Runcandel Mansion – Evening
Keith sat quietly in the study, a book on financial strategy open before him.
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
Kurosaki Family Invitation
Engagement Celebration
Keith read it once.
Then twice.
His expression didn't change.
"…So that's how it is," he murmured.
There was no anger.
No pain.
No bitterness.
Only clarity.
He typed a short reply.
Keith:
I will come.
He placed the phone face down and returned to his book as if nothing had happened.
From the doorway, Vermouth—still disguised—watched him closely.
He didn't flinch, she thought.
Not even for a second.
Her lips curved faintly.
They truly have no idea who they invited.
Suzuki Mansion – Night
The atmosphere in Tomoko Suzuki's office turned icy the moment the message arrived.
Her assistant stood stiffly.
"…Madam, the Kurosaki and Amamiya families will be announcing their engagement publicly."
Tomoko closed the file in her hands slowly.
"…I see."
Her fingers tightened.
So they're celebrating.
She remembered Sonoko's angry face.
Keith collapsing.
Those sapphire-blue eyes.
Her gaze sharpened.
"How careless," she said coolly.
Inside, fury burned.
They hurt him… and now they want applause?
Tomoko leaned back, crossing her legs.
"Prepare the guest list," she ordered.
"I want to know exactly who attends."
She smiled thinly.
"Let's see who chooses the wrong side."
Amamiya Group – The Same Night
Chaos.
Executives shouted over one another as numbers flashed red across the screen.
"Our stock dropped another 8% today!"
"Three banks froze our credit lines!"
"We've lost two overseas partners!"
Kazuto's father slammed his fist on the table.
"This doesn't make sense!"
Then an advisor spoke carefully.
"The engagement announcement… it's generating attention. Investors may regain confidence."
Silence fell.
Kazuto nodded eagerly.
"Yes. Once the engagement is public, everything will stabilize."
Hope—thin and desperate—filled the room.
The Amamiya patriarch exhaled slowly.
"…Good. Then we proceed as planned."
He looked at the falling numbers again.
"After the engagement, we'll recover. Twice over."
No one noticed—
That every major player watching the market had already made their decision.
The engagement wouldn't save them.
It would expose them.
Runcandel Mansion – Late Night
Keith closed his book.
The future was clear.
"They think this is a stage to humiliate me," he thought calmly.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"…Then I'll attend."
Not as a victim.
But as the beginning of the end.