Even if it was just a polite gesture of concern from a superior, Yeon Yiseo couldn’t help but genuinely appreciate it. Thanks to that, he could head home early and get some rest today. Still, he wasn’t sure if he should simply accept it at face value and move on—maybe it deserved a little more thought. But at the moment, he was in too good a mood to care.
I’ll think about it more tonight, he decided, walking off with a bounce in his step.
“I’ll be back later, Natalie. See you tomorrow.”
After explaining the situation, Natalie waved him off, saying she was jealous but told him to have a good trip.
Leaving the Dymine building, Yeon Yiseo headed to the nearest subway station with a light-hearted gait. The Scott Industries headquarters was located a bit farther out compared to Dymine’s, but the knowledge that he could go home right after completing a simple errand made even the travel feel like a pleasant excursion.
When he arrived at the Scott Industries building, he was struck by how much more massive it was than Dymine. While Dymine was built tall, Scott Industries sprawled out wide, exuding overwhelming grandeur. He’d seen pictures before, but this was his first time seeing it in person—and the scale alone was awe-inspiring.
Two brothers owning companies like Dymine and Scott Industries… Wealth sure doesn’t get distributed evenly.
If even 0.1% of either company’s annual revenue dropped into his bank account, he’d be grateful beyond words. Chuckling at the thought, Yeon Yiseo absentmindedly fiddled with the USB in his pocket.
He gripped the sleek wooden handle of the glass door and pushed it open—only to be startled by the sight of what looked like a centuries-old real tree just inside.
For a second, he wondered if he’d entered the wrong building and stopped to double-check. Realizing it was just a carefully crafted part of Scott Industries’ cold image rebranding, he couldn’t help but admire the bold creativity of the design choice.
“Hello. First time visiting us?”
As he approached the reception desk, a man greeted him with a pleasant smile. Yeon Yiseo felt the man’s gaze pause briefly on his cheek before shifting away. He didn’t need to ask why—he’d already felt enough stares on the subway ride over. And honestly, he understood the reactions, so he didn’t take it personally.
“Yes, it’s my first time at Scott Industries HQ. That tree is amazing.”
They must have someone specifically in charge of maintaining it. No way the regular staff do that…
How much does that job pay? Do you need special certifications for it?
The questions flashed through his mind before disappearing just as quickly.
“Right? I think the same thing every morning on my way in. Now, what can I help you with today?”
“I’m from the Executive Secretary’s Office at Dymine.”
“Ah, yes. We were informed in advance. That elevator over there will take you to the executive office—it’s on the 5th floor.”
Thanks to the prior arrangements, the process of getting to the executive suite went smoothly. Yeon Yiseo thanked the friendly, well-mannered receptionist and made his way to the elevator on the right.
He stepped into the spacious elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. He barely felt the usual lift sensation before the doors opened to soft classical music and the sight of someone—likely another secretary—lifting his head.
The impeccably dressed man paused slightly upon seeing Yeon Yiseo exit the elevator and quickly apologized.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Since Yeon Yiseo had seen that kind of reaction countless times on the way here, he smiled with easy confidence.
“It’s fine. Everyone’s reacted like that today—I’m used to it.”
The man chuckled softly, as if amused, and the atmosphere immediately became more relaxed. He spoke in a pleasant, clear voice.
“The representative is in another meeting at the moment. Please wait over there on the sofa.”
Yeon Yiseo was convinced this man was also a Beta. The entire fifth floor seemed dedicated to a specific function—it was quiet and serene.
But someone had arrived before him.
One glance was enough to tell this person wasn’t an ordinary visitor. Slender frame, long limbs, perfectly styled dark-blond hair that looked like it had been set strand by strand, and striking, well-defined features. He was tall enough to pass for an Alpha.
The blond man gave Yeon Yiseo a sidelong glance and let out a soft sigh. Soon after, the vibration of a phone echoed lightly, and the man checked the screen before answering the call.
Given how quiet it was, Yeon Yiseo thought the man might hang up quickly to avoid his conversation being overheard.
But that assumption was far too naïve.
The blond man chatted as if no one else were in the room—not Yeon Yiseo, not the secretary—as though they didn’t exist.
“Hmm? Oh, yeah. Scott Industries. What? No, didn’t I tell you? I’m meeting with the CEO here. Haha. A threesome? I’ll ask if he’s into that sort of thing. …Don’t get ahead of yourself, Eric.”
He seemed to think he was speaking discreetly, but his husky voice carried clearly, every word crisp and audible.
Wondering can he really say that kind of stuff here? Yeon Yiseo glanced toward the secretary, but the man remained expressionless, calmly working at his monitor.
It was clear he was used to this. Honestly, if Yeon Yiseo were in the same position, he wouldn’t have known what else to do either.
“Of course it’s great. He’s an extreme-dominant Alpha and a chaebol. Everything he owns is top-tier. I’ve never met an Alpha with better stats than him. He likes me because I’m not your average Omega. He’s super gentlemanly but also insanely cool. Oh, and the sex? Incredible. He’s huge—I struggled at first, but now I can’t imagine sleeping with anyone else. …Yup, I’m bragging. Hahaha. Jealous? Come on, weren’t you the one who called to hear about this?”
It was the kind of conversation that made Yeon Yiseo wonder whether he was even allowed to be listening. He found himself worrying that Alexander might walk out and overhear all this.
Would he be offended if he did?
Honestly, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t curious when the man mentioned “the sex is incredible”. But still, this wasn’t the place. He wasn’t that lacking in boundaries.
More than anything, Yeon Yiseo worried whether that husky voice might carry all the way to the executive office.
Maybe Alexander was the kind of person who wouldn’t care—but that was just a possibility. He still had to keep up appearances.
He adjusted his posture and kept his expression neutral, trying to channel invisible listener energy.
Click.
The sound of the door opening made the blond man abruptly hang up.
As he approached, Alexander naturally slipped an arm around his waist. He gave the blond a light kiss on the cheek, his expression softening ever so slightly.
But when his gaze landed on Yeon Yiseo, his face instantly reverted to neutral, and Yeon Yiseo realized he hadn’t imagined the shift.
Alexander whispered something in the blond’s ear, then walked over toward Yeon Yiseo.
“I thought you’d arrive a bit later.”
“The subway keeps me free from traffic. Here’s the USB the CEO asked me to deliver.”
“Thanks for bringing it.”
“No problem at all.”
Finally, I’m done for the day.
Yeon Yiseo was internally screaming with joy, already tasting the freedom of early clock-out, when he noticed Alexander’s eyes lingering on his face.
He launched into his now well-practiced explanation.
“I tripped getting up from the sofa. Even with cold compresses, the swelling’s just not going down.”
“You tripped, huh.”
Alexander echoed the word “tripped” with subtle emphasis, like he saw right through the excuse. Yeon Yiseo flinched inwardly.
But Alexander didn’t press the issue further.
“Well then, I won’t keep you.”
“Have a good evening.”
With his low, smooth voice, Alexander offered a farewell and turned back to the blond man. Yeon Yiseo also made his way out.
It was the same distance as before, but the post-work air felt completely different. He walked on, relishing the rare promise of a relaxing evening.
—Beep beep, beep beep
But just as he was basking in the joy of freedom, his phone buzzed, halting him mid-step.
The caller was Seo Eunwoo. Wondering what it was about, Yeon Yiseo answered.
“Hello?”
—Yiseo, where are you right now?
“Huh?”
A cheerful voice rang through the speaker as soon as the call connected. With precise pronunciation and a slightly high-pitched tone, it hit his ears loud and clear.
—I dropped by to see your face, but they said you were out on an external errand. You were sick, weren’t you? Why didn’t you call me?
“Haha…”
Yeon Yiseo let out an awkward laugh. It hadn’t even occurred to him to tell anyone he was sick.
Especially not Seo Eunwoo—he wasn’t someone directly connected to Yeon Yiseo’s workload.
Besides, they weren’t close enough yet to share all those little details. Truthfully, Yeon Yiseo had never really had anyone in his life to share things like that with.
