By Zephyria It was then. A subtle yet threateningly sweet fragrance wafted through the air. Like a snake slithering through empty space, it coiled around Yu-jin. Even though it was the same scent as Winston’s, Yu-jin felt a chill run down his spine. It was as if a viper, full of venom, was tearing its mouth open and lunging to swallow him whole. He was so startled that he gasped and clamped his hand over his mouth.
The man’s eyes seemed to narrow slightly, and then the faintly lingering scent vanished in an instant. Confused by the sudden relief, Yu-jin blinked, and in that instant, Nathaniel Miller, who had withdrawn his pheromones, readjusted his posture. Only then did Yu-jin realize that he hadn’t moved at all.
He was disconcerted to realize that he had been so terrified by just a slight release of pheromones. Seeing his reaction, Nathaniel spoke nonchalantly.
“Our law firm will do its best for all your interests. Consult with that lawyer if you have any questions. He will prepare the documents and visit you soon.”
As if that was all he had to say, the man rose to his feet. Even though they were sitting across the table from each other, Yu-jin was startled and recoiled as if jumping back. Nathaniel looked down at Yu-jin with an expressionless face, smoothed the collar of his coat, and turned away without hesitation. Yu-jin, belatedly rising to his feet, urgently asked the man’s retreating back.
“What did you agree to receive as a retainer?”
Judging by the man’s reaction, it was definitely not money. Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked the question, and Nathaniel, who had grabbed the doorknob, turned around and opened his mouth in his usual cold tone.
“That’s none of your business.”
With those words, he left the reception room. Yu-jin stood there awkwardly, blankly following the man’s vanished trail. Only vaguely suspecting that the arrogant man had been mocking him.
* * *
When Winston returned in the evening, Yu-jin was sitting on the sofa with a disgruntled expression. Winston, entering the bedroom and finding Yu-jin like that, frowned and asked.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Then, he asked an unexpected question.
“Is it because of Nathaniel?”
At those words, Yu-jin turned his head sharply in surprise. Seeing his expression, Winston gave a wry smile as if he had expected it.
“I knew it.”
“How did you know?”
Yu-jin asked, his eyes wide, and Winston chuckled briefly. Yu-jin’s face twisted in displeasure at the sight.
“Did you deliberately hire that man?”
“Yes, because he’s the best.”
Winston brushed it off casually. There was no objection to that. When Yu-jin had heard about Miller Law Firm, he had been tempted by it too. But the man’s attitude was unpleasant no matter how he thought about it. As if reading his mind, Winston continued.
“Even if you don’t like it, you’ll be satisfied with the result. You won’t have to see him again anyway, so it doesn’t matter, does it?”
That was true, but it didn’t make him feel any better. Besides, knowing that Yu-jin was an Omega, how could he release his pheromones like that? What an impolite man. It was such a deliberate act. It was probably the simplest and easiest way to shut Yu-jin up.
To be able to threaten someone so much with just a scent…
Realizing it belatedly, he felt both embarrassed and frightened.
Could Winston do that too…?
He probably could. But Yu-jin had never felt this much pressure from him before. Of course, there had been times when he had angered him before, and Winston had deliberately released pheromones to threaten Yu-jin, but this was on a different level. Maybe he was being considerate of Yu-jin after all. No, he probably was.
As if I’d be grateful for that.
Suddenly regaining his composure, Yu-jin asked in a still stiff tone.
“What did you agree to give that man? It didn’t seem like money.”
Maybe he wouldn’t tell him. Just as he thought that, Winston opened his mouth.
“It’s nothing much, an egg.”
“An egg?”
Yu-jin could only ask back in bewilderment, and Winston casually changed the subject, saying, “Yes.”
“I told him to prepare the documents quickly. When are you going to the hospital?”
Caught off guard by the sudden change of topic, Yu-jin flinched and replied softly.
“L-Later.”
Feeling somewhat embarrassed after saying that, he hurriedly added.
“I’m feeling much better… I ate well today too, so I don’t think I need to go…”
“If you don’t like riding in the car, you can take a helicopter.”
Winston simply blocked Yu-jin’s escape route. Yu-jin, momentarily flustered, blinked and finally lowered his head. Actually, he was also afraid of helicopters. The loud noise, as well as the floating sensation of being in the air and the experience of people becoming smaller than ants, was not very pleasant. But if he said he didn’t like cars either, and he didn’t like helicopters either, he felt like he would become too difficult. Unable to do either, Yu-jin avoided eye contact and mumbled softly.
“I’ll… think about it.”
He couldn’t live his whole life without riding in a car. It was obviously more reasonable for anyone to get used to cars than helicopters. Still. Just as he was clasping his trembling hands together, Winston’s voice suddenly reached him.
“Don’t push yourself.”
Huh?
Surprised by the sudden words, Yu-jin looked up, and Winston muttered in a lower voice than usual.
“I just… if something happens to you, Angie will be worried.”
Yu-jin stared at Winston silently. For some reason, he couldn’t meet his gaze either. After looking at him for a while, Yu-jin paused and replied.
“…I’ll try.”
As he spoke with difficulty, Winston turned his gaze to him. Their eyes suddenly met, and then something surprising happened. As if flustered, Winston looked away first. Yu-jin blinked his wide eyes several times. Winston looked away first? What was going on? Besides, flustered was a word that didn’t suit Winston at all.
But as if Yu-jin’s confusion didn’t matter at all, Winston continued to speak while still looking elsewhere.
“Anyway, let’s think of a way. If your body has recovered, you don’t have to push yourself…”
Ahem, Winston cleared his throat and hurriedly changed the subject.
“More than that, I was thinking of sending Angie to kindergarten starting next month.”
“Kindergarten?”
Surprised by the sudden topic, Yu-jin asked in surprise. Winston continued, saying, “Yes.”
“There’s a kindergarten that the friends she made at the last party attend. It’ll be easier for her to adapt if she goes there… I thought it was about time Angie started preparing to go to school.”
Having said that much, Winston quickly retreated.
“Of course, that’s just my opinion, and you have to make the decision.”
Yu-jin stared at Winston in a daze. It was an idea he had never even considered. Winston was right. It was time for Angela to make friends and start learning about society. She couldn’t just play house in the mansion forever.
But as he realized that his precious daughter had already reached that age, his mind went blank. Until now, it had just been the two of them, the whole world, but now Angela had to leave Yu-jin’s arms and start her own first steps. Besides, Winston had come up with that idea before him, and as if seeing through his complicated feelings, Winston opened his mouth.
“You just haven’t had the time to think about it until now. I’m just… I just had more time than you.”
The last words sounded as if they were being squeezed out. Suddenly, Yu-jin felt strange. What did this man want to do with him in the future?
“That’s up to your decision.”
Winston replied in a monotonous tone to Yu-jin’s question.
“When the lawyer prepares the documents and sends them, I’ll review them on my end. If there’s anything to add, I will…”
“Add?”
Yu-jin asked, instantly wary, and Winston added, saying, “Yes.”
“There will be… things you can’t think of.”
“I just need the rights to Angela.”
Winston chuckled briefly at Yu-jin’s immediate words.
“I know. Don’t worry, it won’t be a bad condition.”
Yu-jin was puzzled, but he didn’t say anything more and took off his coat, then opened his mouth, saying, “Oh, right.”
“It’s going to be noisy starting next week. If you’re going to invite guests, let me know in advance, because I’ve told them to reject all visitors.”
With those words, Winston went into the bathroom. Yu-jin was left alone, pondering his words, but nothing came to mind. And he found out the answer when the following Monday morning came, a week after Winston had said.
‘Campbell Family’s Eldest Son, Gordon Campbell. Arrested on Charges of Rape and Murder.’
The shocking headline spread across the country through all media outlets, and it was the beginning of the Campbell family’s downfall.