Aaron hesitated for just a fraction of a second.
I can't tell Emma about my second brother and Elena, he decided quickly.
That would only create unnecessary complications.
So he kept his expression neutral and said casually,
"It's for some personal work."
Emma paused—but only briefly.
"Alright, sir," she replied with a professional nod.
Outwardly, she looked calm.
But inwardly, her thoughts were already racing.
Looks like I need to stay on very good terms with Elena, Emma thought.
Her connections are… extremely solid.
She glanced at Aaron once more, then said,
"Okay, sir."
Picking up her phone from the desk, she quickly opened WeChat and forwarded Elena's contact to Aaron.
A soft notification sound confirmed it.
Aaron checked his phone, saw the contact, and gave a short nod.
"Thanks," he said.
Without another word, he stood up and left Emma's cabin.
Back in his own office, Aaron closed the door behind him and let out a quiet breath.
Finally.
Step one completed, he thought, looking down at Elena's number on his screen.
Elena was sitting quietly in her room, scrolling absent-mindedly on her phone, when it suddenly rang.
The caller ID flashed: Emma.
She picked it up immediately.
"Emma?"
"Hello, Elena," Emma said.
"I'm calling you for a reason."
Elena straightened slightly, her attention sharpening.
"Just now, Aaron sir asked me for your phone number," Emma continued.
"And I gave it to him."
"I thought I should inform you first."
Elena paused.
Aaron?
Why would he need my number?
For a brief moment, curiosity flickered across her eyes.
Then, as if something clicked in her mind, her lips curved into a small, knowing smile.
"It's okay," Elena replied calmly.
Her tone held no surprise—only quiet acceptance.
She chatted with Emma for a few more minutes, discussing light work matters and schedules, her expression relaxed the entire time.
After a while, Elena said,
"Alright, I'll talk to you later."
She ended the call and set her phone aside.
The faint smile still lingered on her lips.
Aaron sat alone in his cabin, his phone resting silently on the desk.
For a long moment, he did nothing—just stared at the screen.
Should I call her now… or not? he wondered.
If he didn't call, there would be no proof.
And without proof, how would he help Elena—or convince his family?
Aaron exhaled slowly.
Fine, he decided.
No call means no solution.
He picked up his phone and dialed Elena's number.
Elena, meanwhile, was stretched comfortably on her bed, completely focused on a game on her phone. When her screen suddenly flashed with an unknown number, she frowned slightly.
She hesitated for a few seconds.
Then, curiosity won.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello," Aaron said from the other end.
"Who is this?" Elena asked calmly.
"This is Aaron," he replied, clearing his throat.
"CEO of Starlight Entertainment."
There was a short pause.
Then—
"Ohhh," Elena said brightly.
"Brother-in-law, it's you!"
Aaron stiffened.
"Brother-in-law."
His lips twitched—but not into a smile.
Please don't call me that yet, Aaron thought quietly.
Nothing has been confirmed.
"Yes, tell me," she continued cheerfully,
"did my boyfriend—your second brother—ask you to call me?"
She laughed softly.
"There's so much love between us. Of course he'd worry about me."
Aaron blinked.
This girl is living inside a dream, he thought.
And over here, my second brother doesn't even spare her a thought.
His expression darkened slightly.
I didn't know my second brother was such a scumbag, Aaron thought bitterly.
Ignoring a girl who loves him this much…
Out loud, he said carefully,
"I… actually wanted to talk to you about something."
He paused, choosing his words.
"Can we meet?"
As he spoke, his mind raced.
I can't ask for proof over the phone.
What if she gets hurt?
What if she misunderstands?
No. I'll explain everything gently—face to face.
She'll understand.
Elena didn't hesitate even for a second.
"Of course," she said warmly.
"You're my brother-in-law. How could I refuse?"
Aaron pressed his lips together.
She already accepts me as family, he thought.
If only she knew…
She doesn't even know, he realized painfully,
that my second brother hasn't told anyone about her.
Aloud, he said,
"Alright. I'll message you the address. Please come there."
Elena smiled on the other end.
"Will he be there too?"
Aaron frowned.
"Who?"
Then it hit him.
"Oh—no," he said quickly.
"Not right now. It'll just be me."
"My second brother is out."
Elena's smile widened instead of fading.
"Of course," she said understandingly.
"Work comes first."
"I understand."
She paused, then added lightly,
"Don't worry. I'll come."
"Okay," Aaron replied.
The call ended.
Aaron remained seated in his chair long after the call ended, the phone still resting loosely in his hand.
The screen had already gone dark.
Yet his mind refused to calm down.
He leaned back slowly, staring at the ceiling of his cabin as if the answers might be written there.
What am I even doing…
he thought.
I started this just to prove that my second brother has a girlfriend.
And now I'm arranging secret meetings like I'm part of some undercover mission.
He let out a quiet laugh—half amused, half stressed.
Proof, he reminded himself.
I need proof.
A photo. A message. Something solid.
But the moment that thought crossed his mind, another followed immediately.
What if she misunderstands?
What if she thinks I don't believe her?
Aaron's brows furrowed.
She's clearly emotionally invested.
Too invested.
He closed his eyes briefly.
If I ask too directly,
she might get hurt.
And if she gets hurt… my second brother is doomed.
He straightened suddenly.
"No," he muttered under his breath.
"I need a strategy."
Aaron stood up and walked toward the window, his hands slipping into his pockets. Below him, the city buzzed with life—but his mind was completely elsewhere.
I'll start casual, he planned.
Light conversation.
No pressure.
Then I'll slowly guide the topic toward her relationship.
Let her talk.
Let her explain.
He nodded slightly.
People reveal the most when they feel comfortable.
A pause.
Then another thought hit him.
But what if…
what if she has no proof either?
Aaron stiffened.
No. Impossible, he told himself quickly.
She's way too confident.
Too sure.
He sighed.
And yet… my second brother hasn't mentioned her to anyone.
Not Mom.
Not Dad.
Not even once.
Aaron ran a hand through his hair.
That idiot…
Does he even realize what kind of mess he's created?
For a brief moment, Aaron imagined tomorrow's worst-case scenario—
Elena sitting across from him, smiling softly, trusting him completely…
and him asking—
"Can you prove your relationship?"
His stomach twisted.
No, he decided firmly.
I won't say it like that.
I'll phrase it better.
Kinder.
Something like—
"Do you have any memories together?"
"Any photos?"
"Anything you cherish?"
He exhaled slowly.
Yes… that sounds safer.
He turned back toward his desk and sat down, opening his calendar without really looking at it.
Second brother, he thought again, this time more seriously,
I don't know what kind of relationship you're running,
but the girl believes in it with her whole heart.
His lips pressed into a thin line.
If you break that heart…
even I won't forgive you.
The thought surprised even him.
After a moment, he shook his head lightly.
Focus, Aaron.
Tomorrow wasn't about judging his brother.
It was about handling the situation carefully.
He glanced at Elena's contact on his phone once more.
She's innocent in all this, he thought.
And she trusts me—already calling me brother-in-law.
A faint, complicated smile appeared on his face.
What a dangerous level of trust…
He leaned back again, closing his eyes.
Alright, he decided.
Tomorrow, I'll play this smart.
No emotions. No mistakes.
Then, as if remembering who his second brother truly was, Aaron chuckled quietly.
"…Just helping my brother is more than enough," he murmured.
The cabin lights reflected in the glass window as Aaron sat there, silently rehearsing every possible line for tomorrow—
Determined to protect a love story
that its own male lead didn't seem to care enough about.