Stepping into the hotel, Inari walked ahead of Ichiko, rarely showing an arrogant and forceful expression in front of others.
He had learned about Ichiko's father and the engagement three days ago.
But this was also the first time he met Murasaki.
How could he not feel any emotion?
Not to mention he had a slight liking for Ichiko, even just standing as a friend, he couldn't stand someone who appeared out of nowhere and used this to threaten Ichiko.
Entering the elevator, Inari glanced at the still restless Ichiko and said forcefully, "Later, just tell this Murasaki directly that you don't want to marry him, and demand to know your father's whereabouts. With me backing you up, be assertive, understand?"
Ichiko shrank her neck, not replying.
Inari clicked his tongue but didn't continue to force Ichiko.
The elevator stopped on the 15th floor.
After the door opened, they saw two men in black standing by the elevator, their aura very intimidating.
Inari didn't back down either and walked in with his two bodyguards.
Entering the lobby, Inari saw a man in a worn jacket, looking a bit thuggish, sitting on the sofa, fiddling with a few playing cards.
He was in stark contrast to Inari's extremely flamboyant red mink fur coat.
And that somewhat worn engagement letter was placed on the thuggish man's table.
Seeing Ichiko walk into the lobby, Murasaki's eyes lit up.
Ichiko, who had been tired all day and then experienced a life-and-death race against time, rushed here after leaving the police station due to a text message from Murasaki.
She had barely tidied herself up, just simply treated the wound on her forehead and tied up her hair.
Her wool coat had a lot of dust on it in many places.
Even so, Ichiko, with a tired but determined expression, was still incredibly cool and charming.
Inari frowned, stepped sideways to block in front of Ichiko, "Are you Murasaki?"
Murasaki raised an eyebrow, "And who are you?"
"Inari."
"Oh, so it's the Young Master of the Dongfang Family. This is between me and Ichiko, what are you, an outsider, interfering for?"
Ichiko tugged at Inari's sleeve, signaling him not to be impulsive, then turned to look at Murasaki and said directly, "You said last time that you knew my father, and you also told me in the text message that you could give me some information about my father, right?"
"Of course." Murasaki chuckled, "You are my fiancée after all. This time I came back from abroad at my father-in-law's request to find and protect you."
Ichiko frowned, "You still haven't gotten to the point."
Just after getting out of the elevator, she had sent two more messages to Haruko and sent a shake to the phone window.
But Haruko still hadn't replied, which made her a bit anxious.
The unease in her heart grew stronger.
Murasaki, however, looked completely unhurried, "I do have the information Miss Ichiko needs, but the main reason I asked you to come this time is to talk to you again about our engagement."
Inari immediately said, "What's there to talk about? Of course, Ichiko doesn't want to. And who are you, some little punk, trying to marry Ichiko with just a piece of paper?"
Murasaki retorted, "Is the famous Master Oriental also a simp? What does my family matter have to do with you? As a descendant of a great family, don't you know the importance of a contract?"
"What's more!"
Murasaki stood up and slapped the engagement letter, "This is an engagement set by Miss Ichiko's grandfather back then! Miss Ichiko and I are childhood sweethearts from generations past!"
Ichiko let out a breath. She had already seen the engagement letter.
She had also compared it with the jade pendant that had always brought her luck, and the two were indeed the same thing.
Murasaki snorted, "Miss Ichiko, you make your stand. Do you want to leave directly, or sit down and talk?"
Inari also said from the side, "Ichiko, ignore him!"
Ichiko bit her lip, and finally said to Inari, "Inari, let Murasaki speak first. After all, that is... my father."
She hesitated again.
Having been an orphan since childhood, it was the longing for family that made her cherish her childhood memories with Haruko so much.
Whenever it was night, holding the jade pendant, she would occasionally dream that her family had found news of her somewhere.
Living alone was ultimately too lonely.
"I said, Ichiko." Inari was exasperated, "I've said it before, haven't I? I actually have quite a good impression of you."
Ichiko looked at Inari in surprise, not understanding why he said that.
Inari said directly, "The you I knew back then were excellent, decisive, confident, able to remain rational and calm in the face of anything, not bowing to money, with a firm belief of 'I am me' on you, influencing everyone around you like moonlight."
"So at that time, I, Sento, and Shin all set rules, we wouldn't use excessive means to force you. If we liked you, we would pursue you with our own abilities."
"Now, Sento crossed the line, he deserves to die a horrible death."
"You came to me for help this time instead of Shin, presumably you also feel that Shin is starting to distance himself from you."
"Even I feel that you have changed."
Inari slapped the engagement letter, speaking in a tone of disappointment, "You're worried about Haruko, afraid that she will do something foolish at home alone because of the fight with you!"
"But what are you doing now?"
"A father who ignored you for 19 years."
"A fiancé who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, like a scruffy hoodlum."
"And still, you're hesitating whether they are more important or Haruko is more important?"
"What are you running away from!"
Inari's voice was almost a roar directed at Ichiko.
He really couldn't stand it anymore.
Neither Ichiko nor this pretentious Murasaki.
Murasaki looked at Inari coldly, "That's Ichiko's biological father, what do you mean by saying that!"
"Biological father?" Inari scoffed and looked at Ichiko indifferently, "I don't think he cares about you more than that incredibly foolish Haruko."
"Or are you saying you don't care about Haruko at all?"
Inari's words were like a large bell, hitting Ichiko's heart with a 'dong'.
What am I running away from?
Is the engagement letter, is father, really more important than Haruko?
The memory of the phone messages flashed in her mind, and the bright red rainwater from the rooftop seemed to be dripping outside the window.
Ichiko clenched her hands and shouted out the anxiety that had accumulated all night, "Of course I care more about Haruko!"
"Then what the hell are you still doing here!" Inari roared loudly, "Since you know she might do something foolish, if you care about her, go and watch over her!"
Saying that, he reached out and picked up the engagement letter from the table.
"Ultimately, it's just a piece of paper that deceives people."
Murasaki immediately felt a bad premonition, "Hey, what are you trying to do!"
He reached out to snatch it, but Inari wouldn't indulge this person who had already annoyed him.
"What are you!"
A long leg swung out, and with a dull 'bang', it actually kicked Murasaki flying!
Immediately after.
"Tear-tear--tear-tear--"
The engagement letter was torn into pieces.
And it also cleared the haze in front of Ichiko's eyes.
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