The proposal from Wakaba Tachikawa stunned everyone present.

It was unthinkable for Manranyama Souren to leave the Manranyama family, a situation that seemed irreparable.

On one hand, Manranyama Uminari could not possibly invite Manranyama Souren back.

On the other hand, Manranyama Souren would never ask to return on his own.

Only these two had a say in the matter.

Thus, the situation had reached a deadlock.

Until now.

As Manranyama Uminari's wife and Manranyama Souren's mother, Wakaba Tachikawa was entitled to bring up the subject, and it couldn't be ignored.

-"Can you come back to live with us?"

Manranyama Souren didn't know how to respond to Wakaba Tachikawa's question.

It was definitely not at the behest of Manranyama Uminari for Wakaba Tachikawa to ask this.

It was her own idea.

That was also her nature.

Despite her petite appearance, she possessed a formidable strength within her small frame.

This was one of the reasons why Manranyama Uminari was so deeply in love with her.

"Um... I think I prefer to live alone." (Manranyama Souren)

This was not a situation that Wakaba Tachikawa could change with just a few words.

After a brief hesitation, Manranyama Souren politely declined.

Wakaba Tachikawa paused, then let out a silent sigh.

She turned to look at Manranyama Uminari, who had a stern expression and showed no interest in joining the conversation.

Reintegrating this family would be a long journey ahead.

After Wakaba Tachikawa's persuasion failed, the atmosphere in the living room took a sharp turn, making people eager to leave.

After some polite farewells, Manranyama Souren made an excuse and left the Manranyama estate together with Van.

As they departed, only Wakaba Tachikawa and the Yusue butler saw them off to the door, while Manranyama Uminari went about his own business.

In Manranyama Souren's mind lingered Wakaba Tachikawa's desolate gaze and the Yusue butler's resigned expression.

"It's going to get busy from here on out." (Manranyama Souren)

On the return journey, Manranyama Souren suddenly spoke up.

Van, who was driving, paused for a moment before nodding gently.

"Since Bai Yaxin took over so many businesses of the Manranyama conglomerate, his weaknesses have actually increased." (Manranyama Souren)

"I have many acquaintances in the business lines he's taken over." (Manranyama Souren)

"If we can't find solid evidence against him in those business lines..." (Manranyama Souren)

"We can help 'create' some evidence for him." (ManranyamaSouren)

"Sometimes, 'counterfeits' can be more useful than 'authenticity'." (ManranyamaSouren)

Sitting in the back seat, ManranyamaSouren muttered to himself.

Van listened while driving, having thoughts but choosing not to voice them.

She was used to listening to ManranyamaSouren's ideas all along.

Even though Miss sometimes went off track, she still stayed within the boundaries of righteousness and law.

However, after leaving the Manranyama house, Miss's actions gradually began to change.

Whether it was sneaking in to steal evidence before or now planning to fabricate false evidence.

Miss was different from before, when she always acted upright.

Van didn't know if this change was for better or worse.

But no matter what, she would protect ManranyamaSouren by her side.

Even if Miss became a villain against the world and society, Van hoped that at least then, she could still trust someone by ManranyamaSouren's side.