"On behalf of my client, I would like to say that it has been a pleasure working with you, Fumino."
In the chairwoman's office of the Yukinoshita family enterprise, Eri stood up and put away the thick stack of contract documents in her hands.
Wearing the confident smile of a successful woman, she extended her hand to Fumino.
The contract signing had gone smoothly. Toru had already transferred the two billion yen in advance as promised, so Fumino naturally could not default on the debt.
Moreover, she had already paid part of the interest long ago. Given Toru's status and the influence of the Fujiwara family, the consequences of defaulting would certainly not be pleasant.
After asking the company's legal department to carefully review the contract and confirm that there were no issues, Fumino readily signed her name and stamped it with the company's official seal.
"It was a pleasure working with you."
Fumino stood up and shook Eri's hand, though her smile looked somewhat forced.
Had this cooperation been pleasant?
It had indeed been quite pleasant. In only one day, she had secured an interest-free loan of two billion yen. Countless people within the company and the Yukinoshita family would likely admire her for it.
But only Fumino knew that the loan was not truly interest-free. It was simply that the interest she had paid was something outsiders could never know about.
Fumino thought for a moment and asked, "Kisaki-san, do you have time for lunch? How about we have a meal together?"
"As the queen of Japan's legal world, your reputation precedes you. I've always wanted to meet you, but I never had the opportunity. I didn't expect Kisaki-san to be Fujiwara-san's personal lawyer."
Professions such as lawyers and doctors held considerable status in Japan. Leaving doctors aside, lawyers, especially top lawyers with their own firms, possessed a great deal of influence.
Such lawyers had many clients and frequently interacted with people from all levels of society. Whether they were prominent political figures or major names in the financial world, they would inevitably have dealings with them to some extent.
As a capable family head and company chairwoman, Fumino naturally would not miss the opportunity to become acquainted with Eri now that she had the chance.
Whether it meant being able to ask Eri to handle difficult lawsuits in the future or using her connections to meet more influential figures, there were only benefits and no drawbacks.
Eri's eyes flickered as she chuckled softly. "Since Yukinoshita-san has invited me, I have no reason to refuse."
Being a lawyer was not only about ability. After all, the law was fixed, and no one dared claim they could win every case.
The greatest strength of a top lawyer lay in their social circle and connections. The Yukinoshita family was a long-established family in Chiba Prefecture, so Eri was naturally willing to do something that could expand her network.
The two women immediately found common ground.
Both were in their thirties, with mature temperaments and abundant charm. Together, they went to a local restaurant in Chiba Prefecture.
"Although this restaurant doesn't have a Michelin star, the food is excellent. I always think of this place whenever I'm entertaining someone. I hope it suits your taste, Kisaki-san."
At the restaurant, Fumino smiled and greeted the head chef, chatting with him for several minutes.
It was clear that Fumino had not been lying. This was a restaurant she visited often, not somewhere she had chosen at random.
"Kisaki-san, you have a daughter in high school?"
"Yes, but I'm divorced now, and my daughter lives with her father."
"With Kisaki-san's qualities, it shouldn't be difficult for you to find whatever kind of man you want."
"I'm not interested in getting married right now. Living alone is quite nice too."
As Eri said this, Toru's figure involuntarily flashed through her mind.
A woman in her thirties was at the age when her physical and emotional needs were most pronounced, and Toru could fully satisfy her in that regard.
She was no longer young, while Toru was still a handsome and capable young man in his early twenties. In Eri's eyes, she was actually the one benefiting from their relationship.
More importantly, Toru was also good at providing her with emotional comfort and satisfying her emotional needs. This made Eri feel even more strongly that she did not need to look for another man. Toru alone was enough. A young lover like him was not easy to find.
"Actually, my husband and I lost our feelings for each other a long time ago. We're only maintaining the marriage for the sake of the family."
"I have two daughters. My younger daughter is the same age as Kisaki-san's daughter. They're both in high school."
Fumino was skilled at socializing. She quickly struck up a lively conversation with Eri through topics such as marriage and their daughters.
Eri had also intended to befriend Fumino, so the two naturally had a pleasant conversation.
"Fumino, your eldest daughter got into Tokyo University? That's impressive. My Ran's grades are only average. I'd be satisfied if she could get into a decent university. I wouldn't dare hope for Tokyo University."
Eri sighed. She had long since lost her feelings for Kogoro, but she genuinely cherished her daughter, Ran.
When Haruno was mentioned, Fumino smiled, a hint of pride appearing in her expression. "Haruno also worked extremely hard to get into Tokyo University. Even now, thinking about how intensely she studied back then still makes my heart ache."
"But girls don't need to work themselves so hard. Finding a good husband in the future is more important than anything else."
Fumino herself had a strong personality. She hoped Haruno could become like her and devote everything to the family. Even if Haruno married, her husband would have to marry into the Yukinoshita family.
However, from their brief conversation, Fumino discovered that although Eri was also a strong woman, her approach to raising her child was completely different from her own.
Eri did not care whether Ran could become independent and successful. She only hoped that her daughter would remain safe and happy and marry into a good family in the future.
In this respect, their parenting philosophies were complete opposites.
Naturally, Fumino would not try to impose her own beliefs. Instead, she complimented Eri and kept the conversation flowing.
As the two continued chatting, the topic inadvertently shifted to Toru.
"Kisaki-san, how did you meet Fujiwara-san?"
"Fujiwara-kun wanted to buy a house, and the matters surrounding that property happened to be rather complicated, so he came to me for help. That's how we met. How did Yukinoshita-san meet Fujiwara-kun?"
"My eldest daughter and Fujiwara-san are classmates. I met him through her."
"Indeed, the social circle at Tokyo University is different from that of ordinary schools. You can always meet people there who are already famous in Japan or will become famous in the future."
Both women chose their words very carefully.
In reality, however, both Fumino and Eri suspected that the other might have some kind of relationship with Toru.
After all, both of them had slept with him.
However, they each found the possibility difficult to believe.
In each other's eyes, they were both highly self-controlled, strong, and successful women. Their private lives should have been relatively conservative and proper.
Even after probing for a long time, neither of them managed to uncover anything.
In some respects, their personalities were similar, which led them to develop a certain degree of mutual appreciation.
The two women agreed to have dinner and drinks together again when they had the chance. Afterward, they said goodbye and went their separate ways.
However, both of them shared the same thought.
They planned to find Toru and subtly ask him about his relationship with the other woman.
(To be continued.)