TCBW C59

Chapter 59

Golden tableware glimmered softly under the low lighting. Chairman Lee—still broad-shouldered despite his age—cut into the thick steak with graceful, practiced movements.

The private dining room was far too large and luxurious for one man, but extravagance had always been his preferred stage. The finest, the brightest, the most lavish—he wished to live surrounded only by such things.

“How long has that omega been in that house, and yet there is still no news? Does that make sense to you?”

“According to the staff stationed there, there has been no particular development yet, sir.”

“To be clinging to each other that often—yet nothing? It’s strange. An extremity-class alpha, no less. How can there be absolutely no news? And that omega, too. We tested him several times—each time, without fail, he was confirmed as an extremity-class omega.”

Ever since his long-ailing mother, Chwigyeon, had passed away, Chairman Lee’s obsession with Suhoe bearing a child grew even more feverish.

“And you’re certain that omega is still in that house?”

“Yes, sir. There was a report today that Professor Eun Hyunbin from Yongseong Hospital visited the residence.”

“Tch. What good is it if only doctors go in and out? There’s no substance!”

He clicked his tongue, displeasure written plainly on his face.

“And that Director Han from Saeman Group—why does she keep visiting? I heard talk of marriage and such nonsense. Is that true?”

“Yes, sir. That, too, has been verified.”

The secretary paused, gauging the chairman’s expression before continuing steadily.

“It is said that Director Han visits Yongseong Financial almost daily—so often that hardly any internal staff are unaware of her presence. Even during the week Representative Lee Dowoon did not come to the office, she visited several times.”

Ping—

A notification lit the phone screen before Chairman Lee.

[The seizures have begun again.]

His brows drew together. He set down his knife and fork soundlessly.

“Nothing but aggravation today. Damn it. Contact Gyegeum immediately. Tell him I will be visiting soon.”

His voice chilled like steel.

“Sir… my apologies, but there was word from Unbang Mountain this morning. Elder Gyegeum’s condition has worsened significantly.”

“What do you mean, worsened?”

“The details were not fully disclosed, but…”

“…”

“They have closed the mountain shrine for the time being.”

Chairman Lee’s face twisted, as though the world itself offended him.

“Absurd. I will go as soon as possible.”

An omega or an alpha possesses a unique scent—one only. That is common knowledge, shared by all regardless of gender designation.

But a pheromone scent changing? Professor Eun wondered if she had misheard.

“…Whose case is this?”

Her cautious question trembled with disbelief.

“Answer first. Have you ever encountered such a situation?”

Dowoon ignored her flustered tone and asked again evenly.

“No. Not once, medically or otherwise.”

After a moment of thought, she pinched the bridge of her nose.

“…Is this regarding Madam?”

Dowoon nodded slowly.

“When I first brought him home, he had a scent—faint, unclear. Like dry wood or withered grass. But after his severe heat, it changed completely.”

“That’s… astonishing.”

As a beta, she could not even verify it herself, making it more difficult to accept.

“At first, it was so faint even Secretary Choi couldn’t detect it. But now even she can. Correct?”

“Yes. Before the heat, I wasn’t sure. But today, I could tell immediately—his scent has changed.”

“…That distinct?”

“Yes. Anyone encountering Madam from now on will likely assume he has always been an omega with such a sweet floral scent.”

“I must admit—it strains belief. There is no medical explanation. But since Madam exists as proof, I cannot dismiss it outright. I will begin reviewing literature and research materials immediately.”

“That would be best.”

Professor Eun bowed once more and turned to leave—then stopped, recalling Suhoe’s earlier words.

“Representative Lee… one more question, if I may.”

“…Go on.”

“I heard Madam say you have not left his side for the past three days. Was that because of pheromones?”

“Ah, that—”

Dowoon fell briefly silent, as if weighing his answer. He pushed his glasses up with one finger, calculated.

“…Partly. But during heat—he wandered while unaware, ran into a wall, and fainted. That is why.”

“A-Ah… I see.”

Realizing it was not a dire situation after all, Professor Eun nodded in relief.

“Then I will contact you once the medical results are ready.”

Before leaving, Professor Eun explained everything to Suhoe—including why Dowoon had stayed close. Because of that, a burden lifted from Suhoe’s heart.

Knowing that Dowoon remained by his side for his health—not to keep watch—filled him with quiet, unspoken joy.

Sharing the same bed each night, eating side-by-side at the table… it felt unreal.

To be honest, Suhoe thought this reality more dream-like than the recurring dream he always had.

“Ouch… ouch…”

And—

“My head hurts a little…”

Even the most trivial complaint made Dowoon stop what he was doing and look at him.

His gaze still held cool detachment, yet the sharp edge was gone; no suspicion, no hostility.

“You seem to have a fever.”

“…You do.”

And he answered—short, but steady.

Just like the weather was softening, so too was something between them.

Perhaps because of that—

The feeling Suhoe had forced himself to deny and bury for so long—unworthy, presumptuous, foolish—began to rise. Quietly at first, then unmistakably.

Yes, Dowoon still frightened him. But beneath fear, a feeling uncontrollable blossomed.

No—blossomed long ago.

Now, acknowledging it openly, spending time by his side, Suhoe felt, for the first time in his life, truly happy.

He wished—impossible as it was—for this moment to last forever.

Perhaps that was why he made a mistaken assumption.

That after these peaceful days and unexpected gentleness, Dowoon might grant him what he hoped for.

“S-So… I can return to work now… right?”

The illusion shattered instantly.

Before he could finish the sentence, Dowoon’s expression—warm a second ago—froze into cold steel.

This was the first time since the heat ended that Suhoe witnessed that deadly, merciless change.

The air that had been soft between them disappeared, replaced by the familiar, invisible wall of ice.

“No.”

His refusal was immediate—unyielding.

But Suhoe did not back down.

“You said leaving without notice is irresponsible.”

“…Do you forget who I am? I am the one who employed you. Who pays you.”

“E-Even so, I can’t just quit like this.”

“If you’re trying to test my patience, stop. You’ve done more than enough.”

Even as the biting tone continued, Suhoe did not avert his gaze. He stared straight into Dowoon’s dark eyes, as though piercing through him.