713 For Her Sake

Day Seventy-Six...This chapter's initial release occurred on the N0v3l-B1n site.

[ At Hiroshi's Villa...]

Jane finally went home and joined her father and sister during lunch. The family of three including Hanabi enjoyed the food as Mr. Hiroshi pretended he didn't know anything about Jane's identity.

He acted normal while waiting for the opportunity to talk to his daughter in private. As he observed Hanabi's action, he could tell that she didn't defy his order. Jane was still clueless about his intention to break Nathan and her apart.

"Where did you sleep last night?" Mr. Hiroshi started a conversation.

"In the Sparks Mansion," Jane responded truthfully, making Mr. Hiroshi speechless.

Mr. Hiroshi reflexively darted his gaze to Hanabi who was sitting next to Jane. A deep crease appeared on Mr. Hiroshi's forehead as his eyes accused Hanabi of not doing her job. He told her to prevent Jane from seeing Nathan.

Hanabi bit her lips before speaking up for herself. "Sis Jane had been staying with the Sparks for two consecutive nights. I only saw her today."

Abigail just let out a soft giggle and said, "Sis, I admire your patience. You keep courting the handsome CEO! Keep it up!"

"Cough! Cough!" Hanabi choked on her food because Abigail even encouraged Jane to continue winning Nathan's heart in front of their father. The two sisters were still oblivious to Mr. Hiroshi's hatred toward Nathan.

Hanabi simply glanced at Mr. Hiroshi, checking his facial expression. She immediately looked away when she met Mr. Hiroshi's deathly glare, giving her some warning. In the end, Hanabi continued to focus her attention on the food, determined not to speak any words that might trigger the old man.

And later on, they were able to smoothly get through their lunch. Jane didn't suspect anything. They conversed further about Abigail's engagement party and the preparations for the wedding.

"Jane, may I borrow a few minutes of your time? There is something I wanna tell you," Mr. Hiroshi softly requested Jane's presence.

"Of course, Pa! I always have time for you. Where do you want to talk?" Jane immediately agreed. She could sense that her father had a serious matter to discuss with her.

"In my study," he replied.

The father and daughter made their way to the second floor, heading toward the study room. Hanabi caught sight of them. She felt uneasy because she knew that Cherry hadn't disclosed the information to Jane yet. The two friends hadn't met each other because Jane spent the night with the Sparks.

'Sigh. I hope everything will be fine. I don't know if Sis Jane will obey her father. I hope they won't argue because of Nathan Sparks,' Hanabi silently prayed in her mind.

When they entered the room, Mr. Hiroshi invited Jane to sit beside him on the long sofa. Jane nodded at him with a smile as she complied with his invitation. The two settled down inside. That's when Mr. Hiroshi began to speak.

"My daughter, there's something important I need to ask of you. Can you fulfill my request?" Mr. Hiroshi's tone was earnest and serious.

Jane regarded him with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Of course, Pa. You know you can always tell me anything. What is it?" She waited attentively for his request, eager to understand the matter at hand.

"I have to return to Country J tomorrow to attend to some clan- related affairs. Can you come with me?" Mr. Hiroshi disclosed his intention, careful to keep his true motive concealed. Hanabi's warning echoed in his thoughts, making him apprehensive that Jane might refuse if he revealed the arranged marriage with Tatsumi.

"Oh, sure, Pa. I'll accompany you tomorrow," Jane agreed readily, sensing there might be more to her father's request. "Is there something else bothering you?" she inquired, noting a hint of unease in his demeanor.

"Nothing at all, dear. But I'm grateful for your willingness. Thank you for agreeing to come along. It's a long-awaited opportunity for me to take you to my home country and introduce you to the entire clan. Unfortunately, I can't bring Abigail this time, as she's occupied with the wedding preparations," Mr. Hiroshi said, attempting to maintain a composed and natural demeanor despite his concealed intentions.

"Don't mention it, Pa. It's my responsibility as your daughter to support you. Never hesitate to ask for my help, alright?" Jane reassured her father, emphasizing her readiness to assist him whenever needed.

"Can you give me a hug?" Mr. Hiroshi made another solemn request. Deep inside, he harbored a lingering ache, aware of the hardships his daughter had endured in the past. He carried a burden of guilt, reproaching himself for not being present when she needed him the most.

Unaware of the emotional turmoil brewing within her father, Jane leaned in, enveloping him in a warm embrace. She gently patted his back, offering solace and comfort. The sensation of being hugged by her father in this manner felt surreal, evoking a mixture of emotions within her.

'I'm sorry, Jane. I have to do this for your sake. You might hate me for it, but I can't let you be with the man who nearly killed you in the past. He's even responsible for the deaths of your comrades. I can't fathom the trauma you've endured because of that: Mr. Hiroshi acknowledged his selfishness as her father. But he only wanted the best for his daughter. He still thought of Nathan as unworthy of Jane's love. bender

"My dear... do you trust me?" Mr. Hiroshi inquired once more, seeking reassurance from his daughter.

"Of course, Pa. I trust you... because you are my father. And I know you are a good person. I can feel that. You care about my sister and me so much," Jane responded confidently.

"Will you try to understand me if I make a difficult request from you?" He continued to assess Jane's feelings.

"Pa, is there something else on your mind? I sense that something is bothering you," Jane questioned, her suspicion piqued by her father's unusual behavior and the probing questions he'd been asking today.

"I promise... I'll tell you tomorrow in Country J." Mr. Hiroshi made a promise.

"Hmm. Okay. I'll try to suppress my curiosity." Jane jokingly said as she let out a soft giggle.

"Will you be staying home all day?" Mr. Hiroshi asked, making sure that his daughter won't meet Nathan.

"No, Pa. later... I have to go somewhere," she responded to her father. She received a message from Nathan, informing her that Veronica had been captured. She intended to meet her again and teach her another lesson.

"Are you going to the Sparks again?" Mr. Hiroshi tried his best to hide the displeasure in his tone.

"No. I'm going to meet a 'friend' of mine," Jane replied, a sly smile forming in the corner of her lips. She couldn't wait to see Veronica. She had a score to settle with that woman.

Little did she know, her father was also planning to meet Nathan today for a confrontation.

*****

[One hour later... at SYP Twilight Corporation...]

Nathan had just concluded a company meeting when his secretary approached him with an urgent message.

"Sir, Mr. Hiroshi is here to see you. He's been waiting inside your office," the secretary informed him promptly.

Nathan's expression turned into a frown upon hearing this news.

"Why didn't you inform me earlier? I should have wrapped up the meeting sooner," he responded with a tinge of frustration, realizing the importance of Mr. Hiroshi's unexpected visit and wishing he had been made aware of it earlier.

The secretary could only apologize for her negligence.