After Mrs. Yukinoshita departed with supreme confidence, everyone at the banquet was already seventy percent convinced. No one attending this event was a complete fool. Mrs. Yukinoshita had single-handedly expanded the Yukinoshita Family to its current stature, and any decision she made carried enormous weight. Not to mention that she was shifting from real estate into healthcare—a move that could shake the very foundations of her empire. Would she risk the Family's past reputation and future security on something so ephemeral? If anything went wrong, no conglomerate could withstand the combined power of so many noble houses. Though these ladies envied Mrs. Yukinoshita's abilities, they were not fools.
"This treatment has at least a seventy percent chance of being genuine!" they declared, turning with eager eyes to the still-lingering lady onstage. They were already imagining themselves using it to reverse the hands of time and reclaim their youth. More astute minds pondered Mrs. Yukinoshita's final—and most crucial—statement: it didn't just restore appearance, but bodily functions, with effects strong enough to extend the lives of those at death's door. Possessing this treatment meant, in effect, two lives—perhaps even limitless life. Compared to such a power, turning back the clock on one's looks seemed almost a trivial bonus.
Nao Hayasaka immediately thought of Lord Shinomiya Gan'an of the Shinomiya family, who had recently suffered a stroke. His condition had been critical from the moment it was discovered, and now he clung to life purely on his family's fortune. If Mrs. Yukinoshita's claims proved true, this treatment would offer new hope to that desperate household. Yet it could also unleash fresh turmoil upon the Shinomiya Family.
A flicker of complexity crossed Nao's eyes. Because of Lord Gan'an's illness, the family's power was already in transition—and in this critical moment, a life-saving treatment surfaced. How much genuine affection could remain within such a vast clan? Nao doubted the answer. But that was not for her to decide.
Just as she was preparing her full report, Yuko Nomura at her side spoke in horror. "Mrs. Hayasaka, this is a massive fraud—you mustn't trust it!"
Nao didn't look up. "Whether it's a scam or not, we'll judge that ourselves. No need for your warnings, Miss Nomura."
Nomura's face darkened. She glanced around to see everyone else already contacting their families. With the current situation, whether genuine or fake, Mrs. Yukinoshita's treatment would deal a huge blow to the Nomura Family—and might even render their hard-won partnership with the Shinomiya Family worthless. Gritting her teeth, Yuko pulled out her phone and sent a message to her emergency contact number: "Reclaiming youth… even if it's real, the Yukinoshita Family should first consider whether they can protect something so extraordinary."
Unlike the others' doubts, Kirari Momobami had none. The moment she suspected a deep tie between the Yukinoshitas and Kuzeha, she awaited their product with keen interest. The promise of renewed youth amazed her yet felt entirely natural—after all, the power behind the Yukinoshita name was likely Kuzeha himself. In Kirari's eyes, the Family was destined to claim its place among Japan's—and the world's—top financial powers. She didn't know how Mrs. Yukinoshita won Kuzeha's favor, but it had to be a gamble—and she'd won.
"Though I lost that wager, it seems not without effect." Kirari glanced at Yuki Suou beside her, a faint smile on her lips. Had that bet not happened, she would never have learned of the link between Kuzeha and Yuki Suou.
Before long, Haruno Yukinoshita appeared in a striking red evening gown that accentuated her tall, graceful figure. Though slightly less imposing than her mother, she radiated the beauty of youth. The noblewomen's eyes lit up, and they hurried forward in high heels, determined not to be left out.
"Miss Haruno, you've grown ever more lovely, truly bearing Mrs. Yukinoshita's elegance!"
"When does this youth-restoration auction begin?"
"What's the minimum resource exchange required?"
"And when will the deluxe version—three years younger—versus the ultimate six-year reversal be released?"
No sooner had the flattery ended than they dove into business, peppering her with questions. Surrounded by the scent of countless perfumes, Haruno saw these haughty ladies wearing obsequious smiles for the first time. She quietly reflected, then returned their banter with a poised smile. "The auction starts three days from now. Every other day we'll release ten doses for the next fortnight."
Not far off, Yumi Suou watched Haruno surrounded by admirers, envy flickering in her eyes. Half an hour earlier, these women had looked down on the Yukinoshita Family—now they licked their lips in praise. Even Yumi herself couldn't deny how impulsive she'd been reprimanding Nomura, yet she felt relieved: once word reached Mrs. Yukinoshita, it would favor the Suou Family.
"Yuki, did you know this young lady before?" Yumi asked.
Yuki Suou shook her head. "I've heard of her, but never spoken."
"Better introduce yourself later," Yumi urged. Yuki had spoken up for Mrs. Yukinoshita—this was a golden chance to strengthen their ties. Yuki nodded. Judging by Haruno's presence beside Kuzeha, she likely served as his aide, a member of his inner circle. As the future head's wife, it was only fitting to make acquaintance.
By the time Haruno finished answering questions, the banquet was nearly over. "Haruno, I didn't expect your family to be serious about this!" Toyomi Fujiwara handed her a glass of orange juice. Haruno sipped, moistening her parched throat, then turned with a faint smile. "Fujiwara, didn't you say you wanted a hundred to a hundred and eighty doses?" Fujiwara's face paled. She couldn't afford even one.
"Don't joke, Haruno—selling me off wouldn't cover half that!" Fujiwara laughed weakly.
Haruno's eyes roved over the pink-haired girl's stunning curves. "Then sell yourself to me—half might cover one-third of it. For the rest, your two sisters can settle the debt."
At Haruno's words, Fujiwara giggled and looped her arm through hers. "Fine—my sisters and I will all join the Yukinoshita Family! No boys there, so we can be sisters too—it's perfect!"
Haruno pinched Fujiwara's cheek with playful laughter. "Excellent—come join us as sisters!"
Their laughter marked the close of that conversation. Most guests, their phones buzzing with messages from home, were eager to leave and report the news. The first batch of treatment would have to be theirs at any cost. They bid farewell to Haruno and departed.
As the noblewomen dispersed, Haruno finally noticed Yuki Suou and Yumi Suou, who had been blocked earlier. A sharp light gleamed in Haruno's eyes. Yuki needed no introduction—she was Kuzeha's beloved sister. As for Yumi, her ties to Kuzeha were distant and awkward, having fallen out long ago. Yet she was still Kuzeha's mother—and that alone demanded respect.
With that thought, Haruno swept forward in her gown to greet them. Yumi's heart fluttered with excitement. She tugged Yuki's sleeve. "Yuki, here comes the Yukinoshita heir—what perfect timing!"
Before Yumi could finish, Haruno had reached them, every inch the image of a grand family's successor: flawless beauty, impeccable poise, and a grace beyond her years. "Good evening, Miss Suou, Mrs. Suou," Haruno greeted. "I apologize for not coming sooner—it was quite crowded."
Mrs. Suou's lips parted in surprise at the respectful address: "Miss, Mrs.…?" Even the old Yukinoshita Family had never shown such deference. And here she was—forgotten and overlooked—a mere spinster sister in the Suou family. How could Haruno, the Family's heir, call her 'Mrs.'?
"Good evening, Miss Suou," Yumi managed, while Yuki offered a firm handshake, pleased by the title.
"Miss Suou, Lord Kuzeha is also here—would you like to meet him?" Haruno added. Yumi froze. Lord Kuzeha? Her late husband and father-in-law were both gone—who could this be? A child's face flashed through her mind before Yuki's excited voice woke her. "Our brother is here too?"
"Shall we go see him?" Yumi's world spun as she realized that the 'Lord Kuzeha' Haruno mentioned was none other than her long-absent son. Shock and complex emotions washed over her all at once.
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