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CHAPTER 27:"THE PHOTOGRAPH"
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2025-12-15 14:54:00
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BURNING THE LINES BETWEEN US Â Â Â CHAPTER 31:"WHAT I WANT'
Jerome stood frozen at his table, his shoulders rigid. Collins wanted to go to him, wanted to close the distance between them, but he forced himself to wait.After a moment, Jerome walked out of the café. Collins followed at a distance, tracking him through the crowded Shibuya streets until they reached a quiet side street."Did you get all that?" Jerome asked without turning around."Every word."Jerome finally turned to face him. His expression was carefully neutral, but Collins could see the tremor in his hands, the tension in his jaw."She confirmed it was a setup," Jerome said. "And she pretty much admitted the Matsuda Group is trying to sabotage the merger.""We can take this to my father. Show him the evidence.""Is that what you want to do?"The question felt loaded with meaning. Collins stepped closer, suddenly tired of distance and propriety and all the reasons they were supposed to stay apart."What I want," Collins said slowly, "is to understand what you meant in there. Wh
BURNING THE LINES BETWEEN US Â Â Â CHAPTER 30:"THE TRAP"
The café near Shibuya Station was one of those trendy places that served fifteen-dollar lattes and had Instagram-worthy lighting. Collins sat at a corner table with a clear view of the entrance, a laptop open in front of him as camouflage, a wireless earbud hidden beneath his hair.Jerome arrived at 1:55 PM, dressed in business casual dark jeans, a grey cashmere sweater, leather jacket. He looked nothing like the tired, vulnerable version from last night. This was Jerome in armor, ready for battle.Their eyes met briefly as Jerome entered. Collins saw the nervous tension Jerome was hiding behind his professional mask.You've got this, Collins thought, wishing telepathy were real.Yuki Matsuda arrived precisely at 2 PM, wearing a cream-colored dress that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. She kissed Jerome's cheek in greeting,too familiar, too possessive and Collins felt his jaw clench."Thank you for meeting me," Yuki said, her voice carrying clearly through the liste
BURNING THE LINES BETWEEN US Â Â Â CHAPTER 29:"THE INVESTIGATION"
Collins didn't sleep that night. Instead, he sat in his study, surrounded by printouts of the blog post, screenshots of Jerome's texts from Yuki, notes on the Matsuda Group's business practices.Someone was orchestrating this. Someone with access to the mansion, or at least to people who did. Someone who benefited from chaos in the Tanaka family.By 3 AM, Collins had a suspect list: Kenji Matsuda (obvious motive), Yuki Matsuda (personal interest in Jerome), or someone internal to the Tanaka organization who resented Jerome's rapid rise.His phone rang, shattering the silence. Jerome's name flashed on the screen."Can't sleep either?" Collins answered."I found something." Jerome's voice was tight with excitement. "Can you meet me?""Where are you?""My apartment. Or is that inappropriate?"Collins was already reaching for his keys. "I'll be there in twenty minutes."Jerome's apartment was in a modern high-rise overlooking Tokyo Bay, all glass and steel and minimalist design. Collins h
BURNING THE LINES BETWEEN US Â Â Â CHAPTER 28:"UNRAVELING"
Collins didn't remember the rest of the conversation with his father. He nodded in appropriate places, agreed to be more careful, and accepted the lecture about responsibility and appearances.But his mind was elsewhere, replaying the photograph, the confrontation, the look on Jerome's face when Miranda suggested he leave.By the time Collins escaped to his room, movers were already in the east wing, packing Jerome's belongings back into boxes. The efficiency was brutal,evidence that someone had planned for this possibility, had kept the boxes nearby just in case.Collins watched from his study window as Jerome's life was dismantled piece by piece. The espresso machine. The books. The furniture that had been rearranged twice in one day.He should have felt relieved. Victorious, even. This was what he'd wanted, wasn't it? His territory back. His life is uncomplicated by Jerome's presence.Instead, he felt hollow.His phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: âThis is just the beginn
BURNING THE LINES BETWEEN US Â Â Â CHAPTER 27:"THE PHOTOGRAPH"
The gossip blog appeared on Monday morning.Collins was in a board meeting when his phone started buzzing,text after text, call after call. He ignored them until his assistant practically ran into the conference room, her face pale."Mr. Tanaka, you need to see this."The blog post was titled: Tanaka Heir's Midnight Rendezvous⊠Corporate Dynasty?The photo was grainy but unmistakable: Collins and Jerome on the balcony from Saturday night, standing close, Jerome's face tilted up toward Collins's, the city lights creating an intimate halo around them.To anyone looking at it, they appeared to be seconds away from kissing.Collins felt his blood turn to ice.The article was worse than the photo:Sources close to the Tanaka family report growing tension between Collins Tanaka and his soon-to-be stepbrother, Jerome Lui. But is it tension of the hostile variety or something far more scandalous? This photograph, taken during a private family dinner, suggests the relationship between these tw
BURNING THE LINES BETWEEN US Â Â Â CHAPTER 26:" THE BUSINESS DINNER"
Miranda's announcement came via group text at 8 AM: "Family dinner tonight. Potential investors. Everyone MUST attend. Formal attire."Collins stared at his phone with growing dread. Business dinners with his father were orchestrated performances, every word calculated, every gesture measured, every moment an opportunity to impress or disappoint.Adding Jerome to the equation would be disastrous.He found his father in the breakfast room, reading the financial section with his usual laser focus. "Do I really need to attend tonight?"Akihito didn't look up. "The Matsuda Group is considering a significant investment. Your presence is required.""Jerome will be there.""Of course. He's family now."âNot yet,â Collins wanted to scream. âNot for six more weeks.âBut he knew that tone. The discussion was over.Collins spent the day preparing,reviewing Matsuda Group's portfolio, memorizing key figures, and anticipating questions. By 6 PM, he was dressed in his most expensive Tom Ford suit, h
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