CHAPTER 286: POWER BEHIND THE SILK ( 286 )

After getting out of the taxi, Satoshi and Satomi walked slowly toward the entrance.

And then, they saw him.

Kazuma, Kitayama’s son-in-law, standing casually near the gate with his usual composed smile.

Both of them gulped before quickly putting on a sweet tone.

"Ah, Mister Kazuma, fancy meeting you here," Satoshi greeted.

They knew all too well.

Kazuma wasn’t just family. He was trusted, influential, and the one who had handed them projects before. His presence alone carried the weight of the Takahashi Group’s voice.

Kazuma’s eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh~ fancy meeting you both here. Looking at your faces, I guess you’ve figured out who owns Takahashi Group now."

He took a step closer, his voice dropping just enough to make the words hit harder. "Let me warn you—Kyouko said to spare your company."

"So....Don’t ruin this marriage celebration. Or else..." His smirk deepened. "...consider Takahashi Group no longer your shareholder. And no more projects."

Kazuma’s tone was calm, but his words carried a weight that left no room for doubt.

Satomi forced a sweet smile, fingers tightening around her clutch. "O-of course, Mister Kazuma... we wouldn’t dare."

Satoshi gave a stiff nod, his shirt clinging to his back from the cold sweat. He knew Kazuma wasn’t the type to bluff, if he said it, he meant every word.

Kazuma stepped closer, lowering his voice so only they could hear. "Kyouko may be too kind for her own good, but I’m not. You’ll sit, smile, and clap like proper guests. Nothing more. Are we clear?"

Satomi’s jaw tightened, but she kept her smile in place. "...yes."

Kazuma’s smirk flickered before he straightened, greeting another guest with effortless warmth. He walked off toward the main hall without looking back.

Satomi and Satoshi stood frozen for a moment. Neither of them dared to test him.

They stepped inside.

Satoshi froze first. His breath caught the moment his eyes landed on her.

Kyouko.

The real Kyouko. The woman he had abandoned for so long, now standing there, radiant, graceful, smiling beside Haruki... his former son-in-law.

Satomi’s nails dug into her palm.

Inside her mind, the words hissed.

So... this is why.

This is why Haruki said the bride was more beautiful than me...

Her own mother.

Standing next to him as if they had belonged together all along.

Fury boiled in her chest. She stepped forward, heat rushing to her face, her hand twitching with the urge to slap Haruki across the cheek.

But then she stopped.

Because Kyouko was looking at her.

From across the room, still smiling... still graceful.

In her hand...a phone.

And Satomi could read her mother’s lips, even from this distance.

Don’t... or else... this video will be shown to others~

Satomi slowly walked toward them, her eyes narrowing when she caught sight of Haruki leaning down to kiss Kyouko on the cheek before walking away.

Maybe it was because Kyouko had whispered something to him, something only the two of them shared.

Satomi stopped in her tracks as Kyouko, radiant in her pure white shiromuku, began walking toward her. Each step was unhurried, graceful, until she stopped right in front of her.

"Thank you for coming, honey~" Kyouko’s voice was warm, almost teasing.

"Mom? Since when were you with Haruki? And why did you marry him? Is this revenge because of what happened with me and Father?" Satomi’s tone was sharp.

"Ah, no~ it’s not like that." Kyouko smiled softly. "It’s just... he’s handsome, charming..." She leaned in close, her breath brushing Satomi’s ear.

"...and he’s got a huge Penis. What a waste. I don’t know what you were thinking, Satomi. You had a great husband, oops, ex-husband... and somehow you chose... well..." Her smile widened, her eyes glinting.

Satomi stayed silent, biting her lower lip.

"Since when, Mom?"

"Hm? Ah... you don’t need to know that~ Besides, what for? You and him divorced, me and your father divorced. You enjoy your relationship with Satoshi, why not me too? And I’m marrying him not out of revenge, but because he’s romantic, perfect in every way."

Kyouko’s smile didn’t falter, her tone still sweet as she added, "And thank you, Satomi~ really. Because you abandoned him. You asked me to take care of him... and I did~"

Her gaze softened, but her words carried an edge.

"I looked after your husband , more than you ever did. I was there when he came home exhausted and no one asked how his day was. I listened when he spoke, I made sure he had someone who truly cared... and when he reached for me, I didn’t push him away. I gave him what you never gave him, warmth, comfort... love."

Kyouko’s eyes glinted as she leaned in just enough for Satomi to hear the next part. "What a waste. A man who could so easily make a woman climax, who knows exactly how to touch, how to cherish... and you threw him away~"

Satomi’s throat tightened, but she couldn’t form a reply. Kyouko’s smile remained gentle.

She slowly raised her phone, tilting the screen just enough for Satomi to see. The frozen frame was unmistakable, Satomi was on top of Satoshi in bed, the kind of proof that could burn everything to the ground.

"If you care about yourself... and about your father’s company," Kyouko said sweetly, "then you’ll go, sit down, enjoy the celebration, eat, and not ruin my happiest day."

Her tone was warm, but her eyes were cold.

"Anyway, honey~ I’m going to my husband now," she added, the word husband lingering on her lips like a deliberate taunt. She turned, walking away with slow, graceful steps.

After a few steps, she stopped and glanced back, the warmth gone from her face, replaced with a sharp, cutting seriousness.

"And if you try anything... if you even think about ruining your own mother’s happiness..." She held the phone higher, the damning video paused at its most incriminating moment. "...I will crush you and your father. Starting with this."

Her gaze was unblinking, voice low and dangerous. "Surely you want to keep your image... and your boyfriend’s company, right? If yes... then go. Enjoy your food. And this celebration."

Kyouko took a few steps, then paused as if remembering something. She glanced back over her shoulder, her smile returning, soft, almost playful.

"Ah... I forgot one more important thing~" Her voice dripped with sweetness. "I’m pregnant with Haruki’s child. Ah... what a wonderful news, isn’t it? You’re going to have a youngest sibling soon~"

She turned away again, walking a few more steps before stopping once more. This time, her tone dropped to a slow, intimate whisper that only Satomi could hear.

"Tonight... my husband’s is going to ravish me hard~" Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "...Thank you, Satomi, for pushing him to me."

Without waiting for a reply, Kyouko glided away, leaving Satomi standing there, heat and fury boiling in her chest, but powerless to move.

( End Of Chapter )