Chapter 154 | Imoko, Mentally Beaten and Disowned

Reading Settings

Imoko was in the president’s office of Takanawa Publishing.

Watching their father apologize to the mysterious old man, Kaida Kogen, they finally understood…they had done something terrible.

“Please, Kogen-sama! Pleeeeease! Pleeeeease! Don't destroy my company!”

Their father was desperately trying to save the company.

Was it really that important to him?

“Hey! You too! Bow your head!”

Their father roughly grabbed Imoko’s head and slammed it against the floor.

It hurt….

Kogen watched, sighing in exasperation.

“Do you think I’ll be appeased by a third-rate apology? You underestimate me.”

“Eep! I would never!”

Their father was completely terrified.

This old man…he held immense power.

Imoko looked at Kaida Kogen again.

The white-haired man possessed an aura of dominance that belied his age.

His angry gaze was sharp, intimidating enough to make anyone shrink back.

“I’m not asking for an apology. My decision remains unchanged.”

“But! Please! Please don't destroy the company! Please!”

“Hmm…”

Kogen took a small breath.

“Well, my dear grandchild’s book is published by this company. I suppose I can spare it for now.”

“Oh! R-Really…?!”

“Indeed…but there won't be a next time. If this happens again, I will crush this place. Keep that in mind.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

What era was this…?

Well, whatever the case, it seemed their father had succeeded in saving the company.

Imoko breathed a sigh of relief.

“Why do you look so relieved?”

“Huh…?”

“Do you really think this is over? Do you think you can hurt my precious grandchild and his  future spouse and get away with just this, Imoko Nakatsugawa?”

“W-W-What…?”

Why?

This was terrifying…

“D-Didn't you already forgive us?”

“You fool! How dare you speak to me like that!”

Her  father slapped Imoko hard across the cheek. They collapsed to the floor, and he ground his head against the carpet.

“Kogen-sama! I apologize! My child spoke out of turn! But this was their mistake! It has nothing to do with me! So, please spare the company!”

“D-Dad…?”

Imoko was shocked that their father prioritized the company over them.

Shouldn’t a parent protect their child in a situation like this?

“Such callous treatment of your own offspring. Well, if they’re a b*****d, I suppose it’s to be expected.”

“Huh!? W-Wait…a b*****d…?”

“What? You didn't know?”

Kogen said casually.

“Imoko Nakatsugawa. You are the child your father had with a woman other than his wife.”

“What…? What?! W-What?! I-I've never heard that! Dad! You're lying, right?! You're lying!”

But their father remained silent, offering no answer.

No way….

“I'm not your real child…? Dad…answer me! Please! Is that why you treat me like this?! Please!”

Their father didn't answer. It must be true.

No way….

Being confronted with this truth was a heavy blow.

They felt betrayed by the father they had always trusted….

“Well, that’s none of my concern. The issue is your child's punishment. Now, what shall we do? Confiscating your home and destroying your company are punishments for you, Imoko's father. Though I have spared the company for now…”

That meant Imoko's punishment was still pending.

“Considering what your child has done, perhaps destroying the company is still the appropriate course of action.”

“Please don't do that!”

Her father desperately bowed his head.

“My company is my castle! It's more precious than anything!”

“Dad…”

That was the same as saying the company was more important than them.

It hurt to be treated so lightly….

Confronted with a painful truth and treated cruelly by their father…

…Why did they have to go through this?

“Are you wondering why this is happening to you?”

“Gah…!”

Kogen spoke as if reading Imoko's mind.

“I can see through people, you know. Especially someone like you.”

“Th-That's…that's right…why? I…I just dumped them! Why…why does something so trivial…warrant this?!”

Tears streamed down their face.

Having their cherished home taken and being treated like this by their father, how could they feel anything but awful?

“Trivial? Hmm, I see…it seems a harsher punishment is necessary. Perhaps the company…”

Just then…

“You! Shut up!!!”

Her father roared, grabbing Imoko by the collar and punching them. He stomped on her head repeatedly as she fell.

“It hurts! It hurts, Dad! Stop!”

“Shut up! You're disowned!”

…What?

“D-Disowned…?”

“Exactly! I'm expelling you from the Nakatsugawa family!”

…What nonsense?

Expelled…?

“Ha…haha…what's that…a joke, right, Dad?”

This wasn't some fantasy novel. Expulsion…in modern-day Japan…?

“This fool and I have no relation! So please! Please spare my company! Please, please!”

…He was serious.

It seemed their father was willing to sacrifice them to protect the company.

“Your child is more important than the company!”

“Shut up, you fool! You're not my child! Get out of my sight!”

“No!”

It seemed their father truly intended to cast them out.

“How am I supposed to live?! I can't live without you! Please! Help me, Dad! Dad!”

But their father wouldn't look at them, instead offering Kogen a fawning smile.

“How is that, Kogen-sama? Does that appease you even a little?”

“Hmm…I suppose so. Expulsion from the family, huh? It does make me feel slightly better.”

“See? So, about the company…”

“Very well. The destruction of your company is temporarily on hold.”

“Thank you!”

Their father…truly didn't care about them at all.

“No…no…! Dad…! Don't kick me out…!”

Imoko cried and clung to him, but he wouldn't even look at them.

“Now then, Kogen-sama! Do whatever you want with this fool! Sell them overseas, force her into the nightlife industry, anything you like!”

“Hmm…now what shall I do?”

Overseas?! The nightlife industry?!

No way….

“No…! No!”

Terrified, Imoko fled.

“Ah! Kogen-sama, what should we do? Should I go after her?”

“Leave her, Saburo.”

“Yes, sir.”

Imoko left Takanawa Publishing, sobbing.

“Why, why?! Why is this happening to me?!”

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