The Fallout Begins
The moment Ayaka stepped into the Tachibana Corporation's main office, she could feel the shift in the air.
Executives whispered in hushed voices. Employees exchanged knowing glances. Some dared to congratulate her, while others avoided eye contact entirely.
But none of that mattered.
She was here for one reason—to face her father.
As she pushed open the heavy mahogany doors to Daichi Tachibana's office, she found him sitting behind his expansive desk, fingers interlocked, eyes cold as steel.
"I see the news has spread."
Ayaka closed the door behind her. "You gave me no choice."
Her father's expression didn't change. "Did I?"
"You forced my hand," Ayaka said, stepping forward. "I found a solution on my terms. Isn't that what you raised me to do?"
Daichi leaned back, watching her in silence. "Your terms? Or did you let that man manipulate you into this farce?"
Her fists clenched at the accusation. "Ryo isn't manipulating me. He's helping me."
Daichi exhaled sharply. "Helping you? By tying himself to the Tachibana name? By securing power he would never have had otherwise?"
Ayaka met his gaze without hesitation. "You underestimate him, Father. He doesn't need us. He's already built an empire of his own."
Daichi's silence stretched between them like a taut wire.
Then, he smirked. "We'll see."
Ayaka narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Daichi said slowly, "that this engagement will be tested. And if it proves to be the game I believe it is, I will tear it apart."
The Media Frenzy
Across the city, in the sleek offices of Love Lab, Ryo leaned back in his chair, watching the chaos unfold on his phone.
News headlines flooded the internet.
"Tokyo's Most Eligible Bachelor Off the Market—Ryo Kazuki Engaged to Heiress Ayaka Tachibana!"
"Love Lab's Founder Caught in Power Play with Business Royalty."
"A Real Love Story or Just a Strategic Move?"
Ryo sighed. He had expected this.
But what he didn't expect was the number of private messages flooding his inbox.
Some from rival companies.
Some from old flames who suddenly wanted to 'catch up.'
And some… from people who weren't happy about this engagement at all.
His phone buzzed with an incoming call.
"Talk to me," he said, answering.
Aria's voice came through, sharp and amused. "Congrats on your engagement, lover boy. Now, do you want the good news or the bad news first?"
Ryo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just hit me with the bad."
"Your ex, Reina, just did an exclusive interview. She's claiming you're only getting engaged to Ayaka because you 'never knew how to love properly and are using marriage to fix your image.'"
Ryo scoffed. "That's rich, coming from someone who tried to marry a politician for the same reason."
"Oh, it gets better," Aria continued. "Your other ex, Yui, posted some cryptic nonsense about 'how people never change and some men will always be incapable of commitment.' And, well, let's just say the internet is eating it up."
Ryo exhaled, tapping his fingers on the desk. "And the good news?"
Aria snorted. "There is none. I just wanted to see how you'd react."
"Remind me to fire you."
"You won't."
Ryo sighed. "No, I won't."
A Late-Night Conversation
Ayaka called him that night.
"I assume you saw the news," she said the moment he picked up.
"I did."
She hesitated. "And?"
Ryo leaned against his couch, staring at the city skyline. "Nothing I wasn't expecting."
Ayaka exhaled. "My father's planning something. I can feel it."
"Let him," Ryo said. "He doesn't scare me."
A brief silence.
Then, softer, Ayaka asked, "And what about… Reina? Yui?"
Ryo frowned slightly. "Are you asking if there's anything left between us?"
"I'm asking if this is going to be a problem."
Ryo let out a low chuckle. "Do I hear jealousy in your voice, Tachibana?"
"I'm being practical."
He smirked. "Good. Because I don't care about them."
Another pause. Then, "Okay."
Ryo could hear the tension in her voice slowly ease.
For some reason, that made him smile.
The First Public Appearance
Days later, the engagement party was announced.
An event to formally introduce Tokyo's new power couple.
Ayaka and Ryo knew the truth.
This wasn't just a celebration.
It was a battlefield.
Enemies would be watching.
Doubters would be whispering.
And somewhere in the shadows, Daichi Tachibana was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
But Ryo Kazuki?
He wasn't planning to lose.
Not in business.
Not in reputation.
And definitely not in the game of love.
End of Chapter 8