The atmosphere in the media department changed after Adrian arrived.
It wasn't obvious at first.
But Lucas could feel it.
Employees who had been casually working suddenly became more focused. Conversations quieted. Even Director Park straightened her posture slightly.
Lucas leaned against the table and sighed internally.
Of course.
When the future CEO of the Carter Group walks into a department, everyone gets nervous.
Adrian stood beside him calmly, observing the office.
Lucas glanced at him.
"You know, people are getting uncomfortable."
Adrian didn't move.
"They should focus on their work."
Lucas rolled his eyes.
"That's exactly why they're uncomfortable."
Adrian turned slightly toward him.
Lucas gestured around the office.
"You're standing here like an inspector."
Adrian looked confused.
"I'm just observing."
Lucas laughed softly.
"Exactly."
Director Park approached them carefully.
"Mr. Adrian, is there something specific you would like to review?"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
She hesitated slightly.
"Then… would you like to observe the next campaign meeting?"
Adrian looked at Lucas.
Lucas immediately shook his head.
"No."
Director Park blinked.
Lucas forced a smile.
"I mean, you should continue your work normally."
Adrian didn't argue.
Instead, he walked toward the glass window and stood beside it.
Lucas sighed and followed him.
"Seriously, why are you here?"
Adrian answered calmly.
"I told you already."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"You're curious about me."
"Yes."
Lucas frowned.
"That's weird."
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"Why?"
Lucas sighed.
"Because in the original—"
He stopped.
Adrian narrowed his eyes.
"In the original… what?"
Lucas quickly shook his head.
"Nothing."
That was too close.
He almost exposed himself again.
Adrian watched him carefully.
"You keep saying strange things."
Lucas laughed awkwardly.
"I'm a strange person."
Adrian didn't smile.
The silence between them became heavy.
Lucas quickly changed the topic.
"So, how was the finance department?"
Adrian answered simply.
"Efficient."
Lucas nodded.
"Sounds boring."
Adrian looked at him.
"You would prefer the media department?"
Lucas shrugged.
"At least people talk here."
Adrian studied him again.
"You like talking."
Lucas smirked.
"Better than staring silently like you."
Adrian didn't deny it.
Instead, he asked quietly,
"Why are you avoiding me?"
Lucas blinked.
"…What?"
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"You keep changing topics whenever I ask about you."
Lucas forced a laugh.
"That's called conversation."
Adrian stepped closer.
"No."
Lucas felt his heart tighten slightly.
"It's called avoidance."
Lucas looked away.
"You're overthinking again."
Adrian continued watching him.
Lucas sighed.
"Look, Adrian."
Adrian waited.
Lucas spoke more seriously this time.
"I'm not your enemy."
Adrian didn't respond.
Lucas continued.
"And I'm not hiding some grand plan either."
Adrian's gaze softened slightly.
"Then what are you hiding?"
Lucas felt cornered again.
He looked around the office.
Employees were pretending to work, but some were clearly listening.
Lucas stepped closer to Adrian and lowered his voice.
"I'm hiding my peace."
Adrian frowned.
"…What does that mean?"
Lucas smiled faintly.
"It means I don't want trouble."
Adrian stared at him.
Lucas continued quietly.
"I just want to live quietly and enjoy my life."
Adrian's expression didn't change.
Lucas added,
"Is that so hard to understand?"
Adrian looked at him for several seconds.
Then he finally spoke.
"…Yes."
Lucas blinked.
"Why?"
Adrian's voice was calm but firm.
"Because people like you don't live quietly."
Lucas sighed.
"Again with that."
Adrian turned slightly toward the window.
"You're the heir of the Carter family."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"And?"
Adrian continued.
"You have wealth, power, and influence."
Lucas nodded.
"Correct."
Adrian looked back at him.
"People like that always attract enemies."
Lucas froze slightly.
Enemies.
That word hit too close to the original novel.
Because in the story…
Lucas Carter eventually made many enemies.
Business rivals.
Family enemies.
And even people inside the company.
Lucas swallowed quietly.
"…I know."
Adrian studied his reaction carefully.
Lucas quickly changed his expression.
"But that's future talk."
Adrian didn't look convinced.
Lucas suddenly felt tired.
"Can we stop talking about this?"
Adrian hesitated.
Then he nodded slightly.
"…Fine."
Lucas relaxed a bit.
"Thank you."
The two of them stood quietly near the window.
For a moment, the tension disappeared.
Then Lucas spoke again.
"Are you going back to the finance department?"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Then what?"
Adrian answered calmly.
"I'll stay here for a while."
Lucas groaned.
"Of course you will."
Adrian ignored the comment.
But after a few minutes, his phone vibrated.
He checked the screen.
His expression changed slightly.
Lucas noticed.
"What happened?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he read the message again.
Lucas stepped closer.
"Bad news?"
Adrian looked at him.
"Yes."
Lucas frowned.
"What is it?"
Adrian showed him the screen.
Lucas read the message.
Urgent: Carter Group media campaign attacked online. Negative rumors spreading rapidly.
Lucas's eyes widened.
"…What?"
Director Park rushed toward them at that moment.
"Mr. Adrian! Young Master!"
Lucas turned toward her.
"What happened?"
She looked nervous.
"A luxury brand campaign we launched this morning is receiving negative media attention."
Lucas frowned.
"Why?"
Director Park handed him a tablet.
Lucas read the headlines.
Carter Group accused of copying foreign brand design.
Luxury campaign faces plagiarism controversy.
Public criticism rising rapidly.
Lucas's expression darkened.
"This is bad."
Director Park nodded.
"Very bad."
Adrian remained calm.
"Show me the details."
They quickly moved into the meeting room.
Employees gathered around the screen.
Lucas studied the reports.
Social media criticism was spreading quickly.
Stock prices were beginning to fluctuate.
Lucas clenched his jaw.
"This is definitely not normal."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"It's an attack."
Director Park looked worried.
"You mean competitors?"
Adrian's eyes became cold.
"Most likely."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"Someone is targeting the Carter Group."
Adrian looked at him.
"Yes."
Lucas stared at the screen again.
"This wasn't an accident."
Adrian nodded.
"Agreed."
Director Park looked between them.
"What should we do?"
Adrian spoke calmly.
"Control the narrative."
Lucas looked at him.
Adrian continued.
"Release an official statement immediately."
Director Park nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas added,
"And provide proof that the design is original."
Adrian glanced at him.
Lucas shrugged.
"Basic damage control."
Director Park quickly gave instructions to the team.
Employees began working rapidly.
Lucas watched the chaos.
Then he quietly muttered,
"The story is starting earlier than expected."
Adrian heard him.
"…What story?"
Lucas froze.
"…Nothing."
Adrian narrowed his eyes.
Lucas forced a smile.
"I meant business story."
Adrian didn't look convinced.
But he didn't push further.
Instead, he looked at the screen again.
His voice became cold.
"Find out who started this rumor."
Director Park nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian's expression darkened slightly.
Lucas noticed.
That calm and gentle Adrian from earlier was gone.
This Adrian looked like the future CEO.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Lucas swallowed quietly.
"…He's serious."
Adrian glanced at him.
Lucas forced a casual tone.
"Don't worry. We'll handle it."
Adrian looked at him for a moment.
Then he nodded slightly.
"…We will."
For the first time since arriving in this world, Lucas realized something clearly.
The story was moving forward.
And this time…
He was standing right in the middle of it.
Not as a distant reader.
Not as an observer.
But as the villain heir of the Carter family.
And now…
The enemies were already watching him.