Chapter 228: Challenge

Master Takeshiba had truly been watching the show for a while now, and he couldn't believe just how stupid these good-for-nothing Young Masters were.

Even if someone tried to pick them out in a big crowd, they still wouldn't have been able to pick so many idiots all at once.

From the moment that Eric had entered the pre-office, until now, they had been playing into his garden, without even realizing it.

That idiot Young Master that got into a fight with him was even more miserable as he had to suffer being the main point of the whole thing.

It was a truly shameful spectacle, as they not only had to endure Eric's behavior and insults but they also were drawn into his path.

The truth was that Master Takeshiba had already gotten news of Eric's meetings with various powers in the country, and especially his wife.

It didn't take much of logic, intelligence, or sharp mind to understand what they had discussed, and he was displeased by it since he already had a deal and agreement with Eric.

What Eric had done, was nothing more or less than voiding their primary deal, so he was clearly upset by his conduct.

For that reason, he had instigated these fools to come up here, and enact a show, to make Eric feel some kind of pressure.

He wanted to show him that it was him who was backing him up, and if he didn't abide by their deal he would end up fighting the whole world.

But against his expectations, his little show had been played against him, as Eric had benefited from these guys' brain absence, and done all this.

His plan to turn them against Eric had suddenly transformed into Eric turning them against him, and his prestige.

If he didn't come outside now, then Eric would surely sprout even more bullshit, making them look like they were trying to kill him, and destroy the Takeshiba family in one swing.

Eric was still blabbering whatever ran through his mind when he came out of his office and approached them while saying,

"Son-in-law, what is going on here!?"

Eric seemed startled at his father-in-law's sudden appearance, but he immediately turned around, and started complaining like a little girl to him,

"Father-in-law, it's good that you are here! These guys are truly shameless, they not only offended you but are also trying to damage our Takeshiba family's reputation!

You have to mete justice for us father-in-law!"

Even Master Takeshiba was amazed at how sly his son-in-law was, he couldn't believe how quickly he changed his act.

Still, he couldn't just meet Eric's expectations right away and offend the people behind these kids, but he couldn't not help his son-in-law either, so he was at a crossroads.

Trying to defuse the situation a bit he asked in a solemn tone towards Hilda,

"Tell me what happened here!"

If he asked Eric, then he would certainly say his own version. If he asked the other Young Masters they would do the same, and on top of it, it would be taken as distrust against his own son-in-law.

For that reason, he decided to ask Hilda who was at the side. Certainly, she wasn't totally neutral, but she was still his secretary.

In fact, right now he was trying to test her, if she answered in Eric's side it meant that she had started to waver, and if she maintained his interests, then she was still good.

Hilda was ready to answer in Eric's favor, but Eric signaled her to keep neutrality. It was meaningless for her to destroy her cover for a stupid reason.

So, Hilda started retelling the whole situation with a neutral point of view, maintaining neither side.

Neither side could complain about her neutrality, as she just retold everything just like it happened, without adding, or emitting anything, even Eric's words at the end.

Master Takeshiba had already seen everything that happened, but still hearing it once again he more or less understood that these Young Masters in front of him were useless idiots.

Well, perhaps with the distinction of Kisaki Haoru, but even he couldn't deal with Eric who seemed to be on a rampage.

At this moment though, he showed his wits, as when Hilda finished retelling her story, he immediately started speaking with a clear, and cool voice,

"Master Takeshiba, please don't misunderstand us! We came here due to our goodwill, and wish!

We had no intention of questioning you for your decisions or accuse you of anything that your esteemed son-in-law said.

It's just because your decision was sudden and we wanted to have some clarifications if possible!

After all, each and every one of us in here have been deeply touched, and in love with your daughter for a long time!

As such we feel that it's a bit unjust for you to decide such a matter so suddenly, and we would like our chance in the race."

This guy was truly sly, he was able to immediately change Eric's version, and also ask for an opportunity to vow Takeshiba Aika.

It seemed like his reputation, and fame wasn't undeserved. He was truly a genius of the young generation.

Surely Eric couldn't allow this guy to disrupt his plans, as he said,

"Huh, what are you talking about bro!? I and Aika fell in love, and my father-in-law accepted our love and decided upon our engagement.

If things are true as you said, and you have loved my woman for so long, then why didn't you try to make her fall in love with you earlier!?

What are you trying to do here, as you are coming to ask for another man's woman!? Don't you feel ashamed of yourself!?

Furthermore, the important thing here is Aika herself, she has to decide her own life partner! If you truly love her, then you will have to agree to her choice!"

Certainly, Kisaki Haoru wouldn't give up so soon from his request, as he immediately followed,

"I can say the same for you, Young Master Eric. In our point of view, you came suddenly and snatched our beloved in front of us.

We were all vying for her love, in a fair fight, when you suddenly appeared as her fiancé. We can't accept something like this without an explanation, or a chance now can we!?"

Both sides had somewhat valid arguments, and they would certainly not give up on what they thought was theirs, so the decision would certainly fall in Master Takeshiba's hands.

Master Takeshiba on the other hand couldn't believe his own luck. He had thought all this time for a way to put pressure on Eric, but he had never thought that it would come knocking on his door.

Right now he seemed to be in really deep thought, as he contemplated both sides, but in reality, he had already made up his mind long ago.

When he finally thought that it was enough time to think about it, he said with a sigh,

"Sigh~! You are both right, and I accept my mistake in taking a decision so hastily! I should have thought more about this, and taken a more thoughtful decision.

Whatever I say right now will probably make no difference, as I have already handed my daughter to my son-in-law, and I can't go back on my word.

Everything now depends on my son-in-law, whether he wishes to let you have your chance. But I know that my son-in-law is a man and wouldn't shy away from a challenge!"

He looked like he was backing up Eric with his words, but he also gave these guys a big hint against him, challenge Eric's pride as a man.

How could someone like Kisaki Haoru lose such a precious hint, as he immediately started saying,

"Master Takeshiba is truly a man of honor and valor, and I am sure that you have selected a similar person as your son-in-law!

I am sure that Young Master Eric is a proud man, of his word, and valor!"

His last line was said with clear sarcasm, as instead of complimenting Eric, he seemed to doubt his manhood.

No man would ever accept such a devaluation, and Eric wasn't an exception either, as he asked with a gloomy and heavy voice,

"What are you trying to say!?"

"Nothing much actually, since you are that kind of guy, I am sure that you wouldn't reject our challenge as a man to a man, with our beloved as a stake!

She will belong to whoever has her love, and word at the altar! And we have time until she gets married to make her fall in love with us!

After all, you already said that she should be with the one she truly loves right!?"

As soon as those words sounded in there, the whole group of Young Masters seemed to have regained their face, and smile, as they looked at Eric while grinning.

With that Eric was cornered, and there was no other way for him besides to accept the challenge if he didn't want to be branded a loser, and a coward.

Eric seemed to have gotten really angry right then and there, as his face had even taken a red hue at the moment, as he was looking with killing eyes towards Young Master Kisaki Haoru.

But at the end of the day he was left with no other choice, but to grit, his teeth, clench his fists, and then say with a heavy tone,

"Very well, I agree to your challenge! Not to show that I am a man, but to show that you useless idiots don't even reach my little toe!"

As soon as he sounded these words, the whole crowd of Young Masters in front of him started laughing out loud, making him even angrier.

And one moment later, he continued saying…