“You’re saying they’ll cut power by 90%?”
It was an abrupt notification, like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky. Han Jae-hoon put down the letter and pressed his fingers to his forehead.
“For what reason?”
“They claim that Sector 5 has been using electricity for inappropriate purposes.”
“Inappropriate purposes?”
His aide let out a disbelieving laugh and took the letter Han Jae-hoon had set down to confirm its contents. Sure enough, it stated that traces of improper electricity usage had been found in Sector 5, justifying the drastic reduction in supply. Additionally, it mentioned that an investigator would be dispatched soon.
To make matters worse, the investigator sent by the leader of Sector 1 was set to arrive in just three days. The message left no room for negotiation, its final sentence ending with an unmistakable period of firm resolve.
“This is absurd.”
“Indeed.”
Han Jae-hoon let out a deep breath and leaned back against the sofa. He knew Luis Shining was a fickle man, but this was completely out of nowhere.
Sector 1 had already been compensated for the electricity supplied to Sector 5 eight years ago. The cost had been steep—what he had lost in that deal was immeasurable—yet now, they were acting as if it had never happened.
‘So that’s why it’s been so quiet for the past eight years.’
This was just the kind of man Luis Shining was. A person who flipped agreements as easily as turning over his palm, who disregarded and scorned others without a second thought. Han Jae-hoon had merely forgotten that for a moment.
“We have three days before the investigator arrives.”
“That’s what it says.”
“That’s tighter than expected.”
As far as he could recall, they had never misused electricity. However, if an investigation was conducted, even the smallest flaw could be uncovered.
The moment they found even a minor violation, the power supply would be reduced instantly. If that happened, Sector 5 would crumble like a sandcastle in an instant. Things were completely different from eight years ago.
If the power supply were cut, the first thing to shut down would be the factories within the sector. That would mean countless workers would lose their jobs overnight.
It would take only a week for everything to collapse. It was disheartening to realize just how much the sector’s economy depended on the electricity from Sector 1.
“Aide, prepare all documents related to electricity usage in the sector immediately.”
“Understood.”
“And—”
Han Jae-hoon turned his gaze toward the butler but paused mid-sentence. He shifted his attention to the towering stack of documents on his desk. There was far too much work for him to handle alone. At this moment, he desperately needed someone’s help.
Since the sector was facing a crisis, handling this situation well would solidify his position as the next sector leader. Ideally, he wanted to give this opportunity to Seo-yul, but that was no longer an option.
It was time to make the decision he had been postponing for the past eight years.
“Bring Se-yul as well.”
“Young Master Se-yul?”
Both the butler and the aide doubted their ears for a moment. Had they misheard? Perhaps he had meant to summon Seo-yul instead and had mistakenly said Se-yul? Their hearts trembled with uncertainty, but after checking once more, they realized they had heard correctly.
“S-Sector Leader, you’ve finally…!”
Unlike the two, who could not hide their joy, Han Jae-hoon’s expression remained grim. The butler, bowing deeply, immediately left the study to summon Se-yul.
“I will go fetch the documents,” said the aide before exiting as well.
Now alone, Han Jae-hoon ran a hand over his throbbing forehead. He knew he didn’t have the luxury of resting, but his body refused to move easily.
He picked up the letter from the table and carefully reread it from beginning to end. From the opening words, “To the esteemed leader of Sector 5,” to the closing remark, “Until we meet again,” the contents only grew more infuriating the more he read.
Unable to suppress his anger, he tore the letter into pieces. He tossed the shredded fragments onto the table and leaned back into the sofa with a heavy sigh.
“Who will they send?”
He had no idea who the investigator from Sector 1 would be, but he was determined to leave no room for even the tiniest speck of fault to be found. The investigator had to return empty-handed—only then could Sector 5 be protected.
While reviewing the documents the aide would bring, Han Jae-hoon planned to have Se-yul inspect the factories within the sector. Since the majority of the power supply was directed there, the factories would be the first place the investigator would scrutinize.
Even if the paperwork showed no discrepancies, reality could be different. Eight years was more than enough time for complacency to set in. This was the perfect opportunity to tighten any loose ends.
“Three days…”
Once this ordeal was over, he planned to officially pass the leadership of the sector to Se-yul. It was what everyone had been waiting for, so there would be little opposition. Moreover, it would naturally secure the support of the sector’s citizens.
Of course, there was still a lingering regret in his heart, like an unshakable knot. But it was time to let go. If he pushed forward with his desires and Seo-yul’s identity as an Omega was exposed, that would be the true disaster.
After completing the transition to Se-yul, Han Jae-hoon planned to take Seo-yul to the villa for a long vacation. That was, if Seo-yul agreed.
‘I hope he comes with me.’
By the time he realized what that exchange eight years ago had truly meant for Seo-yul, their once-solid bond had already begun to crack.
But even if he could turn back time, he knew he would make the same choice. Because to him, nothing was more important than Seo-yul.
So, once he stepped down from the sector leader’s position, he intended to use his newfound time to mend his relationship with him. If they spent time together at the villa filled with old memories, perhaps the resentment buried deep within would start to thaw.
At least, that was what he wanted to believe.
Click. At the sound of the door opening, Han Jae-hoon straightened his body from where he had been leaning against the sofa. Beyond the wide-open door, his aide entered, carrying a towering stack of documents in his arms.
If only that had been the extent of it. Behind the aide, a procession of attendants followed, each carrying their own piles of paperwork. Even at a glance, the sheer volume of documents stacked on the floor was overwhelming.
“Looks like I can forget about sleep for the next three days.”
Rising from the sofa, Han Jae-hoon muttered in a grave tone.
***
The mansion had been in turmoil for the past few days. The attendants moved busily, tidying up the estate, while the aide and the butler continuously transported an endless stream of documents into the study from who knew where.
According to the servants, an investigator from Sector 1 was scheduled to arrive, though no one knew the exact reason for the visit. They could only speculate that it had something to do with electricity.
While Han Jae-hoon spent his nights reviewing paperwork with minimal rest, Se-yul had begun inspecting the factories within the sector. Since the majority of the power supply was directed to the factories, it was only natural that the investigator’s first destination would be there.
Everyone in the mansion was busy. Yet, as always, I remained unbothered. With nothing to do, I idled in my room before finally stepping out into the garden in the late afternoon.
I sat on a long chair under the shade and pulled out a cigarette. As I lit it and took a deep drag, a thin trail of white smoke curled up from the glowing tip.
My eyes followed the dissipating wisps of smoke aimlessly until I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning my head, I met Se-yul’s gaze as he walked toward me, his neatly styled hair now a mess.
“I’m back.”
“Good work.”
Se-yul forced a weary smile and took the seat beside me. Letting out a deep sigh, he unfastened the top button of his shirt, finally shedding the stiff demeanor he had maintained all day. Then, he reached out his hand.
“Hyung, give me one of those.”
It was rare for him to ask for a cigarette—he usually detested the smell. But judging by his exhausted expression, today must have been particularly rough on him.
Not surprising. Covering all the factories in the sector within just two days was no easy feat.
I opened the silver case and pulled out a cigarette for him. Se-yul took it with practiced ease, sliding the filter between his lips before bringing the tip to the flame.
“You’ve smoked before?”
“A little, back in school.”
“Figures. You always learn the worst habits at school.”
“That’s how it goes.”
We chuckled over the meaningless exchange. Even after finishing our cigarettes, we remained seated, staring at the vast, empty sky in silence.
“Hyung.”
After a while, Se-yul was the first to break the quiet.
When I asked what it was, he kept his eyes on the sky, which was gradually shifting into the hues of evening. Then, turning toward me, his gaze met mine directly.
“Father said that once this is over, he’s going to make me the Sector Chief.”
From the moment Se-yul was entrusted with this task, I had expected this outcome. It seemed Han Jae-hoon had finally set aside his stubbornness and made a decision.
Was it the statement about revealing that he was an Omega that had shaken him? That alone wouldn’t have been enough to break Han Jae-hoon’s resolve, but it had undoubtedly sped up a choice he would have had to make sooner or later.
“Congratulations, Se-yul.”
Unlike me, who was genuinely happy for him, Se-yul’s face remained clouded with unease. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he simply shook his head.
Had he realized that no matter what he said, it was already too late? Facing him, I took his hand—now much larger than mine—and spoke gently.
“You’ll make a great Sector Chief.”
Se-yul gave a bitter smile but said nothing in return.
