Chapter 21: LF-Z
A few minutes after the deal between Wheeler and his client, the Count of Monte Cristo, a certain American drove a Japanese Lexus out of the Wheelers' estate. As this happened, Mai Valentine (she retained her last name), the wife of Joseph, found herself running to the parlor room. Apparently, the Mrs. discovered that her prized car was gone.
The door had slammed open. Following her, was 'business' associate, Yasuhisa Shiozaki III; the same Cabinet Secretary who was at the Kaiba mansion when the count had arrived. Although she is about forty-years old, Mai is still considered a sex goddess by many. However, because of a mishap many years ago, she is unable to have children.
Despite the fact that a visitor other than Shiozaki is in her household, Mai exclaimed, "Where is my car?! What happened to it?!"
"Crap," muttered Joseph. He replied to her, "Well, dear... I was going to explain this to you a little later... Count, will you excuse my wife and me for a moment or two, please?"
Monte Cristo nodded.
In the hall outside the parlor, the couple were engaged in an argument. Meanwhile, the count was in a discussion with Shiozaki, but at the same time, overheard the Wheelers' shouting match.
"You sold my Lexus?! How could you Joey Wheeler!"
Joseph shushed his wife. "Keep your voice down, woman."
Finally realizing that there's another guest, she reluctantly complies. "Fine, but why did you do it without my permission?" whispered Mai.
"You see... when we bought it, that car was worth 17.5 million yen (around $150,000), but..."
"But, what, Joey?"
"The count... bought it for twice that amount," continued Joseph, "35 million yen (around $300,000)!"
Despite the enormity of the purchase, this didn't soothe Mai's exasperation.
She cried, "You idiot! I wonder why I even married you eight years ago!"
"But the money..."
"It's not about the money. I made a promise to Mrs. Pegasus that she could borrow the car tomorrow so that her son could test drive it around Domino!"
"But, couldn't she borrow one of our other cars, too?"
"No! Because her son wants to try out a Lexus before buying one! I want you to immediately negate the deal with the count."
Meanwhile, Monte Cristo was seen walking towards the married couple. In response, the two stopped quarreling.
"Mrs. Valentine, please forgive me if I have caused distress to a lovely woman such as yourself. I believed that you would be more than satisfied since I bought your Lexus for 60 million yen (a little over $500,000). But, apparently it seems that not even money could console one who has parted with something most dear to him or her," said the count, now bowing, "Once again, please forgive me for my lack of consideration."
Mai became awestruck at the mysterious man. But, then she realized something...
"Ah, wait... was it 60 million yen, you said? You bought my Lexus for 60 million?" asked Mai to Monte Cristo, as Joseph grew pale.
He replied, "Yes, I did, Mrs. Valentine."
"I see... please pardon my random question, Count."
"Very well. I shall take my leave now. Later today, preparations will be made to ensure that the situation will be corrected. Until we meet again, Mr. Wheeler and Mrs. Valentine."
The count made a bow of respect and left the estate soon after. But, before he actually left the estate's grounds, he heard some faint sounds coming from the banker's mansion...
A few hours later, the same Lexus arrived at the Wheeler mansion. A servant informed the Mrs. about this, to which the latter became astonished upon seeing that her car received a paint job. Originally blue, the LF-Z resembled the LF-A's color concept: silver. On his master's orders, Rafael personally delivered a diamond necklace to Mai Valentine, as a gift between acquaintances.
The following day, in the early afternoon, Monte Cristo summoned one of his right-hand men, Valon, to his study (room).
"You summoned me, Your Excellency?"
"Yes, Valon. Now, I recall that one of the reasons I hired you was because of your considerable skills regarding motor vehicles, right?"
"That is correct, master."
"Good! Now, you could leap onto a moving truck?"
"Yes."
"A motorcycle?"
"Yes. I specialize heavily into motorcycles, Your Excellency."
"I see. How about... a sports car with a drunk driver?"
"A drunk driver?"
"Yes, Valon. A driver who has recently drunk an alcoholic beverage."
"It's... doable."
"Excellent," said Monte Cristo, "Now, I believe that Mrs. Pegasus' son, Edward, is notorious for drinking before driving... and somehow gets away with it. Anyway, there should be a Lexus coming by here soon; use your motorcycle & stop the car at all costs. I overheard that the kid plans to drive all around Domino, so be on the lookout, Valon!"
Almost reluctant, Valon said, "All right, then, Your Excellency."
Valon went to an underground garage that was located underneath his master's estate. He then selected his motorcycle of choice, and headed outside via hidden entrance. About an hour later, a familiar Lexus could be heard speeding towards the count's estate, and driving it, was a drunk American of about eighteen years.
Valon heard this and hopped on his motorcycle. Moments later, he found himself on the driver's side of the Lexus. Thinking quickly, Valon leapt from his bike and into passenger seat, beside the drunk driver (the car has no roof). The thirty-four year old then knocked out Pegasus' stepson, and halted the car before it reached the mansion's walls.
The count's right-hand man carried the eighteen-year old out of the Lexus. Naturally, several civilians started to take a look at the extraordinary event. Monte Cristo soon appeared, along with his other right-hand man, Rafael. Feigning shock, the count asked, "Is the kid all right?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
About a couple minutes later, another car arrived. This time, the driver was a woman who is in her late thirties; it was Mrs. Pegasus. Other than for her charming personality, Maximillion married her because she reminded him of his wife, Cecelia.
"My son, Edward!" she cried.
Monte Cristo realized this and said, "I assume that your his mother, Mrs...?"
The woman replied, "Pegasus, Mrs. Pegasus. And yes, I'm his mother. Is my son all right?"
"Rest assured, the boy is fine; he's just unconscious, that's all. My right-hand man, Valon, here was fortunate enough to use his talents to rescue your son."
The woman said, "Damit! To think that my son nearly killed himself because of Mrs. Valentine's prized Lexus!"
"Oh, my! Surely, this isn't the same Lexus that I had for barely a day!" said Monte Cristo.
"Then, you must be... the Count of Monte Cristo whom I've been hearing about lately, aren't you?"
"Indeed I am, ma'am."
"Oh, and I must reward your servant..."
"There is no need for that. You see, Valon has served me by saving your son's life."
"But, didn't he risk dying in the process?"
"Yes, but it was his duty to do so. He is one of my most loyal servants after all."
"And what will happen to my son?"
"He will be sent to the nearby police station for driving while drunk. However, there were rumors of that not likely to happen. In any case, you will see him at home soon."
The dark figure retreated back to his home, followed by his two servants. Astonished, Mrs. Pegasus nearly fainted from the miraculous rescue of her son. At night, there were several news reports regarding the 'celebrity' the Count of Monte Cristo and his exploits thus far.
Later that day, Monte Cristo received a visiting card from Mr. Pegasus himself. Apparently, he would visit the count the next day at noon, as a way of thanking him for saving his stepson.
The next day, at about noon, a car stopped by the Monte Cristo estate. Exiting the vehicle, was the creator of Duel Monsters, Maximillion Pegasus, a prominent judge in Japan.
Meanwhile, Rafael entered his master's study.
"I distinctly remember saying that I didn't want to be disturbed!" said the count.
"A thousand apologies, Your Excellency. But, Mr. Pegasus is here to see you."
"Ah, I see. Tell him I'll meet with him in the parlor in five minutes' time."
"Very well, master."
About five minutes have passed. Pegasus anxiously waited for his stepson's savior. Like Kaiba, Pegasus retained his youthful appearance, despite being in his forties. Then, a dark figure entered the room.
'Good... everything has come into place. First, I've won the good graces of the Kaibas. Next, the Wheelers. And finally... Pegasus' family.'