The atmosphere inside the media department meeting room had completely changed.
What was once a normal workday had turned into a crisis management situation.
Employees moved quickly, typing on laptops, making phone calls, and reviewing online reports. The large screen displayed social media reactions and news headlines that continued to multiply every minute.
Lucas stood near the table, watching everything unfold.
"…This escalated fast."
Director Park nodded nervously.
"The rumors are spreading quicker than expected."
Adrian stood beside the screen, reading every report carefully. His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp and focused.
Lucas glanced at him.
He didn't look worried.
He looked… calculating.
Like a predator studying its prey.
Adrian spoke without turning around.
"Current damage level?"
Director Park answered immediately.
"Negative comments have reached over one hundred thousand views in the last hour."
Lucas frowned.
"That's bad."
Director Park continued,
"Several media outlets are preparing articles."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"If the news spreads, stock prices will drop further."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"Exactly."
He turned toward the team.
"Release the official statement now."
Director Park hesitated.
"Should we wait for legal confirmation first?"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
Lucas looked at him.
Adrian continued calmly.
"If we wait, the rumors will control the narrative."
Lucas nodded.
"That's true."
Adrian glanced at him briefly.
Lucas continued,
"Public opinion moves faster than legal procedures."
Director Park quickly gave instructions.
Within minutes, the Carter Group official statement was prepared and released online.
Lucas watched the screen.
The message appeared across several media platforms.
Carter Group denies plagiarism allegations. Full investigation underway.
Lucas exhaled slowly.
"Step one complete."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"Now we wait."
But Lucas shook his head.
"No."
Adrian looked at him.
Lucas leaned against the table.
"We don't just wait."
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Explain."
Lucas thought for a moment.
"If this is an attack, the person behind it wants attention."
Director Park nodded.
"That's usually the case."
Lucas continued,
"So we shouldn't just defend ourselves."
Adrian understood immediately.
"We counterattack."
Lucas smiled slightly.
"Exactly."
The room became quiet.
Director Park looked surprised.
Adrian stared at Lucas.
Lucas shrugged.
"What?"
Adrian spoke slowly.
"You're thinking strategically."
Lucas smirked.
"Is that illegal?"
Adrian ignored the joke.
"Continue."
Lucas walked toward the screen.
"If we find the source of the rumor and expose them publicly, the narrative will change."
Director Park nodded.
"That would restore public trust."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"And damage the attacker's credibility."
Lucas smiled.
"Now you get it."
Adrian studied him carefully.
Lucas continued explaining.
"Right now, people think Carter Group is guilty."
He pointed at the headlines.
"But if we prove that someone intentionally spread false information…"
He looked back at Adrian.
"…the public will turn against them instead."
Adrian's expression softened slightly.
"That's a strong strategy."
Lucas shrugged.
"Basic crisis management."
Director Park looked impressed.
"I'll assign the investigation team immediately."
Adrian nodded.
"Do it."
Employees quickly began searching for the origin of the rumor.
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
"Now we wait."
Adrian sat beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Adrian suddenly said,
"You're very capable."
Lucas blinked.
"…What?"
Adrian looked at him directly.
"You analyzed the situation quickly."
Lucas scratched his head.
"Anyone could do that."
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
Lucas frowned.
"You're exaggerating."
Adrian continued calmly.
"You said you weren't interested in the company."
Lucas sighed.
"Here we go again."
Adrian leaned slightly closer.
"But you understand business strategy very well."
Lucas shrugged.
"Just common sense."
Adrian's gaze sharpened.
"You keep saying that."
Lucas looked away.
"Because it's true."
Adrian watched him carefully.
The more Lucas spoke, the more contradictions appeared.
He claimed he didn't care about the company.
But his actions showed deep understanding of corporate strategy.
Lucas sighed.
"Stop staring at me like that."
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"Like what?"
"Like you're trying to read my soul."
Adrian almost smiled.
Lucas groaned.
"This is annoying."
Adrian finally looked back at the screen.
After a few minutes, Director Park returned.
Her expression looked serious.
"We found something."
Lucas sat up.
"That fast?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
She handed a tablet to Adrian.
Adrian read the report.
His eyes darkened slightly.
Lucas stood and walked closer.
"What is it?"
Adrian showed him the screen.
Lucas read the name.
Then his eyes widened.
"…Oh."
Director Park spoke quietly.
"The rumors originated from a media company linked to the Harrison Group."
Lucas frowned.
"Harrison Group?"
Adrian nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Lucas thought for a moment.
Then he remembered.
In the original novel, the Harrison Group was one of Carter Group's biggest competitors.
And their CEO…
Was known for being ruthless.
Lucas crossed his arms.
"So they started this attack."
Director Park nodded.
"Most likely."
Adrian's voice became colder.
"They want to weaken Carter Group's reputation."
Lucas sighed.
"Corporate war already started."
Adrian looked at him.
"You expected this?"
Lucas froze slightly.
"…No."
Adrian watched him carefully.
Lucas quickly added,
"I mean, big companies always have rivals."
Adrian didn't push further.
Instead, he turned toward Director Park.
"Prepare a response."
She nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian continued,
"Release evidence showing the Harrison Group's involvement."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"That aggressive?"
Adrian looked at him.
"They attacked first."
Lucas nodded slowly.
"Fair point."
Director Park quickly left to prepare the announcement.
Lucas leaned against the table again.
"Well… this just got interesting."
Adrian looked at him.
"You seem calm."
Lucas shrugged.
"Panicking won't help."
Adrian studied him again.
Lucas added casually,
"Besides, you look more dangerous than them right now."
Adrian blinked slightly.
"…Dangerous?"
Lucas smiled.
"Yeah."
He pointed at Adrian.
"That cold CEO expression."
Adrian didn't react.
Lucas laughed softly.
"You look like you're about to destroy someone."
Adrian spoke calmly.
"If they attack Carter Group…"
He looked at the screen.
"…they should be prepared for consequences."
Lucas felt a slight chill.
Yep.
Future CEO confirmed.
After a few minutes, the official response was released.
News headlines quickly changed.
Carter Group exposes Harrison Group media manipulation.
Corporate rivalry intensifies after false rumor scandal.
Public opinion shifts in Carter Group's favor.
Lucas smiled slightly.
"Nice."
Director Park returned again.
"The public is reacting positively."
Adrian nodded.
"Good."
Lucas stretched his arms.
"Crisis solved."
Adrian looked at him.
"This is only the beginning."
Lucas sighed.
"Of course it is."
Adrian stood up.
"We should report this to my father."
Lucas nodded.
"Yeah."
They walked out of the meeting room together.
As they stepped into the hallway, Adrian suddenly spoke.
"You handled that well."
Lucas shrugged.
"Team effort."
Adrian shook his head slightly.
"No."
Lucas looked at him.
"You helped stabilize the situation."
Lucas smiled faintly.
"Well… I guess I did something useful today."
Adrian's gaze softened slightly.
"You did more than that."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Adrian spoke quietly.
"You proved something."
Lucas frowned.
"What?"
Adrian looked directly at him.
"You're not the useless villain everyone believes you are."
Lucas froze slightly.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Then he laughed softly.
"Well… don't spread that rumor."
Adrian tilted his head.
"Why not?"
Lucas smirked.
"Because I prefer low expectations."
Adrian almost smiled again.
And for the first time since Lucas transmigrated into this world…
The distance between them felt slightly smaller.