Inside the KaibaCorp laboratory, the atmosphere buzzed with quiet intensity as scientists worked diligently on various projects. Among them was Dr. Franklin, a meticulous researcher known for his attention to detail but also occasionally for his absent-mindedness.
Joanne, in her quest to uncover any information that could give her leverage over KaibaCorp, had been discreetly mingling with employees and keeping her ears open for any useful tidbits. She had noticed Dr. Franklin's tendency to get lost in thought while discussing his work with colleagues, and she saw an opportunity.
One afternoon, while Dr. Franklin was engrossed in a discussion with a fellow scientist about energy patterns and spiritual resonances, Joanne strategically approached. She maintained an air of casual interest, striking up a conversation about the latest breakthroughs in energy research.
Dr. Franklin, a bit absent-mindedly, mentioned a project involving the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and its connection to a woman named Kisara. Joanne's ears perked up at the mention of Kisara's name, a key figure in Kaiba's life and public persona.
"So, this project with Kisara and the Blue-Eyes," Joanne interjected casually, "what's that all about?"
Dr. Franklin paused, realizing he had perhaps said too much. He hesitated for a moment, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping before leaning in slightly. "Well, it's highly confidential, but Mr. Kaiba believes there's a significant potential in harnessing the spiritual energy of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, especially through its connection with Kisara."
"Connection with Kisara?" Joanne gasped. "You're talking about Kaiba's most precious card Blue Eyes White Dragon and the popstar? How are they connected?"
Dr. Franklin struggled to sustain his excitement, and being eager to show off his knowledge to a complete amateur, he continued: "Yes, the very same. It appears that whenever Mr Kaiba activates his card on his duel disk and Kisara is nearby, the dragon is no longer a hologram - the particles it consists of become very much real."
Joanne's mind raced with possibilities. Here was a potential goldmine of information that could not only undermine Kaiba but also give her father a strategic advantage. She kept her demeanor cool and collected, nodding thoughtfully as if absorbing every detail while internally plotting her next move.
"Interesting," Joanne remarked casually, masking her excitement. "Mr. Kaiba keeps quite a tight lid on his projects, doesn't he?"
Dr. Franklin chuckled nervously. "Oh, yes. He's very particular about secrecy."
Joanne thanked him with a charming smile, excusing herself under the guise of needing to make a call. As she walked away, her mind raced with plans on how to use this newfound information to her advantage. She knew now that Kaiba's secrets were not as secure as he believed, and she intended to exploit every opportunity that presented itself.
The next day, while she was pondering about her recent findings, Kisara ran into Mokuba and Joanne. She noticed their closeness and congratulated them.
"Hey, Mokuba, it looks like you've got yourself a girlfriend!" Kisara said with a warm smile.
Mokuba blushed. "Uh, yeah. We've been spending a lot of time together."
Joanne smiled sweetly. "It's true. Mokuba's been amazing."
Mokuba's phone rang. "I need to take this. I'll be right back." He excused himself, leaving Kisara and Joanne alone.
After some casual chit-chat, Joanne leaned in, her voice mockingly innocent. "So, Kisara, I couldn't help but overhear something interesting recently," Joanne began casually.
Kisara raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? What's that?"
Joanne feigned innocence. "Well, your name was mentioned in connection with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Quite intriguing, don't you think?"
Kisara's heart skipped a beat, though she tried to maintain composure. "Oh, really? That's... unexpected."
Joanne nodded, watching Kisara closely. "Yes, indeed. It seems like quite a secretive project Mr. Kaiba's got going on."
Kisara's mind raced with uncertainty. "I... I didn't know about any project involving me and the Blue-Eyes."
Joanne shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh yes, well, as far as I understood from Dr Franklin it seems that they have found a way to harness the power of Blue Eyes by using the card and its hologram or something. I don't know how you fit in the picture but…" she shrugged and Kisara shivered.
"Can you imagine that", Joanne laughed wholeheartedly, while Kisara was staring in disbelief, "These rich people really don't know what else to do with their money, don't you think? Oops, I mean, I don't want you to believe that I have anything against…" Joanne continued apologetically.
"No, yeah it's ok," Kisara muttered, her mind raced with paranoia and doubt. "Nice meeting you, Joanne, but I really got to go." She left abruptly.
"Take care Kis!" Joanne shouted after her, smiling triumphantly.
Back at their apartment, Kisara paced the living room, her mind racing with turbulent thoughts. The seed of doubt that Joanne had planted snowballed, taking root deep within her consciousness.
"Why didn't he tell me about the project?" Kisara muttered to herself, frustration and anxiety evident in her voice. Does he already know? About the power, the separation? Her stomach lurched. What does he intend to do with it? Does he want to separate me from the dragon? Is that why he didn't want me to explore my connection with it?
She recalled Kaiba's insistence that she take a break from her career, ostensibly to spend more time together. But now, that suggestion took on a sinister hue in her mind.
He persuaded me to slow down, to be closer to him. Was that his plan all along? To keep me here, under his control, while he uses whatever power this Blue-Eyes connection holds?
Her thoughts spiraled into paranoid scenarios. She imagined herself as a captive, a pawn in Kaiba's grand scheme, kept close to satisfy his own desires and ambitions.
"He wants to control me," Kisara whispered, the realization striking her like a blow. "He wants to harness whatever power I possess for his own ends."
The more Kisara dwelled on these thoughts, the more her anxiety grew. She paced faster, her heart pounding with uncertainty and fear. The man she loved, the man who had shown her passion and tenderness, now seemed like a stranger cloaked in secrets.
"What if Joanne was right?" Kisara wondered aloud, her voice trembling slightly. "What if this whole relationship, everything we've shared, was just a facade for him to manipulate me?"
This could have been easily the truth, considering the reputation Kaiba had before they met. An arrogant and power-hungry CEO who didn't choose the means of getting what he wanted. She shivered. She knew what she was getting herself into, but the thrill and the excitement took over her when she signed that cursed contract.
"I need to get away," she muttered to herself. "If he's been planning this, I can't let him control us."
She grabbed the Blue-Eyes White Dragon card and started packing her bag, her hands trembling. She couldn't believe she was doing this, but the fear and distrust overwhelmed her.