With a faint smile, Hardy said, "Today, I just want to get to know everyone. Don’t feel constrained. I hope you all continue to work hard. I believe the station will flourish, and each of you will be rewarded accordingly."
"Thank you, Mr. Hardy," everyone responded, bowing once more.
They took their seats. The station director, observing that Hardy was surrounded only by male executives, thought this arrangent wouldn’t do and decided, "Call Sayuri and Ayako over."
Soone imdiately went to fetch the two won.
Shortly after, Sayuri Yoshida and Ayako Sasaki arrived. The director smiled and introduced them to Hardy: "Sir, these are two of our station’s stars. Sayuri Yoshida hosts consur programs, and Ayako Sasaki is the host of our children’s shows. Both are quite popular in Japan."
The two won bowed to Hardy.
Hardy first looked at Ayako Sasaki, the familiar baby-faced girl, who now appeared sowhat shy. Next to her stood Sayuri Yoshida, a stunning beauty, slightly older than Ayako but probably only in her early twenties.
"Our table is too male-dominated. It would be better if these two lovely ladies joined us. Sayuri, Ayako, why don’t you sit beside Mr. Hardy?" the director suggested.
The two vice-directors graciously made room, and the two female hosts carefully took their seats next to Hardy.
Ayako was still sowhat tense, not knowing what to do, while Sayuri was more composed and charming. She picked up a sake bottle to pour for Hardy and even used her chopsticks to serve him food.
As the reception progressed, the atmosphere grew livelier. Most of those present, being from the arts industry, were talented in singing and dancing. Soone began performing, and Sayuri, with her beautiful voice, sang an English song fluently.
Her performance earned enthusiastic applause. Hardy clapped and asked, "Are you fluent in English?"
"Yes, Mr. Hardy," Sayuri replied. "I graduated from Waseda University’s Foreign Languages Departnt, majoring in English. I even went to the UK for half a year to improve my speaking skills."
The reception continued.
Although Ayako gradually loosened up and exchanged a few words with Hardy, she still seed overly reserved.
At that mont, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed in herself.
Am I an idiot?
Compared to her, Sayuri is performing so much better.
Hardy, having enjoyed the evening, seed slightly tipsy, his head starting to feel fuzzy. The director, noticing this, suggested, "Mr. Hardy, why not rest here for a bit? There are rooms nearby."
Hardy, dazed, waved his hand.
"Sayuri, Ayako, please help Mr. Hardy over there," the director instructed.
The two won carefully supported Hardy, draping his arms over their shoulders, and led him down two long corridors to a Japanese-style room. They gently placed him on a futon spread out on the tatami floor.
Hardy’s bodyguards had been following but didn’t intervene, seeing that won were taking care of him. Who knew if their boss was really drunk?
Sayuri glanced at Ayako, who seed uncertain about what to do next, and smiled. "Ayako, you can go now. I’ll stay and take care of Mr. Hardy."
"Oh, alright," Ayako replied, casting a final glance at Hardy before leaving.
Sayuri then stepped out and soon returned with a basin of warm water, a towel draped over it. She dipped the towel into the water, wrung it out, and gently wiped Hardy’s face, then unbuttoned his shirt to clean his upper body.
Suddenly, Hardy reached out and pulled her into his arms. Sayuri’s body stiffened montarily before relaxing again.
She even seed to have a hint of anticipation.
Hardy softly grasped her face, drew her closer, and whispered into her neck, "If you regret this, there’s still ti to back out."
Sayuri said nothing.
Instead, she clung to his arm.
Night fell.
The next day.
In the bathroom.
Steam filled the air.
Hardy lay on the bath bed while Sayuri knelt beside him, ticulously wiping him down. When it cos to serving others, Japanese won are the most attentive, fully dedicated to the task.
This might be connected to the national character.
Hardy put on his clothes, glanced at the woman kneeling on the tatami mat before heading out, and said, "You may go back. I’ll call for you if I need you again."
For Sayuri, her status with Hardy was not comparable to his other won. He could summon her when necessary, but he wouldn’t let her beco part of his personal life.
As for being influenced like MacArthur had been, that was absolutely impossible.
The woman obediently saw Hardy off without a word, fully aware of her own position. She wouldn’t, nor did she dare to, cling.
Hardy stepped out.
His bodyguards followed close behind. After getting into the car, Hardy pondered and instructed the head of his security detail, "Inform Duncan to look into Sayuri’s background more thoroughly. Also, keep an eye out to see if the Japanese governnt or any other factions have made contact with her."
He paused.
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"And also, investigate the background of Ayako Sasaki."
"Understood, Boss," the security head replied.
Even a tool must be clean of any hidden agendas. Hardy would not allow anyone to manipulate him, maintaining a certain degree of vigilance toward the Japanese.
Sayuri dressed herself and didn’t leave imdiately. She thought back to everything from the previous night and that morning. A man like Mr. Hardy, with his status, wealth, competence, and strength, was perfection itself. How could he not captivate a woman?
Her gaze swept over the bedsheet where a small, conspicuous flower had blood. She folded the sheet neatly, then took it with her as she left.
Sayuri rested for the entire morning.
In the afternoon, she went to the TV station, where she was scheduled to record a show.
As soon as she entered her office, she received a notification from the station director asking her to co to his office.
In the director’s office, the director greeted her with a warm smile, "Miss Yoshida, please have a seat."
"Director, is there sothing you need from ?" Sayuri asked respectfully.
"Ah, yes. The station is planning to organize a singing competition show, sowhat similar to the Arican show
Arican super Idol
. Of course, it won’t be on the sa grand scale, but it’s still a talent show, which is a first for Japan. I believe it will capture public interest."
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