“Sister… let’s talk this through.”
Chinatsu Tsukuse’s voice was gentle yet firm, clearly echoing through the quiet office.
Without drawing attention, she shielded Kaoru Hoshitani behind her. The motion was natural and decisive.
A difficult-to-read expression appeared on her face—her brows slightly furrowed, lips pressed together, and her gray eyes filled with disappointment and reproach toward her sister’s actions.
The expression looked so real, so natural, as if she were truly just an ordinary younger sister who had just discovered her sister had committed something terrible, feeling shocked and heartbroken.
Rika Kawasaki, upon seeing this display from her so-called younger sister, quickly guessed that Chinatsu Tsukuse might already know the true relationship between her and Kaoru Hoshitani.
Her hand, which had been reaching toward the young man, slowly withdrew, tinged with reluctance.
The movement was slow, as if every inch of retreat required restraint. Her sharp features darkened, her expression so grim it seemed it could drip with coldness.
Her brow lowered, eyes narrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. She radiated a suffocating pressure.
When her gaze collided with the nearly identical gray eyes of Chinatsu, it felt as if sparks flew—an invisible clash unfolding.
Rika shifted her gaze again to the young man hiding behind Chinatsu, only peeking out slightly.
Those ‘little deer eyes’ were filled with fear, glistening like those of a startled animal.
He hid behind another woman, looking at her timidly, as if she were some man-eating predator.
‘As expected… I shouldn’t have left.’
Rika sneered inwardly.
‘It’s only been a few days without watching him, and he’s already hooked up with another woman…’
When Kaoru Hoshitani met those gray eyes that seemed capable of devouring people, his whole body jolted. He immediately pressed his face against Chinatsu’s back.
He buried his face between her shoulder blades, trembling, not daring to look up again. Only his rapid breathing seeped through the thin fabric, reaching her back in uneven bursts.
Feeling the man’s warm, damp breath through her clothes, brushing lightly against her skin, Chinatsu’s lips curled upward ever so slightly.
But she quickly regained control, suppressing that subtle change entirely.
She raised her head again and looked at her sister, her face returning to that perfect expression of sorrow and indignation.
It was flawless, as if she were truly just a kind girl worried about her sister and standing up for Kaoru Hoshitani.
“Sister…”
Her voice trembled slightly, as if holding back strong emotions.
“How… how could you do something so excessive to brother-in-law—no, Mr. Hoshitani? This is a crime!”
The accusation rang out clearly in the quiet office.
“Hah—”
Rika let out a disdainful scoff, her tone full of contempt.
She looked coldly at Chinatsu, a mocking glint flashing in her gray eyes.
“I suggest you mind your own business.”
Her voice was low and dangerous, carrying an obvious warning.
“How do you know he wasn’t willing?”
She paused, a meaningful smile curling at her lips.
“When we’re in bed, he’s the one begging for it. Little Kaoru… should I play it for her?”
As she spoke, her gaze bypassed Chinatsu and landed on Kaoru behind her.
That look was like a tangible blade, piercing through Chinatsu and stabbing straight into the trembling young man.
Kaoru’s body stiffened instantly.
Of course he understood the threat in her words—return obediently to her, or she would release those videos and photos.
That familiar terror surged over him again like a tidal wave, nearly drowning him.
But what Rika didn’t know was that Chinatsu already knew about the leverage she held over Kaoru—and had already taken action.
Chinatsu spoke righteously, without a trace of fear:
“Sister, I know you’re using those videos to threaten Mr. Hoshitani. But aren’t you curious why he’s in Mother’s office today?”
Her words fell like a stone into still water, sending ripples outward.
Rika’s brows furrowed deeper.
She narrowed her eyes, staring sharply at Chinatsu’s face, trying to figure out what her sister was plotting.
Her gaze was sharp as a hawk’s—filled with scrutiny, caution, and a hint of unease even she hadn’t noticed.
Chinatsu didn’t keep her guessing.
Meeting her sister’s gaze, she gave a faint smile and continued:
“Now, Mr. Hoshitani is already Mother’s secretary.”
Her voice was soft, but every word was crystal clear.
“If you spread those videos, the company’s reputation will be damaged. You wouldn’t want Mother to throw you out of the house because of that… would you, my dear sister?”
She deliberately dragged out the last words, her tone rising slightly, laced with clear provocation and mockery.
The moment Rika heard this, her eyes widened.
Her pupils shrank, and a crack finally appeared in her cold expression.
Because only now did she truly see her half-sister’s real face.
The girl who had always acted obedient and gentle in front of her, speaking softly and trying to please her, now stood calmly before her, smiling.
In her eyes flickered something Rika had never seen before.
Calculation. Satisfaction. And a cold trace of mockery.
Now, Chinatsu Tsukuse had revealed her fangs.
Rika’s expression darkened again.
How could she not understand now? It was this seemingly harmless girl who had orchestrated bringing Kaoru into the company as their mother’s secretary.
All the clues, all the coincidences, now connected.
Before, Rika wouldn’t have cared about something like damaging the company’s reputation.
She had always acted as she pleased, never caring about consequences.
But things were different now.
Her bank card had been frozen. Her villa and car had been taken back. She was constrained everywhere by her mother.
She had no choice but to hold back, unable to act as recklessly as before.
That realization filled her with unprecedented frustration and anger.
But she was Rika Kawasaki. She wouldn’t give in so easily.
Taking a deep breath to suppress her emotions, she looked again at the young man hiding behind Chinatsu, now cautiously peeking out with those ‘little deer eyes.’
They were filled with fear, unease—and resistance toward her.
She let out a cold laugh, her tone deliberately mocking.
“So this is the help you found?”
Her gaze moved between Chinatsu and Kaoru, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Don’t tell me you traded your body for it.”
Kaoru’s face flushed instantly, red with both anger and shame.
But Rika didn’t give him a chance to respond.
Her voice grew colder, more dangerous:
“And even if I can’t release those photos and videos…”
She stared at Kaoru, a nearly cruel glint in her gray eyes.
“Did you forget? Your useless girlfriend still doesn’t know you’ve already been ruined by other women.”
She paused, then spoke each word clearly:
“But don’t worry. She’ll find out soon… the true face of the man she loves.”
The final sentence echoed through the office like a verdict.
Kaoru felt his blood freeze instantly.
He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but no sound came out.
All he could do was stare at her, at that smug and cruel smile, as overwhelming fear swallowed him once again.
‘No… I absolutely can’t let Aina find out…’
His once lively ‘little deer eyes’ turned hollow with despair.
Under the gaze of the yellow-haired woman, he slowly stepped out from behind Chinatsu…