"Risa's impossible task"

Risa couldn't talk back to her mother, the weight of Charlotte II's words sinking in. Attending the family meeting was one thing, but persuading Ray and his hardened heart, and bringing him to London to meet his family? That was something else. If her mother wanted to meet her grandson, she would force Ray by any means necessary. but the question is, does she want to? And if she does, then, this will be the most impossible thing she would do in her entire life.

Risa's heart wanted to, in fact, there's nothing more she would've wanted than having her own son accept her back and live prosperity and power with his own family. But her mind thought of the impossible. The reality of what would her son feel if she force Ray to accept the blood he carries within him.

"Mother." Risa barely uttered, hesitance and doubt in her voice.

"I don't think I can." Risa added.

Charlotte II sighed deeply on the phone.

"Risa, you are his mother. He may be angry, he may hate you, because of obvious reasons. But deep down, he needs you as much as you need him. Even though you barely knew him as a man, there's still a part of him that you know, something you adore, something you love, something you cherish, and that is the ever yearning of his own mother. You must give him the chance to decide for himself. But first, you need to brave enough to ask." Charlotte II's voice was firm, but there was an undercurrent of compassion in her words.

Risa closed her eyes, the reality of situation crashing down on her. Her mother was right. She had been doubting for too long, hiding behind her own fears. But now, there was no more time to doubt and fear. She had to face Ray, to confront the pain she had caused, and hope that he would listen to her.

"I understand, Mother." Risa said finally, her voice barely above whisper.

"I'll...I'll do my best." Risa added.

"I know you will. Hurry back to London as soon as you can." Charlotte II replied, her tone carrying a rare note of reassurance.

"And Risa...Be like this in front of your sisters more often. They don't know how you can be so emotional, soft, and vulnerable sometimes." Charlotte II added.

Risa let out a chuckle.

"Noted, Mother. I'll make the arrangements. I'll see you soon." Risa said.

"Good. Safe travels, love." Charlotte II said before ending the call.

Risa slowly lowered the phone from her ear, her hands trembling slightly. She stared out at the city once more, but the beauty of the view was lost on her now. Her mind was racing, consumed by questions and thoughts of what lay ahead. She had to speak to Ray, had to find the courage to ask him to come with her. But the fear of rejection gnawed at her, threatening to paralyze her once more.

Taking a deep breath, Risa forced herself to move. She couldn't afford to dwell on her doubts and fears. She had a task to complete, one that required her to be strong, even if it meant confronting the most painful parts of her past. With a determined resolve, she set down her wine glass and turned away from the balcony, heading back inside the penthouse.

Meanwhile, in a quiet neighborhood where Ray lived, Arashi led her small group toward the Shigeyoshi residence. Her face was set with determination, her anger simmering beneath the surface as she replayed the humiliation she had suffered at Ray's hand at the restaurant. This was her chance to make him pay, to humiliate him back.

Trailing behind her were her three closest friends, Rio, Shion, and Yume. Accompanying them were their boyfriends, three wealthy and arrogant young men, brimming with the kind of self-assurednes that only money and privilege could provide. They walked with an air of entitlement, confident that their presence alone would be enough to intimidate Ray.

As they approached the sleek, traditional mix of little modern style structure of Shigeyoshi house, Arashi's thoughts were consumed by her desire for revenge. She didn't care that it was deep into the night, all she wanted was to see Ray brought low, to see him cower before her and beg her for mercy.

However, as they neared the front gate, a group of men emerged from the shadows, their dark clothes blending into the night. They stood with an air of superiority, their postures hard. One of them, a man with a prominent scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. His eyes narrowed as they fell on Arashi and her entourage, but there was no hostility in his gaze, only respect and obedience.

"Himura-sama." The scar-faced man bowed and greeted her, his tone measured and respectful.

"What brings you here at this hour." The scar-faced man added.

Arashi paused, taken aback for a moment by the familiarity of his voice. She recognized the man, he was a Yakuza, one the many who served under Kojima. The Yakuzas had known the Himura family for long, and they honor them with respect since Kojima, their boss, has a friendly affiliation with Sakura Himura.

"I'm here to beat a man named Ray Shigeyoshi." Arashi replied, her voice cold and resolute.

"He humiliated me in front of my family, and I won't fucking stand for it." She added.

The scar-faced man exchanged glances with his Yakuza comrades, a look of concern passing between them. He knew better than to question Arashi's intention, but the situation was more complicated than she realized.

"We understand your anger, Himura-sama." The scar-faced man said carefully, his tone still respectful.

"But this guy, Ray Shigeyoshi, isn't just anyone. He's dangerous and capable, and he's not alone. There's a pretty foreign woman with him, a fucking deadly warrior. We've seen what they did earlier." The scar-faced man added.