By Zephyria 
“Let’s just go home by ourselves.”
Honestly, it was a very tempting offer. However, out of loyalty to Moon Gyeon-woo, Yeon-rok kept his steps steady. Yeon-rok could never abandon someone who showed him such affection and care. Shortly after, a car arrived and Moon Gyeon-woo stepped out. Upon spotting Yeon-rok, he flashed a smile and walked toward them with a confident air, completely unfazed.
The followers, who had come out upon hearing news of the leader’s visit, whispered as they watched them. For some reason, the atmosphere felt somewhat ominous. Swallowing hard, Yeon-rok stepped into the building—whether it was a cathedral or a church, he couldn’t tell. Looking at it now, it seemed to be a hybrid religious facility that looked a bit like a temple, but that wasn’t what mattered right now.
As soon as the four of them entered, the heavy doors slammed shut. At the thudding sound, Choi Hwan flinched and looked back, his face looking as if he wanted to flee immediately. Summoning his courage, he demanded an answer from Yeom Cheon-ho.
“Why the hell did you bring us all the way here?”
Naturally, this ‘us’ only included Yeon-rok. Standing near the podium, Yeom Cheon-ho finally replied with his usual smiling face.
“I wanted to resolve this matter as quietly as possible, but unfortunately, word of what Mr. Moon Gyeon-woo did reached the ears of the followers. Public opinion among them is not very favorable, so I felt the need to show them that the matter has been dealt with decisively.”
Dealt with decisively… For instance, that likely meant finding and bringing back Moon Gyeon-woo, who had run away with Yeon-rok. No wonder the followers’ gazes toward Moon Gyeon-woo had been so cold. How did Moon Gyeon-woo look in their eyes? A criminal who dared to defy the leader and flee?
“Furthermore, shouldn’t we set an example to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen again?”
Only then did Yeon-rok realize that Yeom Cheon-ho was in a very foul mood. Even in such a state, he was so rational that his mood was barely detectable in his words or demeanor. Moon Gyeon-woo, without batting an eye, criticized Yeom Cheon-ho.
“Just because you’re a cult leader, does that mean you can abuse your power like this? How many people have you imprisoned until now?”
“Since a precious name partner disappeared, it is only right that I use my power. And I don’t think that’s something a kidnapper should be talking about.”
At the word ‘kidnapper,’ Moon Gyeon-woo fell silent. Meanwhile, Yeon-rok felt a slight chill. Was it because the answer wasn’t worth giving that he didn’t refute the question about how many people he had imprisoned, or was it because it was actually true? …It must be the former, right?
“Since Yeon-rok-ssi wouldn’t have cooperated, isn’t that why you gave him sleeping pills? I was so surprised when I checked the hospital CCTV and saw that Yeon-rok-ssi, who wasn’t even the patient, was the one being carried out…”
Despite saying that, he didn’t sound surprised in the slightest. Since the process of being kidnapped—having been fooled by a fake illness—wasn’t particularly pleasant, Yeon-rok simply nodded quietly at Yeom Cheon-ho’s criticism. Only then did Moon Gyeon-woo flinch, looking guilty.
“Was there any permission or consent from Yeon-rok-ssi during that process?”
“No, there wasn’t.”
Yeon-rok denied it immediately. He wasn’t that upset by Moon Gyeon-woo’s kidnapping incident. He wasn’t scared or deeply offended. In fact, Moon Gyeon-woo had treated him very well. Nevertheless, regardless of that, a wrong was a wrong. Moon Gyeon-woo looked back at Yeon-rok and bit his lip, apologizing with a face of sincere reflection.
“I’m really sorry, Yeon-rok-ah. I was in such a rush that I ended up doing something wrong… I’ll definitely get your permission next time.”
Listening closely, it didn’t sound like he was properly reflecting. Choi Hwan, who had been glaring menacingly at Moon Gyeon-woo with his arms crossed, snorted as if this were not surprising at all.
Moon Gyeon-woo’s eyes, which had gone as far as kidnapping, were still glossy with jealousy and a possessive desire for Yeon-rok. Yet at the same time, for some unknown reason, his eyes looked somewhat unstable. Yeom Cheon-ho, seemingly oblivious to this, spoke while stroking the podium with his palm.
“I always considered Mr. Choi Hwan to be the person requiring the most caution, but this incident has changed my mind.”
“What? I’m the most cautious person?”
Choi Hwan protested with a face of disbelief, devoid of any conscience. Having watched Choi Hwan’s behavior all this time, Yeon-rok found Yeom Cheon-ho’s statement quite relatable. Perhaps thinking that further conversation was a waste of time, Yeom Cheon-ho didn’t criticize him further. He simply checked the time on his expensive wristwatch and delivered a verdict like a judge.
“I will banish Mr. Moon Gyeon-woo from the house for fifteen days. During the period of banishment, his residence will be here, and contact with Yeon-rok-ssi is forbidden.”
Yeon-rok’s eyes widened, wondering if such a punishment was actually possible. Hearing Yeom Cheon-ho’s unilateral notification, Moon Gyeon-woo reacted impulsively.
“Forbidden from contact? By whose authority?”
“By my authority, as the one with the power and strength.”
Yeom Cheon-ho made the dictator-like statement with a smile. Choi Hwan grumbled in a dissatisfied voice.
“Fifteen days? Isn’t that too short? The time without Yeon-rok felt like a year. You won’t die even if you don’t have contact for a year, right?”
His tone was filled with an immense grudge against Moon Gyeon-woo. Moon Gyeon-woo growled in a voice full of venom.
“Do whatever you want, banishment or whatever. I didn’t like staying in that house anyway. And just try laying a finger on me. I’ll report you to the police and sue you.”
“You may do so. I have no intention of using physical force against Mr. Moon Gyeon-woo.”
As the other party readily agreed, suspicion flickered in Moon Gyeon-woo’s eyes. Then, Yeom Cheon-ho spoke nonchalantly.
“Instead, from now on, I shall completely cut off your research funding.”
“That… is not allowed!”
Moon Gyeon-woo shouted urgently with a hardened face. Yeon-rok had expected him to act proud and tell them to handle the research funds however they liked, so this was unexpected. Without batting an eyelid, Yeom Cheon-ho criticized him sharply.
“Tell me why I should continue to support that research. Even if the experiment to remove the name succeeds, wouldn’t you just commit a similar act to this one again? For example, making Yeon-rok-ssi defenseless to erase his name.”
“Why would I do such a thing! No, even if the technology is completed, I would never do that without Yeon-rok’s permission!”
“Coming from someone who has already acted without Yeon-rok-ssi’s permission, those words carry little trust.”
Yeom Cheon-ho’s intention was clear. It was a warning never to do such a thing again—specifically, never to unilaterally monopolize Lee Yeon-rok. Moon Gyeon-woo glanced at Yeon-rok as if he had something to say, but soon bit his lip.
“…Fine. I’ll do as you want, so leave the research funding alone.”
It felt strangely desperate, more than just an obsession with research. In some ways, it seemed like he had resigned and complied, but it didn’t feel like it was solely because of Yeom Cheon-ho’s threat. Yeom Cheon-ho seemed to sense this as well, raising his thick eyebrows slightly. Yeon-rok suddenly became curious.
‘Was he not worried about the research funding when he actually kidnapped me?’
Would a researcher with a personality as meticulous and sensitive as Moon Gyeon-woo truly believe that the name removal research had succeeded? No matter how he looked at it, it was a gamble he took with his own body out of arrogance. …Or perhaps it didn’t matter even if the result of the name removal research was a failure.
Sorrow clouded Moon Gyeon-woo’s handsome face. He let out a heavy sigh, his spirit somewhat broken, and asked.
“Then what about the contact?”
“You monopolized him for fifteen days, isn’t that enough? What do you mean, contact?”
Choi Hwan criticized the shameless attitude with indignation. Moon Gyeon-woo ignored the criticism, but his complexion changed at Yeom Cheon-ho’s following words.
“I will take responsibility for it.”
“Get lost!”
“Isn’t it about time you realized that you cannot live your life exactly as you please?”
Whether the mere thought was horrifying, Moon Gyeon-woo gnashed his teeth. Putting distance between himself and Yeom Cheon-ho, he spoke fiercely.
“I wasn’t talking about my contact, but the contact that Yeon-rok needs to receive.”
“Don’t use Yeon-rok as an excuse. Why worry when I’m here? Who do you think doesn’t know this is just a trick to get more contact with Lee Yeon-rok?”
“It’s not for such a pathetic reason…”
Choi Hwan snapped, and for once, Moon Gyeon-woo hesitated, unable to answer easily. However, instead of explaining further, he soon shut his mouth tight. It seemed as if he would endure whatever happened, or perhaps he simply didn’t want to talk anymore. His expression was beyond cold; it was like ice.
“I see. I can tell your attitude remains unrepentant.”
Yeom Cheon-ho spoke in a soft voice, but there was no smile in his eyes. As the atmosphere grew increasingly murderous, Yeon-rok, who had been watching quietly, quickly intervened.
“I think it’s because he’s still not feeling well. Right, Hyung?”
Yeon-rok knew well that Moon Gyeon-woo’s condition had been fine until Yeom Cheon-ho burst in. He was simply trying to soften the mood somehow.
Despite this, Moon Gyeon-woo’s expression only grew worse. It felt as if some external factor known only to him was at play. At Yeon-rok’s words, Yeom Cheon-ho smiled thinly.
“Ah, right. You did say that.”
A cold and ruthless air swept across Yeom Cheon-ho’s face. What happened next made one doubt their own eyes.
Yeom Cheon-ho pivoted his body and, before anyone could stop him, abruptly kissed Moon Gyeon-woo.