PIA 117

To Jeong Hee-seo, the company’s anniversary party was nothing more than a dull, perfunctory event.

For regular employees, the occasion meant gifts and time off, leaving the party itself to the executives and their families. Most attendees spent the evening locked in tedious exchanges of pleasantries, flattery, and networking.

The only thing that had piqued his interest, albeit briefly, was when Jeong Han-joo had expressed a desire to use Jeong Hee-seo’s suite with its stunning view to spend time with his lover.

Even then, Hee-seo had easily relinquished the room without argument. It wasn’t as if the suite had any sentimental value—it was just a place his sister had lent him to rest after the party dragged on late into the night.

Jeong Han-joo’s lover didn’t even show up at the party, so there wasn’t even that to pass the time with.

Perhaps that’s why he had noticed him. That day, Ji-an was notably younger than others moving through the grand hall. The flashy suit he wore to match the dress code suited him exceptionally well.

A precarious-looking pale face. Jeong Hee-seo’s attention was repeatedly drawn to him drinking alone continuously.

‘An Omega?’

As he watched Ji-an leave the party hall, the director of the Cultural Foundation approached him, introducing their child. Even as the beautiful Omega stepped closer and emitted pheromones while offering a polite greeting, Jeong Hee-seo found himself completely disinterested. 

In fact, he couldn’t focus enough to maintain basic courtesy during their greeting.

Eventually, Jeong Hee-seo pushed the champagne glass he was holding into someone’s hands and left the party hall.

Why? Because he was concerned about the Omega leaving the party without any companions.

At least, that was the excuse he had given himself at the time. It was self-deception, plain and simple. He knew it now—being trapped in that room, falling victim to rut-inducing substances, was ultimately his own fault. He had followed Ji-an to the room. He had drunk the champagne of his own accord. Whatever happened, it had started with his own decisions.

Jeong Hee-young nudged Jeong Hee-seo’s arm, who was lost in thought.

“What are you doing?”

“Uh… nothing, where were we?”

As he turned his head, he found Jeong Hee-young, the secretaries, and even the hotel staff all looking at him. Jeong Hee-seo quickly composed his expression and looked down at the tablet. His fingertip caught on the page he had stopped turning.

Perhaps because he suddenly recalled that time. It felt strange. A feeling akin to excitement mixed with anxiety raced through his chest.

Jeong Hee-young turned to her secretary and asked:

“Is Han-joo all prepared? We should tell them to come early and check the final arrangements before the guests arrive.”

“Ah, about that… He hasn’t arrived at the hotel yet, so we’re trying to contact him.”

The secretary’s expression wasn’t good. Jeong Hee-seo reflexively lifted his wrist to check the time.

“Dragging things out without resolving anything and then making a scene on the day of the engagement—he really takes after you, Noona. Who knows, he might show up crying later, saying this doesn’t feel right— turning the whole household upside down.”

“Shut up. I was younger than Han-joo when that happened.”

As Jeong Hee-young threateningly waved her small, soft fist in front of his nose, Jeong Hee-seo snorted. Suddenly feeling something odd, she asked:

“Wait, what do you mean ‘resolving something’? Is something going on with him?”

“How would I know? He’s an adult. He’ll handle it.”

“You… Are you a robot or something? This is about your younger brother, why are you like this? What’s wrong with your head? Tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s Jeong Han-joo whose head is messed up.”

Jeong Hee-young touched her forehead with a dismayed expression.

“Even if he made a mistake, he’s still your younger brother.”

“That’s the biggest problem.”

“Oh— Manager Han!”

Jeong Hee-young, who looked ready to grab Jeong Hee-seo’s neck and shake him, spotted an employee running from afar and waved her hands as she ran towards him. Jeong Hee-seo narrowed his eyes, thinking it was quite a feat to run like that in high heels.

Secretary Yoon, who took the approved tablet from him, added a comment:

“Wouldn’t it be better if you gave the hotel president and chairman a heads-up? You know… about that Seo Ji-hyuk matter.”

“They need to handle it themselves. Why should I step in?”

“What do you mean? You’re the eldest brother. Isn’t that your role as the top authority in the Jeong family?”

Jeong Hee-seo raised an eyebrow. He clicked his tongue, looking at Secretary Yoon, who wore an expression of incomprehension.

“If I interfere, Han-joo will go even more off track. He’s the type to do something worse out of spite. He’s not stupid—he’ll figure it out. And I’m sure grandmother knows everything already.”

If you’ve taken the wrong path, find your way back yourself. That was what Myeong Hyun-sook always emphasized. 

Jeong Hee-seo nonchalantly looked around the party hall that was in full preparation. He thought it was about time to go see Ji-an as things were starting to get boring. Just then, Jeong Han-joo was walking into the event hall.

“See, he’s fine.”

Secretary Yoon turned to look at Jeong Han-joo as Jeong Hee-seo spoke, patting his shoulder. Contrary to Jeong Hee-seo’s words that everything was fine, Jeong Han-joo’s face and appearance were in complete disarray— he didn’t look at all like someone about to get engaged today.

“I don’t really understand the General Manager’s intention…”

But in the end, it wasn’t his concern. Secretary Yoon shrugged and turned to handle the tasks Jeong Hee-seo had assigned. Once he finished helping with today’s work, that is, this event, a long vacation granted by his generous boss awaited him.

* * *

The pace of Jeong Hee-seo’s steps quickened as he crossed the hallway on the floor above the wedding hall, where waiting rooms for family members were located. Every corner, every section of the venue was tightly packed with security personnel.

Those dressed in black, standing like pillars in each area, had long since recognized Jeong Hee-seo and remained motionless at their posts.

They probably didn’t move because they recognized him.

Jeong Hee-seo chuckled as he continued this train of thought. That day, how did he end up taking a rut inducer amidst such tight security? Unless some supernatural force intervened, how could it have happened? He chuckled self-deprecatingly, thinking, Was it destiny that I drank that drink of fate?

Just before opening the door to the waiting room used by Jeong Hee-young’s family, he paused his steps upon seeing a familiar figure lingering about.

“Seo Ji-hyuk-ssi.”

“Hello…”

He trailed off, still awkward with how to address Jeong Hee-seo. He also had many reasons not to be friendly.  Jeong Hee-seo briefly composed himself, regulating his breathing.

“What business do you have here? If you’re looking for Jeong Han-joo’s waiting room, it’s in the opposite corridor.”

Seo Ji-hyuk’s shoulders trembled at the voice laden with wariness. As if he were a delicate Omega.  Jeong Hee-seo’s expression hardened at this blatantly visible act. He wasn’t stupid enough to fall for such gestures, and he couldn’t understand why Seo Ji-hyuk was putting on this unnecessary act.

“Ah… Han-joo hasn’t arrived, so I was wondering if anyone here might know something.”

“Han-joo has arrived at the hall. More importantly, have you two not talked yet?”

“Talked? About what?”

Seo Ji-hyuk feigned ignorance despite having seen  Jeong Han-joo’s injured state. But seeing that he had the composure to act, it seemed  Jeong Han-joo hadn’t managed to confront him after all. Having reached this conclusion in a short time,  Jeong Hee-seo looked down at him with sharp eyes.

“I have no intention of commenting on who Jeong Han-joo gets married to. He’s an adult, and I have no intention of meddling in his relationship. Whatever his partner is hiding, whatever Han-joo is enduring, I assume there are circumstances between the two of you.”

“Enduring…”

“However, at the very least, Seo Ji-hyuk-ssi’s feelings should be sincere.”

While he had no intention of siding with his foolish younger brother, it hurt his pride to see him being so stupidly taken advantage of.

When he first saw the two sitting together, he hadn’t sensed anything amiss, but after everything that had happened, Jeong Hee-seo thought that Seo Ji-hyuk might just be continuing the relationship because of Han-joo’s background. After all, Jeong Hee-seo had experienced such things many times in his life.

The thought left him with a sense of shared humiliation. His brows knit together as Seo Ji-hyuk’s uneasy laugh broke the silence.

“How romantic of you. I didn’t expect someone who has everything to say such soft things. I thought you’d only be concerned about succession—”

“You seem to be greatly misunderstanding something.”

Jeong Hee-seo cut off Seo Ji-hyuk’s words as if they weren’t worth listening to any further.

“Because I have everything, I’m more moved by things like a person’s sincerity. Why, it often appears in old-fashioned fairy tales as the most valuable treasure. Something that absolutely can’t be bought with money.”

“…”

“Tell me. Do you have that, Seo Ji-hyuk-ssi?”

“I don’t understand why you’re asking me this, or why I should answer. I just find it unpleasant.”

The two exchanged glances devoid of even a shred of goodwill. Just as Seo Ji-hyuk, now somewhat intimidated, was about to speak again after careful consideration, the door of the waiting room right in front opened, and Ji-an poked his head out.

He spotted Hee-seo and called out loudly while smiling brightly.

“Hyung! I thought I heard your voice. Yi-seo, your uncle’s here, right?”

“Uncle! He really came!”

“Ji-an.”

Jeong Hee-seo’s face lit up as if a beam of light had shone upon it. Seo Ji-hyuk, who had been watching the transformation in stunned silence, suddenly felt a wave of defeat and bit his lip hard.

As Jeong Hee-seo lifted Yi-seo, who had run out, he reached out to pat Ji-an’s head. Ji-an, hurriedly grabbing Jeong Hee-seo’s hand to prevent his carefully styled hair from being messed up, belatedly noticed Seo Ji-hyuk.

In the past, Ji-an would have tensed up at the mere presence of Seo Ji-hyuk, but this time, his delayed reaction surprised even himself. He greeted him with a polite bow.

“Hello, hyung.”

“…Hello. Thank you for coming.”

A brief silence fell. Even Jeong Hee-seo, who was trying to maintain a good expression for Yi-seo’s sake, couldn’t come up with anything to say. Moreover, Ji-an didn’t know what Seo Ji-hyuk’s business was. Seo Ji-hyuk spoke first to Ji-an, who was standing there blankly.

“I came to look for Han-joo.”

“Ah.”

Ji-an hastily added, as if realizing something.

“You must need Han-joo hyung’s pheromones too. Have you tried calling him? You’ll need to start maintaining your condition before the ceremony.”

Assuming that since Jeong Han-joo knew about Ji-an’s pregnancy, Seo Ji-hyuk would naturally know too— Ji-an advised with a sense of sympathy. However, Ji-hyuk didn’t seem to understand at all.

Is it different for Dominant Omegas’ pregnancies? As Ji-an was tilting his head and about to elaborate, Jeong Hee-seo intervened.

“Let’s go in now. I have something to give you, Ji-an.”

Yi-seo’s eyes sparkled as she cupped Jeong Hee-seo’s cheeks with her small hands.

“What about Yi-seo’s gift?”

“Hmm… Of course, there’s something for our Yi-seo too.”

There isn’t— As Ji-an mouthed teasingly with a mischievous grin, Jeong Hee-seo firmly pinched Ji-an’s nose.  Their shared laughter filled the corridor. Seo Ji-hyuk stiffened and took a step back in the face of the bond between the three.

“…”

As Ji-an reflexively turned his head to bow slightly before entering the waiting room, Jeong Hee-seo thoroughly ignored him. It was a cold gaze that sent chills down Seo Ji-hyuk’s spine with humiliation and fear. After the three went in, the security guards uniformly blocked the door.

Even those expressionless guards seemed to have noticed the difference between Seo Ji-hyuk and Seo Ji-an. Seo Ji-hyuk unconsciously clenched his fists, staggering. Suddenly looking around, he felt as if all the guards in the corridor were mocking him.

He didn’t even have the authority to open the door to the waiting room Ji-an had entered.