By Zephyria Fujino Pharmaceuticals invited their guests from Korea to their main residence, not the company.
Conducting a contract between companies in a private setting was quite unusual, but it was said that special guests were always invited to the main residence. This was a tradition that had been passed down since the founding Chairman.
[You must have been quite surprised. We usually proceed with ordinary contracts in the usual way, but… we wanted to establish a friendly relationship with apex corporation starting with this contract, so we invited you here.]
[Thank you for the invitation. Thanks to you, I’m having a great experience.]
Kwon Young-je and Takano Yuichi, the President of Fujino Pharmaceuticals, were in the process of a formal meeting. They had exchanged numerous contacts through emails and video conferences, but this was the first time the decision-makers had met face to face.
Starting with a tour of the vast mansion, the conversation flowed naturally, covering the industry situation in each country and opinions on the global market.
[Ah, this is my daughter. Sayuri, greet them.]
At President Takano’s introduction, an elegant woman dressed in a kimono bowed her head. Her grace was evident, and anyone could tell she was a well-bred Omega lady.
[Nice to meet you. I am Takano Sayuri.]
[I am Kwon Young-je.]
Their appearance as they greeted each other was like a match made in heaven. A Dominant Alpha and an Omega from a prominent family, it felt like an arranged marriage meeting.
[Your daughter is very beautiful.]
[Thank you for saying so. She is a child I cherish so much….]
When Kwon Young-je gave a conventional compliment, President Takano’s mouth stretched wide. The lady blushed and didn’t know what to do.
[I’m worried because I haven’t found a suitable marriage partner yet. I heard that Executive Director Kwon is also still unmarried.]
[Yes, unfortunately, I have no intention of getting married. I hope your daughter meets a good person.]
Kwon Young-je stated firmly that he was against marriage. He couldn’t possibly be unaware that President Takano was subtly eyeing him. His sensitive intuition was unfailing even at times like this.
[Haha, I hope so too. Oh dear, I meant to just introduce her briefly, but I’ve kept you for too long. Sayuri, please show our guests to their rooms.]
He was worried that it might become awkward, but fortunately, President Takano took the initiative to lighten the mood. As he instructed, Sayuri took care of Kwon Young-je and the other guests.
The endlessly unfolding Japanese house was like a symbol of wealth. Fujino Pharmaceuticals, like most chaebols, maintained hereditary management. Like apex, it was a kind of family business.
They reached the detached building and were assigned one room each. It was only natural that the room Kwon Young-je stayed in was the largest and most luxurious.
Kim Hui-won began to unpack his luggage for him. The tatami-matted floor and paper-covered sliding doors were as traditional as those in old historical dramas, while the furniture inside was all modern. He was unconsciously distracted by the bizarre combination.
His gaze, which had swept through the room once, turned to Kwon Young-je.
He was sitting on a hard wooden chair instead of the sofa, reviewing documents. The lawyer sitting across from him was sweating profusely as he flipped through the documents, answering Executive Director Kwon’s sharp questions. For some reason, it was a pitiful sight to watch.
Hui-won took out all the luggage, organized it, and then stood the carrier upright in an invisible corner. Secretary Song was fidgeting beside him. He wanted to help, but Hui-won was moving so quickly that he couldn’t help at all.
“G, General manager. I can do it. Just tell me to do it.”
Hui-won couldn’t help but laugh because he looked like a hamster, fidgeting with his small hands, trying to read the room. The laughter was very quiet, but from behind, he heard a cold voice calling, “Secretary Kim.”
“Yes, Executive Director.”
“Did you come here to play?”
“I’m sorry.”
He didn’t care much about being reprimanded, but Kwon Young-je’s attitude bothered him. From a certain day onwards, he had become increasingly cold. He wasn’t particularly friendly to begin with, but unlike before, he could feel the distance he was putting between them.
Hui-won didn’t know why. Understanding Kwon Young-je was like understanding astronomy. Wasn’t he a man as difficult and incomprehensible as the celestial bodies in the universe?
Hui-won stood upright in the corner where Kwon Young-je’s gaze reached. Secretary Song cautiously approached him and stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Seeing her nervous, Hui-won wrinkled his nose. It meant that no matter what Executive Director Kwon said, just follow his orders without complaint.
An hour before the contract, Sayuri came to the room. She said that her Grandfather wanted to see the Executive Director.
Kwon Young-je followed her, accompanied only by Kim Hui-won. Chairman Takano, with his white hair, had arrived in advance and was waiting for his guests in the magnificent and spacious reception room.
Although he had stepped down from the front lines, it was well known that Chairman Takano still held the real power. He looked so healthy that it was hard to believe he was almost eighty years old. Alphas hardly show signs of aging even as they get older. This was evident just by looking at Chairman Kwon.
The scenery of the tranquil garden could be seen beyond the sunroom that was wide open. Despite the open space, there was a sense of intimidation. Chairman Takano, revealing his heavy presence, took a sip of hot tea and spoke first.
[Sayuri has been talking about you a lot. She rarely pays attention to Alphas… she seems to like you very much.]
As the personal conversation flowed out in front of her, Sayuri tried hard to hide her embarrassed face.
[Isn’t she a decent Omega?]
[I understand what Chairman is implying, but since we are here representing the company, it would be better to focus on more important matters.]
[You refuse politely.]
The Chairman chuckled with a phlegmy laugh. The gaze of the aging man reached Kwon Young-je and naturally flowed to the back.
The man standing with a neat posture, judging by his attitude, was clearly a secretary, but the fact that he was an Omega caught his eye. The Chairman’s narrow eyes lingered on Hui-won’s face for a long time.
[Is the Omega you brought with you your lover?]
The hand that was lifting the teacup paused for a moment. Kwon Young-je soon replied in an indifferent tone.
[He is my executive secretary.]
[Oh dear, you must have been misunderstood a lot.]
[He is a talented friend, so I keep him by my side regardless of his trait.]
[So, he’s not something you keep around for your own pleasure?]
Kwon Young-je was silent and stared at the Chairman, and Hui-won, unable to understand the conversation between the two, maintained a neat posture. Still, he had a sense that they were talking about him. Because Chairman Takano’s persistent gaze had been directed only at him since earlier.
The Chairman suddenly called in an elderly attendant and whispered something to him. Even though the atmosphere was so quiet, no one could eavesdrop on the secret instructions.
[I hope the contract is successfully concluded. I will attend the meeting if I have time.]
Chairman Takano held the teacup in his hand again. He raised the cup high as if to toast. Hui-won nodded and bowed to the teacup directed at him. He was an old man with an unsettling aspect.
After the short tea time, the Chairman and Sayuri left the reception room first. Kwon Young-je was about to leave when the attendant who had received instructions from the Chairman earlier approached and asked for a private conversation.
“The Chairman likes your secretary. Would it be possible to offer him separately?”
“…What did you just say?”
Kwon Young-je asked back sharply for a moment. As if expecting such a reaction, the attendant continued calmly.
“I fully understand that you feel offended. I am only conveying the Chairman’s request and have no other intentions.”
Ha, Kwon Young-je was dumbfounded and let out a hollow laugh. Even while he was glaring with fierce eyes, the attendant maintained a calm tone and only said what he had to say.
“I heard that you don’t have a personal relationship with him. Would it be difficult?”
“Are you making any sense?”
“For the sake of a friendly relationship between the two companies in the future, I hope you will reconsider.”
“I came here to do business, not to offer my secretary to an old man.”
“Your words are harsh.”
“You were the one who made the mistake first.”
Kwon Young-je barely suppressed the anger that had risen to the top of his head. His pheromones were already raging violently. Haa, he took a long breath and calmed his fierce pheromones. He couldn’t ruin an important contract with something like this.
“I’ll let it go this time. Go and convey my intentions clearly.”
The attendant lowered his head slowly. His expression showed no signs of embarrassment or surprise. That made him even more unsettling.
Kwon Young-je immediately turned around. Hui-won, who had been waiting outside, was taken aback when he saw Kwon Young-je coming out of the reception room.
“Executive Director, is something wrong?”
Kwon Young-je bit his lip hard. He didn’t want to bring up that dirty proposal again with his own mouth. As soon as he put on his shoes and came down, he grabbed Kim Hui-won’s wrist and started walking.
To catch up with his long strides, Hui-won quickly increased his pace. He was confused because he couldn’t figure out why he was so angry. His wrist bones were also aching. Kwon Young-je’s large hand, which was holding his wrist, had blue veins popping out due to how strong his grip was.
“Executive Director! Just a moment.”
“Kim Hui-won, you are excluded from protocol duties today. Wait in your room until the work is over.”
There was a cold chill in his voice as he spat out the words as if chewing them. Hui-won couldn’t say anything in response.