Rich Sisters

Chapter 29: Wealthy Sisters (Seeking Follow-ups on Tuesday, 2.5k1)

The next day, early in the morning... or rather, around noon.

Fujino, still half-asleep, was woken by the ringing of his phone.

"Who is it..."

Fujino sighed and picked up the call.

"Senior Fujino, are you ready to go to the Medieval Art Museum?"

Sonoko's voice came from the other end of the line.

"Didn't we settle that yesterday..."

"Settle what?"

Sonoko sounded confused. "Didn't we agree yesterday to take a day off and go see the walking armor at the Medieval Art Museum together?"

Fujino slowly came to his senses. "Oh, right, that's what it was..."

"Senior, you didn't forget, did you?"

Suzuki Sonoko asked suspiciously.

"Of course not!"

Fujino quickly sat up in bed.

After clearing his throat, he continued, "I'm already getting ready to drive out. Ran lives right across from my place... Should I swing by and pick you up?"

"Senior, you already have your driver's license?!"

"Of course, I do!"

Fujino responded with a speechless retort. "Don't you remember? I usually drive to work."

In Japan, you can get a driver's license after turning eighteen, but the examination process is quite strict...

Fortunately, the original Fujino was quite skilled. He obtained his car license as soon as he turned eighteen and even got his motorcycle license at sixteen.

"That's amazing!"

Sonoko's voice held a hint of admiration. "In that case, I won't bother my family's driver today..."

"Driver..."

Fujino's eyes became lifeless at the mention.

As expected of a Suzuki family heiress...

After hanging up, Fujino quickly washed up. Under Conan's resentful gaze, he picked up Ran and headed to Suzuki Sonoko's residence.

"As expected, wealthy families are different..."

Fujino stopped the car and couldn't help but twitch his mouth as he looked at the upscale villa before him.

The Suzuki family was unimaginably wealthy.

"Senior Fujino! Over here."

At that moment, Sonoko, who had changed into casual clothes, opened the door and waved, shouting towards Fujino.

Is this really a rich young lady?

Fujino frowned as he observed Sonoko's unreserved demeanor.

"Sonoko, you need to be more composed!"

Just then, another female voice called out from inside the villa. Another girl's figure walked out.

The girl was wearing a long dress, her eyes narrowed slightly, exuding an air of grace, maturity, and composure that formed a stark contrast with Sonoko.

It was none other than Suzuki Ayako.

Looking at Ayako before him, Fujino's mind raced.

Are these really wealthy sisters?

They don't seem like it!

"I got it, sis!"

Sonoko, who had already reached Fujino's car, turned around and grinned, scratching the back of her head.

"And this is..."

"Senior Fujino, you probably don't know her yet..."

Sonoko realized and made the introduction. "This is my older sister, Ayako!"

"Sir, I apologize, but my sister might be a bit of a handful."

Ayako approached Fujino's car window and gave a slight bow.

"Sis, what are you talking about? This is my classmate. Although he's a year older, he's still a high school student."

Sonoko reminded Ayako.

"Is that so?"

Ayako covered her mouth, surprised. She spoke with apology in her voice, "I'm so sorry... I thought..."

"It's alright."

Fujino shook his head. "A lot of people mistake me for someone else when they first see me..."

He then politely introduced himself, "My name is Fujino Doji. I'm a detective, and I'm in the same class as Sonoko."

"Then I'll be counting on you, Fujino-kun," Ayako said, nodding with a light smile.

"Hehehe."

At this moment, Sonoko seemed to have thought of another mischievous idea.

After opening the car door and sitting next to Ran, she whispered to Fujino in the driver's seat, "My older sister is twenty-four years old and is pursuing her postgraduate studies... Oh, and by the way, she's single!"

"Sonoko!"

Hearing this, Ayako's face couldn't help but flush. She complained to Sonoko.

"Senpai Fujino, drive!"

The Medieval Art Museum, Sky Exhibition Room.

"Wow! These paintings are all so beautiful!"

Ran exclaimed loudly, looking at the oil paintings on the wall.

"I remember this one should be by Picasso..."

Sonoko examined the paintings on the wall. Although she wasn't particularly interested, she blurted out, "It's not a famous work."

"Miss has a very good eye!"

Just then, an old voice suddenly came from behind them.

The group turned around and saw a stooped old man walking towards them.

"This painting is called 'Leisurely Angel.' As the young lady said, it's not a famous work."

Ochiai walked up to the painting. "However, even though it's not a well-known piece, I really like the warm brushstrokes and the transparency it presents."

"It seems you know a lot about art, sir!"

Sonoko found the old gentleman's assessment familiar and exclaimed, then asked Ochiai, "Sir, are you an art critic?"

"Miss, I am not an art critic."

Ochiai chuckled, squinted, and introduced himself, "I am the director of this museum. My surname is Ochiai."

"Oh, so you're the director! No wonder you know so much," Sonoko said, finally understanding.

"As usual, it's quite empty here."

At this moment, an unfriendly voice came from not far away.

The group turned their heads and saw a middle-aged man with a potbelly, dressed in a white suit, walking towards them.

As he walked, he commented, "What are all these? They're just junk!"

"Manaka, what are you doing here?!"

"This museum will be mine in ten days anyway, so what business is it of yours?"

The man's tone was very irritating.

But his irritating words didn't stop there. Instead, he yelled at the young man beside him, "Designer, hurry up and bring out the design plans."

Upon hearing this, Director Ochiai's entire demeanor turned dark, and a murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he looked at the potbellied man.

Seeing that something was wrong, Fujino frowned.

He stepped forward and patted Ochiai's shoulder.

Ochiai nodded as if he understood.

After taking a deep breath to calm himself, he said sternly to the man not far away, "Mr. Manaka, I recall we agreed when signing the contract that the museum would not be used for other purposes!"

"Heh heh."

The man chuckled dismissively. "It'll be mine eventually anyway. What's a breach of contract fee? I'll just pay it!"

"If that's the case, then perhaps I cannot easily hand over the museum to you!"

The elderly Ochiai's tone became firm. "Mr. Manaka, since you wish to breach the contract, let's discuss it in court. I've already prepared to find a lawyer and sue you!"

"Sue me if you want!"

Manaka frowned upon hearing this. As if to cover his guilt, his voice gradually grew louder, "Besides, without my acquisition, this rundown museum will just end up going bankrupt!"

"You don't need to worry about that, Mr. Manaka!"

Although Curator Ochiai was already elderly, the sharpness in his eyes was still evident.

Seeing Curator Ochiai like that, Fujino couldn't help but pause.

The ability to single-handedly support such a large museum and attract investment.

And even in his old age, he possessed a fighting strength that made Fujino feel challenged.

This old man was clearly no simple figure in his youth.

After the portly middle-aged man left, Ran, who had overheard their conversation, curiously asked Curator Ochiai, "Is this museum going to close down soon?"

"That's right..."

Ochiai nodded. "Japan's economy has been sluggish recently, and the company that originally invested in the museum went bankrupt... Later, Mr. Manaka said he wanted to acquire the museum..."

"Even though he promised to continue operating the museum, after the acquisition contract was issued, he broke his word and changed his mind, wanting to turn this place into a large hotel."

Ran's words carried a hint of condemnation. "That person is truly awful!"

Suzuki Sonoko also glared with disgust at Manaka's retreating back and said indignantly, "I can't stand those fat bosses who like to abuse their power!"

"There's nothing that can be done about it..."

Ochiai sighed unhappily. "The contract has already been signed, and there's no going back now... I'm currently looking for a reliable lawyer to sue him, but I haven't found one yet."

"By the way, isn't Ran's mother a lawyer?"