S C A N D A L

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"Curious" was the perfect word to describe Atsuko Seki's reaction when she received a message from Kurou Matsumoto himself, asking her to meet up. Weeks had passed since she allowed herself to be interviewed by reporters who were well acquainted with Kei to spill the beans regarding Kurou and Shiro's relationship.

She refused to return to Ehime after a quarrel with her husband Naoki involving his decision to let Shiro take over the business. Although Atsuko admitted that the missed payments from various financing sources were her fault, she deemed it unfair that her husband would want to sell the bathhouse to Shiro and his wealthy husband. This was another insult to her character, and she felt belittled by both Naoki and Shiro. It was like telling everyone that she couldn't handle her own affairs and questioning her ability to even manage the bathhouse. Upset with her husband's views, she accidentally met Kei Nakajima, whom, she knew as per the various rumors, was involved with Kurou in the past. Kei let her in on a little secret and they immediately formed an odd bond centered around Shiro, whom she loathed from the first day they met. Imagine her surprise when she found out that she wasn't alone. Kei also hated the country bumpkin and was willing to work with her in putting Shiro back to his rightful place---the gutter.

This plot had been set in motion even before they met with Shiro at his home in Tokyo.

Returning to the estate that was now managed and handled by Shiro put a lump in her throat. The last time she came to his house, Kurou had castigated her severely and Naoki couldn't do anything about it. She was obliged to kowtow in front of Shiro as an apology for the uncivil behavior, an order rather than a request that Kurou presented. After that moment, she swore never to look back yet she couldn't even refuse when they received a letter from Shiro, a simple request in exchange for the money they were asking. Money that was supposed to save them from the inevitable destitution, and to pay all the unpaid sums they owed from various creditors and banks. However, that day, when she saw how the estate flourished in Shiro's hands, she became more enraged. Not to mention that Shiro treated her the same way, unaffected by their last encounter.

This was why she decided to take his jewelry. She thought this was the best way to humiliate him. But she couldn't tell Naoki about it since he was resolute in his decision to hand the business back to his son. Upset by this, she tried to convince him again before their return to Ehime but he wouldn't hear another word from her. Naoki even emphasized that it was her greed that destroyed the bathhouse as well as him. When she told him that she wouldn't be returning to Ehime with him, Naoki didn't bat an eyelash and told her that he no longer cared...

This was why she was bemused when Kurou Matsumoto sent in his secretary, Masaru Miura, to invite her to a dinner at a private restaurant. Her mind reeled with questions, one of which was---how did Kurou find out where she was staying? Was she supposed to feel frightened? Well, she was nervous as fuck. But she trusts that Shiro would not tattle to his in-laws or even his billionaire husband since what she did could affect his father too. She wondered what Kurou wanted and if it was a good idea to even see him.

"Seduce him," was Kei's sound advice.

"What?" Atsuko flirted with several men before meeting Naoki, including Kurou, but it was now different. She was a married woman and this was beyond shameful!

"I'll send someone to take photos of the two of you. This is a great opportunity to create more drama within the Matsumoto household. Imagine the tangled stories! I can't wait to see Shiro's face, he will be humiliated!"

"I can't do that! Naoki will kill me."

"So? Do you still want to stay with that man? It was his incompetence that led you to your current situation. You can do so much more if you seduce Kurou..."