Lethal Affection | Noah Sebastian x Karina Aespa | (crossover)

Part 16

It had been a month since the incident, and Karina was staying at her parents' house, receiving ongoing treatment for her physical wounds and constant monitoring of her mental state—something she found unnecessary and stifling. Despite her objections, her family and doctors insisted on it, fearing the deep trauma the attack might have left.

During this time, her company had taken over her social media platforms. The gossip about her and Noah had already started circulating in various online forums, although their names had been kept anonymous. The speculation was inevitable, given the circumstances, but her company had managed to control the narrative in the news portals and online media outlets through substantial financial influence. As a result, the stories remained vague, relegated to the realm of empty gossip rather than concrete news.

Karina found herself feeling both grateful and frustrated. Grateful that her privacy was being protected, but frustrated by the lack of control over her own life. Every day felt like an uphill battle—physically healing while emotionally wrestling with the memories of the attack and the enforced isolation from the world she knew.

Despite her company's best efforts to shield her, the whispers of what had happened haunted her. She missed Noah desperately, but the barriers put up for her protection also kept him at a distance.

"My dear, people from your company are here," Karina's mom announced softly from the half-open bedroom door.

Karina nodded, taking a deep breath. She stood up carefully, still mindful of her healing injuries. She slipped on a cardigan, the fabric a comforting barrier against the world outside her room. Gathering her strength, she walked out to meet her guests.

Karina knew what her guests were likely to discuss, Yeon-hee had given her a brief heads-up but couldn't divulge many details. Despite trying to brace herself for the conversation, she couldn't shake her nervousness.

Her mom had prepared the reading room for the meeting, understanding the importance of the discussion regarding Karina's work. As Karina entered the room, she saw the guests already seated, a tray of tea and biscuits set out on the table.

"Just let me know if you need anything. Please don't hesitate," her mom said softly before leaving the room, giving Karina a reassuring smile.

Karina took a seat, feeling the tension in the air. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, and prepared to hear what her colleagues had to say.

Karina felt a sense of déjà vu wash over her as she entered the reading room. The scene was all too familiar, sitting in a room with the higher-ups, and Yeon-hee by her side. It was reminiscent of the tense meetings when her dating news with Lee Jae-wook had broken out.

"How are you feeling?" Mr. Lee began, his voice formal and detached. He was impeccably dressed in a suit, far more polished than the people she usually interacted with at the company. She knew he was from the headquarters, which explained his more corporate demeanor.

"Much better," Karina replied dryly, the tension in her voice barely masked.

"Good to hear," he responded, his tone flat and impersonal, as if he were checking off a box on a list rather than expressing genuine concern.

The room fell silent for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words. Karina glanced around, noting the serious expressions on the faces of the executives. They were here to discuss the next steps, but she felt more like a subject under scrutiny than a participant in the conversation.

"So, just relax, because we're here to bring good news," Ms. Cho said with a warm smile. She seemed friendlier than the man next to her, who remained stoic. She reached into her large bag and pulled out a pile of documents, placing them on the table. "These are exclusive contract offers from Benz and Graff."