Heavy Rain Chapter 68

Since he knew Lyle’s temperament well, there was not a single Omega in his mansion, even among the servants. It had been the same when everyone was replaced this time.

“I know. How many Alphas are there.”

However, seeing Lyle suddenly look for Alpha types—something he had never cared about before—the secretary hurried to answer while pondering his intentions.

“There are ten Alphas on the security team, and none among the servants.”

“…”

Had there really been ten Alphas?

The moment he heard the answer, Lyle felt that a matter that had been only slightly bothersome had now grown to a point where it could no longer be ignored.

Then it suddenly occurred to him that Haejin might feel uncomfortable if he saw other Alphas. Was the former Butler who persecuted him not an Alpha as well?

It must be so. Since he had realized this even at this late stage, it was time to make a change.

“First, make sure no Alphas can enter the mansion. And within a short period, advise all of them to resign with good terms.”

“…I will take measures so that all those with the Alpha trait are moved only to perimeter security. However, a total dismissal might be difficult.”

As expected, faced with an unexpected issue, the secretary broke into a cold sweat and considered the possibilities. Naturally, Vermouth’s contract terms were extremely generous. It was to the point where almost no one would quit first if they could help it.

If they were suddenly fired from a workplace with such good conditions, there would naturally be a backlash—provided there was no justifiable reason.

“Why?”

“First of all, the security team leader is an Alpha. Also, if there is no proper reason, there will be a protest.”

“…”

It was certainly a valid point. However, from the moment he realized that Alphas existed in the mansion, Lyle was plagued by an inexplicable urgency.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Jin will find Alphas uncomfortable.”

“Ah.”

He pointed out the area of his concern even to the secretary who asked wonderingly. The quick-witted secretary looked as if he understood immediately and fell into deep thought along with him.

“Try to persuade them well. If it seems like there will be a backlash, suggest a transfer to the main office with even better conditions. That should be enough to quell any dissatisfaction.”

While thinking of ways to calmly remove them from the mansion without friction, Lyle suddenly added words as a surge of worry hit him.

“By no means use Jin as an excuse. Unfair arrows might be aimed at him.”

“Yes, I understand.”

If they were to turn their resentment toward Haejin, it would become a headache. What if they even tried to harm him?

As he thought this way, he felt that the security for Haejin was also insufficient. Since the fellow would find it stifling if he attached a personal bodyguard, it seemed better to turn the mansion itself into an impregnable fortress. The mansion was pointlessly too large, so it would be better to prepare further.

“And increase the mansion security personnel overall. With Betas.”

“I will take care of that as well.”

The mansion’s security system had already been overhauled once before and was sufficient. Though he knew this, the secretary rolled his eyes with a strange premonition and answered obediently.

“Train them strictly so that they do not use inappropriate language or behavior toward Jin.”

“Understood.”

As he wrote down every one of the detailed instructions, the secretary vaguely realized what Lyle was worried about. It seemed he was determined to prevent a situation like the last one from the very beginning.

Even though the business seemed finished, Lyle did not tell the secretary to leave. When he cast a questioning gaze, the hesitating Chairman furrowed his brow.

“Also, could it be a problem to pay Jin the compensation specified in the contract in advance?”

“You mean right now, without fulfilling the specified contract period?”

“Yes.”

Usually, it becomes a problem if you don’t give what is supposed to be paid, but paying in advance should be fine. The secretary knew this well, but he fell into a different concern.

For some reason, he had a premonition that Haejin would not readily accept them. The secretary also clearly remembered that day when Haejin had not even glanced at the contract describing the compensation plan.

“It does not seem like paying in advance will be a problem. However, what shall we do if Mr. Bright refuses?”

“…I will think about that when the time comes.”

Lyle’s expression also darkened as if he had expected this. While observing the Chairman slowly, the secretary tried hard to remember the premonition that had just popped up.

It was a premonition that, for some reason, there would be more and more matters involving Haejin. He felt he really should hurry with the personnel recruitment.

Only after handling the matter of the security team that had been bothering him all day could Lyle concentrate on his work. It took more time because his Uncle Daniel, who had come in person regarding the merger and acquisition, was being a nuisance. Of course, he didn’t actually meet him. His nerves were grated by having to kick him out without even seeing him while he was making a commotion outside.

Returning to the mansion late at night, Lyle asked Mark, who greeted him, out of habit.

“Where is Jin?”

“He is sleeping.”

Nodding his head, this time he moved not toward his room but toward the courtyard in the annex. Although it was late, there was something he wanted to check with his own two eyes.

As he turned the corner of the mansion building, he saw a place brightly lit for night work. It was the site of the greenhouse he had mentioned in the morning.

The construction had begun faster than expected. Mark had moved with great motivation, perhaps because he had been eyeing this garden. In the place that had been neglected and left desolate, all sorts of construction equipment were lined up. Despite the rather cluttered appearance, Lyle took in the progress meticulously.

“Let’s create an atmosphere inside the greenhouse as if one were outside. Increase the scale if necessary.”

“I will also carefully tend to the nearby garden.”

“How long will it take?”

“At the fastest, it will take more than a week.”

Decorating a new greenhouse was by no means something that took a long time. Nevertheless, feeling a sense of urgency for some reason, Lyle frowned with dissatisfaction.

“Please pay attention without sparing any resources.”

“Yes, young master.”

Only after staring at the construction site for a long time as if supervising did Lyle turn his steps toward his room.

As he entered the interior of the mansion, he could feel Haejin’s pheromones. Since he was told the fellow had been asleep for a little while, this was either his delusion or his instinct catching a very faint trace left behind. He realized that this sort of thing had happened quite often in the past.

As he climbed the stairs while concentrating on the body scent, he suddenly thought of the fellow who used to walk down while holding onto the wall. On the mansion walls of a solemn color, Haejin’s white hand remained like an afterimage.

Worry suddenly surges within him. Fearful that Haejin might lose his footing when no one is by his side. Fearful that his leg might only worsen while staying in this mansion.

“…”

“Is something the matter?”

“…I should also touch up the interior of the mansion a bit.”

The more he thought about it, this old mansion was too dangerous. He should have fixed it together with the CCTV count earlier, but was that not a truly foolish decision?

“Which part are you planning to fix?”

Mark, who had followed him into the room to assist with his clothes, asked wonderingly. Lyle, who organized his thoughts in his head, handed his coat to him.

“I intend to perform safety renovations so that it is easier for Jin to get around. The secretary will visit soon to discuss the mansion renovations. Let’s discuss it together then.”

“Yes.”

No one knew the fact of his imprinting except for the primary physician. Therefore, Lyle needed to be careful so that everyone, including Haejin, would remain unaware of this fact in the future.

In the first place, Lyle had not yet been able to admit the fact that he had even harbored emotions for Haejin. All of this was merely closer to moving out of obligation because it was necessary for his future life.

“What has Jin been doing in the mansion lately?”

“Well… he mostly stays in his room. Since the weather outside isn’t exactly good for taking walks anyway.”

“…Does he go to the library often?”

“It has been a while since he has walked in that direction.”

“…”

It must be extremely boring, yet he doesn’t even go to the library.

As he thought of Haejin, who would be only inside his room, a sudden restlessness made its presence known. Desperately feigning composure, he turns his back to Mark.

“I see. You should go and rest now.”

“Please sleep well.”