Charles Yin's words made Miss Clarence's expression change slightly.
As a British aristocrat, Miss Clarence would never give up her status to get involved with the Japanese underworld.
So, with just a light remark, Charles Yin exposed Miss Clarence's excuse for what it was.
Charles Yin picked up his teacup, a playful smile on his lips. "Miss Clarence, could you step out for a moment? This is business between men—nothing a lady needs to hear."
Hearing Charles Yin bluntly ask her to leave, Miss Clarence's face went through several changes.
Mr. Kobayashi guessed Charles Yin really did want to discuss something important. Although he liked Miss Clarence, he knew when to put business first.
So Mr. Kobayashi said to her, "Then may I ask Miss Clarence to step outside for a moment?"
Miss Clarence's face darkened, but she still obediently left the room.
Once the door was closed again, Mr. Kobayashi looked at Charles Yin. "Mr. Yin, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Charles Yin set down his teacup and spoke with easy confidence: "I heard Inagawa-kai and Yamaguchi-gumi are fighting over a territory. Coincidentally, I have a stake in that place too. When my grandmother celebrated her birthday, people from Yamaguchi-gumi approached me, hoping I could mediate between the three parties. Mr. Kobayashi, you know that although Yin Enterprises isn't powerful in Japan, we do have some influence. Since Yamaguchi-gumi came to me, I naturally want to help everyone get along. It's best if we all win."
Mr. Kobayashi's face grew dark and uncertain. "Yamaguchi-gumi already reached out to you, Mr. Yin?"
"Yes," Charles Yin replied with a smile.
"I see. In that case, I really do owe you, Mr. Yin." Mr. Kobayashi's face softened a little, but he quickly added, "But Inagawa-kai won't give up that territory so easily."
"I'm not talking about giving up—I'm talking about a win-win," Charles Yin corrected him with a smile. "Instead of fighting to the death, why not make money together? What do you think, Mr. Kobayashi? Honestly, Yin Enterprises doesn't care that much about this territory; we've already taken plenty. For us, this place is dispensable, so I'm willing to offer it as a gesture of goodwill—to make friends with you."
Mr. Kobayashi's eyes flickered for a long moment. "Mr. Yin, you really are a man of vision. I’m convinced."
"Mr. Kobayashi, you can tell your boss that I, Charles Yin, am sincere about this," he said, still smiling, calm and confident.
"What are your terms, Mr. Yin?" Mr. Kobayashi asked right away.
Charles Yin only smiled and said nothing.
Mr. Kobayashi's mind raced, then he asked, "Mr. Yin, what secret do you want from Inagawa-kai?"
Charles Yin nodded slightly. "I heard a batch of Forbidden Serum leaked from Inagawa-kai three years ago. Some of it ended up in China. I want to know where all of it went—and… if there's any way to neutralize it."