Megumi glanced at the dress, hesitated for a few seconds, then asked, "Boss… won't this be a little too much for Miss Nagasaki?"
It wasn't sympathy for Soyo.
She was worried about pushing her too far. Worried she might actually snap.
"That's exactly the point."
Seiji's voice was low, pleased. "If she doesn't see Sakiko's complete fall with her own eyes, how can she despair? And if she doesn't despair, how can I lock her into my cage as well?"
"And one more thing."
As if remembering something, he added, "Tell Rie Nagasaki that I'm very satisfied with the banquet's security. She doesn't need to station people near the second-floor VIP lounge. After all, I'll need a bit of private space to talk with my media friends."
"Understood." Megumi nodded and made a note.
It was the deadliest move on the board.
Pulling security wasn't negligence. It was bait.
It gave Soyo the illusion of opportunity, made her believe she really could storm in with reporters and blow everything wide open.
Only when she climbed high enough would the fall shatter her completely.
…
…
The Nagasaki home.
Living room.
The clock pointed to eleven at night.
Soyo slipped the door open quietly.
"Soyo? You're back?"
The lights were still on.
Rie Nagasaki, dressed in pajamas, stood before a full-length mirror, practicing her banquet speech.
When she saw her daughter, she stopped immediately, her face lighting up. "You're home so late. How did reviewing at your classmate's place go?"
"Uh… it went well."
Soyo avoided her mother's eyes, guilt creeping in. "Mom, why are you still up? You have to be at the company early tomorrow for rehearsals."
"I couldn't sleep."
Rie smiled shyly, walked over, and pulled Soyo down beside her. "Soyo, do you know how important this banquet is to me?"
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation for the future.
"This isn't just a dinner. It's a stage for Genesis Media to show the industry what we're capable of. If this goes well, I can finally prove my worth. I won't have to worry about losing my job like last time."
She squeezed Soyo's hand, her voice trembling. "I want to give you the best life, Soyo. I want you to play the piano without worries, like before, without stressing over money. And all of this… it's thanks to President Fujiwara giving me this chance."
At the words President Fujiwara, Soyo's heart shuddered.
Her mother's gratitude stabbed into her chest like a blade.
Mom, you've been fooled.
She screamed it silently.
That man isn't a benefactor. He's a demon.
He gave you a job, but he took Sakiko. And now he wants even more.
But she couldn't say any of it.
If she did, her mother would stop her. She'd swallow everything to keep her job, just like countless compromised adults.
Soyo squeezed her mother's hand back and forced a smile.
"I know, Mom. You'll do great."
Her voice was soft, yet carried a frightening resolve. "No matter what happens, I'll help you. I'll help this family… escape living in constant fear."
"Such a silly girl."
Rie stroked her hair affectionately. "With you here, there's nothing Mom is afraid of."
She never caught the deeper meaning in her daughter's words.
She thought Soyo meant support. What Soyo meant was destruction followed by rebirth.
To Rie, Friday marked the start of her career's peak.
To Soyo, Friday was the day she would slay the dragon.
Even if it meant sacrificing her mother's "peak" for now, it was worth it.
"Alright, go get some sleep."
Rie stood and stretched. "I should sleep too. I'm trying on my dress tomorrow. Oh, and don't forget to steam that beige dress. I picked it especially for you."
"Okay. Good night, Mom."
As she watched her mother hum her way back to her room, the smile vanished from Soyo's face.
She sat alone in the empty living room, listening to the steady ticking of the clock.
"I'm sorry, Mom," she whispered.
"The happiness you see right now is fake. Once I save Sakiko, once Seiji Fujiwara falls… I'll apologize to you."
"Even if you blame me. Even if you hate me for ruining your job…"
Her eyes grew hollow, yet unwavering.
"I can't just watch Sakiko die. I can't."
…
…
At the same time.
An exquisite gift box was delivered to Sakiko Toyokawa.
She had just finished another day of "lessons."
Lessons personally arranged by Seiji Fujiwara. Lessons on pleasing men. On pleasing the body.
Exhausted, she wore only a thin silk robe.
"What is this?" she asked, staring at the box, dread creeping up her spine.
The maid opened it respectfully.
Inside lay a deep purple velvet evening gown.
"This is the dress the boss prepared for you for Friday's banquet," the maid said.
Sakiko froze.
She might have fallen, but her taste hadn't. One glance was enough to understand the message.
Backless. High slit. Purple.
No matter how expensive, the combination screamed kept woman.
"He… wants me to wear this?" Her voice shook.
"Yes. The boss specifically instructed that you must also wear this collar," the maid relayed impassively. "He said that way, when Miss Nagasaki is watching from below, she'll see everything clearly."
Miss Nagasaki.
Soyo?!
Sakiko's pupils shrank.
She understood instantly how cruel his intent was.
He wasn't just taking her to the banquet. He wanted her to wear something this humiliating and display her like a trophy before Soyo.
He wanted to crush Soyo's last illusion about her.
"Is he a demon…" Sakiko pressed a hand to her forehead, drained.
If she wore it, what would Soyo think?
Soyo would despise her completely.
Wasn't that what she wanted before? For Soyo to give up on her, to stay away?
But…
Like this? By stripping her dignity piece by piece?
"Miss Toyokawa, please don't keep the boss waiting," the maid urged. "You need to try it on now. The designer is downstairs in case alterations are needed."
Sakiko closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
After a moment of silence, she stood.
She untied her robe.
Her ivory-white body was exposed under the lights, pale skin marred with countless marks.
"Understood. I'll try it on now."
She reached out and lifted the dress from the box.
…
…
Friday arrived in the blink of an eye.
Tokyo, Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, Hiten Main Ballroom.
The largest pillarless ballroom in Tokyo was now hosting the charity banquet known as Genesis Night.
A massive Swarovski crystal chandelier hung from the high dome, scattering countless dazzling rays and bathing the hall in splendor.
Hundreds of guests in formal attire moved through the space.
Corporate executives, veteran politicians, top celebrities, and countless social climbers eager to attach themselves to power.
At the side of the stage.
Soyo stood alone in the shadows.
She wore a beige cocktail dress that fell just above the knees, paired with white low heels. Her hair was styled into a princess braid, fastened with a pearl clip. The outfit had been chosen by her mother, making her look like a well-behaved doll who had wandered into the adult world—pure, harmless, and easy to protect.
Only she knew what kind of blade hid beneath that purity.
She held a glass of sparkling juice, her gaze cutting through the crowd and locking onto the radiant figure at center stage.
Her mother. Rie Nagasaki.
Tonight, Rie wore a perfectly tailored dark blue gown, her hair swept up to reveal her long neck. Holding a microphone, she spoke with ease and confidence before figures she rarely had the chance to face.
"Thank you all for attending Genesis Media's charity night. In this era of transformation, Genesis Group has always been committed to—"
Her voice flowed through the state-of-the-art sound system.
Clear. Confident. Commanding.
Mom, you must feel so happy right now.
Soyo thought silently.
Seeing her mother's blissful profile, pain clenched her heart.
She lowered her gaze, hiding the flash of agony and resolve in her eyes.
If tonight's plan succeeded, this glamorous banquet would turn into a massive scandal.
Genesis Media's reputation would be damaged, and her mother, as the person in charge, would see her career destroyed.
It was cruel.
But Soyo told herself it was necessary.
Better to cut everything off now than let her mother remain deceived by that demon.
Even if her mother hated her. Even if their family fell back into hardship.
As long as she could save Sakiko. As long as she could break free from that man.
It would all be worth it.
"I'm doing this for you too, Mom," she murmured, as if casting a final spell on herself.
She checked her phone.
Full signal. No new messages.
That meant the reporter Sato had already slipped inside with his people and was hiding in the second-floor VIP lounge as planned.
The trap was set. The hunter was in position.
All that remained was for the arrogant prey to walk into it.
Just then, a sudden disturbance rippled from the ornate doors of the ballroom.
The chatter dropped as if someone had turned down the volume.
Every gaze, every spotlight, converged in one direction.
Soyo looked up, her breath catching.
They were here.
…
The doors were pushed open by attendants.
Seiji Fujiwara stepped inside.
He wore a pure black custom suit, impeccably tailored, free of excess decoration, outlining his tall frame.
A faint, distant smile rested on his face, his eyes lingering on no one, while countless elites turned eager smiles toward him.
And hooked around his left arm was a slender hand.
Sakiko Toyokawa.
If Seiji was the king of the night, then Sakiko was his most dazzling—and most heartbreaking—trophy.
The moment Soyo saw her, the wineglass nearly slipped from her hand.
Sakiko wore the deep purple velvet gown.
A color notoriously difficult to pull off, yet on her, the rich purple clashed beautifully with her pale skin, exuding a decadent, fallen allure.
The design was bold. Modest from the front at first glance, but the neckline plunged low, tightly outlining her curves. As she walked, the high slit swayed, revealing long legs with each step.
But none of that was what truly shook Soyo.
It was Sakiko herself.
Her makeup was immaculate, a faint flush at the corners of her eyes. Under hundreds of admiring gazes, she neither smiled nor looked away.
Her expression was stiff.
Look closely, and you could see her fingers digging into Seiji's arm, knuckles white, trembling slightly. She walked elegantly, yet always half a step behind him, like a shadow without will, moving only to match her owner's pace.
Every step declared a single truth.
She was an ornament at this man's side.
"Lift your head."
Seiji's voice was soft, meant only for the two of them, yet carried absolute command. "Look over there. Stage left."
Sakiko's body trembled.
That tone had long been carved into her bones.
She slowly raised her head and followed his gaze.
At the edge of the crowd, in the shadows, stood a girl in a beige dress.
Soyo.
Soyo stared straight at her, eyes filled with shock, pain, and something that made Sakiko's heart seize.
Resolve.
In that instant, Sakiko felt as if she'd been stripped naked and thrown onto the street.
The shame of exposing her "fall" before a former friend was overwhelming. She instinctively wanted to lower her head, to hide her face.
"Don't move."
Seiji smiled and nodded politely to distant guests. His other hand patted the back of Sakiko's hand, gentle as if soothing a frightened pet, while his words were merciless.
"That's your good friend. Let her see clearly what you are now."
…
The crowd parted naturally as Seiji advanced.
People rushed forward to greet him, only to be held back by his cold aura.
Soyo moved.
She set her glass down, smoothed her skirt, and took a deep breath.
This was her only chance.
She had to take them away, in full view of everyone, and bring them to the room filled with cameras.
She adjusted her expression, putting on her obedient, harmless smile, and stepped through the crowd.
"Good evening, President Fujiwara."
Her clear voice neatly cut off several businessmen attempting to toast.
Seiji stopped and looked down at the seemingly fragile girl before him, his gaze deep and unreadable.
"Oh, Miss Nagasaki."
A trace of amusement colored his tone as his eyes swept over her beige dress. "That outfit suits you well. Your mother's speech just now was excellent. With a manager like her, Genesis Media is in good hands."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Soyo bowed slightly, her manners flawless.
Then she turned her gaze to Sakiko.
Her eyes traced the gown, and pain stabbed her chest.
This is what you called voluntary, Sakiko? This is what you meant by worth it?
Look at you now. You're like a puppet.
You're lying to me. You have to be.
But none of it showed on her face. Instead, she smiled, bright and faintly reproachful, like a close friend teasing another.
"Sakiko! So you're here too. I didn't see you earlier."
She reached out naturally, trying to take Sakiko's hand.
Sakiko flinched back, avoiding her touch. Her eyes darted away, lips parting as if to speak, only to swallow the words.
"Miss Nagasaki, is there something you need?"
Seiji didn't stop her, only asked calmly.
"Well… it's actually about school."
Soyo looked up at him, her eyes carrying a hint of difficulty.
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