52 Chapter 51: An unexpected guest

Spotting her husbands surprised face from, while he looks at his tablet, Ran wants to have a peek at what he is looking at. Just when was about to decide to either sneak a peak or simply ask Conan, the doorbell rings.

Seeing Emanuel being occupied in the kitchen, Ran decides to answer the door, seeing that the other woman is greedily devouring their desserts.

Exiting the dinner room and entering the long corridor connecting not only to the staircase, but also the kitchen, a second bathroom, library, the garden, and the entrance. Hearing the doorbell ring a second time, Ran is already pulling the front door open. For a moment, she is unable to recognize the blonde vixen that stands in front of her. Platinum blonde hair, a curvy athletic build, and a cold, calculative aura surround the woman.

After staring at the familiar face Ran recognizes her best friend in this cold vixen, that is the total opposite of the original Sonoko. Before the can say anything, her friend beats her to it. ''Hi, Ran!''

''Sonoko?...'' Asks a totally surprised Ran the woman that is obviously her best friend, obliged change friend, as they are already hugging. Feeling their hug turn into dangerous territory, Ran further asks. ''... Is that really you? What happened? Where have you gone?''

''I have started killing the man that did this to me one by one...'' Sonoko says as she let's go of her friend. ''... but I am not finished. I guess I will need your and Conan's help!''

''What every we can do, we will...'' States Ran, as she gestures her friend in. ''... Your hair looks good by the way.''

Having finished her breakfast Ai is surprised to see a very different looking Sonoko entering the dining room. Getting less of a crazy vibe than before from the girl, Ai is once again surprised of the girl's demeanor.

''I am not back to have another vote. I just need your help!'' Announces Sonoko shooting a very cold gaze right at Ai.

Dodging the direct eye contact with this crazy girl turns calculative femme fatale, Ai looks around the table, as she is able to make out very contradicting reactions from the other two women. Where Erin seems to have a warm, but reserved attitude showed on her face, dignified as a Queen, Sato has the opposite, as he seems cold and slightly angry seeing Sonoko.

Looking up from his table after calculating mentally the total cost for all woman about to be auctioned, Conan finds the merry atmosphere a minute ago fundamentally changed. Looking to the doorway, he can not believe the woman standing there to be real. Aside from her breasts that are on the smaller side, the woman is a war goddess. Wearing a floaty white/sky-blue dress, that not only perfectly hugs her curves, but also makes up for her lack of breasts by exposing her long slender legs.

Having heard the woman's initial speech, Conan has a brief flashback from to Sonokos 'Impregnation Session', remembering his lover's moans. Recognizing his lover in the woman, he asks a bit surprised. ''What do you want Sonoko?''

Seeing her lovers initially surprised that the dark face, Sonoko instantly knows that vanishing without a word was not her brightest idea. Allowing herself to feel emotions and letting them show, she feels ashamed and regrets her vanishing act. Wanting to apologize, she finds an invitation similar to the one she has gotten from Takeshi Sumitomos right next to Conan's cup.

Preventing herself from feeling betrayed Sonoko says, her mood returning to that of a frozen lake. ''Yeah, well I wanted your help with this...'' She says, taking out her own invitation, identical to his. ''... but I guess you already know more than I do!''

''What are these invitations all about?'' Asks Erin, the first to speak after Sonokos declaration.

Taking a sip from his cup, Conan empties it in one go, before saying. ''I think we need to talk about that in the library.''

Taking the invitation and his tablet with him, he leads all his lovers into the library. Pushing a button underneath a desk, a movie canvas slowly descends from the ceiling, while a projector starts humming.

While he does that, all five woman, including Sonoko sit down on the black leather sofas facing the canvas. Seeing all his woman together like that, Conan can't thank whoever or whatever allowed his transmigration or reincarnation enough.

Connecting his tablet to the beamer just below the ceiling, Conan first shows them his investment portfolio.

''As you can see I have bought large amounts of stocks from many different companies under the alias of Jacques Farussi...'' Starts Conan his presentation, before explaining further.

Curious Erin asks him. ''Why these companies?''

''Excellent question!...'' Conan comments before lying by stating. ''... I choose these companies specifically because not only are they very diverse in general, but also located in very different parts industries.''

-I can't tell them, that I now that these companies are the organization's companies without stating my source.-

Knowing that Conan is lying, but unable to prove or pinpoint the lie, Sonoko asks. ''That does not explain, why you got an invitation identical to the one I got from one of my targets?''

Already expecting that question from her, Conan smiles by asking. ''What was your targets name?''

Looking deep into his eyes Sonoko says. ''Takeshi Sumitomo''

''Wow. I am impressed. It was you who took out the young master and heir of the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group...'' States Conan truly surprised that it was her who did it. ''... Ah, here it is. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. I am currently owning 10% of it. Considering that 10% is already making me a major shareholder, is it that surprising that I get invitations such as these?'' Asks Conan showing everyone his invitation.

Seeing his invitation to have a link written below the standard invitation text, Sonoko asks. ''What does this link connect to and why does yours have it?''

Smiling Conan tells her. ''The link contains login information for an email account. I guess the original owner of yours already had one given to him by the host of the auction.''

Not really able to make sense of this elaborate invitation, Sato asks. ''I get that these are invitations for an auction out at sea, but what is to be auctioned?''

''Humans...'' Explains Conan, his face darkened. ''... To be a more specific woman!...'' He states, before switching to the digital auction router. Having just found the digital catalog at the bottom of the list, the profile of the first woman appears on screen, containing aside from the woman's medical profile and record two pictures, one most likely taken from her ID, the other a full frontal nude.

Hearing the shocked grasps of all his woman, Conan goes through the profiles, further explaining. ''... From what I can tell they are sold off like lie life stock to the highest bidder for whatever purpose the buyer wants them for...'' Stopping at his mothers, Yukiko Kudos, profile, he says. ''... And I want to attend this auction.''

Having read half a handful of familiar names and faces, Sato is shocked that she never even heard of something like this. Before she can ask any question, the cool blond suddenly says. ''These are my mother and sister!...''Seeing her families price tags, she further exclaims. ''... Holy shit why are their opening bits this high?''

Shooting Sonoko a sarcastic smirk Ai provokes her by stating. ''I guess having a high standing in society does have its benefits.''

Ignoring the girl's sarcastic remark, Sonoko pleads with Conan, tears gathering in her eyes, as she is unable to get a grip over her boiling emotions. ''Please, fund me. I have to win the bidding for my sister and mother. I do anything. I will even let you 'train' me into an 'obedient pet'!''

''Oh, Sonoko...'' Ran instantly consoles her friend by hugging her, as she states. ''... I don't even think about it. Conan will never force you to do anything you don't want to be!''

Feeling her friend's warm embrace, but ignoring her words, Sonoko simply stairs at Conan, awaiting his decision, hoping that he takes her up on her offer. As much as she despises and even fears were once again trained, nothing is of as much importance as her mother and sisters well being to her.

Seeing Sonokos determined gaze, Conan cannot even fake his admiration of her courage. Having seen her definition of 'training into an obedient pet' he more than anybody else can see her determination to save her mother and sister. Checking out their combined buy out prices, he is surprised that his own funds could barely cover them.

After a short time pondering, he decides to take Sonoko up on her offer, without ever intending to have her ever to fulfill her end of it.

Nodding he tells her. ''I give you the money so that you can buy them out even before the auction begins.''

Remembering Yukiko Kudo, Kazuha Toyama, and Yoko Okino, Conan thinks. -Shit, how am I supposed to get the funds to buy them out now.-