537: 474 Takagi Jiro 537: 474 Takagi Jiro Takagi Gentarou’s suicide triggered a strong public outcry.
Even though the French police tried to keep it under wraps, that eerie last message somehow got out.
And then all hell broke loose.
Outright insulting France while draped in the tricolour, can you believe that?
Uncle might endure it, but Auntie cannot.
The deceased is gone.
Thus, the K.E Group bore the brunt of Takagi Gentarou’s unearned disaster.
“…
The K.E store in the 6th arrondissement was set ablaze last night; the perpetrators have been caught, and the police are calling for the public to stay calm once more.
The K.E Group released a statement claiming that Takagi Gentarou’s comments were his personal views and are not connected to the K.E Group…”
Hospital room.
The real-time news was being broadcast on TV.
Not just in Paris, but many K.E stores across France were under siege.
Angry citizens along with shareholders affected by the calamity vented their frustrations through vandalism and looting.
And some were taking advantage of the chaos.
A tide of “zero-cost shopping” swept through romantic France.
When it rains, it pours.
Let alone the furious public, likely even inside the K.E Group, they’d want to drag Takagi Gentarou out and whip his corpse.
“If this keeps up, the K.E brand might really be ruined.”
Pei Yunxi, sitting up in bed watching the news, spoke out loud.
To prevent the situation from worsening, many K.E stores had announced temporary closures.
“If the French during World War II had this kind of nationalism, the war would not have lasted so long.”
Jiang Chen played with an apple.
He really hadn’t expected a single last message to cause such an uproar.
Perhaps it really hit a nerve with the French.
“If Takagi Gentarou was actually killed by the Fujiwara family, why would they leave such a message behind?”
Pei Yunxi turned her head to ask.
“Maximizing interests,” said Jiang Chen.
“It seems like the Fujiwara family has long coveted the K.E Group but could never succeed due to French support.
Now that this incident has occurred, it’s like cutting off K.E Group’s retreat.”
Jiang Chen took a bite of the apple, looking like an outsider.
“This is just my personal opinion; I can’t guarantee it’s correct.”
“The stock price of the K.E Group has already fallen to 50 euros, hitting an all-time low since it went public,” said Pei Yunxi.
“Hmm.”
Jiang Chen nodded, then asked teasingly, “Does that make you feel better?”
Pei Yunxi was at a loss for words.
Was she someone so petty?
By now, she hardly cared about the trivialities of that Rome fashion show.
“Ding-a-ling-a-ling…”
The phone rang.
Jiang Chen answered it.
“Bai Bro.”
“Alright, I know.”
He hung up the phone.
“I need to step out for a bit.”
“Hmm.”
Pei Yunxi didn’t ask what he was going to do; as Jiang Chen walked to the door, she said, “Stay safe.”
Jiang Chen paused briefly, didn’t look back, and pushed the door to leave the hospital room.
Hospital entrance.
Jiang Chen got into the car and closed the door.
“The K.E Group has called several emergency meetings over the past few days, all of which ended in noisy disputes and acrimonious departures,” Bai Haoran reported.
The driver was a Caucasian.
Jiang Chen’s expression was calm: “What about the police?”
“No progress.
They would have closed the case as suicide long ago if not for the pressure.”
Jiang Chen nodded, “Let’s go.”
The 16th arrondissement of Paris.
A three-story mansion.
Just two blocks away stood foreign embassies.
The car stopped.
Bai Haoran got out of the car with Jiang Chen.
The mansion’s security was tight.
Just the bodyguards in charge of the front yard alone totaled four.
When Jiang Chen and company approached, a burly and imposing bodyguard immediately came to greet them.
Jiang Chen stopped walking and showed a harmless, gentle smile.
“I’m here to visit Mr.
Takagi Jiro.”
“Mr.
Takagi is not receiving guests lately, please leave.”
The burly and imposing bodyguard was polite yet cold.
Jiang Chen remained unfazed and reached into his jacket.
The bodyguard’s eyes suddenly grew vigilant, and his hand moved towards his back waist.
It seems Takagi Gentarou’s “suicide” really had quite an impact.
Many have become nervous wrecks, it seems.
What Jiang Chen pulled out was just a simple little card, unsophisticated without any gold or silver decorations.
“This is my business card, please hand it to Mr.
Takagi.
I believe he would want to see me.”
The bodyguard hesitated, but perhaps because Jiang Chen appeared so confident, he eventually took the card.
“Please wait.”
About a minute later.
“Mr.
Takagi will see you.”
“Thank you.”
Jiang Chen smiled and nodded, following the bodyguard forwards, but as they were about to enter the mansion, Bai Haoran, who was behind him, was stopped.
“Mr.
Takagi can only allow Mr.
Jiang in.”
Bai Haoran instinctively frowned.
“Bai Bro, wait for me in the car.”
Jiang Chen said calmly.
Bai Haoran hesitated, but finally nodded silently.
Jiang Chen entered the house.
The bodyguard stayed at the door, closing the main door behind him.
The interior of the mansion held no less security than the outside; Jiang Chen took a fleeting glance and spotted no less than five brawny men.
Even the second-floor corridor had guards.
“Since ancient times, young men have been known to be heroes.”
A hoarse voice spoke up.
Jiang Chen quickly focused his attention on the small, elderly man sitting on the sofa.
Two bodyguards stood by his sides.
“Mr.
Takagi, it’s an honor to meet you.”
Jiang Chen, composed, approached with a smile.
“You flatter me,” replied Takagi Jiro, squinting his eyes, “I am surprised Mr.
Jiang would come to see me.”
“Actually, I’ve wanted to visit Mr.
Takagi for a while, but a little accident delayed me,” said Jiang Chen with polite manners.
“May I sit down?”
Takagi Jiro nodded silently.