Satoshi Harada's calm façade finally shattered when the older man posed this question. He couldn't fathom why Ryuji was so invested in a matter that had no relevance to him whatsoever.

Did he come here with the sole purpose of causing trouble as soon as he returned? Was this some sort of personal vendetta?

"Very well. Regarding Miss Nomura, I acknowledge that my treatment towards her has been unkind, and I take full responsibility. If she desires freedom, then she shall have it," he declared at last.

Yuichiro was taken aback. He hadn't expected the man to yield to the demand so easily.

Nodding with satisfaction, Mr. Nakamura was about to speak when Satoshi interjected once more.

"But, with all due respect, my son's future is no concern of yours, Chairman Nakamura."

Despite Ryuji's superior power compared to the younger Chairman Harada, he remained an outsider. He had no right to meddle in the affairs of other families that didn't involve him.

"Yumiko Nomura is free to leave, and her future is none of my business. However, I have no intention of handing over my son," Satoshi firmly asserted.

Suguru also decided it was high time to speak up. "That's precisely why you're here, isn't it? We've granted the anonymous woman her freedom, as you requested, and our plans for the banquet will proceed as scheduled." She wasn't the main reason for the event, after all. It would be better if she left as soon as possible and didn't distract Satoshi; he thought.

However, Ryuji simply stated, "I'm afraid that's not possible."

Satoshi furrowed his brow.

"What's the issue, Ryuji? Are you so determined to ruin other people's enjoyment?" Suguru spoke, thinking; This wretched old fool, what's his problem? Was I really friends with him in the past? Forcing a strained smile, he continued, "You are well aware that we cannot comply if you're also asking for our Kentaro. My second grandson is rightfully the heir to our family, thus he naturally can't leave this place."

He didn't particularly like Kentaro, but he still believed in Satoshi's principles. There was still time; perhaps they could mold the disrespectful, red-haired brat into someone remarkable.

Izuki had always seemed like a lost cause when it came to his knowledge of business. It had been a miracle that he even managed to have decent grades on the subject when he graduated.

Yet, even after hearing the 'reasonable explanation', Ryuji leaned back in his seat, crossed his arms, and shook his head in disagreement. "Sorry, I really can't allow that. Miss Nomura cares for her son more than all of you combined."

"That's not for you to decide!" Satoshi finally lost his composure and rose angrily from his seat, his face burning with rage. "Whether she stays or goes is her choice, but she won't be accompanied on her journey. Who do you think you are, barging in here as if you own the place? I agreed to your initial request, so what's your problem now?!"

Suguru contemplated stopping his son initially but ultimately let him be. He found satisfaction in the outburst, as he couldn't personally retaliate when Ryuji Nakamura had him cornered with that damning evidence.

Izuki Harada was taken aback by his father's intense reaction. He had never witnessed such a strong and negative display before. In the past, Satoshi had always remained composed and confident while reprimanding others, even in the face of those more powerful than him.

This was a new side of his father that surprised him.

Even if Izuki had entertained the thought of adding a few comments earlier, he now lacked the confidence. He didn't know how his father would react, and he certainly didn't want to further displease him.

Ryuji stared at Satoshi as adults would at stubborn children, unfazed by the younger man's furious glare. His expression held a touch of condescension, and after a while, he simply signaled for Sakuraku to hand him a cellphone. As soon as the device was in his hands, Chairman Nakamura began scrolling through it, as if his surroundings had vanished into thin air.

Observing this, Suguru's previous confidence rapidly waned. Was Ryuji going against their agreement? Was he truly going to expose those past malicious deeds?!

Ryuji scrolled through the screen for a while, muttering to himself, as if searching for something specific. Finally, he spoke again.

"Ah, here it is. Ahem~ 'Do you really think you can evade forever? Why don't you face reality for once in your life, Kentaro! Keep this up, and I might just take away everything you hold dear...'"

Listening to this, Suguru's anxiety gradually transformed into confusion. What in the world was happening?

Was Ryuji reading a novel at a time like this?

Even Izuki appeared bewildered by the situation.

Despite the perplexed stares he received, Ryuji continued reading the contents on the screen. "'...You're quite close with that Haruki Fukuda boy, aren't you? His family must be very generous, considering that you refuse to return to your own family because of them! But if I were to remove them and your other friends from the equation, perhaps then you'd comply with father's wishes? I hope you won't make things difficult for me. Stop behaving like a child and return home...' Should I continue?" Ryuji paused, waving the phone in the air.

Suguru, still clueless about Ryuji's intentions, couldn't hold back any longer and asked directly, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Ryuji shrugged. "I can only assume they're elementary-level threats."

Suguru had already figured out that part, but the real question was, "Who's threatening whom?"

"Maybe you should ask your son?" came the suggestion.

Satoshi? Why would he know about—? As Suguru redirected his attention to his son, he was taken aback by Satoshi's current state. "What is it? What's wrong with you now?!"

Satoshi Harada had completely frozen, his face drained of color as if he had just seen a ghost. No... perhaps something far worse than that...

The universe seemed to be playing games with him. Why else would Ryuji Nakamura suddenly possess the exact threats he'd sent to Kentaro back then? Even if the kid had reported the issue, it would likely have been only to the Fukudas. Those people couldn't possibly...

...Wait a minute.

Satoshi was well aware of Akashi Fukuda's background, and the family didn't pose much of a threat. That's why he hadn't cared much if ever Kentaro revealed those messages to them.

But what about Maki Fukuda? He had failed to uncover anything substantial about that woman. It meant she likely had influential support...

"It all makes sense now," the man muttered almost incoherently to himself.

Suguru Harada was utterly perplexed, his mind consumed by a mix of confusion and anger. "What on earth are you muttering about? Will someone please explain what's happening?!"

"Didn't you listen?" Ryuji responded considerately. "Your son isn't as innocent as you believed. He actually dared to threaten others just to get little Ken to return."

"What are you talking about, Ryuji? Who could Satoshi have threatened that's so important—"

Suguru's questioning was abruptly cut off as Satoshi finally spoke, his tone defeated. "I assume Maki Fukuda is your daughter then? To have successfully concealed her true identity for so long, I can only imagine the power behind her background. It's just my rotten luck that her father turned out to be you."

Ignoring the shock on Suguru's face as he slowly processed the truth, Ryuji sighed, returning the cellphone to his secretary. "Initially, I didn't plan to get too involved in this nonsense, but seeing how worried my grandson was about the situation, I knew I had to do something. I did try asking politely all this time, but your family's Chairman had to suddenly lash out at me. That wasn't very courteous. However," Ryuji's smile turned a little cruel as he rested two fingers on his temple, supporting his slightly tilted head against the sofa's padded back, "what truly irks me is your decision to threaten a child and my family due to your selfishness. Who exactly gave you the audacity?"

"You, you, you..." It was unclear whom Suguru was angrier with, his son or Ryuji, but in the end, his furious glare settled on Satoshi. "YOU ACTUALLY DARED TO THREATEN RYUJI NAKAMURA'S FAMILY? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??!!"

But Satoshi had no knowledge at the time that the Fukudas had any connection to the Nakamuras, so what was he supposed to do about it? Nevertheless, his father's outburst didn't hold much significance for him at the moment, so he responded calmly, "Please calm down, father—"

"SHUT UP! DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!" Suguru couldn't contain his anger anymore and rose to his feet in fury. "Why did you have to target them out of all people?! Have you lost your mind? None of your nonsense is worth our family's reputation, do you understand?!"

Satoshi remained silent for a long time. Izuki didn't fully grasp the situation, but he knew one thing for sure: his father had truly offended Chairman Nakamura this time.

"I'm a reasonable man, so I won't take this to court, of course," Ryuji said with a hint of pride, but his smile vanished as he continued, "But that's only if you agree to relinquish all parental rights over Kentaro Nomura to his mother."

Satoshi's jaw tightened, and his expression revealed both animosity and reluctance.

Ryuji wasn't intimidated by this. In his eyes, Satoshi was nothing more than a boy throwing a tantrum. What could he possibly do? Hit him? Perhaps in his dreams.

"Are you still being stubborn in a situation like this?!" Suguru couldn't believe it. Honestly, their family had nothing to lose if they let those troublesome Yumiko and Kentaro Nomura go. No one knew they even existed, and no one would be affected if it remained that way!

So what if Ryuji Nakamura took them away? It was much better than risking their family's reputation!

"Is this decision still so difficult for you?" Ryuji didn't seem particularly bothered as he spoke. "Very well, why don't we ask the ones directly involved?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, the massive doors to the room swung open, revealing two familiar ginger-haired individuals. The mother and son calmly walked into the room, accompanied by Akihiro Kayame, who stopped after closing the door to stand guard.

Satoshi shot a brief glare at the bodyguard, having already deduced that the young man had somehow conspired with the guests, arranging for the Nomuras to eavesdrop on the entire conversation. Akihiro noticed the man's reaction but stood his ground, maintaining a calm gaze.

Kentaro and his mother exchanged quick greetings with the guests before settling on a vacant double couch, which now seemed to be positioned in the center, as all eyes turned to them.

"I want to thank Mr. Nakamura for giving us this opportunity to be here and for considering our feelings," Yumiko Nomura spoke first, her smile filled with gratitude. "And for the kindness you showed my son and me all those years ago."

"Oh, not at all. It's my fault for not returning sooner after that incident. Otherwise, you wouldn't be in the situation you're in now," Ryuji waved his hand dismissively. "Regarding today, it's only natural for the parties involved to be present, so no need for thanks."

The three Haradas could only silently observe the unfolding scene, as if they had suddenly become guests in their own home.

"Now that everyone is here, why don't we let Miss Yumiko and Kentaro decide?" Ryuji's cheerful smile returned as he spoke, though it was clearly not directed at the Haradas. "What do you think, guys? Would you like to spend the rest of your days in this place?"

Yumiko's hands, once rested peacefully on her lap, fidgeted nervously before she finally spoke, her head bowed.

"I've spent the last fifteen years on this Estate, and though it was far from welcoming, it was the closest semblance of home I had. Despite their reluctance, I feel compelled to thank the Haradas for tolerating my presence for so long, instead of casting me out onto the streets," she finished, raising her head to meet Satoshi's gaze, his expression a tapestry of conflicting emotions.

She could never truly grasp the workings of Satoshi's mind, but nevertheless, Yumiko felt grateful that he hadn't permanently separated her from her child. Her gratitude was primarily directed towards him.

"However, I cannot proceed with this marriage, I'm sorry. The thought of spending the rest of my life in this place sickens me because, in all honesty, the Haradas are despicable people. I would have escaped long ago if given the chance, taking my son with me. If I had known the extent to which my life would unravel upon entering this household, I would have avoided it like the plague. The only thing I don't regret is Kentaro, and that's all," she concluded with a deadpan expression.

Sakuraku couldn't help but stifle a few snickers behind her hand, while Yuichiro let out a dry cough, attempting to maintain a serious façade. They only remembered the sweet woman who loved baking muffins, so they were taken aback by Yumiko's savage side.

Suguru Harada thought; What an ungrateful wench.

Satoshi remained silent, and so did his son, though Izuki displayed a trace of annoyance.

Ryuji chuckled softly, thoroughly amused by the Haradas' stunned expressions before motioning for Kentaro to share his thoughts.

"And you, Little Ginger? Would you like to stay and inherit the company?"

Kentaro would have crossed his arms if his injured arm hadn't been throbbing with pain, but he mustered a disdainful snort and replied, "With these sociopaths? No, thank you."

"YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT!" Suguru erupted in anger.

"Why so surprised, Senior Harada?" Ryuji smirked.

"You... you..." Suguru was so infuriated that he couldn't conjure a suitable retort and simply redirected his glare at Kentaro, who smiled in return.

Pushing himself to straighten in his seat, Mr. Nakamura clapped his hands together. "Now that everyone has made their decisions clear, let's discuss compensation..."

"Compensation? For what?!" Suguru Harada couldn't believe his ears. "If they want to leave, let them! What's this nonsense about 'compensation'??"

"Are you really going to pretend that you haven't psychologically and emotionally tormented these people for years, Mr. Harada? Don't play games with me," Ryuji said icily, his seriousness palpable.

"But... but..."

"It's fine." All eyes turned to Satoshi, who finally spoke those two words. Resettling into his long-cold seat, the young Chairman supported his head in his hands and muttered, "It's fine, take whatever compensation you want. It's only fair."

To say that everyone in the room was shocked would be an understatement; no one had expected the young Chairman Harada to so readily accept these terms.

Ryuji Nakamura's disappointment was evident. How dull. He was in the mood for a good bargaining.

Sakuraku and Yuichiro, seeing through their boss's disappointment, suddenly felt at a loss with this enigmatic old man.

Kentaro's brows furrowed in a slight frown, unable to comprehend his father's current state. Ever since his mother spoke earlier, Satoshi seemed to carry the weight of something deceased within him, displaying a disturbing apathy toward the unfolding events. But what truly enraged Ginger were the increasingly tangled emotions he felt while witnessing his father's pitiful condition.

~~~~~~

 

 

 

 

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