Ch 44

“Did he think he was being careful? If he was going to scheme, he should have done it more thoroughly.

In any case, no one had passed through the hallway during the conversation, and he had positioned himself with his back to the conference room cameras, ensuring his face wasn’t exposed. There was nothing problematic about him knowing Noh Haneul, after all.

Adjusting his attire, Secretary Baek slowly exited the conference room. The recent collapse of a marriage discussion came to mind, along with the rumor that Chairman No’s company was developing new technology and would soon announce it.

The company’s stock was bound to rise—it would be wise to secure some in advance. Chairman Choi seemed to be proceeding with an engagement with another family, but that was something only time would tell. More than any of that, however, what piqued Secretary Baek’s interest the most was the appearance of Seo Ji-an.

So the reason the marriage discussion with the No family fell through was because of Seo Ji-an…

Did Seo Ji-an know that Choi Ideun was a rut partner? Or not? There was no way he knew. Choi Ideun was more meticulous about pheromone management than anyone else. No, if he did know, there was no way they would be that close. That would be impossible.

Then what about Choi Ideun?

He had always kept his distance from everyone, regardless of gender or secondary sex. And yet, the one he ended up clinging to was Seo Ji-an? That didn’t make sense either. But considering what had happened while he was away… This was something he needed to confirm with his own eyes.

If they had been close without knowing anything, only to later discover the truth? Given Seo Ji-an’s personality, he would undoubtedly run away, and given Choi Ideun’s personality… This was interesting. Very interesting.

And on top of that, Noh Haneul and Seo Ji-an were friends?

For now, it seemed best to observe more carefully and weigh his options. He couldn’t spend his whole life cleaning up after Chairman Choi. At this point, it might be a good idea to take what he deserved, settle his accounts, and retire comfortably.

From the way Noh Haneul spoke, getting a payout from the No family wouldn’t be difficult. And Chairman Choi knew nothing about Seo Ji-an, so there was no need to worry.

Choi Ideun was the biggest variable. But before anything else, confirming the nature of their relationship was the priority. To cross a river efficiently, one had to gauge its depth first.

Humming a quiet tune, Secretary Baek made his way to Choi Ideun’s office, just as planned.

When was it again? The second day?

He recalled Seo Ji-an’s face, the way he had hurled curses the moment he saw him while sitting in a chair in the hospital hallway.

Seeing that face again would be quite amusing. He had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before he got the chance, and the anticipation made his whistling grow a little louder.

His whistling stopped when he reached the floor where Ideun was. With his narrow eyes lowered, he knocked on the door. The smirk tugging at his lips gradually faded.

“…Tell him I don’t have time.”

Despite being greeted with those words the moment he entered the office, Secretary Baek’s expression remained calm.

“I’ll take that as confirmation that you’ll visit before the holidays.”

Even with someone in the room, even while engaged in conversation, Ideun didn’t take his eyes off his monitor. Secretary Baek clasped his hands in front of him and looked down at him before speaking.

“Why not form a deeper relationship with someone? Otherwise, you’ll have to keep meeting new people.”

“With your skills, Secretary Baek, I doubt you don’t already know. I don’t see why you’re bringing this up. If you have nothing else to say, please leave. As you can see, I’m busy.”

A single jab, and only then did Ideun finally lift his head, showing his face. His response was, as expected, unwelcoming.

His abrasive personality hadn’t changed—he was the same as always.

How had Seo Ji-an managed to get close to Ideun?

As he pondered this, Secretary Baek placed the document Chairman Choi had given him onto Ideun’s desk.

“Chairman Choi is quite worried. A man who usually knows what should be kept in the shadows and what should be brought to light is acting differently. When something from the dark is forcibly dragged into the light, problems tend to arise. You know that well, don’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

For a brief moment, Ideun picked up the document, his gaze scanning it, but soon after, he tore it in two and tossed it into the trash.

“Secretary Baek, I trust you know the contents, so I’ll leave it to you. Just make sure you don’t end up hurting the heart of someone from a respectable family.”

“Is this about Seo Ji-an?”

“As expected, you’re sharp. Do you have something to say to me? Our conversation seems unusually long today.”

Throwing out a bait out of boredom had earned an immediate reaction. This could turn into something quite entertaining.

“Shall I organize the data for you?”

“Secretary Baek, you seem quite interested in me. But instead of me, you should be looking after the old man.”

“This kind of work is what I do best.”

A proper file needed to be prepared—about Seo Ji-an’s past.

How would Choi Ideun react if he learned that, for a financial price, Seo Ji-an had spent years as a rut partner for Alphas?

Could someone like him, born into wealth, accustomed to having everything he wanted, and standing above others, accept such a truth?

He didn’t even know who he had been with, only that he had degraded himself for money…

Would an Alpha, driven by obsession and possessiveness, be able to suppress his instincts and accept it?

Sure, if he could, that would be quite impressive.

Of course, whether or not to reveal that Ideun himself was the one in question—he’d decide that based on the situation.

One thing was certain: Choi Ideun could never have Seo Ji-an.

First, his so-called Alpha nature wouldn’t allow it. And if the old man found out, he would undoubtedly explode.

And as for himself? He just needed to stir things up a little and enjoy the show.

How amusing.

Was Seo Ji-an the most pitiful one in all this?

Perhaps. But Ideun’s reaction would be even more entertaining.

If everything got twisted, tangled in misunderstandings and misinterpretations, would he confess with his own mouth? Or not?

And if he found out that his rut partner had been Choi Ideun all along?

Would he feel relieved?

Ah, right—Noh Haneul.

That sly little thing, pretending to be innocent and kind, yet spoiled by a life without limitations, where he could have everything he wanted.

If he let just a trace of this slip in front of him, things would get very interesting.

For now, one thing was clear: Choi Ideun knew nothing, and Seo Ji-an had hidden his past as a rut partner meticulously.

Even if Ideun had investigated him, there was no way he had uncovered what had been deliberately concealed.

Of course, he might have noticed the large, irregular deposits in Seo Ji-an’s account.

Now, where should he start?

It would be best to throw out a few small pieces before dropping the biggest one at just the right moment.

Without a word, Secretary Baek lowered his gaze and patiently watched Ideun at work.

Go on, answer me.

I’ll bring you whatever information you want.

Let’s have some fun putting this puzzle together.

“…….”

When Ideun rose from his seat, Secretary Baek took a step back.

Then, as he lifted his head, a crooked smirk tugged at his lips.

Ideun had put his phone to his ear and walked past him, leaving the office without another word.”

* * *

Bbaang!

Startled by the sudden blare of a loud horn, Ji-an quickly lifted his head, which had been lowered. A dump truck loaded with cargo passed in front of him, kicking up dust and continuing to produce a loud noise. Fortunately, there was no sound of sudden braking or a collision, and before long, the dump truck disappeared around the corner.

Holding his breath as he watched, Ji-an exhaled deeply and blinked.

Where was this? He had certainly been at a company located in the middle of a bustling city. But now, beneath the dim blue light of the setting red sunset, all he could see was shrubbery. A narrow two-lane road, low embankments, and patches of grass.

Jumping to his feet from where he had been sitting, Ji-an looked around and realized he was at a tiny makeshift bus stop with an unfamiliar name written on it. With a crackling sound, the streetlight beside the bus stop flickered to life. However, the weak light continued to waver anxiously, accompanied by an irritating noise, as if it might go out at any moment.

The sky he had seen when he left after submitting his resignation. Secretary Baek.

Yes, Secretary Baek. He had run with nausea rising in his throat and had arrived at the company staircase. Pressing down his churning stomach, he had rushed down and boarded a bus that had stopped in front of the main entrance. After that… he had simply gotten off wherever he felt like and taken random buses as he saw them.

So that’s how he ended up here.

When Ji-an reached into his pocket to look for his phone, he noticed that his stiff fingers were barely moving. Just how long had he been sitting here like this? It wasn’t just his hands—his entire body felt rigid and creaky from the cold of early January. Realizing this, he also became aware that his jaw was trembling.

“Do pheromones mess with the brain as well as the body? I don’t remember ever hearing that.”

Thinking that he needed his phone to get anywhere, Ji-an reached into his pocket again and pulled out whatever his hand could grab. His palm was filled with fifty-thousand-won bills. Finding it strange, he searched all his pockets, and before he knew it, he was holding a wad of cash. Letting out a sigh, he unzipped his backpack to organize the money, only to release another sigh.

“I really am no ordinary guy.”

It wasn’t as if he had vaguely decided that he had to leave Ideun no matter what. He had spent time thinking things over. It was unlikely, but he had still considered the possibility that Ideun might try to find him. He had looked into ways to avoid him… and it seemed that, even in the chaos, he had managed to follow through.

His phone and wallet were gone. Instead, his backpack was stuffed full of fifty-thousand-won bills.

Perhaps randomly taking and getting off buses, ending up alone in a place so desolate that there were hardly any people, had also been part of his plan.

But weren’t there CCTVs at bus stops?

Letting out a sigh, Ji-an swept his gaze over the rundown stop once more. That was when his eyes caught an old piece of paper.

“The bus service has ended.”

He hadn’t expected this. Checking the time, not on the smartwatch he usually wore but on the analog watch Ideun had bought for him, Ji-an let out a hollow laugh. He had come all this way—there was no way he could go back now. Knowing that he had to leave Ideun’s side, he had hesitated. But in the end, things had turned out this way.

“Ah. I… don’t even have my phone.”

Realizing the cold reality of his situation as he tried to leave, Ji-an let out a small laugh. He couldn’t even call a taxi. There was nothing he could do. Freezing to death hadn’t been part of the plan.

Shivering from the cold, he looked around and spotted lights in the distance. There was no way a proper hotel or motel existed in a place like this, so he started walking toward the lights. His lips gradually curled downward.

He recalled glaring at Ideun before heading to work, losing his temper just as he felt. Because of that, he hadn’t even managed to say that he was taking Bobo with him. That morning had been too hectic, and he hadn’t packed any tasty canned food for Bobo.

What about Bobo?

He should have left with Bobo in the first place. Should he go back just to get him? But what if he ran into Ideun?

With just a single breath, a white puff of air rose before his eyes. That meant it was cold. Well, it was early January—the coldest time of the year. This was why he had said he would leave in the blooming spring.

Was there any time lonelier, colder, and more in need of someone’s warmth than now?

Even as his body walked toward the lights, his thoughts kept drifting back to Ideun’s apartment.

“I want to go back.”

The truth in his heart spilled out, and Ji-an laughed again.

Before he knew it, his steps had stopped in front of an old house that had clearly been standing for quite some time.

The wooden door creaked in the winter night breeze. Opening it, Ji-an began with a polite “Excuse me” and tried to briefly explain his situation and ask if he could stay the night.

Before he even got the words out, he was already sitting on a warm heated floor.

“Oh dear, child. You must have been wandering outside for quite some time to be this frozen. Here, drink this warm barley tea first. Have you eaten?”

Still wearing his outerwear, Ji-an felt a thick blanket draped over his shoulders and legs. A steaming cup was pressed into his hands. Dazed, he tried to stand up, but the gentle hand pressing down on his shoulder made him settle back down.

“No, well, I…”

Grrrrr—

“Oh my, you must not have eaten. Look at you, so pale and skinny. Just wait here a moment.”

Mumbling, “Grandmother…” Ji-an trailed off as she disappeared into a small room.

Even in such a remote rural village, she didn’t know who he was. If he had come with ill intentions, this elderly couple would undoubtedly be in danger.

But then again… the large dog, seemingly meant to guard the house, had greeted him with a wagging tail.