Ryuzaki Makoto slowly turned his head and looked in the direction of the provocative and malicious voice.
He was a middle-aged businessman around fifty years old, short and stout, with a huge beer belly that looked like he was ten months pregnant.
He wore a well-tailored brown plaid suit, with the hypocritical and mercenary smile typical of businessmen on his face. His small eyes revealed shrewdness and ruthlessness, and his arrogant demeanor made him look like a rooster showing off in a cockfighting arena.
The sharp, mocking voice shattered the silence and instantly drew the attention of everyone around.
The wealthy and powerful figures present, along with the elegantly dressed socialites, all stopped their conversations and turned their inquisitive gazes toward this side.
Ryuzaki Makoto did not know this person.
There was no such person in his memory.
However, he could sense from the other party's hostile gaze and unrestrained words that the visitor was not well-intentioned.
Ryuzaki Makoto narrowed his eyes slightly and subtly adjusted his posture to appear more relaxed and casual.
He looked at the fat man who had already walked up to him, his tone calm:
"Sir, we've never met before, and I don't think I recognize you. You're not talking about me, are you?"
Upon hearing this, the fat man was not angry at all. Instead, he laughed contemptuously as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, and the fat on his face trembled.
"Heh, you're quite the master of feigning ignorance. What? Aren't you a student of Linglan?"
The fat man spoke, deliberately raising his voice, as if he wanted everyone in the hall to hear him:
"Do you really want me to expose all your secrets in front of so many high-society people? Let's be clear about this: Black Crow Town, Jinyi Ichiban-gai, and the True Dragon Society—Mr. Ryuzaki, you can't possibly not know what these prestigious names mean, can you?"
These words caused an uproar in the audience.
A chilling killing intent flashed in Ryuzaki's eyes.
Although this murderous intent lasted only a moment, it caused the temperature of the surrounding air to drop slightly.
Since Ryuzaki Makoto established himself in this world, it has been a long time since anyone has dared to speak to him in this manner.
Those who dared to provoke him like that are probably already buried with grass growing a good 10 feet tall.
His fist clenched silently inside his sleeve, then slowly relaxed the next second.
You must not use your hands.
He could only swallow his anger.
Because this wasn't some gangster territory where violence was rampant; it was a high-class social gathering of countless political and business elites. Among those present, not only were there the powerful conglomerates from Tokyo, but at least 99% of the prominent local businessmen from Toaru were also there.
If you beat someone up over a few words in such a situation, it's like tearing down the image you've painstakingly built, telling everyone that you're essentially a lawless thug and a barbarian.
This will not only completely ruin the bidding for the nameless street, but will also make it difficult for the True Dragon Society to make any progress in its future business empire, leading to its exclusion and isolation by all mainstream forces.
However, if he simply remains silent and lets the other party smear him and expose all his secrets in front of everyone, how should he conduct himself?
The reason why Ryuzaki Makoto has always deliberately kept a low profile is to wash away the dark marks on his body as much as possible, so that he can stand in the sunlight like a normal business elite and participate in these top-level games.
At this moment, Ryuzaki truly felt the helplessness and frustration of "stepping into the spotlight".
In the underworld, a businessman like this could be crushed with a flick of his finger.
But now, in this arena that values "rules" and "decency," this guy actually dares to ride on his neck and defecate.
Sure enough, fists alone are not enough; one also needs greater power and a deeper background.
The whispers around them grew louder and louder.
"Lily of the Valley? What's that? Is it a prestigious high school here?"
"Oh dear, you're not a local from Toaru, so you don't know, but Suzuran is infamous as the 'headquarters of delinquents,' the most chaotic and worst school for hooligans in the entire Sakura Country!"
"My God, so this young man is really a gangster? Tsk tsk tsk, the world has really changed. Even people like this can dress so well to participate in the bidding. It really lowers our standards."
The various comments were like fine needles piercing Ryuzaki Makoto.
Just when the situation was at a stalemate, and Ryuzaki was truly preparing to fight back head-on.
A clear, cool voice resounded throughout the entire venue.
"Mr. Ryuzaki Makoto is a business partner of the Sasaki family and a close friend of mine. I can vouch for his business reputation with the reputation of the entire Sasaki family!"
When Ryuzaki Makoto heard that familiar voice, the corners of his tightly closed lips turned up slightly.
This woman has finally arrived.
He turned around and, like everyone else in the room, looked in the direction of the sound.
From the direction of the hotel's main entrance, a tall and stunningly beautiful figure slowly walked towards them.
Today, Kyoko has completely shed her usual low-key demeanor.
She wore a black Chanel evening gown from the latest collection, the exquisitely tailored fabric perfectly outlining her graceful and elegant figure.
Her snow-white skin appeared translucent and luminous against the black background.
On her long, swan-like neck, she wore a priceless sapphire necklace; its deep blue, like the ocean, perfectly complemented her cool and aloof temperament.
Kyoko walked with composure, her eyes cold and aloof. Every step she took carried an innate aristocratic aura, making the meticulously dressed socialites and noblewomen around her pale in comparison, becoming insignificant supporting characters.
When the representatives of the major conglomerates from Tokyo saw this scene, their usually calm pupils constricted slightly, and they gasped in surprise.
"Sasaki Kyoko?!"
"How did she end up here? Did the Sasaki family really choose to settle in a small place like Toara after being expelled from Tokyo?"
In Tokyo's elite world of fame and fortune, everyone knows this Iron Lady.
After a series of unforeseen events forced the head of the Sasaki family to step down, the Sasaki family, which was in dire straits, was led by this woman with an iron fist. Instead of collapsing, the family rose against the tide and became one of the most powerful and influential families.
Even though she was later forced to leave Tokyo due to those turbulent political struggles, no one dared to underestimate Kyoko.
Her methods, vision, and overall approach have long been recognized by the entire business community.
However, what truly shocked everyone was that someone of Kyoko's status would publicly announce that Ryuzaki was indeed her partner, and even vouch for him!
This is practically gambling with the reputation of the entire family!
However, when Kyoko Sasaki walked up to Makoto Ryuzaki and the two stood side by side, everyone seemed to have a different understanding.
The man was handsome, tall, and had a commanding presence.
The woman was aloof and elegant, stunningly beautiful.
The two of them standing together, one domineering and the other aloof, looked like a perfect match made in heaven, a sight so pleasing to the eye that it was hard to look away.
Moreover, these seasoned businessmen present were well aware of Ryuzaki Makoto's performance during the previous casino bill controversy.
This young man managed to fight his way out of a seemingly hopeless situation, not only escaping unscathed but also manipulating the government and gangsters at will. With such skills and cunning, who dares to say he's just a brainless thug?
This is clearly an attempt to leverage power to rise to the top; it's the demeanor of a true tyrant.
As for the fat merchant's attack on Ryuzaki Makoto's background, that's a joke.
Which of these business tycoons present here had clean hands when they started out?
Which one isn't tainted by some kind of shady dealings?
A hero's origins are irrelevant; as long as you have ability, value, and can bring benefits, you are everyone's good friend.
Kyoko stood beside Ryuzaki Makoto, slightly raised her chin, and looked coldly at the fat merchant who was starting to sweat.
"Mr. Masao Yamada, I heard you clearly just now. You seem to have a problem with my partner?"
"So, can I take that what you just said was a public questioning of the Sasaki family's judgment in choosing people?"