Chapter 36: The Confrontation Begins
The moment Lina said she wanted to confront Emily, everything changed.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
He stood beside the car, Marcus sitting quietly in the backseat, while Daniel leaned against the passenger door, watching him.
"Lina…" Adrian finally spoke, his voice calm but serious. "This isn't simple anymore."
"I know," Lina replied softly.
Her voice wasn't trembling anymore.
That alone surprised Adrian.
She sounded… determined.
"I don't want to hide anymore," she continued. "She tried to kill me. I deserve answers."
Adrian closed his eyes briefly.
He understood.
Because if someone tried to harm Lina—
He wouldn't stay silent either.
"Okay," he finally said.
Daniel looked at him.
"You're really letting her do this?"
Adrian's expression hardened.
"I'll be there."
Daniel sighed quietly.
"Then I'm coming too."
Adrian glanced at him.
Neither spoke.
But both silently agreed.
Because this wasn't just about Lina anymore.
This was dangerous.
—
Back at home…
Lina stood near the window.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Even though she sounded confident earlier—
Fear still lingered inside her.
Sophia watched her quietly.
"You look nervous."
Lina gave a small smile.
"I am."
Sophia leaned against the wall.
"But you're still doing it."
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
Sophia studied her carefully.
"You've changed."
Lina blinked.
"Changed?"
Sophia nodded.
"You were softer before."
Lina looked thoughtful.
"Maybe…"
Her eyes slowly hardened.
"I'm tired of being scared."
Sophia smiled faintly.
"I like this version of you."
—
An hour later—
Adrian returned home.
Lina rushed toward him immediately.
"You're back."
He nodded.
Marcus was with them.
Daniel stepped inside as well.
Lina looked surprised.
"You brought him here?"
Adrian nodded.
"We need him."
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
He avoided Lina's gaze.
"I'm… sorry," he muttered quietly.
Lina looked at him.
Her heart felt strange.
This man nearly killed her.
Yet—
She didn't feel hatred.
Only sadness.
"Why did you do it?" she asked softly.
Marcus hesitated.
"I needed money."
Daniel crossed his arms.
"That's not an excuse."
Marcus nodded.
"I know…"
Silence filled the room.
Then Adrian spoke.
"We confront Emily tonight."
Lina's heart skipped.
"So soon?"
Adrian nodded.
"The longer we wait, the more dangerous it gets."
She nodded slowly.
"Okay."
—
Meanwhile…
Emily sat inside her office.
Her fingers tapped slowly on the table.
She had a bad feeling.
Something was wrong.
Her phone buzzed.
She checked the message.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Marcus was missing.
Her expression darkened instantly.
"So… they found him."
She whispered softly.
Her lips curved slowly.
"Interesting."
She stood up calmly.
But her eyes turned cold.
Because she knew—
Things were about to escalate.
—
That evening…
Lina stood near the mirror again.
But this time—
She wasn't nervous about a party.
She was preparing for confrontation.
Her dress was simple.
Elegant.
But her expression was different.
Determined.
Adrian stood behind her.
"You don't have to do this."
She looked at him through the mirror.
"I know."
She turned slowly.
"But I want to."
He stepped closer.
Their eyes met.
He reached out.
His fingers gently held her hand.
"Then I'll be beside you."
Her heart warmed.
"Thank you."
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
Neither pulled away.
—
They arrived at Emily's office building.
The night air felt cold.
Daniel stood beside them.
Marcus stayed behind in the car.
"This is it," Adrian said quietly.
Lina nodded.
Her heart raced.
But she stepped forward.
They entered the building.
The receptionist looked surprised.
"Do you have an appointment?"
Adrian spoke calmly.
"No."
Before she could respond—
The elevator opened.
Emily stepped out.
She stopped when she saw them.
Her lips curved slowly.
"I was expecting you."
Lina froze slightly.
"You knew?"
Emily smiled.
"Of course."
Her eyes moved to Adrian.
"And you brought everyone."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Stop playing games."
Emily chuckled softly.
"I never play games."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Then explain this."
He handed her the phone.
Emily glanced at it.
Messages from her.
To Marcus.
Her expression didn't change.
Instead—
She smiled.
"So… you found him."
Lina stepped forward.
"Why?"
Emily looked at her.
Her eyes cold.
"Because you deserved it."
The words shocked everyone.
Lina's chest tightened.
"What did I do to you?"
Emily laughed softly.
"You ruined my life."
"I don't even remember you."
Emily's eyes flashed.
"Exactly."
Her voice became sharp.
"You reported me."
Lina frowned.
"Reported you?"
Emily nodded.
"You exposed me."
Daniel looked confused.
"For leaking company data?"
Emily glared at him.
"That was nothing."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Then what was it?"
Emily smiled coldly.
"You really don't remember?"
Lina shook her head.
Emily stepped closer.
"Two years ago…"
Her voice lowered.
"You discovered something you shouldn't."
Lina's heart pounded.
"What?"
Emily whispered softly—
"You discovered my relationship… with Daniel."
Silence exploded in the hallway.
Daniel froze.
"What?"
Lina's eyes widened.
Emily smiled.
"Yes… we dated."
Daniel looked shocked.
"That's impossible."
Emily laughed.
"You don't remember?"
Daniel frowned.
"I never dated you."
Emily's expression darkened.
"You were drunk… you promised—"
Daniel shook his head.
"I never promised anything."
Emily's eyes filled with anger.
"Liar."
Lina felt dizzy.
Another memory flashed.
Daniel.
A woman arguing.
Angry voices.
Her breathing quickened.
"I… remember…"
Everyone looked at her.
She whispered softly.
"You argued…"
Emily smirked.
"See?"
Lina's head hurt again.
"I told you… to stop…"
Her voice trembled.
"And… you threatened me…"
Emily's smile faded.
Adrian stepped closer.
"Lina?"
She whispered softly.
"You said… you'd destroy everything…"
Emily's eyes darkened dangerously.
"Looks like you're remembering."
Lina looked at her.
"Did you try to kill me… because of that?"
Emily smiled slowly.
"Yes."
Silence fell.
Daniel looked shocked.
"You're insane."
Emily laughed softly.
"I just finished what I started."
Adrian stepped forward.
"You're done."
Emily smiled calmly.
"You think so?"
Suddenly—
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced at it.
Then smiled wider.
"You should check outside."
Adrian frowned.
"What do you mean?"
They rushed outside.
Marcus was gone.
The car door open.
Daniel cursed softly.
"Dammit."
Emily stepped outside calmly.
"I warned you…"
Her eyes met Lina's.
"You should've stayed quiet."
And for the first time—
Lina realized—
This fight…
Was far from over.