The man furrowed his thick brows, running a hand through his hair. Veins surfaced on the back of his hand, partially obscured by his hair, matching the tension reflected in his tightly set jaw.
“Ha…”
Suppressing his irritation proved harder than expected. Director Yeon quietly steadied his breathing, determined to mask his emotions before Jung Heeyeon emerged from the bathroom.
“Director.”
Fortunately, by the time Jung Heeyeon stepped out, he had regained his composure to some degree.
“Did you finish brushing your teeth?”
“Yes, I washed my face too.”
Director Yeon pressed a hand to Jung Heeyeon’s forehead. Whether it was due to the medication or the cool water, the slight fever from the morning seemed to have subsided.
“Kim Jiwon told me. The problem is with the pheromones, isn’t it?”
“Yes, he said the suppressant I’ve been taking isn’t working well anymore.”
“You can’t rely solely on suppressants forever… Looks like I’ll need to assign someone to teach you how to manage your pheromones.”
The man lightly touched Jung Heeyeon’s cheek before pulling his hand away. Feeling a bit disappointed by the loss of contact, Jung Heeyeon called out to him.
“Director.”
“Yeah, Heeyeon?”
“Who is this person… called Haejin?”
He asked without hesitation. After all, the director had told him to ask about anything he was curious about, so he felt it was okay to inquire about this Haejin.
“Lee Haejin?”
“Yes.”
The unexpected name from Jung Heeyeon’s lips made Director Yeon chuckle slowly.
“Why? Do you think that he might be my Omega?”
It was a lighthearted joke, but Jung Heeyeon looked genuinely shocked, parting his lips slightly to reveal the pink tip of his tongue. The alpha’s eyes narrowed instantly. Whether or not he was aware of the alpha’s thoughts, Jung Heeyeon whispered in a small, dejected voice.
“I want to keep living with you, Director… What if he doesn’t like me?”
Director Yeon stared at the smooth nape of Jung Heeyeon’s neck exposed by his collar, suppressing the urge to act on his frayed nerves. The presence of another alpha in his space was clearly getting to him.
“He’s not my omega. In fact, he hates me.”
“If he dislikes you… then, do you… like him, Director?”
What would he do then? The idea of Director Yeon liking that person bothered Jung Heeyeon even more. His expression turned serious as he frowned and asked with sincere curiosity.
“Why? Are you worried I might like him?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Say it. Say you’re worried.”
Director Yeon urged softly, a faint smile playing on his lips. Jung Heeyeon bit down on the soft flesh inside his cheek, trying to sort through his emotions. Thinking about the director liking that person one-sidedly made him uncomfortable. It felt similar to being worried, so he decided to comply.
“I’m worried.”
“I don’t like him.”
“Yes.”
Instead of questioning the simplicity of the response, Jung Heeyeon immediately nodded. Director Yeon gave a straightforward agreement, one that could have invited suspicion, yet the other was entirely compliant. From the beginning, it seemed there wasn’t even the slightest thought of doubting Director Yeon in his mind.
Savoring that trust from the omega, Director Yeon gently swept Heeyeon’s hair back.
“You might feel a little under the weather because your medication has been switched.”
He tapped the bed lightly and said.
“Lie down and get some sleep.”
Jung Heeyeon obediently got into bed. Though he didn’t feel particularly sleepy after his long nap earlier, the director told him to sleep, so he felt he should.
“Director.”
“Yes?”
“Please don’t fight with Chief Nam Soohyun.”
Recalling the hostile atmosphere from earlier, Jung Heeyeon voiced his concern. Director Yeon raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased by the mention of her name.
“Heeyeon.”
“Yes?”
“You shouldn’t say other alphas’ names.”
It was strange, given that Jung Heeyeon had already mentioned Kim Jiwon and Kim Chulwoo by name. Did he mean he should only say the director’s name? But Jung Heeyeon didn’t even know Director Yeon’s first name yet.
“Just call her ’Chief Nam’.”
Jung Heeyeon nodded, deciding to ask for the director’s name later.
“I won’t fight with her, so don’t worry.”
The large hand cupped Jung Heeyeon’s flushed cheek softly, as if to reassure him.
Out in the living room, Director Yeon moved with an air of dismissal toward Chief Nam Soohyun, who remained seated on the sofa without initiating any conversation. A tense silence stretched between the two alphas, broken only by the occasional clatter of dishes being cleared away.
“Have you come up with an excuse?”
“What’s there to think about? Clearly, this was my oversight. I don’t have any intention of coming up with some pathetic excuse.”
Although Nam Soohyun said this, her expression betrayed her unease. Director Yeon retrieved an expensive bottle of whiskey and glasses, his expression neutral. This was their customary ritual whenever business matters came up.
“It’s been a while since I’ve talked business with you, Chief Nam. You’re such a busy person.”
“Don’t be sarcastic. I’ve been running my ass off trying to fix this. Oh, right. I don’t even have a damn thing between them like that.”
Resting her head against her propped-up elbow, the woman cracked a joke she knew he disliked. As expected, irritation flickered across Director Yeon’s face.
“Cut the crude remarks.”
He placed the whiskey, an ice bucket, and glasses on the table in turn, countering her comment with a deadpan response. Silence hung in the air as the rich amber liquid tumbled into the transparent glass.
The man filled the glass in front of him and placed the bottle of whiskey directly on the table. His attitude was insolent, showing not even a shred of consideration for the other person. However, Nam Su-hyun simply shrugged lightly, as if used to it, and poured her own drink. The ice bucket was full of ice, but no one made a move to use it.
“How’s Jung Heeyeon? Is he asleep?”
“Who knows? He’s so quiet, it’s hard to tell.”
Chief Nam tipped her glass to her lips, letting the unwatered whiskey flow down her throat. Its sharp, burning taste matched her mood.
“Don’t use Jung Heeyeon to fill your void.”
The unexpected advice made Director Yeon smile faintly, tilting his head.
“My void?”
He swirled the glass in his hand lightly, the crystal glinting under the light.
“I know you feel a sense of kinship with him.”
Kinship. Director Yeon pondered the word, leaning back into the sofa. Sprawled in a relaxed, cocky position, he tapped his toe against the floor.
“Well, your words aren’t wrong.”
“Be careful. What good comes from finding kinship with him?”
Nam Soohyun genuinely liked Director Yeon as a person. They shared a unique bond, and she sincerely wanted him to live a fulfilling life—not one mired in boredom or stagnation like now. She wasn’t sure whether Jung Heeyeon’s presence would benefit or harm him. Her warning was all she could offer.
“Chief Nam, do you think I’m the only one?”
“What?”
Director Yeon tilted his head. Leaning slightly forward, he spoke slowly.
“The Alphas working at Jiwoo—their background is just like ours. You know that.”
“Those kids, you, me… we’re all just fighting dogs sold to that bastard Chairman Jung.”
“And do you know why they’re so fixated on Jung Heeyeon?”
Director Yeon’s gaze shifted to the Christmas tree in one corner of the living room. Since the lights were off, the tree blended into the darkness. It was an object that only lit up brightly when Jeong Heeyeon touched it.
“They see their past selves in Jung Heeyeon.”
“You’re saying that kid was in the same position as us? No matter what, he’s Chairman Jung’s grandson. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“More like he was in the same position as the Omegas, like Lee Haejin.”
Director Yeon casually raised his arm. Golden liquid flowed slowly between the Alpha’s parted lips. Even as the strong whiskey burned down his throat like a distilled spirit, the man’s expression remained unchanged.
“I don’t see what’s wrong with filling my void through Jung Heeyeon.”
“You think that’ll actually fill it?”
“Who knows?”
The ice in the bucket rattled as it settled, a faint, fragile sound.
“I’m curious myself.”
At Director Yeon’s continuing languid words, Chief Nam fell silent for a moment, her mind flashing to the harmless-looking Omega. Refilling her glass, she watched the whiskey flow steadily, mirroring the undercurrent of their conversation.
“So, how are you going to deal with Chairman Jung?”
“Wrong question, Chief Nam.”
Director Yeon leaned closer towards Nam Soohyun.
“Shouldn’t we talk about my belongings first?”
The unmistakable finality in his tone made Chief Nam bite her lip.
“Three weeks was quite generous… Where are my things?”
“Haaa. Damn it.”
Nam Soohyun muttered, running her fingers through her hair. Her long locks slid smoothly through her rough hands.
“I’m sorry. It was my mistake. The payment…”
“I don’t care if someone else’s hands touched it. It’s not about the money—I need those items.”
“Got it. I’ll find them quickly. If you’re really that distrusting, you can get someone from Jiwoo to watch over.”
Though reluctant to involve alphas from another company in her business, Chief Nam knew she had to compromise at least this much after her mistake.
“Handle your business properly, Chief Nam. How much more time should I give you?”
Director Yeon asked leisurely, taking a slow drink. His Adam’s apple moved rhythmically, a stark contrast to the grating sound of the crystal glass clinking against the glass table as he set it down.
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