She couldn't do that.
Countless thoughts raced through Sakiko's mind.
She suddenly sat up straight, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes.
Wait.
Not "beg" him.
But "trade" with him.
If she could offer "value" in exchange, he'd have no reason to refuse.
Once this idea took root, it spread through her brain like wildfire.
Yes.
A trade!
Clinging to hope, she reopened her laptop.
On the screen, Sakiko typed a PPT title: simple and direct.
[Feasibility Analysis Report: Genesis Group Acquisition and Restructuring of Toyokawa Electronics Division]
Her thinking was crystal clear.
Part One: Current State Analysis...
Part Two: Acquisition Value...
Part Three: Execution Plan...
Genesis would establish a shell company offshore.
Then, using Toyokawa Group's internal debt crisis, pressure Yuichi into "divesting" the electronics division and injecting it into this shell company. Through a debt-to-equity swap, Genesis could gain absolute controlling stake in this quality company at minimal cost.
As for the rest of Toyokawa Group's mess?
Its survival was none of Genesis's concern.
"This... is a perfect plan."
Sakiko murmured, looking at her night's work.
As the Toyokawa heiress, she'd absorbed considerable business knowledge from childhood.
This proposal was written entirely from Seiji Fujiwara's perspective.
Minimum investment, maximum return.
Methods ruthless enough, efficiency high enough.
Seiji Fujiwara... had no reason to refuse.
By the time she finished, dawn was breaking on the horizon.
Sakiko exhaled slowly.
She went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face to stay alert.
Looking at that slightly haggard face in the mirror, eyes nonetheless burning bright, Sakiko clenched her fist.
Sakiko Toyokawa.
You can do this.
...
The following afternoon.
Seiji had finished washing up and emerged from the bathroom.
Sakiko stood by the dining table, appearing somewhat nervous, but gathered her courage.
"Seiji."
"Hmm?"
"About the Toyokawa Group situation. I'd like to discuss something with you."
Sakiko's voice carried an almost imperceptible tremor.
"Discuss?" Seiji looked at her curiously. What was there to discuss about that dumpster fire?
Still, if Sakiko wanted to talk, he'd listen.
"Go ahead."
"A business proposal that benefits you and Genesis Group with no downsides." Sakiko added, her beautiful eyes flickering with a light he hadn't seen in a long time.
Hearing this, Seiji studied her, then simply nodded, his tone flat.
"Very well."
...
The study.
Sakiko Toyokawa stood in the center, tablet in hand.
It contained the business plan she'd poured her entire night into.
At the far end of the study.
Seiji sat behind the executive desk.
The desktop was empty save for a steaming cup of red tea.
He wore casual loungewear, posture relaxed as he leaned back, legs crossed, even looking somewhat drowsy.
"Seiji."
Sakiko began, her voice cool and steady.
Seiji picked up the teacup, blew gently on the steam, saying nothing, only gesturing for her to proceed.
Sakiko took a deep breath.
Here we go.
She swiped the tablet and turned the screen toward Seiji, her clear, pleasant voice filling the quiet study.
"My proposal concerns how Genesis Group can acquire and restructure Toyokawa Electronics Division at minimal cost."
She cut straight to the point.
"Based on intelligence I've gathered, Toyokawa Group's total debt currently stands at approximately 80 billion yen. 30 billion of that is short-term bank loans maturing within the next three months. The group's cash flow is already on the verge of collapse."
"However."
Sakiko emphasized, tapping the screen to display a vivid red trend line.
"Against the backdrop of overall group losses, the premium electronics division founded by my mother remains the only quality asset maintaining over 15% annual growth."
"It holds over 300 core technology patents and commands more than 40% market share in Japan's high-end kitchen appliances and audio-visual equipment sectors. Brand value: at least 50 billion yen."
Seiji continued sipping his tea.
His expression unchanged.
Sakiko felt a flicker of unease but pressed on.
"Second, regarding acquisition value."
"For Genesis Group, this acquisition isn't merely a financial investment but carries tremendous strategic significance."
She paused, lifting her gaze to meet Seiji's eyes directly.
"Genesis has completed its layout in finance, entertainment, and pharmaceuticals, but high-end manufacturing remains a gap. Acquiring Toyokawa Electronics can quickly fill this blind spot, creating a more complete business empire."
"Additionally, there's brand value. Toyokawa Electronics has cultivated the premium market for years, its quality reputation deeply rooted. A direct acquisition would save at least ten years of brand development time and astronomical advertising costs."
"Finally, synergies. Genesis's media arm can promote the appliances, AI technology can integrate with smart home devices. The possibilities are enormous."
She spoke quickly, but with clear logic.
No longer the plaything at his beck and call in bed.
But the brilliant, dependable young lady she'd once been. Sakiko Toyokawa.
"The plan I've designed doesn't ask Genesis to rescue the entire Toyokawa Group mess."
Her eyes shone brighter and brighter.
"My recommendation is for Genesis to establish an offshore shell company."
"Then, leveraging Toyokawa Group's debt crisis, I'll personally persuade Yuichi to divest the electronics division into this shell company. Through a debt-to-equity swap, Genesis can gain absolute controlling stake in this premium company for no more than 5 billion yen."
"As for the rest of Toyokawa Group's mess?"
"Let it sink or swim on its own."
Having finished, Sakiko looked at Seiji.
She stood ramrod straight, chin slightly lifted, like a soldier awaiting her general's inspection.
She was confident.
This proposal offered minimum investment, maximum return.
Methods ruthless enough, efficiency high enough.
Completely tailored to Seiji Fujiwara's perspective.
He... had no reason to refuse.
If Seiji just nodded.
She could reclaim her mother's legacy.
The study fell into lengthy silence.
Seiji didn't speak.
He set down his teacup, stood, and walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, his back to Sakiko, gazing at the courtyard outside.
One second.
Two seconds.
Ten seconds.
...
Each second of silence hammered at Sakiko's heart.
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
Had something gone wrong?
Was the proposal not perfect enough?
Or was he displeased that she'd offered to "personally" handle things?
Just as anxiety and dread threatened to overwhelm her.
Seiji finally spoke.
His voice was light, flat, as if stating the simplest fact.
"Sakiko."
"Do you think I need those few billion?"
BOOM!
Those words exploded in Sakiko's mind like thunder.
The confidence, the pride, all the expectation on her face, instantly froze, then shattered piece by piece.
Need those few billion?
Does he need those few billion?
The plan she'd poured her entire night into, in his eyes... was just casual "few billion"?
An overwhelming sense of absurdity and helplessness seized Sakiko.
Like an ant that had painstakingly mapped out a route for a dragon to easily devour a cow.
And the dragon merely lifted a lazy eyelid and asked:
"Do you think I need that one bite?"
"What... what do you mean?"
Sakiko's voice trembled, blood draining from her face visibly.
Seiji slowly turned.
Step by step, he walked toward her.
One step.
Another.
He stopped before Sakiko.
Less than half a meter between them.
That familiar masculine scent instantly enveloped Sakiko, making her legs weak instinctively.
He didn't look at the tablet in her hand.
Seiji's gaze traveled down her collarbone, her chest, her belly...
An intensely predatory scrutiny, as if seeing through her clothes to what lay beneath.
Sakiko instinctively stepped back, arms crossing over her chest.
"Seiji..."
"Your proposal is well done."
Seiji suddenly spoke, his tone even carrying a hint of approval.
Sakiko froze.
"Really... quite good." He repeated. "Clear logic, ruthless methods. Worthy of the Toyokawa name."
The sudden praise threw Sakiko's mind into even greater chaos.
She didn't understand.
If the proposal was good, then why...
"But."
Seiji's tone shifted, his hand reaching out to grip her chin.
A playful smile curved his lips.
"Compared to some broken-down electronics company..."
His voice dropped low, like a lover's whisper, yet carrying a bone-chilling chill.
"I'm more curious about..."
"Sakiko."
"What are you hiding in bed?"
Sakiko's pupils contracted to pinpoints!
"Every time, at our most intense moment, a faint scent emanates from your body..."
"What is that?"
His fingers traced along her jawline, sliding slowly down to her neck, her collarbone...
"And your body."
"Wrecked by me all night, yet always recovering so quickly the next day."
"Your stamina is... unnaturally good."
He leaned in, lips nearly brushing her ear, warm breath caressing her skin, raising goosebumps all over.
"What are you hiding?"
"Tell me."
"That little secret in your body... the one that makes you release that fragrance, that lets you recover so fast..."
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The barrage of questions hit like artillery, shattering the psychological defenses Sakiko had barely rebuilt.
He knew!
He actually knew!
Intense cold and terror instantly engulfed her entire body.
She began trembling uncontrollably.
The tablet slipped from her hand, clattering to the floor.
"I... I don't know..."
Her teeth chattered, her voice barely audible. "I don't know... what you're talking about..."
"You don't know?"
Seiji straightened, looking at her face painted with terror, his smile deepening.
"That's fine."
"We have plenty of time."
He released her, regarding Sakiko the way one might admire a masterpiece, watching her sway on the edge of collapse from fear.
""I'll examine you personally. Bit by bit."
---
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