CHAPTER 925: HER APPROACH

Day Ninety-Nine...

At Country J

Hanabi, Tatsumi, and Mr. Kazuki finally arrived at the Sawada Clan Headquarters to prepare for their mission.

Their task was to capture Arthur Wayne, the founder of the Red Dragon Mafia, Alexander’s grandfather.

Tatsumi quietly observed Hanabi as they set up their plan.

"Even though he is no longer the leader of the Red Dragon Mafia, this old man is still heavily guarded. How are we going to apprehend him without direct confrontation with the members of the Red Dragon Mafia?" Mr. Kazuki raised this question to the two.

He was even surprised since both Tatsumi and Hanabi were so quiet today.

’Are they still fighting and haven’t reconciled yet?’ He murmured, darting his gaze back and forth between the two.

"Tatsumi, give me your opinion!" He called out his son, who was staring at Hanabi.

"Dad. We should do surveillance first and find out the old man’s routine. Then, after that, we will see an opportunity to launch a surprise attack. It will take two or three days of monitoring before we can capture him without alerting the Red Dragon."

Tatsumi thought that two or three days were enough time to change Hanabi’s mind about this mission. He hadn’t informed Jane yet about his concern for Hanabi. He planned to call her later this afternoon.

"How about you, Hanabi? Do you have an alternative approach on how we will capture Arthur Wayne?" Mr. Kazuki asked, turning in her direction.

Hanabi quickly nodded. "Yes, sir. I think I can lure him out to avoid his guards. We can easily capture him without fighting those men."

"Let me handle this. I have a way to contact him," she added, reassuring the two men.

Tatsumi and Kazuki were stunned for a moment. They didn’t expect Hanabi to volunteer such an approach.

Tatsumi could only heave a deep sigh. ’Sigh. She is truly determined to accomplish this mission on her own.’

"Are you confident that this will work? How did you get to know this old man?" Kazuki asked in puzzlement.

"Through his grandson, Alexander, the current leader of the Red Dragon Mafia. I met the old man once at a party," Hanabi plainly responded.

"Alright! Let’s try this method. Can you contact him now?" Mr. Kazuki said in anticipation. He thought Hanabi’s suggestion could make their work easy.

Meanwhile, Hanabi didn’t waste her time. She immediately called Arthur Wayne. She put the phone on a loudspeaker mode so that Kazuki and Tatsumi could hear their conversation.

After a few rings, the call was answered.

"Hello, Hanabi. How are you? I’m glad you called this old man. I keep bugging my grandson to bring you to my villa and visit me, but that ungrateful guy said you were busy!" Arthur Wayne spoke spontaneously. His excitement could be heard in his voice.

Kazuki became more surprised since Arthur Wayne appeared to be very fond of Hanabi.

"Mr. Wayne... I’ve just returned here in Country J. I’m sorry about that. I’ll try to make it up to you today. Are you free? Can I treat you to a meal?" Hanabi invited the old man right away.

"Of course! I would love that. Just tell me the place. I’ll see you there." The old man couldn’t hide his happiness. He was truly glad that Hanabi invited him today.

On the other hand, Hanabi was taken aback by the old man’s enthusiasm. Part of her started to feel guilty for taking advantage of the old man’s fondness for her.

The old man was genuinely happy to talk to her. However, he was clueless that Hanabi was planning to harm him as part of her mission.

"Mr. Wayne, I have one more request. Please don’t tell Alexander that I’ve returned and we are going to meet today. I want to surprise him," she requested.

The old man agreed immediately. "Sure, dear. I won’t tell him. Besides, I want to spend time with you alone. Alexander will just get in the way if he learns that I’m meeting you today."

His laughter echoed from the other line.

"Thank you, Mr. Wayne. I’ll send you the address–"

Her words were cut off by the old man.

"Hanabi, just call me Grandpa. You are too formal when addressing me as Mr. Wayne."

Hanabi’s heart constricted when she heard that. She didn’t know what to say. The old man was very kind toward her.

Meanwhile, Kazuki and Tatsumi were silent, still amused by the closeness of the two.

When the call ended, Tatsumi quickly asked Hanabi. "Are you fine with this? You seem to be close to him."

Hanabi narrowed her eyes on him. "Of course, I’m fine. You should be grateful that I know him. We will be able to capture him without using violence."

Mr. Kazuki also nodded in agreement. "This is great! Let’s move now!"

Tatsumi could only shake his head helplessly while watching Hanabi’s unreadable expression. She seemed so cold outside, but deep inside, she had a troubled heart.

’I will make sure to compensate Alexander for taking away his grandpa. A life for a life.’ Hanabi thought to herself. She could no longer deny it. She was consumed by guilt for deceiving the old man.

It did not take long before the three of them left the headquarters, heading to the meeting place. They had to act carefully to bring Arthur Wayne to Mr. Hiroshi.

*****

Five hours later... at Alexander’s Villa.

Alexander was talking to Spade in his study when the head butler knocked on the door.

"Young Master! Young Master! We have an emergency," the head butler said in his panicking voice.

Spade and Alexander turned toward the door as the head butler entered with urgency.

"What’s going on?" Alexander asked him, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Your grandfather’s chauffeur just called me. He said... your grandpa went missing after meeting someone in a Casablanca Restaurant!

"No one saw him getting out of the restaurant. When the chauffeur entered to check on his master, your grandpa was nowhere to be found. He also tried calling him, but his phone was switched off."

Alexander hastily rose from his seat upon hearing that. "How could that happen? Who was the person my grandfather was supposed to meet in that restaurant? What did his guards do?"

The head butler gulped hard as he hesitated for a moment.

"Answer me!" Alexander demanded.

"He said... your grandpa didn’t bring his guards because he was meeting your girlfriend... Miss Hanabi."

Alexander fell silent at the mention of Hanabi’s name, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief.