* * *

Once Jungin left, silence fell over the room.

Breaking the tension, Beomhyeon spoke.

“I’ve decided to bond with Jungin.”

The single statement made Chairman Ki’s brow furrow.

Bonding wasn’t a game; it was a lifelong connection that entwined two people, even in death.

“Does he know?”

“No.”

Even worse, the other party didn’t even know.

At his reckless son’s words, Beomkyeon’s expression hardened further.

The atmosphere surrounding the two grew even colder, and Beomhyeon spoke to Chairman Ki.

“It’s for Jungin. Even if you don’t give me your permission, I’ll do it.”

Beomkyeon, seeing the resolute expression on Beomhyeon’s face, realized the decision had already been made.

“Why do you always assume I’ll oppose everything right off the bat? If it’s for Jungin, then there must be a reason.”

Chairman Ki, seeing Beomhyeon resembling his younger self so much, was prepared to listen to anything.

Watching his father, Beomhyeon opened his tightly shut lips and confessed everything to him.

He explained how Jungin had suffered severe abuse from Chairman Lee’s family for years and that the only way Jungin could survive was by forming a bond with him.

By the time Beomhyeon finished explaining, Beomkyeon’s expression had turned dark.

“That poor, beautiful child… What could he have possibly done to deserve that? Jungin must have endured so much.”

“……”

“All right. You probably don’t need my permission anyway, but I’ll give it.”

“Are you… serious?”

Beomhyeon had thought his father would be even more opposed if he mentioned that Madam Jang was after Jungin’s life.

“Beomhyeon. Even after losing your mother like that, I’ve been alive but not truly living.”

He knew all too well.

As a child, he had seen how much his father had struggled after his mother passed.

He remembered how his father, who buried himself in work day and night, would break down and desperately call out her name.

“So you, even if it’s just for a single day, live happily with the one you love.”

As Beomkyeon placed his hand on the back of Beomhyeon’s, his gaze was sincere.

Honestly, Beomhyeon couldn’t say he had never resented his father.

During his mother’s death and his wandering years, his father hadn’t even been a good father, not even in words.

But now, he could finally understand his father’s feelings.

The wounds that had been festering in his heart seemed to be healing little by little.

Rrrr…

Seeing Mr. Yoon’s number on the screen, he quickly answered.

• Young master, Madam Jang’s secretary is listed among today’s hotel guests. I reviewed the CCTV footage from around the check-in time and confirmed that Jang Sunhee herself recently went up to a hotel room. What should we do?

The unease that crept over him couldn’t be dismissed as mere coincidence.

Beomhyeon’s expression twisted as he looked at the door Jungin had exited.

“Wasn’t he supposed to be with Jungin?”

• He seemed to have needed a change of clothes, so I left briefly. I apologize.

“Ha… Damn it, does that even make sense? Find Jungin’s location immediately. No, I’ll go down myself.”

He couldn’t wait any longer.

Rising to his feet, Beomhyeon was stopped by Chairman Ki’s question.

“What’s going on?”

“Madam Jang seems to have come to meet Jungin directly.”

“Then go. Hurry to Jungin.”

“Yes. I’ll keep you updated, Father.”

As he turned to leave, Beomkyeon called out to him.

“Beomhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“If you need your father’s help, just let me know.”

“…Thank you.”

Beomhyeon bowed his head slightly before rushing out of the restaurant to the elevator.

But the elevator, stuck at the lobby, wouldn’t move.

In his urgency, Beomhyeon pushed open the emergency exit and dashed down the stairs while calling Mr. Yoon.

“Where’s Jungin?”

• I’m sorry. Young Master Jungin is not in his room. It seems they’ve avoided the CCTV and moved him into a blind spot.

“What floor?”

• Young master—

“What floor is Madam Jang on, Mr. Yoon?”

• Room 2001.

Ending the call, Beomhyeon immediately called Jungjin.

“It’s Ki Beomhyeon.”

• I’ve heard. Jungin said you two were having dinner together.

“Yes. But I believe Madam Jang has planted someone on our side.”

• What are you saying?

“Madam Jang is at our hotel. She’s likely here to meet Jungin. I’m on my way now, but I’ll let you know if anything happens.”

Click.

Ending the call abruptly, Beomhyeon quickened his pace down the stairs.

Reaching the 20th floor, he flung open the door and sprinted down the velvet-carpeted corridor.

Bang!

Stopping in front of Room 2001, Beomhyeon pounded on the door.

“Open up!”

Through the narrow crack under the door, he could sense Jungin’s pheromones.

There were only two scenarios where an omega’s pheromones would leak like this—either they were in severe distress or in heat.

Something had clearly happened to him.

Bang, bang!

“Open the door!”

The sound of his massive fists pounding on the door drew the attention of other guests, who began peeking out one by one.

Even the sound of camera shutters capturing the scene didn’t stop Beomhyeon from calling Jungin’s name.

“Jungin. I know you’re in there. Lee Jungin!”

The hotel manager, summoned by complaints from the guests, approached Beomhyeon with a troubled expression.

“Sir, please calm down for a moment—”

“Bring me the master key.”

There were too many eyes on him.

The media, already eager to exploit the Yeonhwa Group’s ties to organized crime, would have a field day with this.

“I won’t ask twice. Get the master key. Now.”

Ignoring the manager’s attempts to placate him, Beomhyeon issued the command coldly.

His intense presence created a suffocating pressure.

The manager’s professional demeanor clashed with his personal instincts, creating an internal struggle.

At that moment, an order came through the manager’s earpiece from higher-ups—comply with Beomhyeon’s demands.

The added note that the instruction came directly from the Chairman sealed it.

Reluctantly, the manager retrieved the master key from his inner pocket.

Beep.

The heavy door clicked open, and Beomhyeon saw Jungin lying on the floor. He called out to him.

“Lee Jungin!”

Jungin’s complexion was deathly pale, his body trembling as if he could barely breathe.

The sight ignited a fury within Beomhyeon.

“Damn it, what did you do to Jungin?”

Beomhyeon rushed to Jungin’s side, cradling him in his arms.

“Well, I was just catching up with my son after a long time. Is that so wrong?” Madam Jang said calmly, sipping tea.

Gritting his teeth, Beomhyeon moved as if to charge at her, but Jungin stopped him.

“Hic… Beomhyeon, don’t. Please don’t…”

“……Lee Jungin.”

“Let’s just leave. I’m so tired. Let’s just go back… please.”

Jungin buried his face in Beomhyeon’s chest, shaking his head.

Swearing under his breath, Beomhyeon glared coldly at Madam Jang before carrying Jungin out of the room.

* * *