Japanese Entertainment: A Comeback Beginning from Bankrupt President

Actually, Amano Aki came here today just to play the victim.

The representative on the other side announces a survey result, and she plays the victim here.

You don't need to say anything, just keep your expression straight and don't laugh. If necessary, blink your eyes and see if you can squeeze out a tear or two so the photographer can take a close-up of you for the cover.

"Tears Shed at the Reception: And It Was Because of This!"—With a title like that, someone is bound to click and read it.

...

The reception lasted for nearly an hour.

At the end, each department issued the prepared announcements and assigned personnel to carry out their duties.

It's like a punishment for Watanabe Entertainment.

Although the secretary took full legal responsibility, the punishment still had to be imposed. The staff brought official documents to immediately terminate the exclusive agreement, as well as a huge fine for Watanabe Entertainment, the kind that would definitely give Watanabe Entertainment a headache.

Monopoly is no small matter.

In addition to the Fair Trade Commission's penalty notice, the Metropolitan Police Department also sent a letter warning Watanabe Entertainment and the media outlets that rushed to publish the news not to do anything that would obstruct official business.

The Metropolitan Police Department's investigation team also went along.

They were to seize all of Yamada's and his secretary's belongings at the office, which were already under their control, and take them back for careful examination to see if they could find anything related to the case.

Yamada still needs to be arrested, and it would be even better if more evidence of his secretary's crimes could be found.

As for Kazuya Sawashiro, he and Aki Amano, accompanied by their lawyer, negotiated with the legal representatives of Watanabe Entertainment regarding Aki Amano's losses.

The Fair Trade Commission will impose penalties on the company, but the damage caused to Aki Amano personally will definitely require compensation. This is Watanabe Entertainment's responsibility; it's just a matter of how much compensation to pay.

During his prior discussions with his lawyer, Aki Amano suggested that five million yen would be enough as a token gesture, but Kazuya Sawashiro disagreed.

To only lose five million yen after two years? Isn't that just being a fool? You should know that you have the upper hand now. If you don't press your advantage, are you going to stop pursuing world peace?

"Sixty million yen, not a penny less," Kazuya Sawashiro told the lawyer, while also giving him confidence. "Sixty million yen is compensation for Amano Aki's losses over the past two years, and it is our bottom line, but not the final price. How much you can get from this negotiation depends on your own performance."

I only need 60 million. How much you can raise is up to your skill as a lawyer.

Even if Watanabe Entertainment ultimately pays 1 million yen, Kazuya Sawashiro will only need 6 million yen, with the remainder going to his lawyers.

"I understand," the lawyer said knowingly, his smile gradually turning sinister. "I will do my best to fight for my own interests while fighting for your legal rights. Await my good news."

When it came time for formal negotiations, the lawyer handed over a settlement agreement without saying a word.

The compensation... "One hundred million?!" Watanabe Entertainment's legal counsel immediately closed the agreement, shaking his head in refusal of Amano Aki's outrageous demand: "Forgive my bluntness, but we cannot pay such an unreasonable exorbitant price. It's only for one month..."

He argued vehemently, but Amano Aki's lawyer was no pushover either, immediately throwing out his trump card: "Who said this is only compensation for one month's losses? My client was the hottest celebrity of 2013, and many companies sent him commercial offers afterward, but the agency rejected them all, right? Are you trying to renege on this?"

"We're negotiating this particular exclusivity issue, it has nothing to do with anything before!" Watanabe Entertainment's representative exclaimed before the legal counsel could even speak.

There's nothing we can do about it; he came with a mission.

Even if the compensation is less than 50 million yen, he can still shine in his new position.

But if the compensation paid exceeds fifty million yen, then he can forget about staying in his original position and will only be able to shine and contribute.

Hearing him speak so hastily, the consultant lawyer had a bad feeling. Wasn't he just giving people something to talk about?

He had just subdued the representative when the lawyer on the other side climbed up the stick, opening his gaping maw:

"So you're admitting that the same thing happened two years ago." The lawyer pointed at him, then turned to look at Amano Aki.

Amano Aki didn't know what he was going to do, but Sawashiro Kazuya did. He pinched Amano Aki's arm hard, making the 25-year-old Amano Aki instantly seem 20 years younger, letting out the wailing sound of a 5-year-old child...

"Whoa!"

"Excellent cooperation!" The lawyer mentally gave Sawakita Kazuya a thumbs up, then used Amano Aki's pitiful sobs to raise the price: "My client is still terrified when she hears about this kind of thing. Can you understand her pain? And now she can only live in a cheap single apartment with no security... Isn't all of this your company's responsibility?"

A lawyer's words are like a deceitful devil.

After the lawyer played the victim card, the price was immediately increased by another ten million, making it one hundred and ten million.

While this lacks sincerity in seeking reconciliation, there's no other way to force Watanabe Entertainment to show any genuine commitment.

The consultant lawyer had heard a little about what had happened before, but the price was not something he could decide on his own. So he could only take his representative to the next room, call headquarters to report the situation, and then make a decision.

The one who made the decision was naturally Watanabe Sōta.

He didn't want to give Amano Aki a single penny, but he had no choice but to pay, since the person who was arrested was his secretary.

Even if he is the president's son, even if he is the executive director, Watanabe Entertainment has grown to its current size not solely due to his father's abilities. There are also other people in the company who covet the president's position, and he must clean up this mess.

We must silence those two.

"You decide on a budget of up to 2 million, on the condition that this matter remains completely confidential, both now and in the future..."

...

The consultant lawyer returned with the answer.

He kicked the representative aside, feeling much more confident, and immediately offered a three-on-one deal: "120 million, on the condition that it will not be disclosed to the public now or in the future. If you agree, we will pay the compensation immediately."

"Hush money?" Kazuya Sawashiro understood the implication and immediately stood up to make his stance clear. "If you want to keep quiet, show some sincerity. Negotiations without sincerity will not yield results. Just tell me how much authority you obtained. I want 2 million."

I've given you my cards, let's lay it all out.

Compensation and hush money are two different things. The former is compensation for the incident, which is necessary.

The other option is to buy out the entire story, keeping the whole thing a secret forever. Even if the Fair Trade Commission comes to inquire, they'll grit their teeth and say that the money didn't exist and shouldn't be confused with that.

The 60 million yen compensation, of which 40 million yen was the lawyer's own negotiated fee, and the remaining 100 million yen was considered reasonable by Kazuya Sawashiro.

Otherwise, they'll just have to wait for the day the truth comes out and they get a huge fine from the Fair Trade Commission.

Compared to them, Ze Cheng and He Ye are nothing more than a docile kitten.