The Woman I Was Flirting With Turned Out To Be A Chaebol Heiress - Chapter 32

“Mother, is there something you need from me?”

At the very top of the most eye catching skyscraper in the Steel Forest sat the office of the head of the Saionji Conglomerate.

The room was vast so spacious it felt almost empty. At the circular office desk, Lady Kiriko sat with her back turned to Jiang Ji, her figure mostly obscured by the high-backed swivel chair. Only the elegant, curled strands of her carefully maintained hair could be seen.

“I haven’t seen the account books for Midnight Paradise from the past three months.”

Kiriko turned around, tapping the desk twice with her fingers. Her well manicured nails shimmered with a light pink gloss under the lighting.

Even though she only mentioned the account books, Jiang Ji felt a strange pressure building in her chest.

Even after spending so long by this woman’s side, Jiang Ji still couldn’t let her guard down. Kiriko was not someone easily deceived. Jiang Ji took a moment to compose herself before speaking.

“You already know, don’t you? There was a small incident at the club recently. Some information in the books had to be revised, so things got delayed… but it’s nothing major. I’ll have someone deliver the books in a few days.”

The so-called “small incident” had, of course, been caused by Dai leaving loose ends during a mission leading to a chain reaction. Jiang Ji wasn’t directly involved in the event; she’d only stepped in to clean up the aftermath after informing Kiriko.

These kinds of tricky situations couldn’t show only Jiang Ji’s fingerprints. The waters here were too deep one careless move and she’d be doomed.

This was… professional self-preservation, perhaps?

“Jiang, you’ve never called me Mama, have you?”

…What?

How did the topic shift so suddenly?

Jiang Ji’s mind spun for a moment. She looked down and replied, “You’re my elder and the head of the conglomerate. Using formal address is more appropriate.”

Though both she and Dai were adopted daughters of Kiriko, Jiang Ji had always kept a respectful distance, calling her “Okaasama” (honorific mother), while Dai would affectionately call her “Mama” with playful intimacy.

The truth was, Jiang Ji had never seen herself as anything more than an outsider.

As for Kiriko, to her, everyone was a pawn to be used. The title of “daughter” merely meant a more useful and prettier chess piece.

Pawns were meant to be sacrificed.

Dai thought she was clever, yet she always failed to see that truth.

Both of them knew this deep down. So why was Kiriko bringing it up now, of all times?

After hearing Jiang Ji’s flawless response, Kiriko let out a soft sigh and looked into the distance, a bit wistful.

“You’re always like this so distant from everyone. And yet, we’ve lived together for almost ten years now.”

Jiang Ji had no interest in reminiscing. There wasn’t anything worth remembering anyway. Besides, it was almost time to pick up Li Nianyi and bring her home.

“The only people who’ve witnessed my journey are Ozawa and… you. These years, I personally nurtured your growth. You’ve matured so quickly, Jiang. I believe we’re not just family we’re eternal allies. Don’t you think?”

Now Jiang Ji understood the true meaning behind Kiriko’s words.

She was being warned.

Jiang Ji knew far too much. If she even hinted at trying to escape Kiriko’s control, she would be eliminated. The former chairman of the association who was found beheaded was a living example.

She’d already anticipated this when she accepted Li Nianyi’s confession. She knew that loving someone would one day put her on a collision course with Kiriko. Still, she couldn’t stop herself as her reason drowned slowly in the throes of emotion.

The ideal outcome? Escape this gilded cage and return home with Li Nianyi far from Kiriko’s reach.

But she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon Kiriko’s instincts had picked up on her thoughts already.

Taking a quiet breath, Jiang Ji met Kiriko’s eyes. “Whether family or ally, we already are, Mother.”

No matter what, she had to first calm this dangerous woman.

Kiriko smiled, seemingly satisfied. Even the fine lines around her eyes seemed gentler.

“You always know just the right thing to say to please me.”

Then, her tone shifted again, pulling the conversation into yet another direction. Jiang Ji found engaging with her exhausting.

“I heard you’ve gotten quite close to Dai’s tutor lately. What’s this? Even our cold and distant Jiang has found love?”

Of course she knew about that.

But Jiang Ji had never planned to hide it anyway. Better to be open it aroused less suspicion.

“That must’ve come from Dai… though she didn’t get it quite right. We’re actually dating now.”

Jiang Ji’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Kiriko raised an eyebrow, her gaze turning curious and layered.

“No need to be nervous. I’m not some traditional, old fashioned parent. You kids can handle your love lives yourselves. That girl’s not bad. Reminds me of you…”

Her voice paused, and then

“…though she’s not very lucky, is she? Always getting caught up in messy situations. Like that ‘small incident’ you mentioned I believe she was there too.”

Jiang Ji’s heart sank.

“She just happened to be at the scene. It had nothing to do with her,” Jiang Ji replied evenly, trying to keep her tone steady.

“Oh…”

Kiriko dragged out the word with a playful lilt.

“No involvement, huh? But why do I hear she’s rather close to the young officer who was handling the case?”

Under the table, Jiang Ji unconsciously clenched her fists. Kiriko wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that she was investigating Li Nianyi.

“Mother, those people aren’t capable of causing much trouble. There’s no need to concern yourself.”

“You understand what I’m saying, Jiang. If you really care about her, protect her. Keep her out of these messy affairs.”

Kiriko laced her fingers together. Her gaze was calm but sharp as ever.

“Young people should enjoy love and life. Jiang, you lack for nothing now money, power, status I’ve given you everything. Isn’t it better to just maintain the current situation?”

Jiang Ji could only force herself to nod stiffly.

“Kiomoto, what the hell is going on? Why did you tell me to stay away from Jiang Ji?”

Li Nianyi burst into the café, her steps hurried. Same familiar spot Kiomoto Aoi was already waiting there.

She’d almost asked “What right do you have?” but had managed to hold it in.

Yanking out a chair, she sat down and placed her phone on the table. The screen was lit, showing their chat. The messages were vague and disjointed any outsider would have no idea what they were talking about.

“I kept asking on the phone, and you just kept dodging the question.”

“I know you’re anxious, but this isn’t something I can explain in one or two sentences.”

Kiomoto pushed a drink toward her, signaling for her to calm down first.

“How can I not be anxious? It’s not like I’m short on complicated issues right now. One more won’t make a difference. So if you have something to say, just say it.”

To be honest, Kiomoto’s out of the blue warning had unsettled her. Jiang Ji was her girlfriend of course she didn’t want to hear anyone talking badly about her. Especially not without evidence.

If someone wanted to interfere in her relationship, they better give a good reason.

“Can I ask… What exactly is your relationship with Miss Jiang?”

“We’re dating. She’s my girlfriend.” Li Nianyi answered without hesitation.

Kiomoto pressed her lips together, looking a bit troubled. She pulled a photo from her wallet and laid it in front of Li Nianyi.

Li Nianyi immediately recognized it. She’d seen it online before while researching Jiang Ji a photo of her attending a funeral.

But this version was much clearer than the one on the internet. She could clearly see the cold, emotionless expression on Jiang Ji’s delicate face.

“Where did you get this?”

Li Nianyi held the photo by the corner, pinching it tightly her nails even turned white.

“Miss Li, do you really know your girlfriend?”

Kiomoto asked, not answering the question directly.

“I thought she looked familiar when I saw her at the case reenactment. Later, during our investigation of Midnight Paradise, I finally remembered we’ve crossed paths before.”

At that moment, Li Nianyi went strangely silent. Her eyes locked on the photo. She didn’t speak, but Kiomoto knew she was listening.

“About six or seven years ago, I was just a rookie assistant, assigned to a case involving the former chairman of the Saionji Conglomerate.

I wasn’t part of the core team, so I didn’t know much about the case. All I knew was that the detective in charge swore it was a homicide but in the end, nothing ever came of it. That detective’s not even in law enforcement anymore.

Later, we were invited to the chairman’s funeral. That’s where I saw Miss Jiang. She’s the adopted daughter of the Saionji family. Even though she’s not a blood relative, she has real power.”

“I know that already. Kiomoto, that’s not a good enough reason.”

“But Miss Li… did you know that the largest underground casino in Tokyo the real boss behind it is her?”

Kiomoto’s finger tapped Jiang Ji’s face in the photo. Li Nianyi’s heart thumped heavily.

“Do you have any solid proof?”

Kiomoto produced another photo: “I hired a private investigator who went undercover as a gambler. It took almost two weeks of surveillance to get this shot.”

Li Nianyi’s pupils contracted.

The photo showed a woman stepping out of a car, wearing a pale moon-colored suit. Among the sea of black-clad bodyguards, she stood out but carried a natural aura of authority.

The angle was from behind and slightly to the side, showing only part of her face. Still, Li Nianyi recognized her instantly it was Jiang Ji.

“Miss Li, she’s dangerous. Based on what I’ve found so far, Suzuki’s case is linked to her… and the powerful Saionji Conglomerate behind her.

I only told you to stay away because I’m worried about your safety.”