#108

 

The sun had set, and the appointed time for the invitation had arrived. On this particular day, the evening sky, tinged with red, felt unusually ominous.

 

‘Has time really passed like this?’

 

“Just a little longer, and they’ll come.”

 

With each movement of the clock’s hands, the tension grew. As the appointed time approached, the house became quieter, as if everyone shared similar sentiments.

 

‘It feels strange to think he’s really coming.’

 

As planned, I lay in bed in my room, pretending to be ill, and decided to hide in a suitable place to watch Moon Kyung-sik.

 

“Just make sure to cater to Moon Kyung-sik’s tastes until the ‘evidence’ is captured, and then apprehend him at that moment.”

 

“…Are you sure about this? What if you get hurt in the process…?”

 

Baek Do-jun extended his arm towards me with trembling eyes but withdrew it immediately. He knew I disliked unwanted contact.

 

Looking at Baek Do-jun wearing a pink checkered apron, I thought,

 

‘Why do I like this guy?’

 

The other guys were the same. They all had the façade of being called Seong Chan-young, but why was it that Seong Chan-young was not accepted, yet they could like me? Was it because of the difference in circumstances?

 

Even if I were my true self, could these guys still say they liked me?

 

“Why are you thinking like that? Are you nervous?”

 

I noticed the worried gaze in his affectionate eyes.

 

“No, it’s not like that.”

 

I focused on the plan, pushing aside any distracting thoughts. The plan was simple. It was based on the assumption that Moon Kyung-sik was indeed Seong Chan-young, and me to act as bait.

 

‘If he is the real Seong Chan-young, he’ll try to harm me in some way.’

 

Baek Do-jun, Yoo Yi-seo, Chae Yoon-chan, and Joo Tae-kang had their own lingering regrets, separate from my goal. They wouldn’t be oblivious to my efforts to capture Moon Kyung-sik. Though they might not know the exact methods, if the nightmares from the Black Hand were indeed related to the real Seong Chan-young, Moon Kyung-sik would try to kill me.

 

‘Stealing heat inhibitors was another reckless move in a similar vein.’

 

It was unsettling how this person, who was so fixated on the original gongs, made such bold decisions, as if they knew me well.

 

‘If I hadn’t found the hidden suppressants, I would have quickly formed a bond with an alpha, and the embarrassment from that shock would have rendered me helpless. I might have even driven away all the original gongs, seeking shelter under President Seong’s power, unable to bear seeing them.’

 

‘In the worst-case scenario, I might have even taken my own life.’

 

In that case, I would have been left alone. That’s probably what the real Seong Chan-young wanted. Creating an environment where he could easily kill the unlucky guy who took over his body, and the alphas he still hadn’t given up on would drift away from me.

 

‘Usually, in these situations, they believe that killing the fake can bring back the real one.’

 

The real Seong Chan-young must have entered my house, the tiger’s den, with only that goal in mind.

 

“I won’t get hurt. I have no intention of making the guy who got me into this mess laugh.”

 

I knew all too well how painful and difficult it was to be sick.

 

“So if things get dangerous, I’ll definitely call Grandpa and you guys.”

 

I looked straight at Baek Do-jun, Chae Yoon-chan, Yoo Yi-seo, Joo Tae-kang, and even Seo Eun-soo. Although Baek Do-jun was the one I was speaking to, all the other Alphas were paying attention to my conversation.

 

“Chan-young ah…”

 

I don’t understand why those guys are so touched by the idea that I’ll use them as a shield if I’m in danger. Is it because they get possessive when someone they like is involved? The air seemed to carry a faint pheromone that made people feel at ease.

 

“We’ll do that. Leave it to us.”

 

‘Hmm, their eyes look too determined.’

 

They’ve been a bit overprotective of me since the heat inhibitor incident, but maybe this is just an extension of that.

 

“Don’t underestimate me just because of my recessive omega trait. I am saying that I won’t hesitate to call you if necessary.”

 

“Yeah, Seong Chan-young is indeed strong. Even if that squid-like guy claiming to be Moon Kyung-sik comes, we won’t yield.”

 

“Is it possible when Moon Kyung-sik is an alpha?”

 

“Baek Do-jun, I don’t think you’d feel reassured, so I’ve prepared something.”

 

Chae Yoon-chan nodded in agreement and handed me a wooden block. I looked at him quizzically, wondering what he wanted me to do with it, and he mimicked snapping it in two with his hands.

 

‘Where did he learn that from…?’

 

I diligently installed cameras in my room and gave a nod to Secretary Choi, who was helping with food preparation. When did he come to offer his help?

 

“It’s not a big deal.”

 

Crack. The stick neatly folded in half in my hand. Baek Do-jun’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out. Chae Yoon-chan showed a strange satisfaction at the expected outcome, while Joo Tae-kang let out a whimper.

 

As expected, Yoo Yi-seo was different.

 

“You’re amazing. Even if a tiger comes and tries to take you away, you’re ready to knock it down, aren’t you?”

 

“A tiger as strong as an extreme dominant alpha would be quite a handful.”

 

“No way! I think Chan-young could beat him too…!”

 

Seo Eun-soo was being Seo Eun-soo. He cheered me on, meticulously inspecting each facet of the wooden block to ensure my fingers weren’t pricked.

 

“It’s okay, just do as everyone has agreed.”

 

I would observe Moon Kyung-sik, and when the Alphas started acting drunk or left their seats, he would sneak into my room. The moment Moon Kyung-sik came up to harm me would be captured on camera. It could be used as evidence that Moon Kyung-sik was the perpetrator of the heat inhibitor incident.

 

“When Moon Kyung-sik tries to harm me, everyone should rush into my room. It’s absolutely crucial.”

 

That would be the most significant blow I could deliver to the real Seong Chan-young.

 

Not being able to kill him, being exposed as the criminal while being scorned by the alphas, he foolishly wanted to impress the most must be really humiliating.

 

“Of course that would happen. I mean, you’re not planning to be alone with that strange alpha for long, right?”

 

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

 

President Seong and Secretary Choi also agreed to rush in when signaled. It was a relief to know that Seo Eun-soo would hide in the guesthouse and rush in like a bullet when the time came.

 

“Take this. Use it when that guy tries to harm you.”

 

“What’s this…?”

 

President Seong handed me a stun gun.

 

“Just one shot of that, and no matter how sturdy the alpha is, they’ll faint.”

 

“Okay. I’ll make sure to use it.”

 

I had been uneasy relying solely on the physical strength of the real Seong Chan-young. I wanted to give the real Seong Chan-young a taste of his own medicine, and this was a good start.

 

And so, like soldiers facing a war, everyone took on their roles and moved in silence.

 

*Ding-dong.*

 

As if it had been waiting for 6 o’clock, the doorbell rang.

 

A warm voice came through the intercom.

 

“I’m here. Could you please open the door?”

 

Through the intercom, I could see Moon Kyung-sik holding a beautiful flower basket and a bottle of wine in his hand.

 

As Baek Do-jun approached to greet Moon Kyung-sik before opening the door, he glanced at me one last time. I silently nodded from a distance.

 

“Welcome.”

 

As the door opened, the sound of it creaking and someone entering was vividly transmitted to my ears.

 

“Thank you for inviting me, Baek Do-jun ssi. This is for you.”

 

“Thank you. The flowers are beautiful.”

 

“It’s a special day, after all.”

 

Even though he heard me mention being unwell, Moon Kyung-sik casually chattered away with a cheerful expression. Baek Do-jun almost failed to control his expression for a moment but managed to pull through.

 

“You must be hungry, right? I’ll bring the meal out soon.”

 

“Oh, did Baek Do-jun ssi prepare it himself?”

 

“I’m good at cooking. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you taste it.”

 

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m already excited.”

 

Blushing, Moon Kyung-sik eagerly anticipated the meal prepared by Baek Do-jun. In reality, it was all done by hired housewives, but Moon Kyung-sik was delighted at the idea that Bae Do-jun had prepared the meal for him.

 

‘In the original work, he only showed possessiveness and twisted desires.’

 

It felt strange watching it all unfold. It twisted my gut to witness such a charade.

 

The other alphas also joined in welcoming Moon Kyung-sik warmly.

 

“We’ve been waiting for you, Moon Kyung-sik ssi. Please, take a seat.”

 

“What kind of food do you like? We heard you don’t like seafood, so we didn’t include any. Do you like beef?”

 

“What type of alcohol do you prefer? Since you brought wine, should we follow suit with wine?”

 

‘Well done.’

 

Chae Yoon-chan, Joo Tae-kang, and Yoo Yi-seo were also skilled in acting. Especially hearing Chae Yoon-chan and Joo Tae-kang, who were usually like prickly squirrels, using honorifics I hadn’t heard from them made my stomach ache.

 

‘Why did they act like that towards me when they knew how to use it so well?’

 

They should try to appeal to me a bit more with their insincere manners, these brats.

 

“I’m very pleased with your hospitality.”

 

Moon Kyung-sik accepted the alphas’ hospitality with a big smile, as if it were all completely natural. Not only did he openly take a seat of honor, but he also subtly inspected the house and even commented on its design.

 

“The interior sense is lacking. The homeowner seems clueless.”

 

Even though it was done by an interior design expert. Expert’s doubtful win number 1.

 

‘But more importantly, this isn’t your house?!’

 

When your house is so harshly covered in black and white, making it bleak?

 

I wanted to confront him right away, but I had to hold back. It wouldn’t be the right time to intervene.

 

“I’m hungry. I want to eat the dinner prepared for us quickly. Anything would taste delicious when accompanied by such sophisticated alphas like yourselves.”

 

Moon Kyung-sik was clearly excited. From my standpoint, as someone who had to observe, it was just baffling.

 

‘Isn’t he giving off way too much of Seong Chan-young vibe?’

 

Even the air seemed to be filled with pheromones, tempting the alpha’s preferred prey. Since it was Moon Kyung-sik’s doing, I pinched my nose as if I were handling dirty laundry.

 

I could sense that the original four alphas were barely holding back their disgust as their faces seemed to wilt.

 

Just hold on a little longer…