Read Novel Full Chapter 1023: Daiki’s Uninvited Arrival
Chapter 1023: Daiki’s Uninvited Arrival
Suddenly, there was a sharp knock at the office door.
Tomiko quickly composed herself, wiping the last trace of tears from her eyes and straightening her suit jacket. She cleared her throat and said in her usual professional tone, "Come in."
The door opened, and Hina stepped inside, looking visibly nervous. Her face was slightly pale, and she was clutching her tablet tightly against her chest. She bowed quickly before speaking.
"Boss... It’s bad. Mr. Daiki just arrived at the company. He’s waiting in the VIP reception area on the 12th floor."
Tomiko’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. "What is he doing here? We clearly agreed to meet at the tea house this afternoon. Why would he come to the company unannounced?"
Hina shook her head, her voice tense with worry. "I don’t know, Boss. He showed up with two of his assistants and demanded to see you immediately. He said it was ’urgent business.’ I have a bad feeling... he must be up to no good. This isn’t like our usual meetings."
I stood up from the recliner chair, my expression calm but firm. I placed a reassuring hand on Tomiko’s shoulder and looked at Hina confidently.
"Hina, don’t worry. With me here, I won’t let anything happen to Oba-san or her company. No one is going to disrespect or threaten her while I’m around."
Hina bit her lip, clearly still anxious. "But sir... Mr. Daiki is a billionaire with enormous influence. He has powerful connections in politics and the business world. If he gets angry, he can make things very difficult for us — cancel major contracts, spread damaging rumors, or even pressure our partners. He’s not someone we can take lightly."
Tomiko looked at Hina and then at me. A small, knowing smile appeared on her lips as she tried to ease the tension.
"Hina... don’t you recognize Jack yet?" she said with a soft chuckle. "You should know exactly who he is. Haven’t you been following his every move for months? You’ve always wanted to find out how he built Immortal Enterprises from nothing and rose to such incredible heights at such a young age. Why don’t you ask him yourself?"
Hina turned to look at me properly for the first time. Her eyes slowly widened in shock, her mouth falling open slightly.
"Y-You... You are Jack Reynolds?! Oh my God... I almost didn’t recognize you in person!" She bowed deeply, her face turning bright red with embarrassment.
"How could I not recognize you?! I’ve read every article, watched every interview... I even have notifications set for any news about Immortal Enterprises. I’m so sorry, Mr. Reynolds!"
Tomiko chuckled warmly, clearly amused by her secretary’s flustered reaction. "Jack, this girl is one of your biggest fans. She follows you on every platform and reads every business magazine that mentions you. She’s been talking about your strategies and success stories for months."
Hina’s cheeks burned even redder. She covered her face with one hand, mortified at not recognizing her idol earlier. "I... I feel so stupid right now. You look even more impressive in real life than in the photos and videos. I can’t believe I was speaking so casually to you this whole time... Please forgive me!"
I smiled gently, trying to put her at ease. "There’s nothing to apologize for, Hina. I’m just glad to meet someone who’s interested in the business side of things. And please, just call me Jack."
Hina peeked through her fingers, still blushing furiously but now with sparkling eyes full of admiration. "Jack-sama... I mean, Jack... It’s such an honor. Your journey from starting with almost nothing to building one of the fastest-growing conglomerates in the world is truly inspiring."
Tomiko watched the interaction with a soft, affectionate smile, the earlier tension and tears momentarily forgotten. She seemed relieved to see Hina’s nervousness shift into excitement.
The atmosphere in the luxurious office had shifted noticeably — from heavy worry about Mr. Daiki to a mix of admiration, light embarrassment, and quiet warmth created by Hina’s flustered fan moment. Yet, the underlying threat of the unannounced visit still lingered heavily in the air like a dark cloud, refusing to fully disappear.
Tomiko looked at me, her voice regaining some of its usual strength and composure, though a trace of vulnerability still remained in her eyes. "Well... it seems Mr. Daiki has decided to come to us instead of waiting at the tea house. What do you think we should do, Jack?"
I met her gaze steadily, my expression calm but carrying a quiet intensity. "I’d like to see what kind of move this Mr. Daiki is about to make. If he dares to make even the slightest inappropriate move against you... I’d like to see how he dies."
My voice was low and serious, the protective edge unmistakable. Tomiko’s eyes widened slightly at the cold determination in my tone, while Hina stood frozen for a moment, clearly shocked by the bold words.
I then turned to Hina and spoke with calm authority. "Hina, bring Mr. Daiki here. Let’s not keep him waiting."
Hina nodded quickly, a small, excited smile breaking through her nervousness. "Okay, Jack... I mean, Mr. Reynolds. Right away." She bowed slightly and hurried out of the office, closing the door softly behind her.
Once we were alone again, the room fell into a brief, heavy silence. Even though Tomiko was a strong, capable woman who had built and maintained this empire through sheer willpower, I could sense the disgust and exhaustion she felt.
Facing a filthy older man like Daiki — someone who lusted openly after her body in every meeting, using business as an excuse to leer, make suggestive comments, and push boundaries — must have been deeply revolting for her. Years of having to smile politely while enduring such predatory behavior had clearly taken its toll.
I stepped closer and gently took her hand in mine, my thumb softly patting the back of her palm in a reassuring gesture. "Don’t worry, Oba-san. I am not going anywhere. I’ll be right here with you the entire time. You don’t have to face him alone anymore."