Chapter 184: Beneath the Surface

Roman sat behind his desk, the glow of several monitors washing the office in a pale blue light. His sleeves were rolled to his forearms, and a cup of coffee sat forgotten beside the keyboard, long gone cold.

His phone rested against a stack of documents, the screen occupied by Theon’s face

“I still don’t understand why you’re making this so complicated,” Theon said, rubbing between his brows. Several reports and laboratory samples littered the desk behind him. “You created the virus. You created the antidote. Just tell me the formula.”

Roman leaned back in his chair, his fingers pressing against his temple.

"It's not that simple. The original formula was destroyed when I burned the lab. What I remember is fragmented. I can give you the framework, but you'll have to fill in the gaps."

"Fragmented?" Theon's brows shot up. "You designed the damn thing from scratch. How is it fragmented?"

"Because I didn't write it down." Roman's voice was flat. "I kept it in my head. And my head hasn't been the most reliable lately."

Theon went quiet. He studied Roman through the screen, something unreadable passing through his expression.

"Fine," he finally said. "Give me the framework. I'll reverse-engineer the rest."

Roman turned to a notebook beside him, flipping through pages of chemical notations. He began reading off compounds, ratios, temperature thresholds, and dosages.

Every now and then Theon interrupted with a question, and Roman adjusted what he remembered.

For almost forty minutes, neither of them spoke about anything outside medicine.

Two doctors. One who had created a nightmare. The other trying to end it.

Eventually Theon capped his pen and leaned back. “I’ll have to test a few combinations.”

Roman nodded. “You’ll figure it out.”

“I always do.”

Silence settled between them. Then Theon rested his elbow on the desk.

“I still can’t believe you let Evelyn go to Olyndria without you.”

Roman’s hand paused over the notebook before closing it. “I’ll meet her soon.”

“You sound calmer than I expected.”

"She needed a break. Lena needed a break. I wasn't going to stand in the way."

Theon’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly when he spoke again. “Lena…”

Roman caught it immediately. His lips curved upward. “When are you planning to propose?”

Theon almost inhaled the water he had just taken. He coughed several times before glaring at the screen.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Roman’s smile deepened. “Your father keeps asking me how I managed to get Evelyn,” he rested his chin on one hand. “He says whatever method I used should work for you too.”

Theon snorted. “I’ll get my own wife. Unlike someone I know, I don’t intend to resort to shady methods.”

Roman gave him an amused look. “Didn’t your father teach you? Sometimes morals are expensive.”

Theon laughed. “I’d love to hear you explain that to Lena.”

Roman said nothing. His gaze wandered toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Theon’s smile slowly faded. “…She told me something while we were in Olyndria. It was about Evelyn.”

Roman looked back with an unreadable expression.

“The memory—”

A loud knock sound echoed through the office.

Roman glanced toward the door. “I have to go.”

“We’re not done.”

“Send me your revised calculations.”

“The formula still—”

“I’ll review everything tonight.”

Before Theon could protest again, the screen went dark.

Roman stared at the blank display for a brief moment before placing the phone face-down on the desk.

“Come in.”

The door opened.

Leo entered carrying several neatly arranged folders beneath one arm.

“Boss.”

He placed them on the desk. “The quarterly reports from the overseas branches. And…” he slid another file forward. “The Hayes Corporation.”

Roman opened it immediately. His eyes skimmed across the financial reports before stopping at the latest board recommendations.

“The merger proposal again.”

Leo nodded. “The board has become more persistent. They believe maintaining Hayes Corporation as an independent company is inefficient. They want to absorb the assets into Sinclair Industries.”

Roman continued reading. “And Marcus?”

Leo’s expression stiffened. “He has been pushing the proposal the hardest and also submitted another recommendation last week. He has also been meeting several board members privately.”

Roman closed the file. “The Hayes Corporation remains separate.”

Leo hesitated. “Boss…”

Roman looked up. “The Hayes Corporation belongs to Evelyn.”

His voice remained calm. “Marcus isn’t interested in efficiency. He wants leverage. If those assets become part of Sinclair Industries, he’ll find a way to control them. And I’m not handing him that opportunity.”

Leo nodded. “I’ll inform the board.”

Roman opened another report. “Anything unusual?”

“Nothing.” Leo frowned thoughtfully. “Which is exactly what’s bothering me.”

Roman lifted an eyebrow.

“Marcus has become too quiet,” Leo said. “No unnecessary movements. No suspicious meetings beyond a few private discussions with board members. He attends meetings, signs documents, and goes home.”

Roman’s fingers tapped the desk once. “Keep watching.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Leo was about to leave before stopping. “…Boss.”

“Hm?”

“Are you really okay with Boss Lady taking Little Boss overseas without you?”

Roman pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m already having a difficult enough time. You people don’t have to keep reminding me.”

Leo straightened. “I’ll pretend I never asked.”

“Leo.”

“Yes?”

Roman leaned back. “Help me clear this workload. Overtime. The sooner we’re done, the sooner I can leave.”

Leo forced a smile. “…No problem.”

Roman studied him for a moment before the corner of his lips lifted.

“Do that. I’ll give you a few days off.”

Leo’s eyes brightened. “Really?”

Roman nodded. “You can spend them with that little employee you’ve been hovering around.”

Leo froze. “Who? Lily? We're just—"

Roman flipped another page. “I don’t even know her name.”

Leo’s ears turned red. “Boss, when did you…”

Roman finally looked up. “You’ve become easy to read.” He tossed another file toward him. “Legal department. I want those clauses reviewed before tomorrow morning.”

Leo caught it instinctively. “Yes, Boss.”

Still flustered, he hurried out of the office. His heartbeat refused to slow.

‘How did Boss find out? Have I really been that obvious?’

Still lost in thought, he walked through the executive hallway until he reached the elevators. Then his steps stopped.

Not far ahead stood Lily. She had her back pressed against the wall.

Marcus towered over her, one hand braced against the wall beside her head, trapping her within the narrow space. He was saying something in a low voice.

Lily looked terrified, her shoulders trembling.

Leo’s expression darkened. Without another thought, he strode toward them.

“Marcus.”

Marcus turned lazily. A smile spread across his face. “Well… if it isn’t Roman’s loyal little assistant.”

Leo stopped directly in front of Lily, placing himself between them. “Move.”

Marcus chuckled. “So protective. I was only having a conversation.”

His gaze slid toward Lily. “Remember what I told you. Little white.”

Without another word, he walked away.

Leo watched until Marcus disappeared around the corner before turning back.

Lily’s face had gone completely pale.

“Are you alright?” his voice softened. “Did he touch you?”

She shook her head so quickly strands of hair fell across her face.n“No. I… I just got scared. But…”

She looked up at him. “I’m okay now.”

Leo’s jaw clenched. “Don’t let him intimidate you. He’s nothing more than an arrogant nuisance.”

Lily managed a small nod.

Before either of them could say another word, the sharp click of high heels echoed down the corridor.

“My, what an interesting sight.”

Amelia approached with folded arms, her gaze sweeping from Leo to Lily.

“I’ve been wondering how someone with barely any qualifications managed to get transferred into the executive administration department.”

She smiled without warmth. “So that’s how.”

Her eyes settled on Leo. “I wasn’t aware office romance had become acceptable.”

Leo frowned. “Mind your own business.”

Amelia laughed softly. “I suppose HR would love hearing about this.” She tossed her hair over one shoulder before walking away.

The sound of her heels gradually faded. Only then did Leo look back at Lily.

Without warning, she stepped forward. Her forehead rested against his chest.

Leo stiffened. “It’s alright.” He held her shoulders and eased her back enough to look at her face. “She’s gone.”

Lily wiped at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“Don’t apologize.” Leo’s voice remained firm. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

He studied her for a long moment. “What did Marcus say to you?”

Something flickered across Lily’s face before disappearing. “…Nothing. It wasn’t important.”

“Lily.”

“It really wasn’t.” She forced a smile. “I just happened to run into him.”

Leo didn’t look convinced. Still, he chose not to push.

“If he comes anywhere near you again… You tell me. Immediately.”

Lily nodded. “Okay.”

“Good.” Leo picked up the file tucked beneath his arm. “I’ll check on you later.”

A genuine smile appeared on Lily’s face. “Thank you.”

She watched him disappear into the elevator. After the doors closed, the smile on her face faded.

Her fingers curled so tightly into her palms, that her nails left crescent marks on her skin.