And they never caught a glimpse of Ren again.
It was as if she had vanished from the face of the earth.
News outlets continued to flash her pictures, urging the public to come forward with any sightings, but no one ever called to report anything.
This wasn’t a coincidence—Ross had made sure of it. He had gone to certain lengths to keep Ren, and even Althea, hidden during this time.
With his reputation and growing fame, any public exposure of their presence would’ve brought him endless headaches.
Paparazzi, reporters, and prying eyes would have made their lives a circus. For Ross, maintaining control over his circumstances was paramount.
Still, he wasn’t above using Ren when it suited him. But for the rest of the world, it was as though she no longer existed.
"Hmm…"
"Wake up, Ren!" A cheerful voice broke through her thoughts.
"Today’s our last day in Japan! We’re heading to Shinjuku for a shopping spree!" One of the girls leaned over, nudging her gently.
Ren groaned softly and pulled the blanket over her head, trying to block out the sunlight streaming through the window.
She hadn’t gotten a proper night’s sleep in two weeks.
Life with Ross and his women was… exhausting, to say the least.
The first night she had spent with them had been a shock, an eye-opening experience that left her reeling.
She had walked in on them, all tangled together in unrestrained passion, and the sight had burned itself into her mind.
Ross stood out in every way. She had been stunned not only by his sheer cock size but by his stamina, his ability to outlast every one of his partners without breaking a sweat.
The sounds, the movements, the rawness of it all—it had been overwhelming.
That first week, she had tried to ignore it, telling herself it wasn’t her business.
But over time, the tension grew.
No matter how much she tried to suppress her thoughts, she couldn’t help the way her body reacted.
There were moments when she felt an undeniable temptation to join them, her curiosity gnawing at her resolve.
Yet Ross never acknowledged her, never so much as hinted at inviting her into his world of hedonistic indulgence.
It frustrated her to no end.
She hated herself for the feelings that stirred within her, for the moments of jealousy that crept in when she watched the others laugh and tease Ross as if he belonged only to them. Continue your journey at empire
"I’ll be there in a minute," Ren finally said, her voice muffled by the pillow. She forced herself out of bed and began to change, brushing off the haze of sleep.
As she slipped into her clothes, a wave of melancholy washed over her.
This was her last day in Japan—a place she had grown to love deeply over her entire life so far.
Despite the chaos of her current situation, there was something magical about this country.
The bustling streets of Tokyo, the serene beauty of the countryside, and the warmth of its culture had all left a mark on her.
But the thought of her parents soured the moment. It was their selfishness, their greed, that had led her here in the first place.
They had abandoned her for their own gain, selling her trust like it meant nothing.
Ren shook her head, banishing the thoughts. Dwelling on her past wouldn’t change anything.
She took one last look at her reflection, her lips curling into a bittersweet smile.
Whatever awaited her next, she would face it head-on.
Today was her last day in Japan, and she would make the most of it, even if her heart felt heavier than she wanted to admit.
They arrived in Shinjuku, and the girls were buzzing with excitement.
Two weeks ago, Ross had given each of his women, including Ren, a staggering 10 million dollars as shopping funds.
It was an amount that most people wouldn’t earn even after a lifetime of hard work, yet Ross handed it out as casually as pocket change.
In the past two weeks, Ren had come to understand Ross much better.
He was indulgent, yes, but he genuinely cared for the women in his life.
They weren’t just accessories to him; they were part of his world, and he made sure they were happy.
Ren had to admit, being part of such a big, crazy family wasn’t as bad as she had initially thought.
"I’ll take these," Ren said in Japanese, gesturing to a pile of clothing—most of it super sexy and revealing.
Her taste had changed considerably since joining Ross’s entourage.
There was no point in holding back, not when she had the means to indulge herself and perhaps keep Ross all to herself.
Ross had already mapped out the next chapter of her life, too.
He planned for Ren to enroll in college alongside him and the rest of the group.
It wasn’t just for her education—he believed she’d enjoy the experience and the vibrant social opportunities.
Ren had readily agreed. It wasn’t a bad idea, and it wasn’t as if she had any better plans.
"Ren? Is that you?!"
The familiar voice stopped her mid-step.
She turned to see an extraordinarily beautiful young woman standing nearby, her expression a mix of disbelief and joy.
"Imari!" Ren gasped, her eyes lighting up. She ran over and hugged the girl tightly.
Imari had been her best friend for years—her classmate since grade school and as close as a sister.
"What happened to you? Everyone’s been looking for you! Even your parents came to my house asking if I’d seen you," Imari said, her voice thick with worry.
Ren hesitated, glancing at the shopping bags in her hands.
"Let me pay for these first. Then I’ll explain everything."
After settling her bill, Ren led Imari to a nearby cafe.
Over the next hour, she recounted everything—the sudden changes in her life and how she had ended up with Ross.
Imari had of course long known about Ren’s fixed marriage soon.
Imari listened in stunned silence, her expression shifting from shock to disbelief and, finally, to determination.
When Ren finished, Imari didn’t hesitate.
"I can’t let you go off on your own in a foreign country, Ren. I’m coming with you!"
Ren blinked, taken aback by her impulsive declaration. "Imari, you don’t have to—"
"I mean it," Imari interrupted firmly. "You’ve been through too much already. You’re my best friend, and I’m not letting you face this alone."
Ren felt her eyes sting with emotion. Imari’s loyalty and concern touched her deeply.
Despite the chaos in her life, she realized she wasn’t completely alone—she still had someone who cared about her as much as she cared about them.
In the end, all she could say was thank you, and the two young women shared a silent tear or two.
***
Huge shoutout and thanks to ddecoen and Danny_Back for the gifts!
You guys are awesome! Thank you! ^_^