Chapter 72: The One Who Started It

Just as he was about to end the call, Jung-hoon hesitated and added carefully.

— Director, we’ll only know for sure once the case proceeds, but… it seems like the one who started the physical assault first was Mr. Seunghyeok, and the one who sustained more injuries was Director Cha Kwon-oh, so… it may be difficult to establish mutual assault.

“Director Cha Kwon-oh was injured that badly?”

— The external injuries are one thing, but since Mr. Seunghyeok’s traits are dominant, Director Cha suffered significant pheromone-related damage as well.

“…Ah.”

When Seunghyeok beat up that stalker before, the stalker was a Beta, so it was just assault.

But Cha Kwon-oh was also a trait-bearer — so the damage wasn’t just physical.

And since they were both Alphas, the effect would have been even stronger.

In this world, threatening someone with pheromones was considered worse than simple physical assault.

The law existed originally to protect Omegas, who were relatively vulnerable.

But because that same law applied between Alphas as well, if Cha Kwon-oh decided to sue, it would be hard for Seunghyeok to win even with the best lawyers.

And their side would likely hire equally strong legal representation.

“Then we may have to quietly drop our charges… in exchange for him dropping his.”

— I believe that… would be for the best.

“…….”

Tch.
That bastard was lucky again.

He had been this close to completely ruining him.

Hyunwoo frowned, cursing internally.

“Anyway. I’ll write my statement first. Then we’ll wait and see how they move.”

— Yes, Director.

“Ha…”

Hyunwoo ended the call and let out a short sigh.

Too much had happened all at once since yesterday.

Running into Cha Kwon-oh at the meeting.
Cha suddenly exploding for no reason.
And just at that moment, Seunghyeok had appeared.

Everything had been chaos.

He had gotten a drip, but since he hadn’t rested properly, his head felt dizzy.

Hyunwoo raised a hand and pressed his throbbing temple.

“Hyung!”

“…Hyunjin?”

Hearing a familiar voice, Hyunwoo turned his head — and flinched when he saw Hyunjin standing there, face full of anger.

“Hyung, how long are you going to keep delaying the exam? Hm?”

“Hyunjin… you still haven’t gone home?”

“How could I go home when you’re like this?”

“Haha…”

He thought Hyunjin would have gone home after Hyunwoo discharged himself.

He had never imagined he was still here.
Or that they would run into each other like this.

“You should be studying, you know? Exams?”

“You think exams matter right now?”

“…….”

Hyunwoo had no argument.
He just took a step back, sweating nervously.

“You still have things to do?”

“Well…”

He was actually planning to return to the police station immediately to write his statement.
It was always better to submit those quickly.

But saying that would definitely upset Hyunjin.

“Hyunwoo hyung.”

“…Lee Seunghyeok?”

And now he had arrived too.

Hyunwoo looked at the approaching Seunghyeok, startled.

Seunghyeok stopped in front of him, briefly glancing at Hyunjin beside him, then looked back at Hyunwoo — his expression indifferent, but his voice was deeply concerned.

“The doctor told me. He said your pheromones were affected because of Cha Kwon-oh.”

“No, it’s not that serious.”

“You call a recommendation for a detailed pheromone examination not serious?”

Everything Seunghyeok said was correct.
Which only made Hyunwoo more flustered.

“You’re going to the exam room right now.”

“I will. I will… I just have to stop by somewhere first—”

“No.”

“…….”

Seunghyeok’s voice was firm.
Hyunwoo couldn’t respond.

Even Hyunjin was looking at him with the same stern expression.

Why were both of them so worried about his health?
He was supposed to be the villain, yet the protagonist and the protagonist’s love interest were both staring at him like he was fragile.

“…Fine. I’ll go. I said I’ll go.”

“We’re going with you. Right now.”

“…….”

When Hyunwoo came back to his senses, both sides of him were blocked — Hyunjin on one side, Seunghyeok on the other.

He had no path to escape.
They escorted him to the exam room like he was being dragged to a police interrogation.

What was this?
Did they think he would run away?

Hyunwoo felt awkward, but he couldn’t push them away.

“From here on, I’ll handle it. You two go back now.”

“…….”

“…….”

“…?”

Neither of them responded.
Hyunwoo blinked at them.

Were they planning to just wait outside the exam room indefinitely?

Even if there were no exams today, what about tomorrow?

Hyunjin could afford to skip.
He never cared about school anyway — he was planning to become a barista, not a scholar.

But Seunghyeok?
He looked like the kind of protagonist who would keep a perfect GPA.

“I am going to take the exam. I said I will.”

“Okay, then go in.”

“Hurry. Go.”

“…….”

Hyunwoo stared blankly at the two repeating the same line like parrots.

If he left them here, they would really stand guard like statues.

There was no telling how long the exam would take — and having two large men hovering outside would only disturb others.

“At least go sit over there if you’re going to wait.”

“…….”

“…….”

There were waiting seats nearby.
Both men turned to look at them.

“…Fine. We’ll wait there.”

“Come out when you’re done.”

Finally convinced, the two walked to the waiting seats.

Hyunwoo let out a small sigh and turned away.

He wondered how long the exam would take.
Hopefully not too long.

With that thought, he opened the exam room door and stepped inside.

“…….”

“…….”

Silence lingered outside the exam room.
Neither spoke.

When a nurse stepped out, both instantly stood up.

“Guardian for patient Joo Hyunwoo?”

“Yes, that’s me!”

“……!”

Hyunjin jumped up and hurried toward her.
Seunghyeok followed a step later.

Hyunjin could be listed as a family guardian.
But Seunghyeok — was not.

That realization stung him faintly.

“There’s no issue with the test itself. But because pheromone exams require EEG scans, we administered a sedative. He’s taking longer than usual to wake up. We’ll move him to a regular room so he can rest.”

“Oh… yes. Thank you.”

“The exam results are fine. Please follow us, we’ll transfer him now.”

The nurse smiled and returned inside.
Soon, Hyunwoo was wheeled out on a transport bed.

They followed him to a VVIP private room — spacious and quiet.

Once Hyunwoo was settled, the staff bowed politely to Hyunjin, and Hyunjin thanked them as well.

“…….”

Hyunjin turned to Hyunwoo, who lay pale and deeply asleep.

He must have been exhausted to fall asleep that deeply from the sedative.
Yesterday he had been attacked by an Alpha’s pheromones — and then forced himself to keep moving today.

No wonder his body gave out.

“He’ll wake up soon.”

Hyunjin turned at Seunghyeok’s calm voice.
Even with bandages and bruises, his expression was cold as ever.

Hyunjin’s face twisted.

“So? Who do you think is responsible for him being like this?”

“…….”

“It’s you, Lee Seunghyeok. If you hadn’t gone swinging your fists yesterday—!”

Hyunjin knew his anger was irrational.
He knew he was just venting.

He was jealous that Hyunwoo had prioritized Seunghyeok before himself.

But knowing did not mean he could stop.

And the more he spoke, the more his pheromones leaked out in agitation.

“Ugh…”

“……!”

But as soon as Hyunwoo let out a faint groan, Hyunjin panicked and immediately reined in his pheromones.

“Don’t get worked up. It’s not good for him.”

“…Yeah.”

Hyunjin nodded, exhaling shakily, rubbing his face.

Then he looked at Seunghyeok again.

“That Director Cha Kwon-oh. Who is he?”