He had never thought that Eric would say those words himself. He had been racking his brain all this time to come up with schemes and ideas on how to make that happen.
He had stayed up all night thinking about something like this, and yet Eric was so easily saying something he so vitally needed.
He didn't know if this was help from Heavens, a scheme from Eric, or just his affection but he was nonetheless really happy about it.
Too bad that he knew that there was nothing like a free lunch in this world, and things wouldn't be as easy as they looked.
While Eric might have expressed his intentions clearly and given him hope that he would be able to succeed with his goal, things were still far from done.
There was no such a thing as a free lunch in this world, and especially such an expensive one, so he was able to easily control his emotions, and say with a serious voice,
"Sigh~! I must say that I am truly happy with your words son-in-law, I have been racking my brains all this time, thinking about how to make this happen, and you say it so easily.
No matter how much I want to believe this as a demonstration of your affection towards your new family, still my mind can't accept it.
So, tell me, what are your conditions?"
Eric expected something like this to happen because what he had just put on the table was Master Takeshiba's wish, and goal of getting him engaged to his daughter.
Something like this would be too good to be true, and even an idiot would start doubting that there must be something wrong with that.
So, he just turned a little a bit serious himself, as he looked him in the eye, and said,
"We are a family now, so I won't beat around the bush father-in-law! I want 35% of the shares of the Takeshiba group of Industries, and also a few smaller favors that you will be able to fulfill easily."
Master Takeshiba was startled, as he hadn't expected such a condition. Takeshiba group of Industries was the beating heart of the Takeshiba family.
He couldn't, and wouldn't allow anyone to place his dirty hands on such a sacred organ of the Takeshiba family, and even less give 35% of the total shares.
While Eric was considered as part of the family now, he still had his reservations about him, not to mention that through all history the Takeshiba group of Industries was controlled by a single Takeshiba.
It was like some kind of unwritten rule, because if it was spread, then it would be really difficult to pull them back together, and that would be the doom of the Takeshiba family.
Such a condition was clearly unacceptable as it was really precious, but at the same time what he was getting in return was equally or even more precious.
So, he was at a really difficult crossroads at the moment and had to decide if he wanted to proceed with his walk.
As he was thinking like this, he was looking and observing Eric carefully this whole time. Everything was happening so fast, and his rhythm was slowly destroying the pace he had worked so hard to form.
Could he trust this guy? After all, he didn't know much about him, and even if he had been engaged to his daughter, that didn't mean much into his eyes.
His eldest daughter was already a clear example of what might happen, so he needed to be really careful with this issue.
Eric seemed really calm and confident that he would be able to pull this off and to be honest he didn't like his attitude in the least because this meant that the game was in his hands.
So, trying to maneuver a bit with the condition, he asked solemnly,
"Are you aware of what you are asking son-in-law!?"
Eric knew about the importance of what he was asking, but in his eyes what he was asking was still a little compared to the worth of what he was giving, yet he didn't let it out, as he just answered,
"I know father-in-law! For that reason, I am prepared to sign a deal where I forego all my shares, and everything I own in the Takeshiba Group of Industries, if god-forbids, I leave the Takeshiba house!"
Once again Master Takeshiba was startled with the words of his son-in-law, as he seemed to have thought this well.
But he still was having complex thoughts about this, as he asked in a confused tone,
"If I may ask, why do you need these shares son-in-law?"
He knew he was being brazen about it, and that Eric most probably would lie about it, but at least he could get some kind of clue in his answer.
On the other hand, Eric just kept his calm face, as a slight smile was heard from him, as he answered,
"You already know my situation, and position in the society father-in-law, and you also know my goal and purpose for the future.
In order to be able to push away all the current threats, and also prepare for the future, I need a good standing, and also a lot of money!
Leaving all these aside, even my current position in the family is extremely fragile and unworthy of their attention, and I must say I have my own ego and pride!"
He looked extremely honest and sincere as he said those words, it was like he was truly opening his mind in front of Master Takeshiba.
Who even though knew that these were only some made-up motives, and excuses couldn't reject any one of them, as they were true.
In fact, he was thinking of creating him a few more, in order to keep him busier and more under control, but this kid always brought startles, and surprises to him every time he met him.
This wasn't the only time he had been thinking why Eric couldn't be his son? If he were then his ambitions would certainly be accomplished, and nobody would be able to stop him.
Unfortunately, he was just his son-in-law, and nothing more. Yet returning to the issue at hand, he didn't know what to make of it.
He just kept looking at him, as he seemed to have remembered something as he said,
"What about the income from the potions, and their exclusivity?"
Eric knew that this sly fox was really difficult to deal with, and reach a deal, but he still didn't show any kind of hesitation, as he said clearly,
"The income will be shared according to the shares of the company, and I will give you the formulae and the exclusivity.
As long as you don't break the deal with the Council and the government, then I don't care how you deal with it, father-in-law!"
Master Takeshiba knew that he had no reason to refuse such an offer right now, but he still didn't know if those old fogies would accept it.
But he guessed that since they had already made a concession, then making another one wasn't a big deal. After all, the family didn't lose in this deal, quite on the contrary it gained a lot.
Now there was only one more thing on his mind that needed clarification, as he asked,
"What about the small conditions!?"
This snake was just too careful, and sly, he wouldn't let even some small details escape his line of thought, but Eric was already prepared for this, as he answered,
"Well, I need three small favors actually! First, I would like to have some of your staff, security, and personnel work for me, as I gather my own.
Secondly, I would need to use some of your connections in order to contact and try to recruit some people I might need in the future.
Thirdly, the last but the most important I would like you to treat me like your own son, and not some stranger! I will try my best to convince even the other members of the family to do the same!"
Apparently, Eric liked to give small shocks all the time, as while the first and second conditions were acceptable, the third one was truly weird, to say the least.
It seemed like everything he had asked, and everything he had done was just to become part of their family and be treated as an important part of their family.
Of course, Master Takeshiba didn't believe this in the least, as he was more concerned about what this kid's true intentions were.
But no matter how much he racked his brains there was nothing he could think of. Still, the deal seemed truly eligible, and a great opportunity he couldn't refuse.
With those thoughts on his mind, he decided to bite the bullet, as his serious and solemn face turned into a bright one smiling, as he said,
"I agree with your terms, son! My Secretary will make the necessary arrangements, and we can sign it in the shortest time possible."
Hearing that, Eric seemed to have been satisfied as well, as he showed a bright smile as well, and then handing him a piece of paper said clearly,
"I am really glad that you agree father-in-law! Let me hand over to you the formula of the Healing Potion, as a sign of my goodwill!
I truly look forwards to our collaboration in the future!"
Master Takeshiba was already getting used to this kid, as he just took the piece of paper shamelessly, and started having a look at it.
While he didn't know much about the medicinal herbs, he could understand that most of them were just ordinary herbs, that no one would ever think of.
The biggest surprise was the price of the prime materials, as it didn't pass 20$ for a bottle, something that he was planning to sell for hundreds of dollars.
It seemed like lady luck had truly come to visit him, as really soon the Takeshiba family's great ambition would be fulfilled…
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