Chapter 110: Enemies in the Same Room

“Ah, long time no see, Executive Kang.”

Kang Seona, Executive Director of Jinju Pharmaceuticals.

Her field was slightly different from Hyunwoo’s,
but they had run into each other often enough at events like this
to become acquainted.

And more importantly—
they shared one very strong sentiment.

‘Cha Kwon-oh is a bastard with no ethics.’

They both despised him.

Remembering the last time he saw her swearing furiously while smoking,
Hyunwoo let out a quiet laugh.

“I heard your company struggled because of the heavy rains.
But you look pretty good, huh?
Something good happen to you?”

“There’s no way.
But thank you for the compliment.”

“You always dodge like that and never tell me anything important.”

“Haha….”

She rolled her eyes and tapped his shoulder lightly.

Hyunwoo just gave an awkward smile.

“Still, seeing you here is nice.
You’re one of the few people at these things I can talk to.”

“I’m grateful that you think so highly of me.”

“Mm, I don’t mind that fake modesty of yours either.”

“…I wasn’t pretending.”

“If you were an Omega, I would’ve flirted with you already.”

“Haha… that’s sexual harassment, Director.”

“Hmm…”

Her eyes swept up and down his body—
not with real interest,
but playfully.

Hyunwoo just laughed awkwardly.

She winked and continued:

“Kidding.
No matter how I look at you, you’re a sturdy Alpha.
Nothing tempting for me.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Heh.”

She took a sip of wine.

Drinking in broad daylight—
so like her.

“But tell me—

did your pheromone always smell like this?”

“Mine?”

“Yeah.”

She squinted, puzzled.

“It used to be sharper.
A bit stronger.
But now it’s mellow.
Like a forest scent.”

“Ah….”

Spending the entire weekend around Sunghyuk must have left his pheromone scent on him.

And since she was an executive at a pharmaceutical company,
she was extremely sensitive to pheromone shifts.

No wonder she noticed.

“I was with a dominant Alpha staff member during a business trip last week.”

“Dominant Alpha…
Ah, the intern your division accepted?”

“Haha… you know everything, don’t you?”

Hyunwoo forced a smile.

Kang Seona narrowed her eyes and leaned closer.

“But even if you were together, why is it this mixed?
Suspicious.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m wondering if he discreetly marked you.”

“Marked… me?”

Hyunwoo blinked.

Marking?

That’s something Alphas did to their Omegas.

Pheromones could cling to anyone,
but deliberate marking—
smearing your scent to show possession—
was typically something obsessive or territorial Alphas did.

Sure, Sunghyuk was an Alpha—
a dominant Alpha at that.

But to mark him, a fellow Alpha and not an Omega…?

‘I like you, Hyunwoo hyung.’

The memory of Sunghyuk’s confession slammed into him.

His heart thudded uncontrollably.

“Uh…
Are you okay?
You look pale.”

“I’m fine.”

“…Really?”

She watched him curiously, but nodded.

Then her eyes suddenly hardened.

“Ugh.
Of course he’s here too.”

“Ah….”

Not far away stood Cha Kwon-oh.

Arrogant posture,
surrounded by people eager to please him.

“He’s useless.
Except for blackmailing—he’s great at that.
Disgusting trash.”

“…Director Kang, not here….”

“I know, I know.”

She raked a hand through her hair in irritation.

“You’ve probably heard some rumors already,
but lately his reputation’s gotten even worse.”

“Well, that’s nothing new.”

“…There are rumors he’s poking around the pharmaceutical side too.”

“The pharma side?”

Hyunwoo startled and lowered his voice.

“What do you mean?”

“No idea.
Just rumors.
I don’t know what route he’s using.”

“I see….”

If anyone fit an illegal route,
it was Cha Kwon-oh.

Pharma… drugs…

Suddenly, Hyunwoo remembered the conversation with Sunghyuk
about Kim Minjae selling drugs at school
and Hwang Do-kyung meeting him secretly.

But connecting that to Cha Kwon-oh was too much of a leap.

Still—Hyunwoo didn’t dismiss the possibility.

“If you find out more, could you tell me?”

“Why?
You interested in pharmaceuticals?”

“No, no… not that.”

“Ahh…”

She narrowed her eyes—
then smirked knowingly.

“Right.
You hate that bastard too, don’t you?”

“…What’s the point of denying it.”

“Hehe.
Alright.
I’ll dig around a bit.”

“Thank you.”

He bowed lightly.

Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

“But if I do that, what will you do for me?”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“Um…”

Hyunwoo groaned quietly.

He couldn’t offer her business collaboration—
their fields didn’t overlap.

Seeing him struggle, she burst out laughing.

“Why so serious?

Just grant me one small favor later.”

“Ah… haha.
Alright.”

“You’re too earnest.
But I like that about you.”

She tapped his shoulder again and winked.

Hyunwoo forced a smile.

She wasn’t a bad person—
just loud and straightforward,
the opposite of introverted Hyunwoo.

But she had supported him since before his regression.

So he respected her.

“Ugh, that bastard is coming over here.”

“Ah.”

“I’m leaving.
See you later, Director Joo.”

“Yes, Director Kang.
Take care.”

She shot Cha Kwon-oh a glare and fled.

Hyunwoo waved after her.

Honestly, she hated Cha even more than he did.

He couldn’t blame her for avoiding him.

“You know Director Kang?”

“Well enough.”

“…….”

Cha approached and tilted his head, studying Hyunwoo.

Hyunwoo sipped his drink and avoided his gaze.

The last time they met was during Hyunjin’s birthday event—
not a pleasant encounter.

No wonder Hyunwoo’s expression hardened.

“Alphas really don’t look like women to me.”

“…….”

Hyunwoo’s face twisted.

What kind of self-hating nonsense was that?

He shook his head sharply and drank again.

Cha continued talking.

“You didn’t bring Lee Sunghyuk today?
He sticks to you everywhere.”

“…Pff.”

Hyunwoo choked, covering his mouth.

He coughed and glared.

“…Why would I bring an intern to something like this.”

“Ah… intern.”

Cha smirked unpleasantly.

Hyunwoo frowned.
What now?

“You treat him like a personal secretary.
Even took him on that business trip.”

“That was—!”

“How can you trust an intern that much?
Hmm?
Smart Director Joo.”

“……!”

Cha tapped his own forehead mockingly.

Hyunwoo clenched his jaw.

Whatever Cha was about to say,
it wouldn’t be anything good.

He turned away, disgusted.

“If you’re going to keep spouting nonsense, I’m leaving.”

“Do you trust Lee Sunghyuk?”

“…What?”

“I asked if you trust him.”

“…….”

Cha repeated the question,
wearing a smug, knowing expression.

Hyunwoo stared at him, lips pressed tight.