—What happened yesterday?
“Well…”
Seunghyun calmly opened his mouth again.
***
“This is unacceptable, Director!”
Chairman Jin Gilnyeong frowned at the irritating noise that disrupted his Monday morning. How dare someone make such a commotion in the presence of Hwamyeong’s chairman.
Just as he was about to shout angrily asking what was going on, the door to his office suddenly flung open.
“Gasp, Chairman…”
Through the open door, Dowun, the chairman’s chief secretary, could be seen fumbling anxiously. Pushing past his shoulder, Hwalyeon walked into the chairman’s office.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Chairman Jin asked with a frown. He cast an irritated glance behind her. Dowun and the security guards, who had been hovering helplessly as Hwalyeon barged in, exchanged looks before closing the door and leaving.
Until now, Hwalyeon had never approached Chairman Jin in such a disrespectful manner. She had always been exceptionally respectful to Chairman Jin at the company. As the director of Hwamyeong’s affiliate, she always followed strict procedures, such as scheduling meetings in advance, even though the chairman was her grandfather.
But to barge in like this without warning—it was so unlike Hwalyeon that Chairman Jin felt more puzzled than displeased.
A cold pheromone emanated from Hwalyeon as she stood before Chairman Jin. Hiding her anger that seemed about to explode, she slowly opened her mouth.
“Did you really have to go that far?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
Chairman Jin’s already frowning face twisted further at these incomprehensible words. Looking down at him with cold eyes, Hwalyeon continued.
“I’m talking about Suhwan.”
“…”
“You tried to sell that child using despicable methods.”
It wasn’t unusual for wealthy families to benefit from strategic marriages. Naturally, Chairman Jin would disapprove of the second son of the insignificant HS. But to try to change his marriage partner through coercive methods—what Chairman Jin had done went far beyond acceptable limits.
Despite Hwalyeon’s accusation, Chairman Jin’s expression didn’t change one bit. Rather, he asked her with a shameless expression:
“When has that boy ever been of any help to the family? He should at least make a good marriage to contribute something. What did I do wrong?”
Hwalyeon sighed as she watched Chairman Jin utter words that matched her expectations word for word.
“You don’t feel even a hint of remorse.”
“Ha, remorse?”
Chairman Jin had experienced too many disappointments over too long a time to feel such emotions. Now he had only one expectation from Suhwan: to contribute to the family with his body, which was his only useful attribute.
Chairman Jin looked up at Hwalyeon with a skewed gaze. Unlike Suhwan, she was the ideal successor. And she too had been notably indifferent to Suhwan, her competitor, until now. Chairman Jin pointed this out.
“Speaking of which, since when have you been so concerned about him that you’re making this fuss? Hmm?”
Chairman Jin didn’t know how Hwalyeon and Suhwan’s relationship had soured. He had never been interested in family matters outside of business. Chairman Jin had always thought that Hwalyeon disliked Suhwan. Therefore, Hwalyeon’s criticism seemed illogical to him.
“I’ve always been concerned. It’s just that.”
Hwalyeon quietly lowered her head. She knew well how her past actions—avoiding Suhwan out of preemptive fear—must have appeared to others.
“I just thought I wasn’t qualified.”
Hwalyeon, who had mistakenly believed that Suhwan was disappointed and angry with her, had consistently acted foolishly. She hadn’t even thought about approaching him first, ultimately forcing him to reach out first.
But she wouldn’t do that anymore. If anyone tried to make Suhwan suffer, she wouldn’t stand by silently anymore. Even if that person was Chairman Jin.
“You permitted my marriage to Hyejin because the project I led was successful and brought enormous profits.”
“…That’s right.”
Chairman Jin responded in a displeased tone to Hwalyeon’s sudden statement. He recalled Hwalyeon’s marriage partner, whom he had strongly opposed.
But in the end, he had to acknowledge their relationship. Hwalyeon’s successful project had brought far greater benefits than any strategic marriage.
“Then if Suhwan achieves similar results, can he marry the person he wants?”
“What?”
Chairman Jin snorted at Hwalyeon’s question. It was truly amusing.
“Ha, of course. If such a thing were possible for that boy.”
Chairman Jin’s face was full of derision because it was absolutely impossible.
Hwalyeon’s project was still occasionally discussed among businesspeople. The current business landscape had changed significantly from the past, and ordinary achievements were no longer noteworthy. In such a situation, what could Suhwan, who only went around causing trouble, possibly accomplish?
Meeting his contemptuous gaze, Hwalyeon spoke in a composed tone.
“You should remember those words clearly.”
“Sure, I will.”
“From now on, don’t touch a hair on Suhwan or his fiancé. I won’t remain silent anymore either.”
Without waiting for a response to her final statement, Hwalyeon turned around sharply. Chairman Jin clicked his tongue as he glared at her back as she gracefully opened the door and left.
“Hmph, how impudent.”
After grumbling curses for a while, Chairman Jin reached out and pressed the internal line number on the phone.
“Secretary Kim, come in.”
—Yes, Chairman.
Dowun immediately opened the door and entered the chairman’s office. Still sweating from the shock of Hwalyeon’s unexpected visit, he stood tensely before Chairman Jin.
“When did you say that omega’s heat was scheduled?”
“Pardon?”
Dowun’s eyes widened at Chairman Jin’s sudden question. Without a subject, he couldn’t determine exactly who was being referred to. Chairman Jin added in an irritated voice:
“I’m talking about the HS omega.”
“Ah, you mean Lee Seunghyun.”
“Yes.”
“Why suddenly…”
“Stop asking questions and just answer.”
“Yes…”
Despite feeling uneasy, Dowun had no choice but to raise his tablet. He opened the file that contained the investigation on Seunghyun and quickly scanned it with his eyes.
“…Lee Seunghyun is dominant, so his heats are intense, but fortunately, he responds well to medication. So…”
“Forget all that, just tell me the scheduled date.”
Feeling uncomfortable, Dowun scanned the document for different information. Looking at the dates when Seunghyun had experienced heat cycles in the past, he spoke:
“It’s between the end of the month and the beginning of the next. The expected date should be approaching soon.”
“I see.”
Dowun anxiously watched Chairman Jin, who seemed lost in thought. He had already felt uneasy while preparing Suhwan’s last blind date as instructed, and now what was the chairman planning? Dowun tensely watched as Chairman Jin’s lips finally parted.
“When that omega goes into heat, separate him from Suhwan and isolate him.”
“What?”
Dowun’s eyes widened in surprise at Chairman Jin’s words. Then he muttered in a perplexed tone:
“Going that far seems a bit…”
“It would be troublesome if he accidentally got pregnant.”
“Of course, it’s risky.”
Even though Suhwan was recessive, anything could happen if the dominant Seunghyun went into heat. The young couple would probably find it difficult to resist their animal instincts. Especially since they were already living together.
“But the young master won’t like it.”
Ironically, it was Chairman Jin himself who had permitted them to live together. Knowing that Suhwan quickly got bored with whatever he did, he had allowed it with a casual attitude, but it was exasperating that this casual arrangement was not only continuing but also proving to be quite resilient.
“He won’t like it, so what? Are you suggesting we leave him alone with an omega in heat? Hmm?”
“That’s…”
Unable to answer, Dowun lowered his head. For Chairman Jin, who wouldn’t bat an eye at any of Suhwan’s reckless behaviors, the one thing he wouldn’t tolerate was dallying with an omega in heat. It would be troublesome if they got tied down by accidental consequences.
Moreover, if he were to spend a heat with someone he was supposed to break up with and even get them pregnant, things would become even more complicated. Chairman Jin spat out in an irritated voice:
“Understood? Prepare without any mishaps.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Dowun reluctantly bowed his head. Then, hesitating at the dismissive wave of Chairman Jin’s hand, he finally left.
To be continued in Volume 3.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
