By Zephyria 
The attending physician swallowed hard. From the moment the door opened and his eyes met Han Seung-jae’s, he felt the hair on the crown of his head stand on end and a chill run down the nape of his neck. The room, which had felt spacious only five minutes ago, now felt as suffocating as a narrow jar.
The physician’s lost gaze scanned Han Seung-jae’s cold features. Not a single emotion was etched into those frigid eyes. However, given the circumstances, the fact that he was currently displeased was palpable.
“Director Han…”
The physician’s lips trembled, unable to find the words to continue. Meanwhile, his eyes kept darting toward the door.
Han Seung-jae lifted the teacup in front of him. The physician took a short breath, as if a gap had opened. But his breath hitched again at Han Seung-jae’s following words.
“I am giving you an opportunity right now.”
The physician clenched both hands resting on his thighs. His trousers wrinkled sharply. He hurriedly parted his lips.
“I didn’t receive any money. Truly, Director Han!”
Han Seung-jae moved his head languidly, as if savoring the tea. The suit that draped over his broad shoulders harmonized with his refined features, and his perfectly placed tie didn’t budge an inch. Holding the teacup, Han Seung-jae looked at the physician with only his heartless eyes.
“You didn’t need money? Then perhaps you desired honor.”
At that, the physician confessed as if he had never been silent.
“President Han has been supporting our Haseon Hospital for a long time, and so, in order to repay that kindness even slightly, I told Chief Secretary Kang… I am truly ashamed.”
Han Yechan was also a reliable patron of Haseon Hospital. It wasn’t that Han Seung-jae was unaware of this. Furthermore, his father was not a kind man who kept those who brought no benefit by his side. Was he not the man who had thrown away a friend he once cherished so desperately, simply for fear that some filth might splatter on him?
“I am sorry. I will make sure this never happens again.”
The physician bowed his head deeply. He felt as though he might have to return to the hospital and pack his things right now. He had enjoyed many benefits by being in charge of treating Han Seung-jae’s child. However, he had been tempted by the mention of becoming the hospital director proposed by Chief Secretary Kang, and had been frequently reporting on Seo Yi-kyung’s physical condition.
And he had attended today’s meeting believing it was a place to meet President Han and solidify his position more firmly. Thus, he had never dreamed that Han Seung-jae would appear here.
Just as he was about to stand up with a despairing expression because the opportunity before his eyes had vanished, Han Seung-jae set down his teacup and spoke. Hearing his words, the physician’s eyes sparkled with renewed life.
Then, sensing a presence, the door opened. Han Seung-jae stood up, and the physician, belatedly snapping back to his senses, bolted upright. Soon, food filled the table, and the staff and Secretary Park withdrew. Only three people remained in the room.
“Have you exchanged greetings?”
At Han Yechan’s words as he sat down, Han Seung-jae instinctively noted that he had arrived late on purpose.
As he expected, Han Yechan was demonstrating the fact that no matter how much Han Seung-jae tried to hide things regarding Seo Yi-kyung, it was impossible to keep them hidden. It seemed that was why he had created this unwelcome gathering.
Moreover, what meaning did a promise from Chief Secretary Kang have? That was nothing more than a word that could be easily changed at any time.
His father had not changed one bit, then or now. Rather, as the years passed, he had only become more vicious and petty. And that was what made Han Seung-jae unable to trust people.
“President Han.”
The physician broke the silence.
“I wonder if I may say this, but…”
“Go ahead.”
Han Yechan readily gestured toward the physician sitting beside him. With a face full of confidence, the physician spoke to Han Yechan.
“The grandson is certainly an Alpha.”
“Now, this man. Isn’t that something that can only be known after the child is born and tested?”
The number of Omegas Han Yechan had met frequently over the years was countless. Yet, the only child under his care was Han Seung-jae. Like the physician, Han Yechan had seen and heard more than enough.
“There is no mistake.”
The physician’s expression was firmer than anyone’s. Then, as if gradually being persuaded by his words, a smile flickered on Han Yechan’s lips, and he began to laugh aloud.
“It would be very wonderful for me if it turns out as you say.”
With that, he turned his upper body toward the physician and listened intently to his words.
“I am telling you this only to you…”
“It is an honor, President.”
After great hardship, the physician had barely managed to grasp a second opportunity.
* * *
Inside the fast-moving car, Han Seung-jae looked out the window for the first time in a while as he headed toward the office. Outside, where the sunlight stretched long, people were bustling about.
The sedan stopped in front of the towering Myungjun Financial Group. Secretary Park, stepping out from the passenger seat, opened the rear door. As Han Seung-jae entered the building, people bowed their waists and cleared a path for him.
Secretary Park pressed the elevator button. Han Seung-jae entered first, followed by Secretary Park, and the door closed.
Looking at Han Seung-jae’s reflection in the door, Secretary Park asked.
“Shall we change the attending physician?”
Perhaps Han Seung-jae had already known that the physician would report to his father. Han Seung-jae spoke coldly.
“He does his job well.”
“Pardon?”
He questioned back, unlike Secretary Park. However, Han Seung-jae stepped out of the elevator as if it were nothing.
“Leave him. If we change him, I’ll end up having another lunch like today’s.”
It had been truly unwelcome.
The employees at the entrance of the Director’s Office stood up and opened the office door for him. Han Seung-jae went inside and took off his coat. Secretary Park took it from him.
Han Seung-jae sat at his desk and opened the piled-up approval documents.
As Secretary Park turned around with the coat in hand, the conversation he had overheard between the two men in the room brushed past his ears.
—I am sorry. I will make sure this never happens again.
—Tell Father. That the grandchild is an Alpha.
The physician had opened his mouth in bewilderment.
—T-that can only be determined by a genetic test after the child is born to see if the trait manifests. I am sure the President is aware of this fact.
Regardless, Han Seung-jae’s voice rang out chillingly.
—Then you’ll have to work a bit harder, won’t you? Make it so Father can believe it. You said you don’t need money, but you need honor, right?
Finishing the recollection, Secretary Park, who had put away the coat, slowly turned around. He approached Han Seung-jae, who was flipping through documents at the desk, and spoke.
“…What will you do if the child happens to manifest as an Omega?”
Secretary Park had to prepare for the worst. Firing the physician would be a piece of cake, and the already poor relationship between father and son would widen even more drastically.
As if aware of Secretary Park’s concern, Han Seung-jae lifted his head from the documents. Han Seung-jae’s eyes were still cold.
“I can think about that when the time comes. Since it’s something Seo Yi-kyung will hear anyway, wouldn’t it be better for it to be good news?”
* * *
From the morning, people had been coming and going from the townhouse in Seongbuk-dong. These were things that even Butler Do was unaware of. He had heard nothing of the sort from Secretary Park. Yet, piles of gifts were constantly being placed in the drawing room.
Butler Do examined the items stacked in a line next to the sofa. Some were sent by corporations, and some were sent in individual names. The senders were all different. So were the sizes and the items inside.
“Were these sent to Director Han?”
To think so, there were baby supplies mixed in. There were even things for an Omega. Furthermore, perhaps someone had mistaken the recipient, as a set of earrings and a necklace were packed together.
“Butler Do, where should I put this?”
At the words of the helper, Da-hye, Butler Do looked back. Butler Do pointed to an empty spot around the sofa for now. She placed the flower basket there and left.
Knock, knock. Butler Do knocked on the door of the painting studio. Then, the door opened slightly, and Seo Yi-kyung peeked his face out. His pale complexion held a look of doubt in his eyes.
“Is something happening?”
Seo Yi-kyung asked as he saw Butler Do’s troubled face. With that, he opened the door and came out. Jin Seon-yu followed, taking off his apron.
“It seems they were sent to Seung-jae.”
Looking around the drawing room, Seo Yi-kyung made that judgment. Otherwise, who would send this many boxes?
“I thought so too, so I called Secretary Park to ask.”
“What is all this?”
At that moment, Min Ra-hyeon’s voice cut in. He stepped past Seo Yi-kyung and touched the boxes around the sofa. Then, he picked up a card from among the flower baskets and read it. Sincere congratulations.
Butler Do watched this and spoke toward Seo Yi-kyung.
“Secretary Park said they are all gifts sent to the young master.”
“To me?”
Seo Yi-kyung’s doubt was momentary. Butler Do spoke, recalling the phone call he had just had with Secretary Park.
“He said that those who are meant to give, give, and those who are meant to receive, receive.”
It was as if Han Seung-jae’s indifferent voice was ringing in Seo Yi-kyung’s ears.