Chapter 1044 - 1044: A Costly Misunderstanding

For once, the three men share the same optimism, driven purely by the competitive and business prospects of Ryoma's proposal.

There are no hidden schemes or ulterior motives this time, no grudges or malicious intentions lurking beneath the surface.

Shimamura is focused solely on what the opportunity could mean for his career as a boxer. Whatever resentment he once harbored has long since faded.

Meanwhile, Logan and Donovan see the proposal for what it is: a lucrative business opportunity with enormous potential, regardless of who ultimately emerges as champion.

Then Logan's phone rings. The caller ID shows Maria's name, and whatever good mood he's in begins to fade.

[Sir, it seems we have a bit of a problem with Ronin.]

"What is it, Maria?" Logan answers, gesturing to Donovan to excuse himself.

[I just visited Ryoma to discuss the production project in Ota. We've been in talks with them for quite some time, and things had progressed fairly far. But he suddenly canceled the arrangement, saying he'd decided to hire another production company instead.]

Logan falls silent for a moment, trying to make sense of the situation and figure out what might have prompted Ryoma to treat them this way.

Still, this isn't the first time Ryoma has been difficult to deal with when it comes to Logan, so he tries not to make too much of it.

"Well, maybe he has his reasons. We should respect his decision. It's not like he was ever bound to us in the first place. He's free to choose whoever he wants to work with."

[What I'm worried about is that this might not stop with Ota. It seems he's upset with us, probably because he thinks we've been ghosting him about his proposal for the third Tokyo Dome event.]

"Ghosting him?"

[Apparently, Reika never relayed your response to Ryoma like you expected her to.]

At that, Logan's face flushes red, his eyes widening slightly as anger takes hold.

"Where is she now?"

[Well, I'm calling from her office, but she's not here, and I have no idea where she went. She didn't tell me anything. Want me to look for her?]

By then, Logan has already spotted Reika walking into the gym.

"No need," he replies, lowering his phone.

Before Logan can even begin to scold her, Reika has already realized her situation and hurriedly apologizes, her face pale with fear.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I've caused you trouble again."

"What happened?" Logan asks.

"Ryoma turned down our offer for the Ota production project. He said he'd already chosen another company." Reika hesitates before continuing. "I was going to deliver your response to his Tokyo Dome proposal this morning, but Maria brought up the Ota project before I had the chance. By then, Ryoma was already disappointed with us. He saw it as us ignoring his proposal while expecting him to continue doing business with us."

She lowers her head. "He thought we only cared about our own business, leaving him waiting for an answer while making him feel like he was the one begging us for a deal."

"He's damn right!" Logan snaps.

Reika flinches, instinctively lowering her gaze as her father's anger bears down on her.

"With his current position, of course he has the leverage," Logan continues scolding her before everyone. "We're the ones who need him, not the other way around. A man like him shouldn't be treated this way."

His expression darkens. "That's exactly why I wanted you to go see him as soon as possible. And that was three days ago, Reika. Three fucking days ago. Not this morning!"

Every foreigner in the gym can feel the tension in Logan's voice, though they can't understand the Japanese conversation.

Shimamura, however, understands every word and casually interrupts their argument.

"Now, now, Big Boss. Don't be too hard on your daughter. You know what they say. When God created Eve from one of Adam's ribs, He took a crooked one. That's why women are naturally crooked, and if you try to straighten one by force, you'll only break her."

Then he casually turns toward the ringside.

"Isn't that right, Abdul?"

Abdul blinks, caught off guard by the sudden question. He glances between Shimamura and Logan before forcing an awkward smile.

"Y-yeah…?"

Shimamura's easygoing expression never changes, but his words carry a message meant for Logan alone.

Logan catches the hint immediately, now realizing he's become a spectacle. He takes a breath, reining in his temper.

Reika remains tense beneath her father's anger, but she sneaks a glance at Shimamura, a faint warmth stirring in her eyes.

His casual intervention has given her an unexpected sense of relief, and for a moment, she looks at him as though he has just pulled her out of a frightening situation.

Shimamura notices her lingering glance but casually turns back toward Logan.

"Now, Big Boss, you're a man I've always looked up to. Surely you're too wise to let something like this get the better of you."

Logan simply raises his phone to call Ryoma himself. But even as he waits for the other party to answer, his gaze remains cold on his daughter.

[Mr. Rhodes. I knew you'd be contacting me soon.]

Logan gives a slight nod. "I suppose I owe you an apology. Regarding the proposal you sent through Maria and Reika, I never intended to keep you waiting. In fact, I'm at Franc Donovan's gym right now to discuss it with him. Then Maria suddenly informed me of your disappointment. I won't make any excuses. I understand why you're upset, and I sincerely apologize. I hope we can still salvage our business relationship."

After his lengthy explanation, Logan pauses, waiting for Ryoma's response.

But Ryoma remains silent. Each passing second makes Logan increasingly uneasy, until he eventually breaks the silence himself.

"I know an apology over the phone isn't enough. Would you be available tomorrow evening? We could meet somewhere outside the office. Donovan happens to be here with me, and he's very interested in your proposal."

[A meeting? With Donovan? What about your daughter?]

"Reika?"

[Yes. There's also something important I need to discuss, especially after the report she just filed with the police.]

Logan's gaze sharpens as he turns toward Reika, his eyes narrowing with sudden suspicion.

[If you truly want to clear up this misunderstanding, I assume you'd want her there as well.]

After a brief pause, Logan gives a small nod, accompanied by a quiet sigh.

"Very well. I'll reserve the best place I can find for our meeting. I'll let you know the details later."

Once the call ends, Logan slowly lowers his phone, his cold gaze never leaving Reika.

"Reporting him to the police?" he asks in a low, subdued voice, the quiet words carrying an unmistakable threat. "Have you lost your fucking mind?"

Reika offers no response. She merely flinches, quickly averting her eyes as fear takes hold of her.