COTE\OC Unpolished Diamond Year 2

Volume 0: Power

Chapter 6

Atsuomi Pov:

Mika let out a sigh of admiration as she looked at the wads of cash on the white table.

Atsuomi: There's 50 million. I made them get it in cash, just like you wanted. It won't be traced back to you.

I told Mika without making eye contact. 

The amount excludes all expenses incurred during the pregnancy, such as delivery and hospitalization. 

Mika: Politicians really have an abundance of money and everything at their disposal, don't they? Was it easy for you to get 50 million? 

Mika said sarcastically, dressed in a suit she was probably not used to wearing. 

Atsuomi: Money is important, but I have plenty of it to live on. That's the world on our side.

Mika laughed at me as I spoke in a matter-of-fact manner.

Mika: The fact that your child's born doesn't affect your heart in the slightest, does it?

Atsuomi: Are you going to tell me that you've awakened some love for that child?

Mika: No way. If I had, I wouldn't have given the child away. To me, the whole process of conceiving and giving birth to that child is work. Nothing more, nothing less.

I was relieved to hear that. I could see in her eyes that she was speaking the truth; it wasn't Mika's superiority talking. 

Atsuomi: I guess I was right in choosing you after all.

Mika: Well, I don't know if the job's worth it. I almost regretted it when my belly started to grow and the morning sickness got worse. I came here to complain or something, but when I saw all this money in front of me, I didn't care anymore.

Even for Mika, who'd been receiving a monthly salary of well over a million yen, a lump sum of 50 million is a different story. I don't want to hear her complaints. When it comes to surrogacy, etc., I paid more than twice the market rate, even if it's estimated at a high level. 

Atsuomi: Normally, we'd have to pay almost half of this to the government.

Mika: That's right... You have to earn about 100 million to save 50 million, right? I can't help but think you're crazy if you have to pay almost half of it in taxes.

Touching the surface of the wad of cash, Mika laughed a little. 

Atsuomi: Have you ever paid taxes properly?

It's said that many people in professions similar to Mika's don't pay taxes. 

Mika: Come to think of it, I can hardly remember. Well, maybe I'll pay them when I start a new job, who knows? Anyway, how are you these days, Atsuomi? Any change?

Atsuomi: I'm sorry, but I'm busy and don't want to talk too long. Let's just get on with what we have to do. 

I took out the contract and held it out in front of Mika. 

Atsuomi: If you're going to take the money, write it down. You have the rights to the child until you sign here.

Mika: You fret too much. Don't worry, I only had a baby for the money. I have no regrets.

From the beginning, Mika had no intention of refusing the money offered to her and once again expressed her willingness to accept it. 

Atsuomi: No matter what happens, you'll never be allowed to identify yourself as the mother.