Inside the Johnston family estate.
Raymond Johnston hadn't yet returned from Western Australia, so dinner was just the five of them: Janet's mother, Anthony and his wife, Simon, and Janet.
After the meal, Anthony and Simon retreated to the study while Janet stayed curled beside her mother, whispering little secrets.
"You and Janet dropped everything, I nearly had a breakdown these past two days," Anthony said with a wry smile once they'd settled on the sofa by the window. "Friday's close saw the biggest single-day drop since the Bank of Japan hiked rates, half a percent. We lost seventy million on paper in one day. Everyone's been calling me, asking why you're in Melbourne. Rebould even phoned to ask if he should fly down. Takagi Tsutomu from the Japanese consulate, you met him last time has been desperate for a meeting since yesterday afternoon. He practically camped outside my office. Bottom line: the situation's dangerous, Simon. If we don't steady things, Japan could plunge again next week or collapse entirely. Forget further gains; preserving what we've already made will be tough."
Simon listened, a rueful smile on his own face. He hadn't anticipated his impulsive trip triggering such a chain reaction.
After a moment's thought, he glanced at his watch. "Here's an idea, Tony. It's still early. I'll take Janet into the city tonight for some fun. Tip off the press get photos. Tomorrow's headlines: I came purely to see Jenny, nothing else."
Anthony hesitated. "Simon, won't that look too contrived?"
Simon considered. A simple denial might scream cover-up. "Then let's be bolder. Don't dodge the market impact. But keep the tone light, playful, teasing. Yesterday's reaction was overblown; putting it front and center should calm everyone. The shadow longs on Cersei are massive, they don't want an immediate crash either."
Anthony nodded, though something still troubled him.
Simon smiled. "Tony, no need to hold back with me."
Anthony exhaled. "To kill the speculation, you should head back to Los Angeles soon. Tomorrow, ideally."
Seeing the awkwardness on Anthony's face, Simon eased it. "You're right. If I'd known, I wouldn't have come so casually."
They discussed details a while longer before leaving the study.
Media coordination wasn't Simon's concern, the Johnstons' connections were deep, and Australia's major media families were Cersei investors. Their own interests would ensure tomorrow's narrative.
Around nine-thirty.
Two sedans pulled up outside the famous Crown Casino in central Melbourne. Four bodyguards stepped out, flanking Simon and Janet as they entered.
Melbourne's crime rate was notoriously high at night. Given Simon's profile, Anthony had insisted on the escort before letting them go.
Crown Casino was more than its name implied, a thirty-nine-story complex on the Yarra's south bank, combining hotel, casino, bars, and nightclubs. It belonged to the old-line Packer family. Simon had met the current head, Kerry Packer, at Johnston-hosted events; the Packers and Johnstons were close, and Kerry was another Cersei investor.
Simon recalled the Packer heir, James, later dating Mariah Carey, nearly marrying before splitting over her extravagance.
Mariah wasn't famous yet; wonder if she'd snag the prospect.
Simon had no interest in sure-lose gambling. Inside, he and Janet chose a bar.
Batman's Australian shoot earlier that year had boosted his local visibility. They were quickly recognized. Simon was game—cheered on, he took the stage for a song. His blistering Flight of the Bumblebee guitar solo ignited the room.
Word of Simon Westeros in the bar spread like wildfire through the complex and beyond. Crowds surged; management imposed limits.
One bar grew too packed, so they moved, causing the next venue to overflow.
After touring several nightclubs and bars, midnight passed. Tipsy from drinks, they danced in one club's pulsing floor when a petite Asian woman pushed through the crowd toward Simon.
A bodyguard blocked her just as she tried to speak.
She persisted, explaining loudly, calling to Simon.
He noticed the commotion, glanced over something familiar. Then he remembered: the "gift" Takagi Tsutomu had brought last meeting. He signaled the guard to let her through.
Yoko Kosugi reached him, tilting her face up to shout, "Mr. Westeros, may I speak with you?"
Before Simon answered, Janet hooked an arm around the smaller woman, pulling her close with a mischievous grin. "Little miss, talk to me instead."
"Miss Johnston, no, you misunderstand," Yoko protested, then turned to Simon. "Mr. Takagi is outside."
Janet, realizing the girl knew Simon, loosened her grip enough for Yoko to face him but kept an arm around her waist and shot Simon a we'll-settle-this-later look.
Women who'd been watching Simon saw Janet dancing with an Asian girl and swarmed closer, sensing opportunity.
After a few more words from Yoko, Simon understood and guided both women off the floor.
Takagi waited outside the dance area, visibly anxious.
They settled in a corner booth. Takagi began, "Mr. Westeros, I'm terribly sorry to disturb you so late. This is urgent."
From his earlier talk with Anthony, Simon knew Takagi had been seeking him. "Takagi, I understand your concern, but I'm sorry about Japan, it's beyond my control."
"Mr. Westeros, it's something else. This isn't the place could we schedule a proper meeting tomorrow?"
Seeing Takagi's urgency, Simon considered. "All right. Tomorrow morning ten o'clock at the Johnston estate in the suburbs."
Relief washed over Takagi's face. He confirmed time and place, then excused himself.
Simon checked his watch: 11:30 p.m. Takagi had tracked him down just to set a meeting?
As the they left, Janet yanked Simon back to the dance floor.
Yoko, apparently forgotten by Takagi, remained tucked in Janet's arms like a docile cat now.
They'd planned to leave at midnight but Janet dragged it to past one.
Exiting Crown, they let pre-arranged press snap photos before driving off. Yoko had vanished at some point; Simon wasn't worried, someone would collect her.
With tomorrow's meeting set, they headed straight to the Johnston estate instead of the villa.
Next morning, Simon woke around nine, alone; Janet still slept deeply.
After washing up, he found Anthony waiting in the dining room. Servants prepared breakfast; Anthony sat opposite, briefing him on morning papers and showing articles: headlines like "Westeros and Girlfriend Party Till Dawn,"
"Westeros Weekend Date Triggers Market Plunge."
Simon ate, flipping through. "What about Japan and North America? We need coverage beyond Australia."
Anthony nodded. "I assembled a PR team, similar stories will run there. Hope it works."
Simon agreed. Human effort was all they could offer; Monday's Tokyo open would tell.
If collapse came early, Cersei would pivot to rapid unwind.
After a bit more talk, Simon mentioned Takagi's late-night approach. Anthony already knew the Japanese had called early to confirm.
Breakfast done, time neared.
At 9:55, a black Honda pulled into the estate. Four passengers: Takagi and Yoko, a driver, and a man in his seventies introduced as Maekawa Haruo, former president of the Bank of Japan, retired seven years ago.
The Bank of Japan, Japan's central bank.
A figure of that stature shifted Simon's casual attitude to seriousness. Anthony's expression tightened.
In the living room, after formal introductions, Maekawa suggested a private word with Simon.
Maekawa's English was halting; he brought no translator. They moved to the study, leaving Anthony, Takagi, and the others behind. Whatever the Japanese planned to discuss was highly confidential. Simon remained puzzled but wary.
Seated on the study sofa, Maekawa got straight to it. "Mr. Westeros, I'm here to propose a deal."
Simon nodded, still guessing, gesturing him on.
Maekawa offered a reassuring smile. "You're aware of Friday's events and your efforts today to calm things. We're gratified by your bullishness on Japan. But everyone sees you as a dangerous variable. So we'd like to buy out Cersei Capital's entire portfolio. In exchange, we ask you to exit the Japanese financial markets completely."
Finally grasping their intent, Simon calculated quickly.
The crisis had highlighted Japan's fragility. Though Cersei had nearly a billion in gains, an early crash would slash profits sharply.
Simon wasn't greedy. Selling the portfolio outright, locking in gains at a fair price was tempting.
Still, he replied, "Mr. Maekawa, a complete permanent exit seems excessive."
Maekawa had anticipated. "Then simply refrain from Japanese markets for five years. Mr. Westeros, the terms won't appear in any contract, but I believe you're a man of your word."
Simon nodded, he would honor an agreement.
The Japanese clearly sensed the market couldn't hold much longer. Beyond buying peace now, they aimed to prevent Simon shorting on the way down. One accidental Australia trip had triggered a sharp drop; a public bearish stance would be catastrophic.
From the start, Simon had resolved never to go public like Soros, antagonizing Japan entirely would poison Westeros companies' future business there.
Now the Japanese offered a graceful, profitable exit. Perfect.
Leaving Japan opened vast fields: U.S. bonds later this year, oil futures next.
And since they wanted to pay for safety, Simon wouldn't miss the chance.