Chapter 2281: Baring it all

Chapter 2281: Baring it all



Minutes passed and our conversation turned to a stalemate. If we started straightforward, laying down our cards, it switched to us measuring each other's poker faces.

Ichihara-san who remained standing at the side was watching us, her eyes filled with anxiousness as though she was afraid that at any moment, the conversation would take a turn for the worse. However, it remained civil, if not a little tense.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Sir, if I may..." I spoke up, placing my teacup back on the table with a gentle clink, "I understand this concerns your family's reputation but I feel like you're not worried at all. Am I correct? Because in the first place, the one that would get in trouble was the Kujou Family who couldn't control the chip that they handed over. Furthermore, with the transaction being your company renovating their ancestral estate, won't it be more favorable to you if the engagement falls through?"

Kengo's hand paused mid-air, holding his teacup. His eyes snapped to me, his expression still not breaking any hint of surprise as he took a sip. "You've done your homework, Onoda."

"Anyone with logical thinking will arrive at the same conclusion. I believe." I responded calmly, taking another sip of my tea. At this point, we kept taking turns sipping our teas with each sentence and whenever one cup would be emptied, Ichihara-san would immediately refill it. She was diligent like that.

"Then tell me, Onoda. Why am I still after your head?" Kengo's voice was calm, yet it sent a chill down my spine. He had a point. If he truly didn't care about the engagement, then why was he pushing so hard?

I know I have my own assumption but it's just one of the possibilities.

But well, if I want to get into the game and not just be a mere pawn like Ichihara Jun, I have to show him that I had brains as well.

I didn't answer right away but instead let my eyes wander. I looked at the troubled Ichihara- san then to the peeking Marika and lastly, to the curious Koharu-chan.

"It's not the engagement you're after anymore, is it?" I asked, placing my teacup down. Delivering that as if I was just taking a guess, "It's about the contract. If it falls through, your company won't get the rights to renovate their ancestral estate. And since the Kujou Family is known for their pride, they won't let this slide. They'll seek compensation and that's where you step in to offer a solution. Perhaps, you're looking for a way to leverage this situation to your benefit. Maybe propose a new deal with them? Or if not that, prop up a new heir for the family..."

Kengo's hand didn't shake, but his eyes betrayed his surprise. He had not expected me to read the situation so well. "Interesting theory, Onoda. But you're still just guessing."

Ichihara-san cleared her throat, "Excuse me. Would you like to have some cookies with your tea?" She was obviously trying to lighten the mood, but her eyes remained concerned.

"Thank you Ichihara-san, I'll have some." I smiled at her, trying to ease the tension in the room. She nodded and brought over a plate of freshly baked cookies, placing it on the coffee table. The sweet scent filled the air, providing a stark contrast to the seriousness of our conversation.

I also looked at Marika, gesturing for her to come. We're in this together. If I exclude her in this talk, she'll pout at me later.

As for Koharu... well, the girl is mature beyond her eyes and she understands the gravity of this current situation. We can continue her lesson afterward.

Marika stepped out of the training room and approached us confidently. She took a seat beside me, placing her hand on top of mine, offering silent support as she faced Ichihara- san's husband.

"Uncle, I'm sorry but I've already made up my mind. I cannot marry Jun-kun." She said, her voice firm and unwavering.

Kengo had yet to answer my probe earlier and I doubt he would. He looked at Marika, his gaze as stern as ever, "Marika, you know the implications of your actions, right? Your aunt will be coming. Are you going to say the same thing to her? How long have you been with Onoda? Why are you so sure about him? Have you not stopped to think that you're making a hasty

decision?"

With a barrage of questions like that, someone could be overwhelmed. But Marika, she only needed a squeeze from my hand and she courageously faced all those questions.

She replied with a short answer, the tone of her voice was filled with her determination, "I trust him and I believe in him. If he says he can handle it, I believe him. The two years I've been with Jun-kun cannot be compared to the time I spent with him."

Upon saying that, she also squeezed my hand before taking a cookie and munching on it as if she wasn't affected at all by the heaviness of this conversation.

Kengo's expression softened a little, his gaze switching between Marika and me. I could tell that he was weighing his options. Calculating the potential risks and benefits of his next move. I could almost hear the cogs turning in his head as he formulated his response.

What's he gonna say?