Chapter 17 : kings , Queens and Red poison 

The bar was bathed in dark red light—thick, expensive, and suffocating.

Music throbbed low in the background.

At the center of the private room, a young man lounged lazily on a velvet couch. Two women laughed beside him, draped over his shoulders. His face remained hidden in shadow, but his posture screamed arrogance.

Lady Shizuka stood across from him, calm and still.

Mr. Kaito waited slightly behind her.

The young man glanced at the document she had handed him.

Then

He laughed.

And tossed it onto the floor.

“Did you really think,” he scoffed

 “that the Ito Group needs a ridiculous deal like this?”

He leaned forward slightly.

“If I wanted that orphanage, I’d take it anytime. No contracts. No meetings.”

His smile turned sharp.

“I didn’t expect the Kevi family to be this weak interrupting my enjoyment for scraps.”

The room went quiet.

Lady Shizuka didn’t flinch.

She calmly slid a photograph across the table.

“This,” she said softly

 “might interest you.”

The young man paused.

He picked it up.

His fingers tightened.

The laughter died instantly.

“…So the rumors were true,” he muttered.

He snapped his fingers.

“Pick it up,” he ordered.

A servant hurried forward, collected the discarded papers, and placed them neatly back in his hands.

The young man smiled - slow, predatory.

“Lady Shizuka,” he said, finally amused. “Or should I say… Red Poison.”

Shizuka’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“That nickname,” she replied coldly, “was earned over time. Not given by men who play king in bars.”

The young man laughed.

“I like that,” he said. “Fine. I’m in.”

He leaned back again.

“One-third of the unknown shareholders Ito Group will help you.”

Then his gaze sharpened.

“But what about the other one-thirds?” he asked.

“The other king… and the queen?”

Shizuka turned to leave.

“I know how to make kings kneel,” she said calmly.

“And queens… surrender.”

The young man chuckled.

“Don’t get arrogant, Red Poison,” he warned. “Sometimes you don’t win because you’re strong.”

He raised his glass.

“Sometimes… it’s just luck , and this time you have that for me.”

Shizuka didn’t look back.

She and Mr. Kaito left the bar.

Outside, the night air was cold.

As they walked toward the car, Mr. Kaito’s phone vibrated.

He checked it.

Then stiffened.

“…Mekisa and yumiko,” he said. “Your precious daughters has left the mansion.”

Shizuka stopped.

Then smiled.

“Good, but little suprise Yumiko also in ,” she said softly. “Let’s see how strong my daughters really are.”

Neon City.

A car sliced through the glowing streets at dangerous speed.

Inside

“Yumiko!” Mekisa snapped. “Slow down!”

Yumiko grinned, hands steady on the wheel.

“Relax, sis,” she said cheerfully. “You don’t have time to waste. Focus on the documents.”

Streetlights flashed past like fire.

Yumiko glanced sideways.

“So,” she asked casually, “how are you planning to meet the unknown shareholders?”

Mekisa didn’t answer immediately.

Her fingers tightened around the file in her lap.

Few hours ago 

“Say it again,” Mekisa had demanded.

“The name of the second unknown shareholder again.”

Yumiko swallowed.

“…Are you sure you know them?” she asked nervously.

Mekisa’s eyes burned with a new intensity.

“Say. It.”

Yumiko nodded quickly.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m sure. They’re real .”

Present.

Mekisa exhaled slowly.

“I have a connection too,” she said calmly.

Yumiko blinked. “You do?”

Mekisa looked ahead at the city lights, the cameras, the noise, the danger.

“Yes,” she replied.

“And we’re meeting them…”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“…through a special interview.”

Yumiko’s grin widened.

“Oh,” she said. “This is going to be fun.”

The car accelerated.

And somewhere in Neon City

Kings, queens, and lions began to move.

To Be Continue ~

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Next chapter coming soon ~