Chapter 848: The Time Will Come

June wasn't shocked, to say the least.

He had already expected it.

Lei knew that he was smart, and June acknowledged Lei's wits, too.

They had been in a psychological battle ever since.

June turned around with an innocent expression.

"What was that?" he asked.

Lei's smile didn't waver. In fact, it widened further, appearing like he was enjoying their conversation.

"You already know," he pointed out, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"My real intentions."

"You already know them," he repeated.

June mirrored Lei's position. At that moment, it felt like two strong walls were facing each other, both unwilling to yield.

From inside the studio, Casper felt a shiver run down his spine. He looked around the room with a small frown.

"Who turned up the air conditioning?" he asked, wrapping his arms around his body. He felt goosebumps all over his skin, causing his frown to deepen.

Jay turned to him with furrowed eyebrows. "No one did," he said.

Casper clicked his tongue. "Strange," he muttered. "It feels colder than it usually is."

Jisung shook his head in amusement. "You must be hungry. You're already hallucinating, bro."

"Is that it?" Casper asked, tilting his head to the side. "Or is it because June's not here to warm the room?"

Meanwhile, June and Lei continued staring at each other. It felt as if they had finally met their opponent after battling for so long.

"Ah, I can't do this anymore," Lei said, the smile being replaced with a smirk. "I know you already know, so what's there to pretend about?"

"Beats me," June said. "I knew since the very beginning."

Lei bit his lip. "What gave it away?" he asked.

"Your eyes," June smirked. "They never lie."

"And you can't really hide who your relatives are, Mr. Lei. It's a dead giveaway," he vaguely said, pertaining to Lei's resemblance with Lin Zhi.

Lei shook his head in amusement. "I should have known," he muttered.

"It seems like you're one step ahead of me all of the time."

June shrugged. "It's no big deal. I'm just doing my job."

Lei's gaze hardened as he gazed at the nonchalant idol. Up until now, he hated how at ease June always seemed to be.

When he got first place in Rising Stas, and Lin Zhi failed to debut...

When they won King of Kings...

When he took away Lin Zhi's role...

When Lin Zhi died....

It was then that Lei realized that he had never won against June.

Not a single time.

His hands were unconsciously clenched.

"Your days of victory are over, though," Lei said, copying June's nonchalant demeanor.

June's eyebrows raised in surprise. "What made you say that?" he asked. "I just beat you again, didn't I?"

Lei pursed his lips. "That wasn't my loss."

"Ah, right," June muttered. "It was Dan's. Sorry, my bad."

Lei's eyes narrowed at June.

"You know-you're never going to have the victory you're aiming for. Our current positions

are already enough testament to that," he said.

June nodded. "I know," he said.

From the get-go, he knew he was in a disadvantageous position.

Lei was his CEO.

June was under his contract.

Lei has more money and properties under his name.

June had more influence; however, that was a double-ended sword. It also meant that he was laid bare in the eyes of the public-with more people scrutinizing his every move.

However, June was more desperate...and Lei didn't know that.

Jun Hao might have been defeated by Laohu, but June would never allow himself to be beaten

by Lei.

With that, his eyes met with Lei once again.

"But that's not going to stop me," he smirked.

Lei smirked, too. "Brave," he said. "Very brave. I guess I like that we're the same."

June chuckled in amusement.

"Yeah, you could say that," he chimed. "In a way, we're really similar."

"We're both desperate."

"We have the same goal-to change the idol industry."

"However, I want to change it for the better," June smiled, walking closer to Lei.

"You, on the other hand, want to change it so it can be yours," he whispered menacingly.

Lei's eyebrows gradually furrowed as June looked him in the eyes.

For some reason, the fire in June's eyes reminded him of someone...distant. However, Lei couldn't quite pinpoint who.

There was one thing certain, though he didn't like it one bit.

"You're going to regret ever facing me," Lei spat, slowly showing his true self.

"Is that so?" June smirked. "Even as you say that, you can't really get rid of me."

"Why?" June provoked.

"Because I'm irreplaceable..."

"...and you can't afford to let me go."

Just then, the door opened, revealing Jay, who appeared excited.

However, he frowned when he saw Lei and June in close proximity.

"What...are you guys doing?" he asked.

June continued looking into Lei's eyes with a menacing smile.

"Nothing," June smiled. "Just a friendly conversation between an idol and his CEO, right Sir

Lei?"

Lei brought the smile back to his lips, acting as if nothing even happened.

Then, he nodded.

"Right," he said. "I'm just asking June about what you guys are working on."

"Oh, it's their next album," Jay said. "I wanted to discuss that with you, by the way."

"Sure," Lei smiled. "We're already planning on it, anyway. Let's hear your suggestions for

another time."

Jay nodded and turned to June. "Care to help me carry the food we've ordered? Those

hooligans didn't want to help."

June chuckled and nodded, following after Jay.

However, just as the two of them started walking, Lei spoke once again, making them halt

their steps and turn around.

"June," Lei called.

June raised one eyebrow in inquiry.

"Yet," he said. "But the time will come."

With that, he turned around and walked away from the two of them, leaving Jay confused.

The manager turned to June with furrowed eyebrows.

"What is he talking about?" Jay asked.

June's facial expression remained neutral. However, he finally realized why Lei said those last

words.

It was a response to June's last statement.

"You can't afford to lose me yet," June muttered.

"But the time will come, huh?"