Chapter 68: The Scent of Confrontation

“What have you even been saying this whole time?”

Hyunwoo finally twisted his expression in frustration and asked.

Why would anyone care about the traits of a former beer company employee?

Hyunwoo was simply disgusted by Kwon-oh’s incomprehensible attitude.

“No, I mean, our great Branch Director Joo seduces Alphas too, so I guess traits don’t matter much, huh?”

“Please stop talking nonsense.”

Hyunwoo spoke as if it was absurd.

The part about seducing an Alpha — he was probably referring to the time at the hotel with Seunghyeok.

It was a bit of a sensitive topic, sure, but Hyunwoo felt confident.

At most, Kwon-oh might have figured out they were at a hotel together, but he couldn’t possibly know what exactly happened inside.

“I know very well you’re desperate to drag me down, but don’t make this a stupid argument.”

“So you do admit it? That you’re in that kind of relationship with Lee Seunghyeok?”

“No, I do not admit that.”

“…….”

No sane person would admit something like that openly.

Even if it were true — it ends with denying it.

And Kwon-oh should know that.

So why keep bringing up something pointless?

He didn’t seem in his right mind.

Hyunwoo frowned and stared at him.

But something about Kwon-oh’s presence felt off.

“You expect me to believe nothing happened after you two entered a hotel together?”

“Seunghyeok went into rut suddenly, and I simply helped him.

You know very well what kind of hotel that was used for.”

If Kwon-oh dug into him, then of course he knew what kind of place it was and what the room was for.

If he still insisted on twisting it, Hyunwoo had nothing more to say.

He sighed and began to stand.

“Ha… If we’re not moving forward with work, I’ll be going. This is just a waste of time.”

“Sit down, Director Joo.”

“No. Tell your person in charge to send me an email.”

“I said sit.”

“……!”

Suddenly, a wave of pheromones slammed into him.

The intensity made it clear — Kwon-oh was emotional and trying to pressure him.

Hyunwoo staggered, unable to support himself.

“Ugh…”

Normally, he could have brushed off this level of pheromones easily, but because it came so unexpectedly, he couldn’t shake it off.

Straining against the weight pressing on him, Hyunwoo managed to speak.

“What… are you doing?”

“So you’ve gotten quite weak after spending the night with an Alpha, huh?”

“Director Cha, you— ngh…!”

Hyunwoo’s legs gave out and he dropped back into the chair.

The Alpha pheromones filled the café, and whispers began to spread.

Kwon-oh got up and walked toward him.

“If it’s this bad, you should move somewhere private first.”

“What are you— kh…”

He deliberately raised his voice.

To anyone listening, it would sound like Hyunwoo was the one losing control.

What game was he trying to play?

Hyunwoo tried to fight against Kwon-oh’s hand grasping him, but his body had no strength.

He could only be dragged.

“Let… go…”

“If you stay somewhere quiet, you’ll stabilize.”

“……!”

Kwon-oh supported him and began walking.

His whisper made Hyunwoo’s skin crawl.

The hand gripping his waist burned hot and unpleasant.

Hyunwoo grimaced.

Where was he taking him?

Was he planning to take him to a hotel room?

What would happen there?

Was he planning to vent his anger like hitting a punching bag?

It was natural for Kwon-oh to hate him, but Hyunwoo never imagined he’d go this far.

Teeth clenched, he twisted his body.

“Shh, just a little more.”

“You crazy… bastard.”

“You’re sexiest when you swear.”

“……!”

“Go on. Say more.”

“…….”

He really was insane.

Hyunwoo clicked his tongue inwardly and glared.

Talking to him was useless.

Of all days, he had dismissed Junghoon for this last schedule.

There was no one nearby who would help.

Sweat dripped as he struggled to stay conscious.

To collapse because of Kwon-oh’s pheromones — ridiculous.

Hyunwoo bit down harder.

Maybe if he inflicted pain, he could snap himself awake—

Just as he steeled himself to bite his tongue—

“Hyung!”

“……!”

Hyunwoo’s eyes widened.

Kwon-oh also turned with a frown.

Hyunwoo, pulled halfway around, saw Seunghyeok—breathing hard and furious.

“Why are you—”

“Hah… ha…”

Seunghyeok’s gaze locked onto Kwon-oh.

He was glaring as though he would tear him apart.

Kwon-oh flinched — enough that his body tensed instinctively.

It was not him, but his breed, his very instincts, reacting with fear.

It felt like a beast baring its fangs.

Kwon-oh held his breath and stared back.

“Hey, Lee Seunghyeok!”

“……?”

While walking through the hallway, Seunghyeok turned his head at the voice calling him.

Daon, one of his classmates, came up to him.

“Why is it so hard to see your face lately? Huh?”

“…….”

“Your face looks totally sunken.”

“…….”

Daon clicked his tongue as he examined Seunghyeok’s hollow, worn-out expression.

Seunghyeok simply ran a hand down his face without answering.

He asked in a low, serious voice:

“Does it look really bad?”

“Huh?”

Daon blinked, confused.

Up to now, Seunghyeok had never cared about his appearance even once.

He had a ridiculously handsome face, but his fashion sense was a complete disaster — to the point fashion majors begged to style him because it was such a waste.

Yet he didn’t bat an eye.

But now he was worried just because he looked a little tired.

Daon’s brows knit.

“What is up with you. Are you dating someone or something?”

“…….”

At that, Seunghyeok closed his mouth again.

He even tried to walk away.

Daon hurriedly blocked his path.

“Hey, hey! Who is it? Huh? Is it Joo Hyunjin?”

“Why would Hyunjin’s name come up here.”

“So it’s not? Hmmm… then who?”

“Haa…”

Annoyed by Daon’s persistence, Seunghyeok sighed deeply.

Why was everyone so interested in other people’s business?

Just as he was about to leave—

“By the way, did you hear? About Kim Minjae.”

“……!”

Seunghyeok stopped.

He turned slowly.

His voice was sharp and cold.

“What about Kim Minjae.”

“You know, right? He didn’t just take a leave of absence.”

“…Then what.”

“He caused some huge trouble or something. They say he’s going to be expelled soon.”

“Hm.”

Daon leaned closer and spoke in a hush.

Seunghyeok’s brows furrowed.

Seunghyeok knew exactly why Kim Minjae disappeared.

Because he had stalked Hyunjin, and eventually caused a violent incident that made it impossible for him to return to school.

At first, Seunghyeok didn’t care what Kim Minjae did.

Whether he liked Hyunjin or followed him around didn’t matter.

But the moment Minjae hurt Hyunwoo, that was different.

If Hyunwoo hadn’t stopped him, Seunghyeok would have killed Minjae that day.

Even now, remembering it made his jaw clench.

“What, what is it. Did he do something to you too?”

“…And you?”

“Me? Uh… first can you lower your pheromones a bit?”

“…….”

Daon, being a low-rank Alpha, visibly trembled under Seunghyeok’s wild pheromones.

Seunghyeok glanced at him, then suppressed them again.

“Phew… Seriously, Kim Minjae is like an onion. The more you peel, the more crap comes out.”

“Tell me in detail.”

“So uh… apparently he was doing drugs.”

“What?”

Seunghyeok’s brows twisted sharply.

“A junkie? Kim Minjae was using drugs?”

“Yeah. And they say he even sold it to some students?”

“…Kim Minjae did that?”

Minjae didn’t seem like someone who could handle something that dangerous.

But then again — this was the same person who stalked Hyunjin and hid in his house like a lunatic.

People could never be judged by appearance alone.

“How do you even know that?”

“Oh, the rumor started spreading around lately. And you’re usually slow with gossip.”

“Hm…”

Not slow — just uninterested.

But if it was something involving Minjae, then Hyunwoo might already know.

And if Hyunwoo knew…

He would be investigating it intensely on his own.

Which meant—

Seunghyeok’s expression sank into something cold and dangerous.