Season 2 — Chapter 9: The Boardroom War
Morning arrived too quickly.
Soft sunlight filtered through the upstairs lounge.
Lina stirred slightly in her sleep.
For a moment, she looked peaceful.
Her head still rested against Adrian's shoulder.
One hand lightly holding his sleeve.
Adrian hadn't slept much.
He spent the entire night sitting there quietly.
Watching her.
Protecting her.
When Lina slowly opened her eyes, she froze.
Realizing their position.
She quickly sat up.
"I…"
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"Sorry."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"You apologize too much."
She looked away awkwardly.
Silence stretched.
But this time—
It didn't feel cold.
Just… unfamiliar.
Then reality returned.
The board meeting.
Marcus.
The threat.
Adrian stood.
"I have to leave soon."
Lina immediately looked up.
"The meeting."
He nodded.
Her chest tightened again.
Adrian noticed.
He walked closer.
"Don't worry."
She frowned slightly.
"How can I not?"
He gently touched her hair.
"I'll handle it."
She looked at him quietly.
Then suddenly—
"I'm coming with you."
Adrian froze.
"No."
"Why not?"
His expression became serious.
"It's dangerous."
She crossed her arms.
"Marcus is targeting me anyway."
He stayed silent.
Because she was right.
Lina stepped closer.
"If he wants to use me against you…"
Her voice softened.
"Then let me stand beside you."
Adrian looked at her for a long moment.
Then sighed quietly.
"Okay."
Her heart relaxed slightly.
—
Two hours later…
The black car stopped in front of Harrison Corporation.
Reporters already crowded the entrance.
Cameras flashed everywhere.
The moment Adrian stepped out—
Questions exploded.
"Mr. Harrison! Is the merger true?!"
"Did Blake Group threaten Harrison Corp?!"
"What's your relationship with Marcus Blake?!"
Then—
The reporters noticed Lina.
Their attention shifted instantly.
"Mrs. Harrison!"
"Is it true you were involved in the accident scandal?!"
Lina froze slightly.
Adrian's expression darkened immediately.
He wrapped one arm protectively around her waist.
"No comments."
His voice was cold enough to silence everyone.
He guided Lina inside quickly.
Once the elevator doors closed—
Lina exhaled slowly.
"They already know…"
Adrian's eyes turned cold.
"Marcus leaked it."
Her chest tightened.
"So this is just the beginning…"
Adrian looked at her quietly.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded slowly.
"I can handle it."
But inside—
She felt shaken.
—
Meanwhile…
Inside the boardroom…
Marcus Blake sat comfortably at the end of the long table.
Perfect suit.
Relaxed smile.
Dangerous eyes.
When Adrian entered with Lina beside him—
Marcus smiled wider.
"Adrian."
Then his gaze shifted toward Lina.
"And Mrs. Harrison."
Lina felt uneasy immediately.
Adrian pulled her chair slightly closer to him before sitting down.
Marcus noticed.
His smile deepened.
"Protective as always."
Adrian ignored him.
"Let's get this over with."
Marcus leaned back lazily.
"Straight to business. I like that."
The board members looked nervous.
Everyone could feel the tension.
Marcus finally spoke.
"I'll make this simple."
He placed documents on the table.
"Harrison Corporation merges with Blake Group."
Adrian's eyes stayed cold.
"No."
Marcus chuckled softly.
"You should at least pretend to consider it."
Adrian leaned forward slightly.
"I'd rather burn the company down."
The room fell silent.
Marcus smiled faintly.
"There's the Adrian I know."
Lina quietly watched them.
The hatred between them felt real.
Deep.
Personal.
Marcus turned toward the board members.
"As major shareholder… I can force a vote."
Several board members looked uncomfortable.
Adrian's expression didn't change.
Marcus continued calmly—
"But honestly…"
His eyes shifted toward Lina again.
"I'm trying to avoid unnecessary damage."
Lina's heart tightened.
Adrian's voice turned icy.
"Stop involving her."
Marcus smiled.
"But she's the reason you're weak."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Adrian stood abruptly.
The chair scraped loudly across the floor.
"Watch your mouth."
Marcus slowly stood too.
"And if I don't?"
The tension became suffocating.
Board members looked terrified.
Lina quickly stood between them.
"Stop."
Both men looked at her.
She looked directly at Marcus.
"What do you really want?"
Marcus's expression softened slightly.
"Simple."
His eyes turned dark again.
"I want Adrian to lose."
Silence.
Then he added quietly—
"The way I did."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
Marcus laughed softly.
"You still don't remember…"
Lina frowned.
"Remember what?"
Marcus looked at Adrian carefully.
Then smiled coldly.
"You destroyed my life first."
The room went silent.
Adrian frowned deeply.
"I don't even know what you're talking about."
Marcus stepped closer.
"You ruined everything I had."
His calm mask cracked slightly.
"And now…"
His eyes darkened.
"I'll do the same to you."
Lina felt chills run down her spine.
Because for the first time—
Marcus didn't look like a businessman.
He looked obsessed.
Dangerously obsessed.
And suddenly—
She realized something terrifying.
This was never just about business.
It was revenge.