Season 2 — Chapter 10: The Truth Adrian Forgot
The boardroom remained silent.
Heavy.
Tense.
Marcus's final words echoed through the air.
"This was never just business."
Lina looked between the two men.
Adrian's expression had turned darker than before.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
But beneath that—
There was confusion.
"What are you talking about?" Adrian asked again.
Marcus laughed quietly.
"You really don't remember."
Adrian stepped forward.
"Then explain."
Marcus's smile slowly disappeared.
"You ruined my sister."
The room froze.
Lina frowned slightly.
"Your sister…?"
Marcus's eyes darkened.
"Her name was Claire."
Adrian stayed silent.
Because the name meant nothing to him.
Marcus noticed immediately.
His expression twisted bitterly.
"Of course you forgot."
Lina felt uneasy.
Marcus continued—
"Five years ago… Claire worked for Harrison Corporation."
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly.
Marcus laughed coldly.
"She admired you."
His voice carried anger now.
"Trusted you."
Lina looked toward Adrian.
But Adrian still looked confused.
Marcus continued quietly—
"Then one day… she disappeared."
The atmosphere turned colder.
"What happened to her?" Lina asked softly.
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"She killed herself."
Silence.
The board members exchanged uneasy glances.
Lina's heart tightened.
"What…?"
Marcus looked directly at Adrian.
"She left a letter."
Adrian's expression remained hard.
Marcus continued—
"She wrote your name."
The room became suffocating.
Lina looked shocked.
Adrian frowned deeply.
"I never—"
Marcus cut him off sharply.
"She loved you."
His voice cracked slightly.
"And after meeting you… she changed."
Adrian's hands slowly clenched.
Marcus laughed bitterly.
"You probably didn't even notice her."
Lina could feel the pain in his voice now.
Real pain.
Marcus continued quietly—
"After she died… I investigated."
His eyes turned colder.
"I learned how powerful people erase everything."
Adrian stepped closer slowly.
"I never touched your sister."
Marcus smirked coldly.
"Maybe not directly."
Then he pointed at him.
"But your world destroyed her."
Silence filled the room again.
Adrian's expression hardened.
"And now you're using Lina for revenge?"
Marcus's eyes darkened.
"Now you understand."
Lina's chest tightened.
"This is insane."
Marcus looked at her calmly.
"Maybe."
Then his gaze returned to Adrian.
"But pain changes people."
The tension became unbearable.
Finally—
Adrian spoke coldly.
"If you wanted revenge… you should've come after me."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"I am."
Then his eyes shifted toward Lina again.
"You just happen to be his weakness."
Adrian's patience snapped.
He grabbed Marcus by the collar instantly.
The room erupted.
"Boss!"
"Mr. Harrison!"
Marcus laughed softly despite being pinned.
"There he is."
Adrian's voice turned deadly quiet.
"You stay away from her."
Marcus stared directly into his eyes.
"Or what?"
Adrian's grip tightened.
For a moment—
Lina genuinely thought Adrian might kill him.
"Adrian!"
Her voice cut through the room.
He froze slightly.
She stepped closer carefully.
"Let go."
His breathing remained uneven.
"Adrian."
Her softer voice finally reached him.
Slowly—
He released Marcus.
Marcus adjusted his suit calmly.
Still smiling.
"You've changed."
Adrian's eyes remained ice-cold.
Marcus stepped back.
Then calmly picked up his documents.
"This meeting isn't over."
Adrian answered instantly—
"It is."
Marcus paused.
Then smirked.
"We'll see."
And just like that—
He walked out.
The boardroom stayed silent long after he left.
—
Later…
Inside Adrian's office…
Lina stood near the window quietly.
The city stretched beneath them.
But her thoughts remained trapped in the boardroom.
Claire.
Suicide.
Revenge.
She finally turned toward Adrian.
"Did you really not know her?"
Adrian loosened his tie tiredly.
"I honestly don't remember."
She looked at him carefully.
"You think he's lying?"
Adrian stayed silent for a moment.
Then sighed.
"I think… he believes his own story."
Lina frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Adrian walked toward her slowly.
"Maybe someone manipulated him too."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Emily?"
Adrian's expression darkened.
"Possibly."
Lina leaned against the desk slightly.
"This is getting worse."
Adrian nodded quietly.
"Yeah."
Silence fell again.
Then—
Lina asked softly—
"If you remembered everything…"
He looked at her.
"Would things be different?"
His gaze softened slightly.
"I don't know."
Her chest tightened.
Adrian stepped closer.
"But one thing wouldn't change."
She looked up at him.
"You."
Her breath caught slightly.
His voice lowered.
"I'd still choose you."
Her heart trembled.
Because this time—
She believed him.
But before either of them could say more—
The office door burst open.
Lucas entered quickly.
His face serious.
"Boss."
Adrian frowned.
"What happened?"
Lucas looked at Lina briefly.
Then spoke carefully—
"There's been an accident."
Lina's heart skipped violently.
"What accident?"
Lucas swallowed slightly.
"Emily Carter…"
He paused.
"Was attacked."