Chapter 513 - WANTING RECOGNITION

Kaito walked with purpose towards Ayumi and ignored the other patrons in the club. A few people who were about to approach him felt some loss at missing out. He was handsome and possibly quite rich. It would be fun to spend even a single night with him. 

Just as he was about to enter the VIP section, he was stopped by two men in black suits who seemed to be guarding the area against intruders. It seemed like Ayumi was a true celebrity in the Crown, based on the apparent treatment. 

However, Kaito did not care about trivial things.

He looked at the guards standing in his way coldly. He was ready to fight them if necessary. As he had suspected, this club was somewhat related to the yakuza. He could tell that the two young men were members, based on their aura and concealed markings. 

But he was not afraid of trouble. He had not sunk to the point where he needed to worry about small-time thugs.

"Let him in. Let him in." Ayumi looked over and shouted over the music. "He is somebody I used to know." 

The two men were uncertain, but they let Kaito into the VIP section without further ado. Their boss had told them to listen to the woman and fulfil her wishes. Even though they did not know his future plans for the lady, they would still follow orders. 

Kaito looked down at Ayumi with sharp eyes once he stepped into the VIP section. She looked back before laughing. 

"It has been a while. I thought you were dead. I even planned to build a beautiful memorial for you." She said. 

Kaito was silent for a long moment. "What happened to the Shadow Brotherhood?" 

"Don't you already know?" She asked with careless scorn. "Let us discuss business a little later. For now, we need to celebrate your resurrection." 

Ayumi lifted a hand, and a good-looking young man came and poured Kaito a drink. However, Kaito did not touch it. He was waiting to see what Ayumi would say or do. If he could say one thing, it was that he did not recognise her anymore. 

Or perhaps, this is the person she was deep inside. 

"Are you afraid that I have drugged your drink?" Ayumi asked with a shallow laugh. "I know better than to do something so stupid to get you. In any case, you have a high tolerance for drugs, so it would be just a waste." 

Kaito felt a growing hint of impatience swell in his heart. He picked the glass on the table and looked like he was about to take a sip from it. Ayumi watched his slow actions keenly while also drinking from her glass. But at the same time, she was feigning nonchalance. 

Kaito looked right back at her before he set the glass back down on the table without taking even a sip. He could smell a slight whiff of an unknown compound beneath the strong aroma of the whiskey. His tolerance was high, but he would never take chances on unknown substances. 

Ayumi laughed. "You can't blame a girl for trying." 

Kaito's frown became deeper as he faced Ayumi. She seemed different from before. There was an air of something malevolent and a scent of dark feelings around her. It was like she had given up on everything. 

"Tell me exactly what happened to the Shadow Brotherhood during this period. I do not have time to waste." Kaito said. 

"Rushing off back to accompany your little wife?" Ayumi said sarcastically. 

"Yes," Kaito answered directly. 

Ayumi sat up properly and leaned forward towards Kaito. "Do you know how much I regret meeting you? If you had never appeared before me, I could have been happy. I would not be this undignified shell before you." 

"You think I am to blame for your predicament?" Kaito asked with dark amusement. 

"Yes. Why should I not blame you? If I had not fallen in love with you, I would not have sunk to this extent. I gave you everything, and I cannot let go. I want to be with you. Why can't you understand my feelings? Why do you have to be so cruel?" She asked with a hint of hysteria in her voice. 

"I will not have this discussion with you again. I have already made my position clear." Kaito said. 

Ayumi leaned closer and stretched a hand to touch Kaito's, but he withdrew it. She laughed again in self-deprecation. She expected the movement from Kaito, but she still felt hurt when he rejected the slightest contact from her so directly. 

"Am I so venomous that you will die from a single touch?" She asked. 

"Stop trying to push my buŧŧons, Ayumi. I am mindful of our past partnership, but I will not be polite anymore." Kaito said. "Tell me what happened." 

His voice did not allow Ayumi to oppose him. 

Ayumi felt a little lost. She had met countless outstanding men in the past, but only Kaito made her lose control. She had always looked at him like a shining beacon, a source of light. 

Even the head of the yakuza, who was considered handsome and a powerful figure, did not cause her heart to beat faster. She was simply in this place because she needed a safe refuge in case some people came looking for her. 

Still, Ayumi composed herself and talked clearly. "You were right. I was never fit to run the Shadow Brotherhood. It always looked easy and direct from where I was standing. But I did not know how to keep them in line after you disappeared." 

She sighed. "I tried to look for you, you know. Did your little girlfriend tell you about that? Regardless of everything that happened, I am not a villain in your story. All I want is some recognition from the man I have loved and adored for countless years." 

Silence fell at the table.