, who always paid great attention to her demeanor, still had exquisite makeup today, but it couldn't completely conceal the faint dark circles under her eyes. Her once clear and deep eyes revealed an unmasked, genuine weariness that seeped from the depths of her bones.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi chuckled to himself.

It seems that suppressing the family strife and cleaning up the mess that the old folks had made has indeed drained her of a great deal of energy.

It's rare to see the dignified young lady of Saionji looking so tired.

"Please sit down."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi led Satsuki to the reception sofa area in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

The two sat facing each other across a marble coffee table. The waiter quickly brought two cups of freshly brewed hot black tea and then quietly left the room.

Satsuki sat down on the leather sofa.

As soon as she sat down, her left hand rose almost imperceptibly. Her fingertips gently massaged her temples twice. Her brow furrowed slightly, as if she were forcibly suppressing some hidden pain and weariness deep within her mind.

This is not a complete disguise.

For several consecutive late nights, she stayed in the underground core server room of the Saionji intelligence system, working around the clock with Frank's team on Wall Street, deducing an extremely complex offshore trust short-selling matrix. The massive data flow and the extremely tense nerves pushed her fifteen-year-old body to its physiological limits.

However, revealing this genuine fatigue to Yoshiaki Tsutsumi is also part of the plan in this game.

"My niece Satsuki, you don't look too well."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi picked up his teacup, his tone carrying the warmth and concern of an elder, but his eyes were carefully observing her every little movement.

"I've heard that the Saionji family has been quite busy with internal affairs lately. Mr. Kensuke came to see me the other day, saying he wanted to optimize some kind of asset structure. As an outsider, I shouldn't ask too many questions."

He sighed softly, as if he were genuinely worried about his ally's family affairs.

"When young people take over a century-old business, they will inevitably encounter some misunderstandings from the older generation. Dealing with these internal frictions is indeed extremely mentally taxing. If there is anything you need the Seibu Group to help with, please don't hesitate to ask."

Satsuki put down her fingers that were massaging her temples.

She picked up the bone china teacup in front of her. The warm steam enveloped her face, causing her eyelashes to flutter slightly.

She did not deny Yoshiaki's probing; instead, she followed his logic and revealed a perfectly appropriate hint of bitterness and helplessness.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Uncle Di."

Satsuki took a sip of black tea. Her voice was noticeably tired, and she spoke a beat slower than usual.

"Kensuke-sama and the others did make some... rather irrational decisions. Over the past two weeks, I have indeed expended a great deal of effort in order to 'remove' the disobedient elders and clean up the mess they left behind."

She gently put down the teacup.

"The internal strife has been quelled. However..."

Satsuki's gaze passed over the coffee table and went straight into Tsutsumi Yoshiaki's eyes.

"During the power grab, the conservatives recklessly sold assets on the market to fill the funding gap for infrastructure projects. This behavior not only severely damaged the group's reputation but also put the group's cash flow management in an extremely passive position."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi leaned forward slightly.

coming.

He put down his teacup, folded his hands on his knees, and adopted a posture of attentive listening.

"Passive cash flow? The Saionji Group has such a huge monthly turnover, how could it fall into such a predicament?" He asked knowingly, guiding the other party step by step to reveal their hand.

Satsuki remained silent for a moment.

She lowered her eyes slightly, looking at her hands clasped on her knees. It was as if she was engaged in an extremely intense internal struggle.

A full five seconds passed.

She raised her head, her eyes revealing a resolute determination and unwillingness born from being driven to the brink.

"Given the Group's current financial situation, we are unable to simultaneously support the subsequent construction and operation of both major projects."

Satsuki's voice echoed in the empty suite, carrying a hint of humiliation from being forced to bow her head.

"The deep-sea caisson construction for the Saionji Tower in Odaiba has entered its most critical stage. It is the future headquarters of our family and the core of our foothold in Tokyo Bay. I absolutely cannot let go of it."

She turned her head and looked at Fujita Tsuyoshi, who was standing to the side.

Fujita immediately stepped forward. He opened his black briefcase, took out an extremely thick document, and placed it flat on the marble coffee table with both hands.

The cover of the document bears several striking bold characters: "Agreement on the Transfer of Overall Ownership of Niseko Gokurakukan in Hokkaido".

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's pupils contracted sharply in an instant. His heart skipped a beat in his chest.

Paradise Pavilion.

That glass dome, gleaming with a deep blue and golden light amidst the blizzard. That ultimate resort, a culmination of all of Japan's most extravagant luxury and desires, generating enormous revenue every day.

That sweetest fruit he had longed for but never found an excuse to bite into.

"Therefore, I was forced to make the choice to give up what I loved."

Satsuki's voice was slightly hoarse. She reached out, her fingertips gently tracing the cover of the heavy document. The movement carried a hint of reluctance and longing, as if she were about to lose something she cherished.

"We will sell 'Gokurakukan' along with all its surrounding facilities as a whole. This will help us recoup our losses and maintain our core business in Odaiba."

Her gaze returned to Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's face.

"Given Gokurakukan's current profitability and its unreplicable, asset-heavy nature, it's simply impossible for a typical conglomerate to acquire it in a short period of time."

"I came here today to ask Uncle Di."

Satsuki's tone carried a hint of pleading.

"Is the Seibu Group interested in taking over?"

A brief, deathly silence fell over the suite.

The early winter wind outside the window lashed against the bulletproof glass even more fiercely.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi sat upright in the leather sofa. His breathing remained steady, but his thumbs were rubbing together uncontrollably.

ecstasy.

An indescribable ecstasy surged through his veins.

That young girl was ultimately too naive. In order to save a future headquarters that was still just on the blueprints, she actually handed over a money tree that was already raining down gold coins.

This is a fatal misjudgment caused by internal family strife.

No, I can't laugh yet.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi forcefully suppressed the greed churning within him. He released his hands, leaned back, and adopted a magnanimous and earnest expression.

"Satsuki's niece. The Saionji family and the Seibu Group have always been the strongest allies."

"Of course I can't just stand by and watch the Saionji family fall into financial crisis. Since you've made your decision, the Seibu Group will take over this mess for you."

He didn't even glance at the thick document, nor did he try to haggle over the price.

For the "Emperor" of Seibu Group, who enjoys unlimited credit lines from major banks, excessively lowering prices would only appear petty. He wants to use the most decisive and efficient all-cash transaction to thoroughly demonstrate the Seibu Group's unparalleled dominance in the real estate industry.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi pulled out his personal Citibank checkbook directly from the inside pocket of his suit.

Pull out the pen.

The pen tip flew across the check paper.

350 billion yen.

This astronomical figure, containing an extremely high premium, filled the blank amount column in just two seconds.

"Sizzle."

He tore off the check. Extending his right hand, he pushed the light yet priceless piece of paper in front of Satsuki.

"This is the full amount. Cash."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi looked at Satsuki with eyes full of concern.

"Hopefully, this money will help the Saionji family get through this difficult time."

Satsuki looked at the check on the table.

She bit her lower lip. A complex struggle flashed in her eyes.

After a moment, she slowly extended her right hand and picked up the pen that had been prepared beforehand.

Remove the pen cap.

The pen tip landed on the final signature column of the "Property Transfer Agreement".

"Shh shh shh".

The sharp iridium nib glided across the rough paper. The signing motion seemed somewhat slow, even heavy.

The final stroke was made.

She closed her pen. Holding the heavy document firmly at the edge with both hands, she slowly pushed it across the marble table to Yoshiaki Tsutsumi.

"Thank you so much, Uncle Ti."

Satsuki stood up. Her face was pale, and her weariness seemed even more profound.

"The legal team will handle the subsequent handover procedures with Secretary Shimada. I won't disturb your rest any longer."

She bowed slightly.

He turned and walked towards the suite door. Fujita, carrying his briefcase, followed closely behind.

Satsuki paused for a moment as she approached the heavy double doors made of walnut wood.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze passing over her shoulder to look at Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, who was still sitting upright on the sofa.

"Uncle Di".

Satsuki's voice was soft, her tone conveying a calm and docile acceptance of her fate.

"After the transaction is completed, the Saionji family will no longer compete with the Seibu Group in the real estate sector."

She lowered her eyes slightly, a very faint smile appearing at the corners of her lips.

"This vast territory will now be entirely yours."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi held his coffee cup, his smile growing even wider.

Has the Saionji family admitted defeat? Have they realized they can't compete with the Seibu Group in the real estate sector?

He sat there high and mighty, accepting the spoils of the loser as a matter of course.

"Go and rest well, my niece Satsuki. I will take good care of this territory for you."

Satsuki nodded slightly, gave him one last meaningful look, and then looked away.

The double doors made of walnut wood were pulled open from both sides by the waiter.

Satsuki stepped out of the room.

The elevator lobby is at the end of the corridor.

She stepped into the private elevator car. Fujita turned around to face the corridor.

"bite."

The elevator doors began to slowly close towards the center.

In the last second before the gap closed.

From deep within the suite came Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's loud laughter, which he could no longer conceal, filled with extreme arrogance and triumph.

"Hahahaha..."

He laughed wildly.

It looked like it was going to shake the building down.