SWNOVELXO Chapter 99: Sagomoto Offices
With the sweet chime of a machine, the elevator doors slid open, revealing the opulent interior of Sagomoto Wealth Offices.
Floors that had been polished diligently gleamed under the warm lighting, and the scent of leather and aged paper filled the air.
Darren stepped out of the way for Rachel to step out first, hands in his pockets. Rachel was in a black fitted office gown, her stiletto heels clicked against the floor as she held a contract folder against her chest.
Darren followed, wearing a gray suit with black thin linings.
They were greeted by Andy Nashville, who nearly tripped over himself as he rushed forward.
"Mr. Steele! Welcome!"
"Hey," Darren gave him a friendly smile. "Nashville. Good to see you. Clumsy as always."
Andy chuckled nervously. "It's good to see you too. I never actually thought you would come, and I never knew that you were actually FuglyDuckling. The same person I was looking for. I mean now I feel stupid looking back at it."
Darren scoffed. "Don't fault yourself. There was no way you would have known. And I was messing with you eh?"
"Yeah. That's true," Andy replied, then his eyes widened as he remembered that Rachel was there too. "And Miss Rachel—pleasure to meet you too!"
"Mm hm?" She lifted a cold brow.
Andy tightened his lips. "Mr. Sagomoto is expecting you. Uh—this way!" He adjusted his round glasses before quickly leading them down the hall.
Darren sideglanced at Rachel and said, "Lose the cold gaze, Rach. They're going to be our allies, you don't want to scare them off."
"Yes, sir. But we have to let them know we mean business." Her sharp gaze flicked over Andy, dissecting every movement you made. "I don't particularly trust people who are too eager."
"Hmm," Darren shrugged. "Someone once told me that desperate people are the easiest to manipulate."
Once they got inside the grand office, they were introduced to the wealth manager known as Mr. Sagomoto.
He stood waiting by his chair, which showed just how eager he was.
In Darren's opinion, a man his age shouldn't be standing as much. Mr. Kaito Sagomoto had a big round head, and a kind, wise face, weathered by time, with an amicable smile resting on it.
He was unbent, with a gray mustache, and silver hair combed nearly at the sides of his head, while the center glistened bald. His suit was dark blue and made of a shiny material that actually caught Darren's eye.
As Darren approached him, he used the time to ask for an Insight Protocol.
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Ding!
┏Insight Protocol Complete: Information on Sagomoto Wealth Offices is as follows┛
┏Estimated Net Worth: $2.1 billion┛
┏Primary Income: High-net-worth financial management, investment banking, corporate advisory, wealth preservation services┛
┏Owner: Kaito Sagomoto┛
┏Known for: Diverse clientele, loyalty, aggressive investment strategies, high-risk/high-reward financial structuring, unparalleled market insight┛
┏Public Reception: ★★★★★┛
┏Tactics: Allows for wide range of clientele regardless of status, prioritizes client's earnings over theirs, leverages insider market trends, utilizes complex financial instruments, specializes in turning struggling companies into profitable assets┛
┏System's Advice: A powerful, loyal but volatile ally. Sagomoto's admiration for you is an advantage, but his ambition makes him unpredictable. Keep him close, but never let your guard down.┛
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"Ah, Mr. Darren Steele!" Sagomoto broke Darren's thoughts. "The faceless investor himself. An unfortunate title for such a handsome face."
Darren almost blushed. "Well, he's a smooth talker."
"Fate, it seems, has brought us together," Sagomoto said, opening his arms as if welcoming an old friend. "I have been looking forward to this moment."
Darren extended a firm handshake. "Mr. Sagomoto."
Rachel, glancing between the two of them as they shook hands for what seemed like an eternity, straightened her posture as she said, "Shall we get started?"
Sagomoto chuckled. "Straight to business. It is no problem, I do admire efficiency. Please, sit."
They settled into their seats around the long table, and the discussion began.
"Sagomoto Wealth Management specializes in handling assets, investments, and crisis management for our clients," Sagomoto began, steepling his fingers. "We build companies from dust to dynasties. We can point to the Sinclairs who began their empire with us. The Reynolds and the Dawn Group."
"The Sinclairs?" Rachel interjected. "The Sinclairs do not work with you anymore though."
Sagomoto chuckled, lowering his face. "Indeed. It is natural for some companies to leave in search for things that our management offices refuse to offer."
"That is a dig at MWMO, is it not?"
Darren sighed internally. 'Rachel is just everyone's nightmare, isn't she?'
"Well, apart from healthy rivalry, I don't have anything against the MWMO, Miss Rachel. But I will say that they are more... flexible when it comes to ethics. We are Sagomoto Wealth Offices, we are intense, we are relentless and driven, but we know where the line is."
Sagomoto leaned in, his voice like a friendly grandfather rather than a businessman. "To testify to our abilities, we presently have very powerful companies like the Zurich Groups and the Nelsons. Our relationship is healthy and approval ratings are above 90%. We ensure protection, growth, and most importantly — secrecy."
Rachel nodded, but she still didn't look very impressed. She'd been to many of these deal meetings, and because people are trying to sell themselves, they obviously wouldn't highlight any unfavorable part of themselves.
However, that wasn't necessary. What was necessary was that the favorable part they highlighted was impressive enough to come to a deal.
So she asked, "What makes you think you're the right firm for Mr. Steele? You're not the only wealth management company in the world. Not even in the state. Or the city."
Sagomoto leaned forward, smiling. "Because I am driven by what he's trying to do," he whispered like it was a secret. "We are not just a firm, Miss Rachel. I've seen many investors come and go, I'm old enough for you to believe that's true. They all ask the same question;
"Is it safe? Is it sure? I don't want to lose any money? Is profit guaranteed?"
"They all just want the most certain deal to get out as quickly as they can and make an assured profit. It is boring."
He sat back. "Very soon I'll be stepping down from my seat. And do you know what I want? I want to guide the man who invested 2 million dollars on a risky, beyond certain, and untrusted digital asset simply because he felt like it. Simply because he believed in the asset and his judgement."
Rachel sat still and listened. Darren was the same.
"Mr. Steele requires discretion, power, and most importantly, people who understand vision. This is not just about managing money— it's about shaping legacies."
Darren tilted his head slightly. "And you believe you can shape mine?"
Sagomoto's grin widened. "I believe you have already shaped it. We merely ensure no one breaks it."
Ding!
┏This person is being honest with you┛
Andy, trying to be helpful, shuffled through some papers. "A-And we also have an in-house legal team ready to defend you in case of—uh—lawsuits. Highly experienced. We can provide you with a list of the top legal representatives available."
"You don't need to say anything more," Darren opened his palm, stopping Rachel from speaking. "I accept."
Sagomoto's eyes gleamed with joy. "Outstanding. It is so outstanding."
Rachel said nothing but took the document from Andy, scanning the names.
"Bitcoin," Sagomoto suddenly said, turning his attention to Darren. "I must ask. Many investors and businessmen are overlooking the cryptocurrency, the government and the media are against it. Why Bitcoin?"
Darren leaned back, fingers tapping against the armrest. "I guess I see something that they don't. Maybe I'm crazy, but everyone's crazy until they do what they said they're going to do."
Sagomoto studied him for a long moment before laughing softly. "A cryptic answer for a cryptic man. I like it."
Rachel, meanwhile, reached the bottom of the list and froze. Her sharp eyes darted to Darren, then back to the name: Jonathan Vance.
She knew Darren well enough to understand what this meant.
"This one," Darren said, tapping the page. "Jonathan Vance."
Jonathan Vance was the lawyer that had changed the contract for Darren to escape Gareth's grasp. Gareth must have fired him, meaning he was no longer contracted by MWMO and was now available for Sagomoto Offices to contract.
Andy blinked. "Oh! Yes. We might not have the strongest relationship with Jonathan Vance. But he is very willing to work with us. He's excellent. Since they're under the same chambers, your legal counselor will then be..." He checked the paper. "...oh... Daisy Chen."
Sagomoto looked down at the paper, his face becoming serious and dark.
Everyone was silent instantly.
Darren frowned. "Is there an issue?"
Andy looked at his boss, who then slowly shook his head. "No. None at all. If all is fine, maybe we can move on to contract signing."
Rachel made no comment, only locking eyes with Darren. He gave her a slight, knowing shrug.
After signing the contract, and Darren's system analyzing and approving it, they were finished.
Sagomoto stood and extended a hand. "It is an honor to have you with us, Darren Steele. You will not regret this decision."
Darren shook his hand. "See to it that I don't."
As they left, Rachel murmured, "Picking Vance... He betrayed his former client. Don't you think that's a bad look, sir? Loyalty is important."
Darren downturned his lips in agreement. "True. But I want to begin with the devil I know. Angels are the only ones capable of betrayal after all."
Ding!
A notification flashed in Darren's interface.
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┏Congratulations!┛
┏You have secured a Business Ally.┛
┏Ally: Kaito Sagomoto
Company: Sagomoto Wealth Offices
Rank: B+
Information: This Ally is incredibly strong and important to your growth. Mr. Sagomoto is the kind of Ally that will protect whatever you own and defend you against rival companies. There are zero chances of betrayal.┛
┏Loyalty: 10/10┛
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'That's good to know.'
They arrived at Vance Law Firm some minutes after, and as they climbed up the building's stairs, Rachel spoke again.
"Daisy Chen. I remember now why Sagomoto had acted like that when her name was mentioned."
"Why?" Darren asked with narrowed eyes.
"Because she's his daughter. Daisy Sagomoto-Chen. She and her father aren't in the best of relationships. She took her mother's name and joined the rival company. Now she's free to be contracted, I guess Sagomoto was just realizing that he could work with his daughter once again. Perhaps even see her after so long."
Darren pursed his lips. "I see."
The front door suddenly opened and Jonathan Vance met them outside.
He smiled instantly at the sight of Darren and extended a hand, "Mr. Steele. We've met before. But allow me to introduce myself in a more business like manner since we're going to be partners now. I'm Attorney Jonathan Vance, and this—" he gestured to a composed, poised woman beside him "—is Attorney Daisy Chen, your legal counselor."
Darren shook her hand, and their eyes instantly locked with each other, and it stayed that way for a while as they gazed at their faces.
Ding!
┏This person is curious of you┛
'As I am of her,' Darren thought.
Rachel folded her arms. "Shall we?"
Darren and Daisy broke the handshake. "Yes. Of course."
And together, they stepped into the building, securing the law aspects of Darren Steele's empire.