The conference room was a tomb.
The silence after the manager's words stretched like a noose tightening around their necks. The photo glared from the screen on the wall—Kael's arm around Klan, their faces inches apart. Intimate. Undeniable.
"This cannot continue," the head executive said finally, his voice like ice. "You know what's at stake—endorsement deals, contracts, the entire future of LUMINA."
Kael sat rigid, fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. His amber eyes blazed, but his voice was eerily calm when he spoke. "What do you want us to do?"
The executive didn't hesitate. "Deny. Issue a statement saying it was nothing but a misunderstanding. No more private interactions. No more fuel for rumors."
Klan's chest tightened painfully. He knew this was coming. He knew the moment that photo leaked that the company would demand this. But hearing it out loud felt like someone driving a blade through his ribs.
"And," the executive continued, eyes flicking toward Kael, "we will be arranging a public relationship for you."
Kael's head snapped up. "What?"
"A fake dating scandal," the manager said, his tone cold and practical. "We've already contacted one of Aurora's top female idols. It'll kill the rumors and give the fans something else to focus on."
Kael laughed. A sharp, bitter sound that made everyone flinch. "You want me to pretend to date someone just to cover this up?"
"That's exactly what you'll do," the executive said flatly. "Or we'll have no choice but to suspend Klan from activities for the rest of the year."
Klan's breath caught. "What—"
Kael was on his feet before Klan could finish, slamming his hands on the table so hard the executives jumped. "You're not touching him." His voice was a growl, low and lethal. "You pull him out, and I walk. Right now."
The room froze.
The manager's eyes narrowed. "Kael. Sit down."
But Kael didn't move. His glare was molten fury, his chest rising and falling like a beast barely leashed. "You think you can control everything? Fine. Control me. But don't you dare punish him for something that's my fault."
"It's both your fault," the executive snapped. "You think fans will forgive this? Two idols, in the same group, involved romantically? You'll kill the brand before it even rises!"
Kael leaned forward, voice a razor's edge. "Maybe you forgot something," he said quietly. "LUMINA isn't your brand. It's mine. I built this group. And if you think you can destroy him to protect your profits, I'll burn this company to the ground before I let that happen."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
The manager finally spoke, voice tight with fury. "You have 24 hours to decide. Either agree to the cover-up—or you both pay the price."
He walked out, the executives trailing behind him, leaving the room in a tense, crushing silence.
Klan sat frozen, his heart pounding so hard it hurt. "Kael…" he whispered, voice trembling. "You shouldn't have said that."
Kael turned to him slowly, his eyes still blazing. "I meant every word."
Klan swallowed, his vision blurring with tears. "They'll destroy you, Kael. You can't fight them."
Kael closed the space between them in two steps, cupping Klan's face in his hands. His touch was fierce but trembling. "Let them try," he murmured, his voice breaking. "Because I'm never letting them take you from me."
And for the first time, Klan believed him.
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