94: Chapter 94 The Suzuki Family in Action

In the study of the Lin Family Manor, an encrypted satellite phone sat on the mahogany desk.

Lin Long lightly tapped a button with his fingertip, and the name 'General White' immediately popped up on the screen. The moment the call connected, White's signature greedy, smiling voice came from the other end:

"Is that Mr. Lin? Calling so late at night, could there be some good news?"

"I wouldn't call it good news, but I do have a 'favor' to hand you on a silver platter."

Lin Long leaned back in his chair, his tone nonchalant. "The Suzuki Family will be looking for you soon. They'll likely try to grease your palms to get you to 'remain neutral' between them and the government."

White's breathing hitched noticeably, then he laughed even more obsequiously:

"Mr. Lin is indeed well-informed! Their people did send word saying they wanted to 'visit' me."

"So, Mr. Lin, do you think I... should accept this money?"

He knew Lin Long's power was far beyond his own; at a time like this, he had to test the other's bottom line first.

"Accept it. Why wouldn't you?"

Lin Long chuckled. "The Suzuki Family has plenty of money; feel free to open your mouth wide. However, after you take the money, you have to do something for me."

"Please, say the word! As long as I can do it, I won't hesitate for a second!"

White pounded his chest in guarantee. He had long wanted to cling to a great tree like Lin Long; such an opportunity to 'do something' was exactly what he had been hoping for.

"It's very simple."

Lin Long's voice lowered slightly.

"When you talk to the Suzuki Family, 'casually' mention my background—say that I have some 'weight' in Washington, and even a few people at The Pentagon have to show me some respect. Then... drop a hint that forming a marriage alliance with me would be of great benefit to the Suzuki Family's 'major affairs'."

White understood instantly. "You mean... have them marry their daughter to you?"

"Suzuki Sonoko, their family's second young lady."

Lin Long's tone was flat, as if he were speaking of an insignificant trifle. "You only need to hint at it; there's no need to say more. If you do it well, there will be plenty of rewards for you."

"Rest assured! Rest assured, Mr. Lin!"

White replied hastily, his mind already racing—he could squeeze a fortune out of the Suzuki Family and curry favor with Lin Long at the same time. This was simply a windfall from heaven.

He even began to ponder how to 'hint' at it so it would seem natural while making the Suzuki Family feel like this was an opportunity they 'couldn't afford to miss'.

Hanging up the phone, Lin Long looked at the night sky outside the window, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

White was an old fox; he would surely handle this favor flawlessly.

And Suzuki Tomoko was ambitious. To get Suzuki Shiro into the Prime Minister's seat, she had no reason to refuse an 'ally' who could bridge connections in Washington—a marriage alliance was undoubtedly the most stable way.

As for Suzuki Sonoko... Lin Long thought of that young lady who was always boisterous, holding up gems and shouting about catching Kaitou Kid, and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.

Lin Long had never considered whether Suzuki Sonoko was willing or not.

Even if Suzuki Sonoko was unwilling, so what? In the face of family interests, her wishes had never been the most important thing.

However, Lin Long estimated that Sonoko would be very happy to hear she was marrying him. After all, from the first time she met Lin Long, she had been secretly harboring designs on him.

...

Tokyo, Suzuki Manor.

For the past half month, this place had virtually become the 'center of the storm' for Japan's financial circles.

Every morning, representatives of major Zaibatsu, bankers, and media editors-in-chief would arrive on the dot to visit. Luxury black cars lined up in long queues at the manor entrance, making it even livelier than a parking lot in Ginza.

Suzuki Tomoko, dressed in a sharp white suit, received guests in the drawing room with ease.

She had just seen off the representative from the Mitsui Zaibatsu when she turned to instruct the butler:

"Have the legal department check the sponsorship agreement with the U.S. military once more. I want to see the final version by tomorrow morning."

"Also, notify the PR department to release the press release about the 'Suzuki Conglomerate donating 10 billion yen to rebuild Tokyo.' Have it published as the front-page headline in all mainstream media."

"Yes, Madam," the butler replied respectfully.

Just then, a resolute-looking middle-aged man in a trench coat walked in. He was Suzuki Shiro's older brother and Suzuki Sonoko's uncle—Suzuki Jirokichi.

He had just rushed back from abroad, travel-worn, carrying a case filled with information on Kaitou Kid.

"Tomoko, what exactly did you call me back for? I had everything set up in Paris, just waiting for that Kid brat to take the bait!"

Jirokichi said impatiently as soon as he sat down. His greatest hobby in life was competing with Kaitou Kid, and being forced back so suddenly made him quite unhappy.

Suzuki Tomoko handed him a cup of tea, her tone brooks no argument:

"Put the Kid matter aside for now. The family has more important business to attend to—your brother is running for Prime Minister and needs manpower."

"Prime Minister?!"

Suzuki Jirokichi nearly spat out his tea. "That fellow Shiro? Him, as Prime Minister? He doesn't even know how to argue with people!"

"Just because he couldn't before doesn't mean he can't now,"

Suzuki Tomoko said calmly.

"That's not for you to worry about. From today on, you're responsible for keeping an eye on Tanaka and the Ooka Family. If they dare to play any tricks, tell me immediately."

She knew that while Suzuki Jirokichi seemed rough around the edges, he was actually meticulous, especially at digging into people's backgrounds.

Suzuki Jirokichi was stunned for a moment, and seeing Tomoko's serious expression, he finally realized that things were not simple.

He dropped his cynical attitude and nodded:

"Fine, I'll help you. But it's a deal: once this is over, you have to help me catch Kid!"

"No problem."

After seeing off Jirokichi, Suzuki Tomoko rubbed her temples. The entire Suzuki Family was in motion—her husband was in charge of contacting politicians, her brother-in-law was monitoring allies, her cousin was managing the funds, and even distant relatives had been mobilized to infiltrate various departments to gather intelligence.

The entire family was like a precision machine, operating at high speed with only one goal—to push Suzuki Shiro into the position of Prime Minister.

And in this machine, the only 'derailed' part was probably Suzuki Sonoko.

...

Mouri Detective Agency.

"Sonoko, do you really not know what your family has been up to lately?"

Mouri Kogoro asked indistinctly while gnawing on grilled squid. "The news says every day that the Suzuki Conglomerate is donating money, constructing buildings, and meeting with the U.S. military. Isn't that a bit too much noise?"

Conan Edogawa sat nearby, seemingly playing a game but actually listening intently.

He had also noticed something was off lately—the stock prices of Suzuki Family companies were fluctuating abnormally, cooperation projects with the government had suddenly increased, and even high-ranking officials at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department were being exceptionally polite to Sonoko. This definitely couldn't be explained by 'normal operations'.

Suzuki Sonoko was applying lipstick in front of a mirror and replied without looking back:

"What else could they be doing? My parents just can't sit still; they made some money and now want to be 'philanthropists'." She spoke lightly, but she wasn't entirely unaware in her heart.

These days, whenever she returned to the manor, she would always see her uncle Suzuki Jirokichi making secretive phone calls. The lights in her father's study stayed on until late at night, and her mother had even canceled her birthday party, claiming there was an 'important meeting'.

She had even seen a document labeled 'Prime Minister Campaign Platform' in her father's drawer. Although her father had immediately put it away, it hadn't escaped her eyes.

But she didn't ask.

Raised as an heir since childhood, she understood the weight of the words 'family interests' better than anyone.

If the adults didn't say anything, it meant she wasn't supposed to know yet. Rather than asking and causing trouble, it was better to play dumb, have fun when she should, and solve cases when she should.

"But..." Mouri Kogoro wanted to press further.

"Alright, Uncle Mouri!"

Suzuki Sonoko turned around, patted his shoulder, and laughed boisterously. "Stop guessing! Things will be fine after a while. When the time comes, I'll treat you all to a trip to the new amusement park my family is building!"

She intentionally emphasized the words 'after a while,' a flicker of complexity crossing her eyes.

Even she didn't know where this storm stirred up by the family would eventually sweep her.

Conan looked at Sonoko's forced relaxed expression, deep in thought.

The Suzuki Sonoko he knew seemed rough around the edges but was actually quite clever—last time on the cruise ship, she had seen through a disguised waiter based on just one detail, showing she was definitely not as simple as she appeared.

If she wasn't saying anything now, it was likely because she truly couldn't.

"By the way, Sonoko,"

Conan suddenly spoke up. "Yesterday, I saw your family's car going to the U.S. military base. Was there something going on?"

Sonoko's hand paused, then she laughed. "It seems my dad wanted to donate some supplies to the U.S. military; after all, they're 'protecting' Tokyo now."

She made up a reason on the spot, but her heart skipped a beat—this kid Conan's observation skills were far too sharp.

Conan didn't ask further, but the doubts in his heart grew larger and larger.

The Suzuki Family, the U.S. military, the government, the Zaibatsu... these clues were like a tangled mess, faintly pointing toward a massive conspiracy.

Meanwhile, at the U.S. military base, General White was practicing his 'casual' tone in front of the mirror.

Looking at his own obsequious smile in the mirror, he nodded with satisfaction—the Suzuki Family people would be coming tomorrow, and this 'marriage alliance' act had to be played well.

The night in Tokyo grew deeper, and the hidden threads of various forces intertwined and collided invisibly.

Suzuki Sonoko was still discussing where to solve a case tomorrow with Mouri Kogoro and the others, completely unaware that she had already become a crucial piece on the chessboard, pushed toward an unknown future by Lin Long, her family, and this storm sweeping across Japan.

A grand drama revolving around power, money, and marriage had only just begun.