Chapter 235: Twelve years is a long time
Japan: 2:00 PM
In a traditional Japanese Shoin room, men in suits sat quietly on the floor across from each other. Tension hung in the air as silence reigned in the room. Among the men was Haines.
Haines, now age 51, lifted the cup of tea to his mouth.
"Haines, are you sure you’re leaving?" asked the man seated across from him. The man looked older than Haines, but his bulk physique was enough indicator his age was never a problem.
"Penny wants to branch out, and it’s been a long time since I’ve visited our family home," Haines answered calmly. "Wild, it’s time to let her be. Penny is old enough to marry..."
"NEVER!" Wild and the rest of the men yelled in unison, but Haines only chuckled in response.
"Haines, Penny’s departure to branch out and manage our international branch personally is one thing, but marriage is another," another elderly man expressed his displeasure. "Though she might marry one way or another, we won’t just sit still and let any hoodlum get into her life."
"Minister, I’m very certain Penny is happy to hear that." Haines nodded. "Though the general has reached out and was asking for more intel from us, saying he would give his son as payment for our services."
The minister hissed in resentment. "That old man simply wants to make her his daughter-in-law. Shame on him!"
"I’m kidding." Haines laughed, earning a glare from the minister. "Do not worry, Minister. Penny and I might be leaving for now, but your security will still be the same. Look. You and Wild are in the same room in peace and none of you are dead yet."