Chapter 414 - HER PUPPETS

"You are right. I am just a little nervous." Akira said before looking back to her phone. 

The room became silent. Some people wanted to leave, but the uncomfortable situation was a little too tense. No one wanted to look guilty by stepping out fast. Also, they were afraid that Akira would become crazy again if they tried to leave.  ​​

After a while, Akira looked up from her phone. 

"Mom, there is something I am not sure if I should tell you," Akira said. 

Sayaka became uncomfortable again. She was afraid that Akira would get other ideas before the Sisters of Divine Repentance arrived. But she could not ignore her daughter after they had reached an apparent amicable agreement. 

"What is it about? Is it something that could hurt the family? I think you should probably not say anything more." Sayaka tried to calm Akira down. 

"Oh, alright. It is something about Chiharu. I don't know if it is important. I thought you would be interested in it since you asked about it a while ago. Never mind." Akira said. 

She looked at her phone again without caring about anything.

Sayaka suspected it was a trick, but her interest was perked up. She did not know what it was. But if her demon daughter was using it as bait, she probably needed to know. 

"You can say it. Some things should be known for the sake of internal peace." She spoke magnanimously. 

"Mom, you know she has all kinds of tricks. She just wants to sow discord between us. You know what kind of person Chiharu is. Don't listen to her nonsense." Kazuo defended his wife immediately. 

Chiharu felt tense as she tried to think about all things that she had done, and if there was a trace to connect to her. Her biggest secret had to do with Riki and meeting with Kazuo. However, there was no record of any of her deeds. 

Even if she was not that afraid, she did not want to be in the spotlight. 

Still, if she refused to let Akira speak, she would look guilty. She had only just earned Sayaka's trust and full support. Even a small problem could break that trust. She had to be careful how she played the situation. 

"Kazuo," She called out softly. 

"Chiharu, don't give in to her terrorising us as if she has the right. I will wait and see how she intends to prove that I cheated through some grainy cameras from ten years ago. Why do we have to believe anything that she says?" Kazuo asked. 

Kaoru had not spoken since Akira turned into a demon because she was afraid of her secret being revealed. However, she thought what Kazuo said also made sense. How could Akira know their secrets? It was simply empty threats. 

"Sayaka, you should not cave to the manipulation. Even if she says that Hana did something bad, why should we just ȧssume it is the truth? If Hana had millions, would our family still be suffering for the few contracts?" Kaoru added.

No one noticed the awkward look in Hanae's eyes. 

"If we are not going to believe it anyway, why don't we let Akira say whatever she has to say?" Sayaka did not agree. 

"Mom, it is the principle of the thing. We cannot let her win. We are not her puppets." Kazuo said. 

Sayaka became uncomfortable with how Kazuo was defending Chiharu and disregarding her feelings about the matter. Even though he was married, shouldn't he at least listen to what she had to say? This reinforced her wish not to give up on hearing Akira's words. 

Moreover, she was irritated. 

"What if I insist on listening?" Sayaka asked with a firm expression. "You said you did not cheat on your exams. How comes right now you are talking about proof. Aren't you indirectly admitting to cheating if you are only talking about grainy cameras?"

"Mom, you are letting her win. She just wants us to argue. We should go with the original plan." Kazuo did not relent. 

Sayaka got more annoyed at him mentioning the original plan because she was afraid Akira would become agitated again. If this daughter could remain calm until the Sisters arrived, she would be home free. 

Unfortunately, she had an idiot son who acted smart but was as stupid as a rock. 

"Akira, please speak if you have anything to say. I don't remember mentioning anything about Chiharu." She spoke gently to Akira. 

The young lady looked up from the phone. She indeed wanted to sow discord among these family members. She did not only intend to damage each of their reputations. She wanted their relationships to be in tatters in case they tried to cover for each other. 

"If that is your decision, then I will say it." She took a deep breath. "It is about the reason Chiharu cannot conceive a baby. Since you have agreed not to give my baby to her, I will tell you the truth. She probably won't be able to have one." 

"Of course, there is nothing wrong with being barren, but this involves how she met Kazuo. I thought it would be best if this matter was brought to light. She was pregnant when she met him, and she has not even cut off her relationship with that man to this day." 

Three voices broke out at once after that statement. 

"That is impossible. Chiharu was a vɨrġɨn on our wedding night." Kazuo shouted. 

"What do you mean?" Sayaka was horrified. 

"Do not slander me." Chiharu raised her voice for the first time since Akira met her. 

Akira felt pleased by the outbursts. "I do not have to say anything more if you are not interested in knowing. I thought that Eldest Brother would be the most concerned, but it seems like his trust is implicit. Right?"

Kazuo felt a little awkward because he wanted to know what Akira meant. He trusted Chiharu and did not think that she could have done anything shameful. But he could not let go of this accusation without knowing the full information. 

He did not care about other things, but his dignity as a man would be in question if people thought his wife tricked him. He looked at Chiharu and saw the reddened eyes. She looked like she would cry in a moment. 

The guilt in his heart increased when he realised she was hurt by his attitude. She had to know he was doubting her faithfulness. 

"That is right. Don't say anything more." Kazuo decided to stand by her. 

"Are you crazy?" Sayaka shouted. "How did I raise such an idiot?"