The air in Adrian's office always felt controlled.
Still. Quiet. Dominant.
Until the doors opened without a knock.
Elena looked up from the couch where she had been pretending to read.
The man who walked in didn't look nervous.
Didn't look impressed.
Didn't look afraid.
That alone made him dangerous.
Tall. Confident. A slow smile like he already knew secrets no one else did.
"Well," he said casually, "you weren't exaggerating. She's real."
Adrian didn't stand.
Didn't greet him.
Didn't offer a seat.
His voice dropped a degree colder.
"You're early, Marcus."
Elena's eyes flicked between them.
So this was Marcus Hale.
The rival.
"I was in the neighborhood," Marcus said, straightening his expensive watch. "Thought I'd see the miracle wife in person."
Elena stiffened.
Miracle wife?
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly. A warning sign, even if no one else noticed.
"Watch your tone," Adrian said quietly.
Marcus laughed under his breath and finally looked at Elena properly.
"You must be Elena," he said, voice smooth. "You walked into a storm, you know."
She didn't answer.
Something about him felt wrong.
Like a smile hiding teeth.
"Why are you here?" Adrian asked.
Marcus stepped closer to the desk.
"There's a vote coming up," he said. "Board members are nervous. A sudden marriage, rumors about old… situations. Investors don't like uncertainty."
Elena felt her stomach drop.
This wasn't just personal.
Their fake marriage was affecting the company.
Adrian stood now.
Slowly.
The temperature in the room shifted.
"You came all the way here," Adrian said, "to tell me something I already know?"
Marcus leaned forward slightly.
"I came to tell you they're considering a leadership review."
Silence.
Heavy.
Sharp.
"They think," Marcus continued, "maybe it's time Volkov Industries had a steadier hand."
Elena felt the meaning like a slap.
They were trying to remove Adrian.
Adrian didn't explode.
Didn't shout.
That was worse.
"Are you volunteering?" he asked.
Marcus smiled. "If the board asks, I serve."
Of course he would.
Marcus turned to leave, then paused at the door.
"One more thing," he added lightly. "Your past is getting… expensive. Secrets have a price, Adrian."
Elena's heart pounded.
Marcus glanced at her one last time.
"Hope you know what you married into."
Then he walked out.
The office stayed silent long after he was gone.
Elena looked at Adrian.
"This is because of me, isn't it?"
"No," Adrian said immediately.
But his eyes were dark.
Storm-dark.
Danger-dark.
"This," he said, "is because men like Marcus mistake patience for weakness."
Elena swallowed.
"What happens now?"
Adrian picked up his phone.
His voice when he spoke was calm.
Too calm.
"Call an emergency board session," he said. "And find out who's been talking."
He hung up and looked toward the window overlooking the city.
"They want a war," he said softly.
Then his gaze shifted to Elena.
"They just made one."