Chapter 18: A Race Against Time

Surprisingly, Seunghyuk’s photo was plastered on the resume.

Hyunwoo couldn’t believe it and stared at the picture intently.

“He’s a talent I’ve had my eye on for a while, and he applied for the internship this time! I rushed here to show it to you first.”

“Seunghyuk… why….”

“You should be grateful to me, right?”

“…….”

Hyunseok’s chatter didn’t register fully in Hyunwoo’s mind.

He checked the documents several times.

Before regression, Seunghyuk had joined a competitor company, not Munsung.

Without a second thought, it was clearly out of resentment and a desire for revenge against Hyunwoo.

He repaid the forced marriage in the worst possible way.

Being the protagonist of the novel, he was exceptionally talented and intelligent.

Later, he developed a groundbreaking program that made the IT department of that competitor world-class.

Because of that, Hyunwoo faced harsh scrutiny from Munsung’s executives and shareholders.

Everyone opposed his marriage to an Alpha, and now his spouse was joining a rival company and achieving impossible results.

At one point, Hyunwoo even faced a crisis where his position at Munsung became precarious.

But why did Seunghyuk apply for an internship at Munsung this time?

In the original story, it was unclear which company he joined, but before regression, he despised Hyunwoo and never applied for Munsung.

Hyunwoo’s face darkened.

“What’s wrong? Don’t like it?”

“No, it’s not that….”

“He’s trained in programming, so he’ll eventually move to the development department, but I thought it’d be good to have him in the management planning team for now. Isn’t that okay?”

“Ha….”

Hyunseok, unaware, just looked puzzled.

The only one feeling awkward was Hyunwoo.

He let out a short sigh and shook his head.

“No, it’s naturally good if he joins our team.”

“Okay. Then shall we do that?”

“…Yeah.”

After all, Seunghyuk was a talent who would benefit the company in the future.

Rejecting him just because he was awkward would only lead to regret.

However, Hyunwoo wondered what Seunghyuk was thinking.

Was he really not holding a grudge in this life?

Even after sending Hyunseok away, Hyunwoo continued to ponder alone.

“Welcome.”

“…….”

As usual, after finishing work and going down to the underground parking lot, Seunghyuk was waiting by the car.

Hyunwoo stared at him for a moment before approaching.

“…Still, coming every day must be hard. Let me know if something comes up.”

“There’s nothing for now.”

“…….”

Seunghyuk immediately refused and opened the car door.

Hyunwoo was momentarily speechless at the firmness of his tone.

After getting into the car and fastening the seatbelt meticulously, Seunghyuk started the engine.

Hyunwoo glanced at his left arm, which no longer ached as much.

“When are you going to the hospital again?”

“Tomorrow.”

During weekdays, work kept him busy, so he planned treatment early on Saturday.

Today was Friday, so tomorrow was perfect.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“No need to bother on the weekend….”

“When will they remove the stitches?”

“…….”

Seunghyuk didn’t seem to hear him and asked again.

Hyunwoo watched him drive for a moment before speaking.

“…Next weekend.”

“I’ll keep my schedule free then too.”

“…….”

Does he really think that after driving a few times, he’s the chauffeur?

Hyunwoo looked at him in disbelief, but Seunghyuk didn’t care.

“Fine… do as you wish.”

Now too tired to argue, Hyunwoo waved his hand.

No matter how much he told him not to, Seunghyuk would do as he pleased.

“But… did you apply for an internship at Munsung?”

Hyunwoo couldn’t resist asking.

While waiting at a signal, he glanced at Seunghyuk.

“You’re quick to find out.”

“My cousin’s in HR.”

“Oh, really?”

“…He’ll probably come to our department.”

“That’s good.”

“…….”

Good? Did he really mean that?

Hyunwoo narrowed his eyes at Seunghyuk.

“You didn’t apply to L&S, did you?”

“…I didn’t.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

L&S was Munsung’s biggest rival and the company Seunghyuk had joined before regression.

Hyunwoo looked at him suspiciously.

“Why?”

“Nothing… never mind.”

If Seunghyuk had memories from before regression, Hyunwoo would have grabbed him and demanded answers.

Since he didn’t, Hyunwoo couldn’t press further.

Perhaps this was the butterfly effect.

Before regression, his obsession with Seunghyuk backfired and L&S took him, but this time, he seemed to have a different mindset.

Currently, Munsung was slightly ahead of L&S in all fields.

Though Seunghyuk had outshone him before, this time, it might go differently.

If he could coax Seunghyuk into joining Munsung, all his achievements would belong to the company.

‘I’m a bit unsure though.’

Before regression, Seunghyuk despised him.

Now, he didn’t seem to hate him as much, but who knew?

If Hyunwoo showed his true self unintentionally, Seunghyuk might get fed up again.

He gritted his teeth.

‘I need to be careful.’

He needed to maintain distance and get along smoothly with Seunghyuk.

Only then could Hyunjin reach a happy ending as in the original story, and the company would benefit too.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Ah… okay.”

While organizing his thoughts, they had already reached home.

Hyunwoo got out of the car with Seunghyuk.

“…Hyunjin?”

But the house was dark.

He called Hyunjin’s name, puzzled, but there was no answer.

Strange.

It should have been the time for him to be home.

After the stalker incident, Hyunwoo had restricted Hyunjin from working at the café for safety.

Why wasn’t he home yet?

Confirming the house was empty, Hyunwoo turned to Seunghyuk.

“Any gatherings today?”

“I haven’t heard of any.”

“Really?”

Checking his phone just in case, there was no message from Hyunjin.

When living together, he always informed if he would be late.

Hyunwoo’s face hardened.

“He’s not a child. He’ll come back when he’s done.”

“Maybe….”

Seunghyuk seemed carefree.

But Hyunwoo had a bad feeling.

Hyunjin wasn’t just a healthy male; he was an Omega.

In this world, suppressants were well-developed, so Omega crimes were rare… but not impossible.

It was like worrying if a daughter didn’t come home late.

“Didn’t have dinner, right? I’ll prepare it. Go wash up first.”

“…Okay.”

He hesitated to tell Seunghyuk, fearing he’d think it was excessive.

Hyunwoo headed to the dressing room to change.

“…Hmm?”

He suddenly stopped in the hallway.

A strong floral scent lingered.

Hyunwoo frowned and paced the corridor.

This familiar scent was definitely Hyunjin’s.

But were his pheromones always this strong?

Alpha Omegas like Hyunjin were usually good at controlling their scent.

“No way….”

Startled, Hyunwoo rushed to Hyunjin’s room.

Luckily, the door wasn’t locked.

He entered quickly.

“Ugh….”

The scent was even stronger inside.

It was so pungent it seemed to penetrate his mind.

Hyunwoo frowned and blocked his nose with his arm.

He quickly looked around.

Inside were a desk, a bed, and a small table.

Hyunwoo approached the desk.

“This guy….”

On the desk lay Hyunjin’s medicine bottle, forgotten.

He picked it up and checked the label.

“…It’s today.”

Today was the scheduled “heat” for Hyunjin.

Hyunwoo’s face hardened as he ran out of the room holding the bottle.

“Seunghyuk!”

“…Hyung?”

Seunghyuk, preparing dinner, turned in surprise.

Hyunwoo thrust the medicine bottle toward him.

“Hyunjin’s heat starts today!”

“What?”

“I think he forgot his suppressant.”

“…….”

Seunghyuk also looked serious and examined the bottle.

“Nailed it.”

“What if something happens outside?”

“Calm down, hyung. I’ll contact our classmates first.”

“Y-yeah. I’ll call Hyunjin.”

Hyunwoo couldn’t stop worrying.

Still, he forced himself to call Hyunjin.