The conference room on the 23rd floor of Carter Group was unusually tense.
Lucas noticed it the moment he stepped inside.
The air felt heavy, almost suffocating, like a storm was about to break at any moment. Executives sat around the long glass table, their expressions serious and cautious. Files were neatly arranged in front of them, and the large digital screen displayed financial reports and partnership proposals.
Lucas walked in beside Adrian, trying to appear calm.
But he could already tell something was wrong.
At the far end of the table sat three unfamiliar men.
Expensive suits.
Sharp expressions.
Cold eyes.
Lucas narrowed his gaze slightly.
Harrison Group.
He immediately recognized them.
Even without memories from the original Lucas, he could guess who they were.
The atmosphere alone was enough to tell.
Adrian stopped walking.
His expression became colder the moment he saw them.
Lucas glanced at him.
Adrian's face showed no emotion, but his eyes had turned sharp and dangerous.
Victor Carter sat at the head of the table, his posture straight and authoritative.
"Sit," Victor said calmly.
Lucas and Adrian took their seats.
Lucas sat beside Adrian, directly across from the Harrison Group representatives.
One of them smiled.
It wasn't a friendly smile.
It was mocking.
"Good morning, Young Master Lucas."
Lucas looked at him.
The man leaned back in his chair confidently.
"My name is Daniel Harrison."
Lucas nodded slightly.
"Morning."
His tone was neutral.
Daniel Harrison chuckled.
"So this is the famous Carter heir who handled yesterday's media crisis."
Lucas didn't respond.
He already sensed where this was going.
Daniel crossed his legs and looked Lucas up and down.
"I must say, you don't look very impressive."
The room became silent.
Some Carter executives frowned slightly.
Victor Carter's expression remained calm.
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
"I wasn't aware I needed to impress you."
A few executives almost smiled.
Daniel Harrison's smile faded slightly.
"Oh?"
He leaned forward.
"You speak confidently for someone known as a useless heir."
The insult was clear.
Open.
Direct.
The room became even colder.
Lucas sighed quietly.
Here we go.
He rested his chin on his hand.
"Are we here for business or personal opinions?"
Daniel smirked.
"Business, of course."
He tapped the table lightly.
"But business requires competent people."
His eyes locked onto Lucas.
"And I'm not sure Carter Group has that."
The insult was no longer subtle.
It was a direct attack on Lucas and the Carter family.
Adrian's fingers tightened slightly on the table.
Lucas noticed it.
Adrian was angry.
Daniel continued,
"I heard Young Master Lucas spends most of his time wasting money and causing trouble."
Lucas remained calm.
Daniel smiled mockingly.
"Is Carter Group really planning to let someone like him participate in project management?"
Lucas exhaled slowly.
"I'm sitting right here, you know."
Daniel shrugged.
"Then you can answer."
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
"Answer what?"
Daniel leaned forward.
"Do you actually understand anything about business?"
The insult echoed in the room.
Executives shifted uncomfortably.
Victor Carter remained silent.
Lucas stared at Daniel for a few seconds.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Enough to know when someone is trying too hard to look important."
The room went silent again.
Daniel's expression darkened.
"What did you say?"
Lucas shrugged casually.
"I said you look nervous."
Daniel slammed his hand on the table.
"Nervous?!"
Lucas nodded calmly.
"Only insecure people insult others in meetings."
Adrian's lips twitched slightly.
Lucas continued,
"If Harrison Group came here to negotiate, you should focus on business instead of acting like a school bully."
Some executives lowered their heads to hide their smiles.
Daniel's face turned red.
"You—!"
He suddenly stood up.
The chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Lucas didn't move.
Daniel walked toward him.
"You think you're clever?"
Lucas looked up calmly.
"You're getting too close."
Daniel ignored him and stepped even closer.
"You useless heir—"
Suddenly—
Adrian stood up.
The movement was fast and sharp.
Before Daniel could step closer, Adrian grabbed his wrist.
The sound of the grip echoed in the silent room.
"Stop."
Adrian's voice was cold.
Daniel froze.
His wrist was held tightly.
Adrian stood between him and Lucas.
His expression was dark and dangerous.
"I suggest you return to your seat."
Daniel glared at him.
"You're being disrespectful."
Adrian tightened his grip slightly.
"And you're being inappropriate."
Lucas blinked.
Adrian was standing directly in front of him.
Close.
Very close.
Lucas could almost feel Adrian's body heat.
Daniel tried to pull his hand back.
"Let go."
Adrian didn't move.
His voice became colder.
"You entered Carter Group and insulted our people."
His eyes darkened.
"That is disrespect."
Daniel frowned.
"I was speaking the truth."
Adrian's grip tightened slightly.
Lucas could see the tension in his jaw.
Adrian leaned slightly closer to Daniel.
"And now you're threatening him."
Lucas felt his heartbeat increase.
Him.
Adrian was clearly protecting him.
Daniel tried to remain confident.
"He's just a useless heir."
The moment those words came out—
Adrian's expression changed completely.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
His voice dropped.
"Don't touch him."
The room froze.
Lucas's heart skipped.
Adrian's grip tightened again.
Daniel winced slightly.
Adrian spoke slowly.
"You are a guest in Carter Group."
His voice was calm but terrifying.
"If you continue this behavior…"
His eyes darkened.
"…this meeting will end immediately."
Daniel swallowed slightly.
The pressure was overwhelming.
Adrian released his wrist slowly.
Daniel stepped back immediately.
Adrian stood there for a few seconds before sitting down again beside Lucas.
Lucas looked at him.
Adrian's expression returned to normal.
Cold.
Calm.
As if nothing happened.
But Lucas noticed something.
Adrian's hand was still slightly tense.
Lucas leaned closer and whispered softly.
"You didn't have to do that."
Adrian didn't look at him.
"Yes, I did."
Lucas blinked.
Adrian spoke quietly.
"You are part of Carter Group."
Lucas felt his chest tighten slightly.
Adrian continued,
"No one has the right to insult you here."
Lucas looked at him.
For some reason…
His heart was beating faster.
Adrian turned slightly toward him.
"Are you hurt?"
Lucas blinked.
"…What?"
Adrian's eyes softened slightly.
"Did he hurt you?"
Lucas laughed softly.
"He just talked."
Adrian nodded slowly.
Lucas looked at him carefully.
"You were really angry."
Adrian didn't deny it.
Lucas smiled faintly.
"You were protecting me."
Adrian finally looked at him.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the world felt quiet.
Adrian spoke calmly.
"Yes."
Lucas felt his heartbeat quicken.
"…Why?"
Adrian stared at him for a few seconds.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Because you're under my responsibility."
Lucas felt something strange in his chest.
Responsibility.
That word sounded normal.
But Adrian's voice felt different.
Softer.
Warmer.
Lucas looked away first.
"…I see."
The meeting continued shortly after, but the atmosphere had completely changed.
Daniel Harrison no longer spoke carelessly.
He stayed quiet and focused on business.
Adrian remained calm and professional.
But Lucas could still feel Adrian's presence beside him.
Close.
Protective.
And for some reason…
Comforting.
After the meeting ended, executives slowly left the room.
Lucas stood up and stretched.
"That was exhausting."
Adrian stood beside him.
"Are you okay?"
Lucas nodded.
"Yeah."
Adrian looked at him carefully.
Lucas smiled slightly.
"You really scared him."
Adrian spoke calmly.
"He crossed the line."
Lucas laughed softly.
"You looked like you were about to kill him."
Adrian didn't respond.
Lucas stepped closer slightly.
"Still…"
He smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
Adrian looked at him.
Lucas continued,
"For protecting me."
Adrian's eyes softened slightly.
"You don't need to thank me."
Lucas tilted his head.
"Why not?"
Adrian spoke quietly.
"Because I will always protect you."
Lucas froze.
The words were simple.
But they felt heavy.
Serious.
Real.
Lucas's heart beat faster again.
Adrian stepped closer.
Now the distance between them was very small.
Lucas could almost feel his breathing.
Adrian spoke softly.
"You're part of Carter Group."
Lucas swallowed slightly.
"And part of my responsibility."
Lucas laughed nervously.
"You really like that word."
Adrian didn't smile.
His voice became quieter.
"Yes."
Lucas looked at him.
For a moment, their eyes locked again.
And this time…
Neither of them looked away immediately.
Something silent passed between them.
Something neither of them said.
But both of them felt.
Then Adrian stepped back slightly.
"Let's go."
Lucas exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
They walked out of the conference room together.
Side by side.
And for the first time since Lucas transmigrated into this world…
He didn't feel like Adrian was dangerous.
Instead…
He felt safe beside him.