Chapter 156: A Strange Tension at Work

The next day, Hyunwoo woke up early and got ready for work.

Even if he wasn’t doing much at this company, he still had to show up and look the part.

Surprisingly, he felt fine.

Just last night he’d been so exhausted he couldn’t even lift a finger, but after waking up, his body felt strangely refreshed.

Maybe receiving so much pheromone from his marked partner helped.

In a perfectly fitting suit, Hyunwoo stood before a full-length mirror and examined himself.

Is it starting to show a little…?

Male omegas tend to show later, but nearing ten weeks, he thought his stomach looked slightly rounder.

Fortunately, the suit covered it well enough, though in another couple of weeks people might start glancing at him oddly.

“Should I wear a support band….”

It was a tip shared in online communities for working male omegas—ways to hide a small bump without affecting the baby.

Normally, people told their company about pregnancy early, but omegas like Hyunwoo—who had reasons to hide it—exchanged advice anonymously.

“Thinking of wearing one?”

“Yeah, I might try.”

He chuckled at the idea.

Support bands were usually for easing back pain when the belly got too big—yet here he was considering one just to hide it.

“I don’t think you need it yet.”

“You think so?”

“If it becomes a problem, you can just take leave early.”

“Hm….”

Hyunwoo nodded.

It’s not like he planned to stay long anyway.

Even though it was part of the same company, the overseas branch operated very differently from headquarters.

They weren’t going to give him heavy work.

Still, the person who guided him yesterday had stared a little too intently—almost like they were keeping an eye on him.

That bothered him.

“Why? Something happen?”

“No, nothing.”

“…….”

Seeing Hyunwoo’s expression dim, Seunghyuk asked carefully, but Hyunwoo shook his head.

It wasn’t something he needed to worry about.

“I’ll tie your tie.”

“Okay.”

Ever since they started living together again during the pregnancy, Seunghyuk insisted on tying his tie for him.

Hyunwoo wondered if a college student could tie one properly, but maybe thanks to memories from before the regression, he did it well.

His careful personality made him even better at it than Hyunwoo himself.

“…Hyung, you really look best in a suit.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

After finishing the tie, Seunghyuk wrapped his arms around Hyunwoo from behind and spoke in a low voice.

Hyunwoo tilted his head, not really convinced.

To him, a suit was just something he wore for work.

He never thought it suited him particularly well.

It felt like someone complimenting a uniform—nothing special.

“Thinking about other guys looking at you like this annoys me.”

“You get worked up over the strangest things.”

Hyunwoo laughed softly.

He never knew Seunghyuk was this jealous.

“No one thinks weird things looking at me. Except you.”

“…….”

Hyunwoo teased lightly and tapped Seunghyuk’s cheek.

Seunghyuk stared at him for a moment before speaking.

“If work gets hard, call me. I’ll come pick you up.”

“Okay. I’m off.”

Looking worried, Seunghyuk frowned slightly.

Hyunwoo waved to reassure him.

* * *

[You’re here early, Mr. Joo.]

[Ah, Mr. Smith.]

[…….]

Phillip seemed startled to see Hyunwoo at work before him.

Hyunwoo greeted him with a smile.

[Good morning.]

[Y-yes… good morning.]

Phillip reluctantly nodded and sat down, ready to work.

[Hm, hm.]

But the air in the office felt more stifling than yesterday.

It didn’t take long for him to realize it came from Hyunwoo’s pheromones.

He couldn’t smell the scent clearly, but the pressure in the air was stronger—far more intense than yesterday.

[Is something wrong, Mr. Smith?]

[N-no, nothing.]

[……?]

Hyunwoo gave him a puzzled look, unaware that the strong pheromone clinging to him came from a dominant alpha.

Definitely not an ordinary person…

Phillip tensed even more.

Even he—an inferior alpha—could feel hints of dominance in that aura.

To think someone like that pretended to be a normal alpha this whole time… frightening.

Completely misunderstanding the situation, Phillip continued watching Hyunwoo warily.

* * *

“Ugh… Why does he glare at me like that?”

Hyunwoo sighed as he left work.

Phillip’s intense staring all day had drained him.

He hurried toward the elevator, wanting to escape the office.

Since he came in early, he could leave early.

American companies had flexible hours, which he liked.

He preferred arriving early—especially with the time difference, it made communicating with HQ easier.

Texas had an even bigger time difference than other states.

America was so large that even within the country, time varied by hours.

It made sense why fugitives were hard to find here.

“Ah.”

Lost in thought, he heard the elevator doors open.

He rushed toward it.

“Wait—!”

Just before the doors closed, he shouted instinctively in Korean.

The elevator jerked, then opened again.

[Whew… thank you.]

[No problem.]

[…….]

The man who held the door smiled warmly.

Hyunwoo stared, taken aback.

He looked like the definition of an American—fair skin, blond-brown hair, deep eyes, and a sturdy build.

[You’re Mr. Joo from headquarters, right?]

[Ah, yes.]

[Nice to meet you. I’m Abram Martin.]

[Ah, pleasure to meet you, Mr. Martin.]

Hyunwoo recognized the name.

Abram was an AVP—equivalent to a senior director.

[I should’ve greeted you yesterday. Sorry about that.]

[No, it’s fine. You must’ve been busy.]

[Haha, thank you for understanding. See you next time.]

[Yes.]

They shook hands.

Abram glanced at his watch and hurried out with his staff.

Hyunwoo stepped out as well, watching them disappear.

“Hm….”

His hand tingled faintly.

He could chalk it up to alpha strength, but something felt off.

Phillip had been suspicious since yesterday.

Now a high-ranking manager seemed wary too.

Why were they acting like this toward him?

“Something’s definitely strange….”

If they were going to make it this obvious, he couldn’t ignore it.

Hyunwoo’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Work might get more interesting starting tomorrow.

“Hyung!”

“Huh?”

He was about to call an Uber when he heard a familiar voice.

Seunghyuk was waving at him.

“You…”

“You came out earlier than I thought.”

“…….”

Seunghyuk approached quickly.

Hyunwoo blinked, surprised.

So that’s why he asked about his schedule earlier.

He didn’t expect him to actually come pick him up.

“Why?”

“No reason…”

Hyunwoo glanced around.

Only busy pedestrians filled the afternoon street.

Feeling relieved, he turned back to Seunghyuk.

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