By Zephyria 
The secretarial office fell silent as if time had stopped the moment Lim Seo-ran’s name was mentioned.
As if by appointment, everyone rose from their seats. All eyes were on Secretary Kim alone. In the tension that tightened his throat, Hui-won steadfastly continued the call.
Seems like you’re busy?
“I was away for a while, so there are a lot of calls. I’m fine now. Please, speak comfortably.”
Are you fully back? You’re not thinking of quitting?
Madam Lim’s tone was monotonous, but the weight it carried was not to be ignored. She had an outstanding talent for breaking the spirit of her opponent with just a phone call.
“…Yes, Madam. I intend to work wholeheartedly from now on.”
I just heard from the lawyer that you signed a lifetime contract. That’s why I called, Secretary Kim.
What should he say to that? His mind went blank, unable to read Madam Lim’s intentions. Even his usually smooth tongue stopped working. While Hui-won couldn’t even swallow properly, Madam Lim Seo-ran spoke first.
I should see your face. I heard you became an Omega.
“……”
You must be busy, so Secretary Kim doesn’t need to move. I’ll go there.
Hui-won squeezed his eyes shut. He held up two fingers to the secretaries who were only looking at him. Defcon 2. The secretaries, understanding the meaning, began to tidy up the surroundings in a panic.
Don’t tell Young-je I’m coming. I’m on my way now, so I’ll be there in ten minutes.
“Yes, I understand. Please come carefully.”
As the call ended, a belated, stifled breath burst out. Hui-won covered his face with his hands and took a moment to catch his breath.
Get a grip, Kim Hui-won. This was bound to happen someday. It’s better to get it over with quickly. But this beating is going to hurt like hell. Shit.
After pouring out a myriad of laments in his mind, he got up from his seat. The office was already in full swing preparing to receive a VIP guest. It was like a state of war.
Click, click, the high heels hit the floor. Madam Lim Seo-ran entered the office alone, without the bodyguards she usually brought like escort warriors.
“Welcome, Madam.”
All the secretarial staff came out and bowed respectfully. Lim Seo-ran scanned those bowing with her unique, overbearing gaze. Her richly puffed-up hair today exuded an imposing charisma like a lion’s mane. The fierce-looking eyeliner was the same.
“No tea. Secretary Kim, talk to me separately.”
What was coming had come. Hui-won, carrying the secretaries’ worried gazes on his back, took the lead. The inner reception room was already set up to welcome Madam.
A long silence followed as they sat facing each other on the sofa. An invisible, taut tension flowed in the air. Hui-won felt a faint Alpha pheromone within it.
Madam Lim Seo-ran is also an Alpha.
Like begets like, both Executive Director Kwon’s parents were Dominant Alpha traits. Hui-won’s nerves were on edge at the unfamiliar pheromone he had never felt from Madam Lim before. Likewise, Madam Lim would have felt the Omega pheromone from him.
“Do you know how surprised I was when I first heard? Think about it. It doesn’t make sense.”
He knew exactly what she was suspicious about. Instead of awkwardly explaining his situation, Hui-won bowed his head politely.
“I fully understand that you were very surprised.”
“You know I care about Secretary Kim a lot, right? It’s rare for me to like someone.”
“I am always grateful.”
Lim Seo-ran raised her eyes. The whites of her eyes flashed sharply, making Hui-won’s back twitch. It was polite to look at someone’s eyes when talking, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at the whites of her eyes, so he fixed his gaze somewhere around her philtrum.
Lim Seo-ran clenched her open hand into a fist. The gemstone rings collided, creating a violent sound.
“Kwon Young-je has been suffering from pheromone neurosis for over ten years. Do you think my husband and I haven’t made any effort? We’ve even brought in psychiatrists who are said to be the best, and we’ve brought in renowned counselors from overseas. But what can we do when he puts up an iron wall himself? He hates Omega pheromones so much that we gave up.”
Hui-won was well aware of that. What is she trying to say, laying the groundwork like this? He thought to himself, listening carefully to Madam Lim’s words.
“I was very sorry to hear that Secretary Kim was resigning, but I thought it couldn’t be helped. But you’re back? And Young-je brought you back. Even with a lifetime contract.”
Attorney Park… his mouth is so light.
Hui-won curled his hands on his lap, blaming Attorney Park, who wasn’t there. He had to hide his anxious heart, not knowing how much Madam Lim knew.
“Executive Director Kwon is aware that his problem is a major obstacle to his future career. He has recently wanted to fix it. Since I happened to develop as an Omega, he wanted to work with me and overcome it slowly.”
Hui-won calmly explained the circumstances of his return.
In fact, it would be unbelievable from Madam Lim’s perspective. Her son, who never listened to her, suddenly put an Omega as his secretary.
Lim Seo-ran gently rubbed the surface of her ring. Her sharp gaze was fixed on Hui-won’s pale face and didn’t leave. If you looked closely, she didn’t even blink, making it even more terrifying.
“Are you two dating?”
Hui-won was taken aback by the sudden question.
“Pardon? No.”
“I heard Secretary Kim took care of Young-je’s rut.”
“All I did was give him the injection.”
“You’re not together? Are you sure?”
“Madam.”
Hui-won made a pleading voice, unlike himself. Nevertheless, Madam Lim’s misunderstanding did not seem to be easily resolved. Rather, she raised one corner of her mouth, making people uneasy, and gave a chilling smile.
“You’re not together, but Young-je keeps you by his side?”
“I swear it’s not like that.”
“Even if it’s not now, it could change someday.”
Lim Seo-ran seemed to firmly believe in the assumption she had made. Hui-won was beyond embarrassed and started sweating. How should he clear up this misunderstanding? Shouldn’t Executive Director Kwon come forward and explain?
“What do your parents do? Are they both Betas?”
“…Why my parents?”
“Are both parents alive? Siblings, well, that doesn’t really matter.”
He couldn’t come to his senses from the sudden background check. While Hui-won was stunned, Lim Seo-ran picked up the handbag she had placed next to her. A white envelope came out of it. It was obviously a money envelope.
Lim Seo-ran placed the envelope on the table and slid it over.
“I brought this for Secretary Kim. Tell me if it’s not enough.”
Take this money and get away from my son.
It was natural to think of a scene from a morning drama. Hui-won picked up the envelope. Just the thickness felt in his fingers made him realize it was already substantial. Well, she’s the madam of a chaebol family, so she must have packed it well.
He was honestly curious about how much was in it, but now was not the time to satisfy his curiosity. Hui-won put the envelope down and said carefully.
“Madam, I have already signed a lifetime contract. I can’t terminate it without any reason,”
“Who said anything about terminating it? I told you I like Secretary Kim?”
“Yes?”
Lim Seo-ran rested her elbow on her crossed leg and propped up her chin. A generous smile was a bonus.
“Allowance. I’m giving it to you because you’re pretty. Because you’re so pretty for making our Young-je change his mind. And please take good care of Executive Director Kwon in the future. If possible, I hope you two do well and even get married.”
“Yes? Marriage?”
“Our house has been like a funeral home since Young-je declared he wouldn’t marry… Maybe there’s a chance now? I’ve never seen him like anyone. Secretary Kim was the only one, but he was a Beta. But an Omega? Even a Dominant one? That’s a complete thank you.”
His vision is fading. So… Madam Lim has marked me as a daughter-in-law?
Hui-won, who had been just moving his lips, barely regained his composure and said.
“Madam, I think you’re under a big misunderstanding. The Executive Director and I are not in that kind of relationship.”
“You never know what can happen.”
It would have been better if she was in the position of a mother-in-law controlling her son. As Lim Seo-ran spoke with such conviction, Hui-won felt like he was falling deeper and deeper into a swamp.
“No, I’m telling you clearly, absolutely, by no means can I have a personal relationship with the Executive Director.”
He emphasized and denied it two or three times. He became anxious, fearing that he would miss the opportunity to correct Madam Lim Seo-ran’s misunderstanding if he missed the timing.
“How about thinking differently? If the Executive Director overcomes his aversion to Omega pheromones, he will be able to find a better partner in the future….”
“Kwon Young-je is my baby. I know him best. Marriage? Is that even possible for Kwon Young-je? He’s a guy who will live and die a bachelor.”
Lim Seo-ran said firmly. Even though he was the son she gave birth to, her assessment of her son was extremely scathing.
Then she looked at Hui-won warmly.
“I have very high expectations for Secretary Kim. I guess I have a good eye for people. Get along well with Executive Director Kwon in the future, and let me know right away if there’s good news, okay?”
It’s starting to get scary now. While Hui-won was sweating profusely, Lim Seo-ran got up from her seat. Let’s see each other often in the future, she said terribly, and left the reception room abruptly.
“Wow… I’m going crazy.”
Hui-won rubbed his face roughly. He still couldn’t believe that he had been chosen by Madam Lim. Shouldn’t it be the opposite? How dare you covet our precious Dominant Alpha and grab him by the hair?
He only let out a hollow laugh like a lost soul, then picked up the envelope that was left alone on the table. He took it and headed to the Executive Director’s office.
“Daughter-in-law?”
Kwon Young-je asked back as if to confirm that what he had just heard was correct.