Chapter 85 Chapter Eighty Five: Something Isn't Right

Chapter 85 Chapter Eighty Five: Something Isn't Right
Lior stood beside Adrian's desk, holding a tablet in one hand and trying very hard to keep his eyes open.

“The first meeting is with the executives of Halden Properties,” he said.

Adrian looked up from the document in front of him. “Halden?”

“Yes.” Lior glanced down at his tablet. “They're interested in acquiring a minority stake in the company. I've spoken to them several times over the past few weeks, mostly about the terms and what they're looking for.”

“And?”

Lior yawned.

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

Lior immediately covered his mouth. “Sorry.”

Adrian's lips twitched. “Continue.”

“They're not really interested in the business.”

Adrian leaned back. “What makes you say that?”

“They've barely asked anything about the actual operations.” Lior scrolled through his notes. “They don't care about the terms either. Every time I've suggested something, they agree almost immediately. They just want their name associated with yours.”

Adrian's expression became mildly amused. “So they're buying a stake to network.”

“Basically.” Lior lowered the tablet. “They want to say they have business with Adrian Valehart. I think they're hoping it'll open doors for them.”

Adrian glanced at the clock. “Let them in.”

Lior nodded. “I'll send them in.”

He turned and walked toward the door.

“Lior.”

He stopped and looked back. “Hmm?”

“Go home early tonight.”

Lior blinked. “Why?”

“You look exhausted. I feel you're about to get sick if you're not already sick.”

“I'll be fine.”

Adrian gave him a look.

Lior sighed. “Fine.”

He left the office.

The two men from Halden Properties were waiting in the reception area.

Lior greeted them politely before ushering them inside. “Mr. Valehart is ready for you.”

The men straightened immediately. “Thank you.”

They followed him into Adrian's office.

Adrian greeted them and led them toward the lounge area, where a seating arrangement had already been prepared around a low table.

Lior followed after them with refreshments.

Rather than interrupting the meeting repeatedly, he placed a bottle of sparkling water and several glasses on the table before stepping back.

“Please, help yourselves.”

One of the men smiled. “Thank you.”

Lior nodded and moved to the side of the room.

The conversation began. At first, it was business; numbers, percentages, investment terms, projected returns…

But it quickly became obvious that the two executives were far more interested in Adrian than they were in the company. They praised his leadership, they mentioned his previous deals, they brought up companies he'd worked with, they brought up his international collaborations, they repeatedly tried to steer the conversation toward possible introductions and future partnerships.

Adrian remained patient.

Lior sat nearby, listening quietly.

Eventually, Adrian seemed satisfied enough with their proposal. “I think we can proceed with the agreement, provided—”

One of the men suddenly looked past Adrian. His eyes landed on Lior.

“Hey.”

Lior looked at him. “Yes?”

The man's gaze dropped toward Lior's chest. “Why is your breast leaking?”

Lior's eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “What?”

The man tilted his head. “Too much hormones?”

For a second, Lior still didn't understand what he meant.

Then he looked down, and his stomach dropped. There were dark, wet patches spreading across the fabric over his chest. His nipples were visibly damp.

Lior's eyes widened. “What—”

He instinctively covered himself with his arms.

“Oh my God.” Heat rushed into his face. “I'm sorry.”

He didn't wait for anyone to respond. He turned and hurried across the room.

“Lior.”

He barely heard Adrian calling his name.

He rushed into the adjoining room and shut the door behind him. His hands shook as he locked it.

He looked down at himself again, the wet patches seemed enormous.

His breathing became uneven. How had he not noticed? How had he been standing there? In front of them?

He pressed both hands against his face.

“Oh my God.”

Suddenly there's a knock on the door.

“Lior.” Adrian's voice came. “Open the door.”

Lior squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't, he was too embarrassed.

Another knock. “Lior, please.”

No answer from Lior.

Adrian waited… then knocked again.

“Baby.”

Lior's lips trembled. He finally unlocked the door.

The moment Adrian saw him, his expression changed.

Lior's eyes were red. Tears were already running down his cheeks.

Adrian stepped toward him. “Come here.” He said, reaching for him.

Lior immediately moved backward. “Don't.”

Adrian stopped.

Lior wiped frantically at his face. “I didn't know.”

“I know.” Adrian said, attempting to calm the Omega.

“I didn't know that was happening.”

“It's okay, baby.”

“No, it's not.” His voice cracked. “They saw me.”

Adrian's face softened. “Lior.”

“They were staring at me.” He covered his face again. “I didn't even notice. I'm so— go back to them, you'll have them wondering why you left the meeting to go after your leaking assistant.”

Adrian stepped closer, slowly this time. “They're gone.”

Lior looked up. “What?”

“I dismissed them.” Adrian's voice was calm. “They left.”

Lior swallowed. “They're gone?”

“Yes.”

Lior's shoulders sagged. He began crying again.

Adrian waited until the Omega stopped trying to pull away before wrapping his arms around him.

Lior finally allowed himself to lean against his chest.

Adrian stroked his back. “It's okay.”

Lior shook his head against him. “It's so embarrassing.”

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“It wasn't just me and you, that would have been a little okay. You were having a business meeting, and I sat there without noticing I was leaking.”

Adrian's hand paused briefly against his back… then continued soothingly. “It doesn't change anything.”

Lior sniffed.

After several minutes, his breathing finally steadied.

Adrian gently pulled back enough to look at him.“Is this a usual occurrence?”

Lior shook his head. “No.”

“Has it happened before?”

“No. Never.” Lior looked down. “I don't know what's happening to me.”

Adrian watched him carefully.

Lior rubbed his damp palms together. “Maybe it's my wilding hormones.”

“What makes you think that?”

“I've been taking too much medication lately.”

Adrian frowned. “What medication?”

Lior looked at him as though the question was strange. “The mandatory drugs.”

Adrian's expression changed. “The what?”

“The mandatory drugs.” Lior wiped his eyes. “The drugs the government gives to Omegas.”

Adrian stared at him.

Lior frowned. “Why are you asking like you don't know?”

Adrian said nothing.

Lior continued. “Your father was the one who approved the distribution of the drugs.”

Adrian's face went completely still. “What?”

Lior blinked. “Your father.”

Adrian's voice was quieter this time. “What does the drug do?”

“It keeps omegas like me from getting sick,” Lior said, still wondering why Adrian was asking. “Especially around our heat period, because we don't really receive the free healthcare unless it's serious and outside what the drug could have prevented.”