37 : The disastrous gala - PART 3

Several thoughts ran through Hassan's head. In front of him Aurore was crying like a child, who had been refused a caprice.

Hassan no longer understood anything. He had clearly heard Arnold say that he had slept with Aurore. He had seduced her and caused her harm, but then why was Aurore crying? Why did his fiancée prefer to defend his friend rather than him?

" - I'm sorry..." repeated Aurore in tears.

" - Wh... what?" Hassan asked, lost, his heart racing like crazy.

Aurore looked around in panic. She then rushed in pursuit of Arnold, without even giving Hassan any further explanation.

When she finally caught up to Arnold, the man ignored her cries. Aurore stumbled and watched Arnold's car drive away on her tears.

Dumbfounded by the scene, Hassan did not know what to say. He was still trying to figure out what had just happened.

Aurore and Arnold had an affair. Aurore, his fiancée, and Arnold, his close friend, slept together.

Overwhelmed with rage, Hassan left the event to his mother's cries.

Akihito had followed the whole drama without any real surprise. According to his investigations of Silas's group of friends, most of them didn't like each other as much anymore and they all had many secrets.

However, what Arnold was doing did not interest him that much. Akihito knew that Arnold was deeply in love with the omega that lived with him. He had seen it in the eyes of the alpha himself. So his story with Aurore seemed trivial.

After his meeting with Aurore, Akihito had thought of a way to ruin the Hassan and Aurore's couple. He didn't think Arnold would do him this favor involuntarily.

However, one thing puzzled him. Why would Arnold, such an intelligent and loyal man, go so far as to break his friend's relationship? Something must have happened.

"- Zai," Akihito said in the direction of his secretary.

Zaizen joined him.

" - I would like to have information on Hassan and Arnold. And...find out the identity of the omega who lives at Arnold's." he instructed.

" - Yes sir," Zaizen obeyed before walking away.

The rest of the event went pretty well. Hassan and Arnold had not returned and Aurore had disappeared.

The auctions were therefore carried in peace. It was rumored that the Ogatas were planning to open an institution dedicated to omegas. Many personalities already wanted to invest and buy shares, even if they didn't consider omegas to be people worthy of getting the goodness of the Ogatas.

The Ogatas didn't really need financial support. They were wealthy enough to craft and execute their plan without issue.

However, the others knew that if they did not support the Ogatas, they risked losing their biggest shareholder and investor.

" - Above all, don't say anything stupid and stay behind me," Satoh said to his brother, as they walked towards the Ogatas.

Silas didn't answer.

"- Chairman Ogata!" Satoh exclaimed, a far too big smile on his face.

Ren nodded at him, and Alicia frowned. Ever since they knew about Haru's story, the couple had held an unspeakable hatred towards the Kanzaki Clan.

" - Mister Kanzaki," Ren said back with his famous poker face.

" - How are you doing ?" Satoh asked, shaking Ren's hand and then Alicia's. "It's a nice evening, don't you think? I arrived a little late because of some files to settle." he then explained.

Silas rolled his eyes. The files that his older brother had to settle was his secretary who at this very moment was staring at…

Silas followed her gaze and met the eyes of a younger man who looked very much like Ren.

"- You didn't come with your wife tonight Mr Kanzaki?" Alicia asked.

"- No, not tonight. She didn't want to leave our little girl alone." Satoh replied, looking genuinely happy as he talked about Veronica and their infant daughter.

Behind him, Dana, his secretary was still staring at Akihito as if she wanted to devour him. Silas found it almost amusing. His brother's mistress who was trying to seduce someone else.

Dana blushed when Akihito cast a glance in her direction. She bit her lip in embarrassment and looked down at her feet.

Satoh noticed Dana's behavior. He peered at Akihito, clenching his fists.

Who was this man standing so close to Alicia Ogata and who did he think he was staring at something of his ?

Dana on the other hand felt hot. This man in front of her had an effect on her. His cold gaze made her want to get naked.

Compared to Satoh, the man in front of her was cruelly sexy. He was probably the most handsome man at this gala. A pure marvel.

" - Mr Kanzaki, " Akihito smiled friendly in Satoh's direction as he held his hand towards the man while his parents were greeting some passing women.

Silas wanted to tell his older brother that it was probably the popular but still unknown son of the Ogatas but he said nothing, hoping to see his brother lose face.

Satoh stared at Akihito with disdain. Was this man trying to ridicule him in front of Ren and Alicia?

Akihito let out a laugh at Satoh's rude behavior. The latter frowned and decided to ignore him. He turned his attention back to Ren and Alicia.

"- My father couldn't show up tonight. It's unfortunate but I hope we'll have the opportunity to get together soon." Satoh said.

" - It would be a real pleasure. Since the party for the foundation two years ago, we haven't been able to see your parents again," Alicia said. "How is your mother by the way? I heard she has some health problems."

" - It's mostly stress," Satoh replied. "She works way too much," he joked.

Alicia managed to give him a smile, however difficult.

"- Who is this gentleman?" she asked, looking at Silas, who was still silent, even though she already knew who he was.

" - He's my brother, Silas," Satoh reluctantly introduced him.

Silas greeted them all, including Akihito who still said nothing.

"- Despite his age, he's still clumsy and impulsive in the business world, but he's very smart," Satoh said. "Recently, he bought a mine that had been closed for a few decades already. He wants to build housing."

Alicia and Ren exchanged a look.

" - It's rather risky to build on old mines." Alicia said.

Silas winced, not missing his brother's cocky smile.

"- That's what I told him!" Satoh exclaimed. "But you know, he has to learn from good and bad decisions. "I was thinking of restarting the excavations and directing the operation. I hope you will support me," he said proudly.

"- Building housing would be difficult but it's not impossible to build around the mine and turn the place into a historic place," Akihito said nonchalantly.

Satoh glared at him.

" - It could still be dangerous," Satoh said between his teeth.

" - Relaunching the excavations requires a large spending both in terms of safety and quality materials. Closing the mine would be more judicious but you might lose money. Or, as I have just said, transforming the place into a historic site would be more interesting." Akihito explained calmly.

Satoh couldn't reply. Silas had presented him a similar plan but he had thought it stupid. Now that this stranger was talking about it in front of Ren and Alicia, Satoh looked like an incapable person.

"- Sounds very interesting to me," Ren said. "A historical and educational site open to all. This way the mine will be preserved as national property and in addition it can be visited."

" - It is an excellent idea!" Alicia confirmed.

Satoh was dumbfounded. They preferred this man's idea to his! He had been making good proposals for years, as much approved by his grandfather as by the Ogatas. It was the first time that they rejected his opinion.

" - It's up to you," Ren said to Satoh. "We will be delighted to support you in the construction of the site. My son could even support you financially and guide you."

Satoh couldn't help but smile. Even though his plan wasn't accepted, he still got the support of the Ogatas. He did not know their son but he will be prepared by then to enter his good graces.

"- I'd love to work with the heir of the Ogatas!" Satoh inquired.

" - Good. Prepare your presentation and let's meet in a week in my office. I will supervise the contract." Ren said. " Is it good for you ?"

"- Yes Mr. President!" Satoh said leisurely even though deep down he was jumping of joy.

" - How about you ? Does that suit you?" Ren asked Akihito.

Without taking his eyes off Satoh who was still glaring at him, Akihito replied:

" - I have to think about it."

" - Why are you asking for his opinion?" Satoh asked dryly.

Alicia frowned at Satoh's silly question.

" - You two will be working together soon. Of course we ask his opinion," she answered confused.

Satoh only smiled. This man must be working for the Ogata, he thought.

" - I suggest that Silas work on the project," Akihito said suddenly.

" - What !?" Satoh exclaimed, both surprised and annoyed.

" - You just said that it was Silas who bought this mine. So obviously he must lead the project." Akihito said.

" - But..."

"- What do you think Mr. Kanzaki?" Akihito asked Silas directly.

Satoh motioned for his brother to refuse. Anyway, this stranger had no say. Satoh didn't want Silas to shame him. Satoh thought he, himself, was in the best position to do business with the Ogatas. Silas was far too weak and stupid.

Silas ignored his big brother and replied:

" - With pleasure President Ogata. I would love to work with you on this project."

Satoh paled when he understood that the stranger he had treated as an uninteresting being was in truth the prodigal son of the Ogatas.

" - Just Akihito is enough," Akihito said as he shook hands with Silas to seal their deal.

Satoh swallowed hard his saliva when Akihito glared at him.

" - Now excuse me. I have to go back. I have others priorities to attend," Akihito said.

He hugged his parents and then walked away.

Silas stiffened as Akihito walked past him. He turned quickly, and searched the room. His eyes quickly scanned each passing guest, especially each man.

He had just smelled a familiar scent, a smell he missed...his fated mate's pheromones, Haru's pheromones.