Stealing Spree

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 otherʼs 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.

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

Kengoʼs 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. ”Youʼve 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?” Kengoʼs voice was calm, yet it sent a chill down my spine. He had a point. If he truly didnʼt care about the engagement, then why was he pushing so hard?

I know I have my own assumption but itʼs 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 didnʼt 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.

”Itʼs not the engagement youʼre after anymore, is it?” I asked, placing my teacup down. Delivering that as if I was just taking a guess, ”Itʼs about the contract. If it falls through, your company wonʼt get the rights to renovate their ancestral estate. And since the Kujou Family is known for their pride, they wonʼt let this slide. Theyʼll seek compensation and thatʼs where you step in to offer a solution. Perhaps, youʼre 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...”

Kengoʼs hand didnʼt shake, but his eyes betrayed his surprise. He had not expected me to read the situation so well. ”Interesting theory, Onoda. But youʼre still just guessing.”

”Maybe I am. But Sir, I believe itʼs about time you finalize your plan, whatever it is. I will never give up Marika. Even if someone from the Kujou Family arrives this coming week. If they wonʼt accept Marika backing out, Iʼll just take her home with me. What can they do?”

I admit, that was some ballsy move and if it came down to it, they could just knock on our door to take her back. Worse, the other girls around me would be inconvenienced.

Nonetheless, Iʼd already prepared for that eventuality.

If I took her away, Iʼd just stay with her all the time until they gave up. Marika was already at that age, they couldnʼt force her to go back anymore. And if they disown her, wouldnʼt be a win for us? Iʼd provide for her. Even if I didnʼt have the capability yet, Iʼd put myself in debt to my parents to support us for a while until I could stand on my own two feet. For Marika and everyone.

I put myself in this situation. Iʼll see this through to the end. And I wonʼt be alone. My girls who were aware of the situation have all expressed their support and determination.

Of course, I also gave them a way out that if it ended up affecting them too much... they could always wash their hands off of us.

The result? I got scolded until I retracted those words.

Theyʼre that determined and it was so low of me to undermine them.

Kengoʼs gaze bore into me, his eyes sharp as a hawk assessing its prey. ”And what makes you so certain that you can protect her from the consequences of your actions?”

”You donʼt have to concern yourself over that, Sir.” I replied with confidence, ”I have my own way of dealing with things. If the Kujou Family decides to make a fuss, Iʼll handle it.”

I know Iʼm taking things in a stride as though I will never fail or stumble at all. But thatʼs not the case. My head was full of negativity. Full of doubt. I was simply refusing to acknowledge them and look ahead with only a positive outlook.

If the sly old man heard these thoughts of mine, heʼd probably scoff at me for forcing myself to have an optimistic outlook.

But hey... itʼs not like Iʼm rooted in that thinking. As long as an opportunity arises, Iʼll do things differently. Also... waiting for two more years for graduation may be too much... Iʼll look into everything I can do and start building up not just the foundation but also the structure that can cover all of us.

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, Iʼll 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. Weʼre in this together. If I exclude her in this talk, sheʼll 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- sanʼs husband.

”Uncle, Iʼm sorry but Iʼve 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 youʼre 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 Iʼve 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 wasnʼt affected at all by the heaviness of this conversation.

Kengoʼs 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.

Whatʼs he gonna say?