The moment Adrian stepped out of the office, the energy around him shifted. His footsteps were sharp, echoing through the hallway as his phone kept buzzing in his hand. He answered only when he reached the private staircase.
"What happened?" he asked.
A tense voice replied, "Sir… it's your brother."
Adrian froze. Everything else disappeared from his mind.
"What about him?" he asked, his voice dangerously controlled.
"He's missing from the facility."
Adrian's jaw tightened. He closed his eyes for a moment, forcing himself to stay calm. This wasn't the first time his past had surfaced, but the timing could not be worse.
"Send every detail," he said. "And increase security around the company."
"Yes, sir."
He ended the call and leaned against the wall for a second. If his brother was loose, Mia could be in danger. His past had a pattern—and Mia had unknowingly stepped into its shadow.
Mia sat at her desk, staring at the screen but unable to focus. The rumor still lingered in the air, and the memory of Adrian holding her hand in the elevator refused to fade.
She tried to steady her breathing. She needed to act normal. She needed to avoid attention. But her heart wouldn't stop racing.
Tanya walked over quietly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm trying to be," Mia said, forcing a smile.
"People are scared to even mention your name now," Tanya whispered. "The CEO defended you publicly. They don't know what to think."
Mia lowered her eyes. "I don't know what to think either."
Her phone vibrated. She checked it—and froze.
A message from the anonymous company board:
"Stay away from the CEO if you want to stay alive."
Her blood ran cold. She quickly locked her phone.
Tanya noticed her panic. "What was that?"
"Just… work," Mia whispered. She didn't want to drag Tanya into something dangerous.
Adrian returned twenty minutes later. The moment he stepped onto the floor, the atmosphere turned stiff and silent. His expression was darker than she had ever seen.
He spotted Mia immediately.
"Come with me," he said.
She followed him to his private office. He closed the door behind them.
"Adrian… what's wrong?" Mia asked.
He ran a hand through his hair, a rare sign of frustration. She had never seen him like this.
"My brother escaped from the psychiatric facility," he said.
Mia blinked. "Your… brother?"
"He's unstable. And dangerous. Not because of what he does, but because of who he blames."
She swallowed. "Who does he blame?"
Adrian stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Me. Anyone close to me. Anyone he thinks matters to me."
Mia's heart skipped a beat. "You think I'm in danger?"
He looked directly at her, and something vulnerable flickered in his eyes.
"Yes," he said. "You are."
Her breath trembled.
"I'm increasing security here," Adrian continued. "No leaving alone. No walking around without telling me. I don't want you out of my sight until this is dealt with."
Mia whispered, "But… why me? Why warn me first?"
Adrian hesitated for a long moment.
"Mia… because he will target you to get to me."
She stepped back, stunned. "Why would I matter that much?"
He moved closer, stopping just inches away.
"Because I care," he said quietly. "More than I should."
Her chest tightened. She didn't know what to say.
Before she could respond, a loud crash echoed from outside the office.
Adrian's entire body stiffened.
He quickly stepped in front of her.
"Stay behind me," he said. "Don't move."
Another crash. Louder this time.
Adrian's voice dropped, cold and sharp.
"He's here."
Mia felt all the blood drain from her face.
The danger was no longer a possibility.
It was real.
And it was already inside the building.