"Mr. Sipes, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Shingen Yashida eagerly clasped the young man's hand. His stern, rigid face squeezed out a stiff smile. As the eldest legitimate son of the Yashida Family, he normally had no need to humble himself before anyone or display such a fawning attitude.
But Sean, seated across from him, bore countless dazzling distinctions: founder of Umbrella, favored guest of the Department of Defense, a rising young star with extensive connections and a brilliant future. Whatever status Shingen Yashida held in Japan, he was clearly not qualified to put on airs before the other man.
"I presume Mr. Yashida knows why I am here."
Sean did not beat around the bush and stated plainly, "My good friend, Mr. Harry Osborn, has been missing for nearly forty hours. After attending the pharmaceutical exhibition hosted by your company, Osborn Industries' private plane departed for its return flight, but its owner never boarded. That is truly strange."
"Before Mr. Sipes arrived in Tokyo, we had already received this important information. We immediately notified the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, obtained surveillance footage along the route from the hotel to the airport, and contacted the Civil Aviation Administration and the Air Defense Command... I deeply apologize that this accident befell Mr. Harry Osborn due to our inadequate hospitality. But please rest assured, the Yashida Family will spare no effort to give you a satisfactory answer."
Shingen Yashida's attitude was sincere. With both hands pressed against his knees, he made a solemn and serious promise. Judging from how he had handled the matter, the eldest legitimate son of the Yashida Family had done well, eliminating any chance for Sean to use the incident against him.
As the heir to one of Japan's financial giants, he had already lowered himself