"Suspicion"

August 2nd, 2025

At Ruth's villa - 2:20 AM

The grand villa was cloaked in quiet opulence. Rain tapped gently against the wide glass windows, and the scent of burning sandalwood filled the spacious living room.

Ruth, now clad in a silk robe, descended the staircase with calculated elegance. Her long black hair trailed behind her like a veil of shadows. Her bare feet made no sound against the marble floors.

Waiting in the living room were three men. Her father-in-law, Lionel Kawasaki, sat comfortably on a leather armchair, flanked by two old gentlemen.

They were sharp-looking men with polished shoes and long overcoats, their eyes full of secrets and judgment. The air was thick with tension.

Ruth tilted her head slightly, offering a serene, practiced smile. "I was already asleep, Father. What brings you here this late?"

Lionel didn't smile back. He studied her, eyes narrowing, as if he could see through her flawless mask.

"You were asleep?" he echoed. "Odd. Because one of my... 'associates' told me you were quite active tonight."

Ruth blinked slowly, feigning innocence. "Associates?"

"Yes," Lionel said, resting his hand on the head of his cane. "People who keep their ears open. People who tell me when someone from my family deals with...suspicious, dangerous clandestine people.

Ruth's heart clenched for a moment - but her face remained a mask of calm. She gracefully walked to the couch across from Lionel and sat down with poise. "I don't know what you're implying, but I left the estate last night due to a pressing emergency at the headquarters. You know how I handle the company's interests, don't you?"

Lionel leaned back. "Oh, I know how you handle things. Cold. Calculated. Deceitful."

Her lips curved upward slightly. "You wound me, Father."

"I'm not here to trade insults, Ruth," Lionel said, voice sharpened by steel. "I'm here to understand why I'm being told my daughter-in-law is executing people in Tokyo. A landlord, to be specific. Stabbed and murdered like a street dog. Was that part of company interests too?"

Ruth's smile faded, replaced with a controlled frown. "He was blackmailing one of our clients. He was threatening to expose sensitive information that would hurt our dealings in Osaka. I handled it."

A lie, a perfect lie.

"You handled it," Lionel repeated, scoffing. "You think this is some syndicate you run like a soap opera? You didn't consult me. You didn't consult the board. You acted alone."

"The board would have delayed. You would've lectured me. And in the meantime, our reputation would've burned," Ruth replied, voice calm but icy. "You should thank me."

One of the old men beside Lionel shifted uncomfortably. Ruth could feel their eyes on her like scalpels.

"And what about the tracker?" Lionel asked suddenly.

Ruth stiffened. "What tracker?"

"A former international and local ninja. He works for me, you know." Lionel said slowly.

Ruth looked him dead in the eyes. "That's none of your business."

"It becomes my business when my daughter-in-law is sneaking out at night and doing god knows what."

Her nails dug into the silk fabric of her robe. "As I said, Father. Everything I do is for the sake of our business and family. That's all."

Lionel tilted his head. "Yet I'm not convinced."

Ruth paused, too long. "You don't have to be convinced. Everything I do will -"

He stood, cutting off Ruth. "And you're lying."

"You have no proof."

"Don't need it. Yet."

They locked eyes, a war of wills. The older gentlemen remained still, listening, assessing. The fire crackled behind Lionel, casting shadows that made his face look even more severe.

"I've overlooked many things, Ruth," he said finally. "Your coldness. Your intelligence. Your ambition. Your.....suspicious activities. But if I ever find out you've crossed the line—cheating on my son, betraying this family—I will not hesitate to deal with you myself."

"You'd kill your own daughter-in-law?" Ruth asked softly.

He took a long breath. "To protect my name, I'd bury a thousand."

There was a long silence. Ruth's smile returned, but it was razor-thin.

"Of course, Father. I understand completely."

Lionel nodded to his associates. "Come. We're done here."

The three men rose and made their way toward the entrance. Lionel stopped and turned back one last time. "You've grown too used to being worshipped. But don't mistake fear for respect, Ruth."

Then he was gone.

Ruth stood there in silence. Her smile vanished. Her lips twisted with hate. "Old, nosy bastard," she whispered. "Keep poking your nose and you'll be next."

She clenched her fists, the silk of her robe wrinkling in her grip.

Behind her mask of elegance and power, Ruth was unraveling. And somewhere, in the dark corners of her mind, blood already stained her thoughts.