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Chapter 223: Invitation into the Tiger's Den
"Oh? A neighbor?"
A light chuckle came through the receiver. It was soft, yet carried an implication that was hard to pin down. Like a hunter hearing a prey step into a trap—a sliver of amusement.
"Since he's Miss Ran's neighbor and a top student, then let him come along," Blake's voice remained steady, revealing no ripples of emotion. "Actually, I think the more the merrier. Besides, having a man of science there to witness the theory of Qi flow might make Mr. Mori feel more at ease."
He agreed?!
Conan's pupils constricted sharply. He agreed so easily? Was he unaware? Or was it... absolute confidence?
"Really? Thank you so much, Mr. Blake!" Ran let out a sigh of relief, a grateful smile appearing on her face. "Sorry for the trouble."
"It's no trouble." The voice on the other end seemed to take on a hint of playfulness. "I, too, look forward to... exchanging views with this Mr. Okiya. I'll be waiting for you all at the apartment."
Click. The call ended.
Ran closed her phone and turned to Okiya Subaru, smiling. "Mr. Blake agreed. Mr. Okiya, let's go together."
"It's my honor." Subaru adjusted his glasses, hiding the flash of cold light in his eyes.
Looking forward to exchanging views? It seemed the opponent was already prepared. This was a confrontation where one knowingly walked into a tiger's den.
"Since it's settled, let's get moving!"
"Um, Mr. Mori." Subaru pointed to a pale yellow Subaru 360 parked nearby. "If you don't mind, we can take my car. It's a bit cramped, but the air conditioning is strong."
"Oh? You have a car? Even better! Saves on taxi fare!" Mori Kogoro was overjoyed and unceremoniously pulled open the door to squeeze inside.
Conan followed last, climbing into the tiny microcar. The door closed. In the confined space, there was a faint smell of tobacco—Subaru's scent.
The car started and slowly merged into traffic. Conan sat in the back, watching the streetscape retreat outside the window, his palms sweating.
Blake. The Black Organization. The mysterious executive. All these mysteries were about to be unveiled in that apartment.
Hope... everything goes smoothly.
.....
Beika Central Garden Apartment.
As the premier high-end residential area in Beika Town, the security here was strict and the environment elegant. A massive fountain refracted rainbows in the sunlight, and the manicured bushes stood like green city walls.
The Subaru 360's cute, ladybug-like shape looked entirely out of place amidst the luxury cars. As soon as the car stopped at the lobby entrance, a striking figure caught everyone's eye.
It was a woman in a deep purple business suit. The tailored skirt wrapped around her mature, graceful figure. Her chestnut hair was pinned up meticulously, and she wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. Even just standing there, she radiated a Queen's aura that made people afraid to look her in the eye.
The undefeated Queen of the legal world, Kisaki Eri.
At this moment, she was looking down at the exquisite watch on her wrist, frowning slightly, clearly impatient from waiting.
"Mom!"
Having just gotten out of the car, Ran saw her mother and immediately waved happily, running over.
Eri looked up. Her originally stern expression melted the instant she saw her daughter, revealing a gentle smile. "Ran, you're here."
Mori Kogoro squeezed out of the cramped back seat, stretching exaggeratedly, his joints cracking audibly. "Ouch, sitting in that tiny car nearly broke my waist."
He complained while adjusting the light grey suit he had chosen for today. Without opening his mouth, he actually looked somewhat like a distinguished detective.
Eri pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses, her gaze sweeping over the aged Subaru before landing on her husband, who was crawling out of it. Her eyes were sharp and scrutinizing.
"If your back is bad, drink less and do more honest work." Her cool voice rang out, carrying her customary regal authority.
Mori Kogoro's hand froze while adjusting his tie. He turned to look at the woman who appeared impeccable even under the sunlight, and his mouth twitched twice. "Hah? This is an occupational disease from running around investigating cases! What do you know?"
"Is that so?" Eri crossed her arms, tapping her finger lightly against her sleeve. "How did I hear that someone got dead drunk watching horse racing last night?"
"Sh-Shut up! That was to gather intelligence! Intelligence, do you understand?!" Kogoro's face turned red as he shouted an irrational defense.
Standing between them, Ran sighed helplessly. "Dad, Mom, we're downstairs at someone else's apartment. Can you please not fight the moment you meet?"
As she spoke, she looked apologetically at Okiya Subaru, who had just exited the car. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Okiya. You have to see this."
Subaru squinted, wearing a gentle smile, and waved his hand. "Not at all. Mr. and Mrs. Mori have such a good relationship; this mode of interaction actually feels very authentic."
Conan stood by Subaru's leg, his dead-fish eyes half-open. Good relationship? Mr. Akai, has your ability to lie with a straight face improved again?
But now was not the time for snark. Conan turned and looked up at the towering structure before him.
Beika Central Garden Apartment.
The entire building was clad in a dark glass curtain wall, reflecting a cold luster in the sunlight. The entrance featured a high-ceilinged European-style porch with two massive Roman columns that appeared imposing. The two security guards at the door stood tall in crisp uniforms, clearly professionally trained.
Is this one of the Black Organization's lairs? It certainly fit the style of a high-ranking executive. Concealed, luxurious, and easy to defend but hard to attack.
Inside the lobby, the marble floor shone like a mirror, reflecting the brilliant crystal chandelier overhead. The air was filled with a faint fragrance—not strong, but omnipresent, exuding an elegance piled up by money.
The two uniformed guards saw the group enter and immediately stood at attention, even saluting Kisaki Eri, who walked at the front.
"My god..."
Mori Kogoro, who had been adjusting his collar to maintain his detective's dignity, couldn't help but look around, his mouth falling slightly open. "How much does a place like this cost?" His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice a little dry.
"Dad, keep it down." Ran tugged at her father's jacket, feeling embarrassed.
"Based on what I know," the silent Okiya Subaru suddenly spoke, his voice steady as if stating a mundane fact, "this Beika Central Garden Apartment, especially the penthouse units currently for sale, averages around three hundred million yen."
"Three... Three hundred million?!"
Mori Kogoro's voice instantly pitched up an octave, cracking.
═════ To Be Continued ═════
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