The Carter Group building was still bustling when Lucas left the executive floor.
Employees moved quickly through the hallways, carrying documents and tablets, discussing projects in quiet but urgent voices.
Lucas walked casually through the corridors.
He looked relaxed on the outside.
But internally, his mind was a mess.
Adrian's words kept replaying in his head.
Even if you give up… I won't.
Lucas frowned.
"What exactly is he planning?"
Originally, Adrian Carter was supposed to fight Lucas for control of the company.
But Lucas had already made it clear he wasn't interested in competing.
So why did Adrian still seem so determined?
Lucas sighed.
"Maybe he just doesn't trust me."
Which honestly made sense.
After years of bullying and hostility, one sudden personality change wouldn't convince anyone immediately.
Lucas pressed the elevator button.
The doors opened with a soft sound.
He stepped inside and leaned against the wall as the elevator descended.
For a moment, he closed his eyes.
He thought about his real world.
The small apartment.
Late nights reading novels on his phone.
Simple meals and quiet mornings.
Compared to that life, this one felt unreal.
He was now the heir of one of the most powerful corporations in the country.
Money was no longer a problem.
He could travel anywhere.
Buy anything.
Live however he wanted.
And yet…
Lucas opened his eyes again.
"…Why does it feel so stressful?"
Because he wasn't just living a rich life.
He was inside a story.
And not just any story.
He was the villain.
Which meant danger could appear at any moment.
The elevator doors opened again.
Lucas stepped out onto a lower floor where several departments were located.
He wasn't planning to do anything specific.
He just wanted to explore the building.
But the moment he stepped into the hallway, he noticed something strange.
Several employees were whispering.
And they were looking at him.
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"…What?"
The employees quickly looked away.
Lucas continued walking.
But the whispers didn't stop.
"Is that him?"
"Yeah… that's the young master."
"I heard something happened today…"
Lucas stopped.
He turned slightly toward the group of employees whispering near a desk.
They immediately went silent.
Lucas stared at them for a moment.
Then he smiled lightly.
"Relax."
The employees looked nervous.
Lucas continued walking.
But now he was curious.
"What rumor are they talking about?"
He soon found out.
Because as he reached another hallway, he overheard two employees talking quietly.
"I still can't believe it."
"Right? The young master didn't interrupt the meeting once."
Lucas almost laughed.
That's the rumor?
Apparently, the villain heir's reputation was worse than he thought.
In the original story, Lucas Carter constantly caused trouble during company meetings.
He mocked executives.
Argued with his father.
And sometimes even walked out in the middle of discussions.
So today's calm behavior had shocked everyone.
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well… that's embarrassing."
Suddenly someone spoke beside him.
"You seem popular."
Lucas turned his head.
Adrian Carter stood a few steps away again.
Lucas blinked.
"…Are you following me?"
Adrian looked completely calm.
"No."
Lucas sighed.
"Then why do you keep appearing everywhere?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he glanced toward the employees who had been whispering earlier.
"They're talking about you."
Lucas shrugged.
"That's normal, isn't it?"
Adrian studied him.
"You don't seem bothered."
"Should I be?"
Adrian's gaze sharpened slightly.
"In the past, you would have confronted them already."
Lucas leaned against the wall.
"Well, maybe I'm trying something new."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"And what would that be?"
Lucas grinned slightly.
"Not being a terrible person."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
For a moment, silence filled the hallway.
Adrian looked genuinely surprised.
Then something strange happened.
He laughed.
Not loudly.
Just a quiet chuckle.
Lucas stared at him.
"…Did I say something funny?"
Adrian shook his head slightly.
"No."
But there was still a faint smile on his lips.
Lucas suddenly realized something.
This might be the first time Adrian had ever laughed around the villain heir.
In the original novel, their interactions were always tense and hostile.
Lucas rubbed his neck awkwardly.
"This is weird."
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"What is?"
"You laughing."
Adrian's expression returned to its usual calm.
"I laugh sometimes."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Adrian ignored the comment.
Instead, he asked,
"Why are you wandering around the building?"
Lucas shrugged.
"Just looking around."
Adrian seemed thoughtful.
Then he said something unexpected.
"Come with me."
Lucas blinked.
"…Where?"
Adrian started walking down the hallway.
"You said you wanted to explore."
Lucas hesitated.
Following the protagonist around sounded like a risky idea.
But curiosity won.
"Fine."
He followed Adrian through several corridors and elevators.
Eventually they reached another floor.
This area looked different from the executive offices.
It was quieter.
More focused.
Employees worked at desks covered with charts and computer screens.
Lucas looked around.
"What department is this?"
"Investment Strategy."
Lucas nodded slowly.
This was one of the most important divisions of the Carter Group.
Adrian walked toward a large window overlooking the trading floor.
Lucas stood beside him.
"So why did you bring me here?"
Adrian looked at the employees working below.
"This is where the company's biggest decisions are made."
Lucas studied the room.
People analyzed data, discussed market trends, and monitored financial reports.
The atmosphere was intense.
Adrian continued speaking.
"The Carter Group doesn't just rely on money."
Lucas glanced at him.
"Obviously."
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"It relies on strategy."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"And?"
Adrian finally looked at him.
"You said you weren't interested in the company."
Lucas nodded.
"Still not."
Adrian stared at him carefully.
"As the heir of this empire, that's a strange statement."
Lucas shrugged again.
"Maybe."
Adrian leaned slightly closer.
"But if you truly don't want it…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"…then what do you want?"
Lucas paused.
It was a simple question.
But he didn't have an easy answer.
What did he want?
In his previous life, he wanted stability.
Peace.
Time to read, write, and enjoy life.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing complicated.
Lucas looked out the window again.
"…Honestly?"
Adrian waited.
"I just want a quiet life."
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
Lucas continued.
"I'm not interested in power struggles or corporate wars."
He gestured toward the busy employees below.
"That world isn't for me."
Adrian watched him silently.
Lucas suddenly felt a bit self-conscious.
"…What?"
Adrian's voice was calm.
"You're serious."
Lucas frowned.
"Of course I am."
Adrian turned back toward the window.
The city skyline stretched beyond the glass.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Adrian said quietly,
"That might be a problem."
Lucas blinked.
"Why?"
Adrian glanced at him again.
"Because people like you don't get quiet lives."
Lucas frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Adrian's expression was unreadable.
"You're the heir of the Carter family."
He looked directly into Lucas's eyes.
"Whether you want it or not, this empire will always follow you."
Lucas felt a strange tension in the air.
For some reason, Adrian's words sounded less like a warning…
And more like a promise.
Lucas looked away first.
"…You're overthinking things."
Adrian didn't argue.
Instead, he simply said,
"We'll see."
Lucas suddenly had the feeling that his peaceful plan…
Might not work as easily as he hoped.
Because if the future CEO of the Carter Group had decided something…
It was almost impossible to change his mind.
And Adrian Carter clearly hadn't finished watching him yet.