Aaron had his own private penthouse in the heart of Tokyo, on the 26th floor. He was lounging on his round beige sofa, one leg bent.
Still in his bathrobe, he stared outside, one hand propping up his chin as his head tilted slightly to the side.
Ken, standing behind him, swallowed hard and clenched his hands.
"Any new information about Karen?" Aaron asked casually.
Ken shut his eyes and shook his head faintly. "None."
Aaron remained silent for a long while before asking again.
"Did you tell Tokio that I want to meet her?"
"Yes. I told her, and she'll come tonight," Ken answered nervously.
Aaron gave a small scoff, smiling with satisfaction before standing up and walking to the balcony. His hands rested on the railing while his body leaned forward.
It was already the third day since his investigation, and still there were no signs or new leads about Karen. There was no way Tokio would lie to him. That woman knew exactly what it would cost to deceive Aaron.
Her business ruined, bankrupt—or even her own life in danger. Aaron never hesitated in doing what needed to be done. Even if he and Tokio were friends, he would still destroy her if she ever betrayed him.
Tokio knew that, which meant she wouldn't dare risk her nightclub just to defy Aaron. That left only one possibility: Karen wasn't really Karen Leichster.
The girl might be using another name. But why? Aaron didn't know yet. His gaze lingered on the busy streets below, people hurrying to work.
"Is she an ex-con? Did you check?" Aaron asked quietly.
Ken stepped closer and nodded again. "I searched for that name in every prison, even among the visitor lists—nothing."
Aaron tilted his head slightly, fingers interlaced. "And IDs? What about fake IDs for illegal immigrants?"
"We're still looking."
"Contact Inspector Yaro. Tell him I'll meet him this afternoon."
Ken nodded. He always managed Aaron's meetings—with officials, politicians, or even criminals and drug lords.
Behind Aaron's luxury, there was a darker side few knew. Even his secretary didn't realize her boss had deep ties to the underworld.
Aaron turned quickly, his sharp eyes fixed on Ken as he considered something. "I want you to have someone keep an eye on Karen from now on."
Ken's eyes widened. "What?"
"You heard me. Hire a detective. It'll be faster."
Ken frowned, confused, not understanding Aaron's way of thinking. "Then why involve Tokio and Inspector Yaro?"
Aaron gave him a mocking smile. "How long have you worked for me?"
"Five years," Ken answered firmly.
"And you still don't know who I am, Ken?" Aaron asked softly, his calmness terrifying. He smirked, one corner of his lips curling. "I need Tokio, so Karen can be monitored. She must not be touched by any other man. And as for Yaro, he's just a backup."
"A backup plan?"
"You could call it that. If I can't have Karen, I'll see her locked in prison. Only I will be able to free her. And she'll beg me to let her go."
Ken swallowed hard in horror. Since when had Aaron become this manipulative? He couldn't remember the last time Aaron had smiled genuinely. He even began doubting his own memory.
"Do you… really have to go that far?"
"Have I ever let go of a target, Ken?" Aaron asked back.
"No. Never."
"Good. Don't ask too many questions. You're starting to bore me."
***
Karen shut her eyes as she sat in the train. Her hands rested at top her bag on her lap. Her head leaned against the pole beside her. She hadn't slept well last night. This morning, her hand ached every time she moved it. The doctor had told her not to remove the bandage, or the condition would worsen.
When she returned home, the head of the orphanage had asked about her injury, leaving her dizzy. She only answered briefly before hiding under her blanket, waking at 3 a.m. Unable to fall back asleep.
She knew her eyes now bore dark circles, which she welcomed—but the side effect was the pounding headache that lasted all day.
Karen was sleep-deprived and undernourished. Their benefactor had stopped giving funds once they heard the government planned to demolish the old building. With no donations, food rations were cut.
Karen and the older orphans had to endure hunger so the younger children could eat. This morning, she only had something to drink. Luckily, Tokio allowed her employees to eat at her place.
For now, Karen had to endure hunger. It was almost amusing—she had been used to it since childhood, her body long trained to resist food.
She opened her eyes as the train reached her stop. Rising, she approached the door and stepped out once it opened automatically.
She tapped her card, waited for the gate to beep, and exited. Rain greeted her as she looked up at the sky. Unzipping her bag, she pulled out a small transparent umbrella and held it in her left hand before walking out of the station. Japan's weather bureau was usually accurate, up to 90%.
But since there was only one TV at the orphanage—located in the playroom, often tuned to children's shows—Karen rarely knew the forecast. That was why she always carried an umbrella.
She was nearly at Tokio's bar when she noticed a black car parked by the roadside. As she walked past, the rear window lowered.
"Hey," a man's voice called from inside.
She turned, meeting the gaze of a bespectacled man. He wore a white shirt with the top two buttons undone and a black blazer. His hand rested against his chin.
"You calling me?" Karen asked flatly.
The man smiled in disbelief and nodded. "You don't remember who I am?"
"Am I supposed to?"
He removed his glasses, his dark eyes glinting. "I'm the man who saved you at the bar."
Karen only exhaled softly. "And?" she asked disinterestedly.
"So you do remember me," he replied casually.
"Done? I'm leaving."
"I didn't say I was finished," he warned gently, his smile deadly.
Karen frowned slightly. "I have to work."
"Of course. But I want you to get in my car. Now."
"I refuse," Karen said firmly.
Aaron's lips curved. "That's the answer I wanted to hear. Playing with an expensive girl is always better than with a cheap one."
Karen's eyes narrowed at his mocking tone.
"Get in my car. Now," he ordered.
"I refuse. And just so you know, you didn't save me back then."
"I stopped that man from buying you."
"I protected myself. Goodbye."
Aaron narrowed his eyes, slipping his glasses back on as Karen walked away. Within seconds, his driver got out, approaching her from behind and covering her mouth.
Karen dropped her umbrella, growling as she struck his arms. Then she heard the car door open before being forced inside. The bespectacled man sat calmly, knees bent forward, while Aaron's driver shoved Karen inside and shut the door.
Karen hissed, reaching for the handle, only to be yanked back roughly. The driver locked the doors before letting go. Karen glared at him with hatred.
Aaron turned to her with an innocent face as the car pulled away.
Karen scooted as far as she could toward the window, arms crossed, teeth gritted. The pain in her injured hand worsened, but this man never cared.
Aaron spoke first as the car stopped at a red light. "My name is Aaron Tokugawa."
Karen kept her gaze outside.
"So your name is Karen."
No reply.
"Do you expect me to apologize? For taking you without permission?"
Karen stayed silent. Aaron smirked, removing his glasses to study her profile. "Look at me when I'm talking to you, Karen."
When she didn't respond, Aaron grabbed her face, forcing it toward him. His grip was strong, tilting her chin up. Karen's eyes blazed though her face betrayed no emotion. Aaron's brows furrowed deeply. "Do you know how hard it is to find information about you, Karen? I even wondered if your name was fake."
"Think what you like." At this point, Karen felt nausea.
"Is your name really Karen Leichster?"
"What's it to you?"
Aaron's cold smile grew as he leaned closer, Karen still meeting his stare. "Careful. You don't want me to force you again, do you?" he whispered.
Karen shoved his hand away with her bandaged arm. "Don't touch me."
Aaron raised an eyebrow at her injured hand. "You're hurt?"
Finally the question. "Are you blind?"
"Seems minor," he dismissed. He leaned back, resting his hands on his knees, while Karen chose silence.
This man was strange, insane. What did he want from her?
"Do you like working at that bar?"
"None of your business."
Aaron chuckled, nodding. "That means yes. Good. Stay there."
"Are you done talking?"
The car stopped again. Karen frowned as she realized they'd returned to the same spot she'd been taken. Her umbrella still lay on the pavement.
"What's the meaning of this?" she asked, confused.
"I just wanted to talk," Aaron replied.
"By kidnapping me," she added.
His gaze hardened. "Don't joke. I asked you politely. You preferred the rough way."
Karen stayed silent for a long while before nodding flatly. "Fine. Done? Then I'll go."
"Of course."
The driver exited, picked up her umbrella, and opened the door. Karen stepped out without looking back, snatching her umbrella harshly before storming off.
Aaron exhaled sharply, smiling wide as he watched her leave. In the distance, a man in a purple suit followed her—his hired detective. Aaron had deliberately waited there after meeting Tokio the night before.