The next morning—
Aarav realized something terrifying.
The company was already in trouble.
Not obvious trouble.
Not the kind written in news headlines.
But hidden trouble.
Quiet trouble.
The dangerous kind.
He noticed it during the morning meeting.
Employees looked nervous.
Executives avoided eye contact.
And several financial reports on the conference table didn’t match the numbers Aarav remembered from the novel.
Which meant one thing.
The collapse had already started earlier than expected.
Riyan sat beside him pretending to understand business terms.
He absolutely did not.
At one point he leaned over and whispered:
“…Why are there so many charts?”
“…Because it’s a company.”
“…That feels unnecessary.”
Aarav ignored him and focused again.
In the original story, Kian’s company slowly headed toward bankruptcy because someone inside the corporation leaked confidential information.
The heroine later “saved” the company and became indispensable.
That was how she gained everyone’s trust.
But now—
Aarav noticed the problem much sooner.
His eyes narrowed slightly at one particular document.
The overseas investment numbers were wrong.
Not accidentally wrong.
Manipulated wrong.
Someone was already stealing money.
At the head of the table, Kian calmly continued the meeting.
Cold.
Precise.
Untouchable.
Meanwhile Ethan looked completely relaxed, spinning a pen lazily between his fingers.
Riyan whispered again:
“…How does he make even office work look attractive?”
Aarav closed his eyes briefly.
“…Please focus before we both die.”
The meeting finally ended after what felt like ten business years.
Executives quickly left the room.
Only the four of them remained.
Silence settled heavily.
Then Kian suddenly spoke.
“You noticed something.”
Aarav froze internally.
His face stayed calm.
“…What do you mean?”
Kian’s gaze remained fixed on him.
Sharp.
Observant.
“The financial reports.”
Riyan immediately looked nervous.
Not because he understood finance—
but because Kian sounded terrifyingly serious.
Aarav carefully chose his words.
“…Some numbers looked inconsistent.”
For a second, silence filled the room.
Then Ethan leaned forward slightly.
Actually interested now.
“…You understand business reports?”
Aarav almost answered honestly.
No, I just remember the plot because this entire world is fictional.
Instead he calmly replied:
“…A little.”
Kian continued watching him.
Too closely.
“…Explain.”
Riyan slowly looked between them.
Then silently prayed for Aarav’s survival.
Aarav stepped toward the table and pointed at the documents.
“These investment losses are intentionally hidden.”
“Several accounts were altered.”
“And whoever did it understands the internal system very well.”
The room became completely silent.
Even Ethan stopped smiling.
Because Aarav was right.
Kian’s eyes darkened slightly.
“…Continue.”
Aarav frowned at the files.
“If this keeps happening, the company’s financial structure will collapse within months.”
Riyan blinked.
“…That sounds bad.”
“…It is bad.”
Silence again.
Then Ethan suddenly laughed softly.
Not mocking.
Not amused.
Interested.
“…You really are different now,” Ethan murmured.
Aarav’s chest tightened slightly.
Different.
That word again.
Kian slowly closed the files.
“…Find the source,” he ordered calmly.
Aarav looked surprised.
“…Me?”
“You noticed it first.”
Riyan pointed at himself dramatically.
“…And what do I do?”
Ethan finally looked at him.
“…Try not to accidentally destroy the office.”
Riyan gasped.
“…You say that like it already happened.”
“…It almost did this morning.”
Silence.
Aarav slowly turned toward Riyan.
“…What did you do?”
Riyan looked defensive immediately.
“…The coffee machine attacked me first.”
For the first time—
Kian rubbed his forehead slightly.
Like he was getting a headache.
And somehow—
that tiny reaction felt strangely human.
Aarav noticed it immediately.
Because in the original novel—
Kian was always described as emotionless.
Cold.
Perfect.
But right now—
he almost looked tired.
And for some reason—
Aarav suddenly remembered another important detail from the novel.
Kian carried the entire company alone after his father became ill.
No wonder he looked exhausted.
The thought came naturally.
Without warning.
…That must have been difficult.
Kian’s hand paused slightly against the table.
Just for a second.
Then he calmly stood up.
“…Meeting dismissed.”
But as he walked past Aarav—
he stopped briefly.
“…Good work.”
Short.
Simple.
Yet somehow—
it felt important.
And Aarav didn’t notice the faint surprise in Ethan’s expression after hearing it.
Because Kian Ashford almost never praised anyone.
🔥 END EPISODE 5
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