AOA 54

His academy was nearly a subway stop away from here. Unless he had come looking on purpose, running into him so precisely like this was nearly impossible, making it all the more suspicious.

“Yes. I’ve been doing well. You look good too, teacher. I have class now, so I’ll be going.”

“Wait, we need to talk.”

“Sorry?”

“I told you, didn’t I? Everything went to shit because of you.”

I had been trying to get away from Lee Jeongwook as quickly as possible, so his sudden outburst left me dumbfounded. Showing up out of nowhere and blaming me for messing up his life, what kind of logic was that?

“Teacher? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Ha, fuck. Why are you pretending you don’t? I lost all my work because of you. You made me look like a damn fool. Why are you so selfish? Is your comfort all that matters? I told you again and again it was just a joke!”

His tone stayed quiet and conversational, but his words were biting, exactly like the messages he’d been sending.

Some passersby glanced our way, but no one seemed to take it seriously.

“I have nothing to say.”

I cut him off firmly, sensing that engaging any further would only make things worse, and tried to walk past him. But just as I reached the building, Lee Jeongwook blocked my path again, this time grabbing my hand tightly.

“You’re ignoring me?”

“Let go.”

“If you ruin someone’s life, you should know yours won’t end pretty either. Right? Why don’t you roll around like a bitch in heat?”

His eyes went wild. A burst of pheromones suddenly emanated from him, it was the same harsh cologne-like scent I remembered from the first time.

In normal circumstances, it was hard to distinguish alphas from omegas. But in emotional states, pheromones leaked out naturally. Still, even those were never this overpowering.

I didn’t know if it was the intensity or just our incompatibility, but the stench made me feel like my nose would fall off. The thought that his pheromones might cling to me again, like last time, made irritation flood through me. If I met Baek Mugyeong like this, who knew what kind of misunderstanding might follow?

“What do you think you’re doing right now?”

“What? Why are you still fine?!”

His shout jolted me. It was almost word-for-word what Baek Yeongseop had said at the charity concert.

But now I knew how omegas were supposed to react to an alpha’s pheromones. Baek Yeongseop’s actions had been cowardly and malicious. And Lee Jeongwook was no different.

“You fucking…”

The curse slipped out on its own. I hadn’t realized there were so many lunatics in the world.

“Why aren’t you reacting?! Fuck!”

“Maybe because your pheromones fucking suck.”

I didn’t bother with honorifics, even if he was way older. As I shook off his hand and cursed, his face twisted in rage.

“You little shit!”

He shouted and slapped me across the face. It happened so suddenly I couldn’t react in time.

“What’s some pathetic omega got to act all high and mighty about?!”

He was practically seething with fury. People passing by began stopping to watch.

My biological father had nagged me endlessly to avoid causing trouble. And I knew, rationally, he was right, considering the situation between both families.

But the throbbing in my cheek aside, I wasn’t about to let this slide.

He hit me first. At the very least, this was mutual assault.

Even if my biological father would berate me and say it was my fault, I believed he’d still clean things up. With that in mind, I steadied my stance. This was exactly the kind of situation where those boxing lessons paid off.

Using my left foot as a pivot, I swung my right arm and punched Lee Jeongwook square in the face.

The impact made a sharp thud as he staggered back and crumpled to the ground. Gasps rippled through the small crowd.

Pain surged through my fist, and I winced. It had been a while since I’d hit anyone, and my hand ached more than I expected.

“Y-you bastard…!”

He clutched his cheek and stared up at me in disbelief, clearly never expecting to get hit.

“That makes us even, right? If you’ve got balls, come at me again.”

I beckoned him with a flick of my fingers. My gym instructor used to say, after the first punch, provoke them. Nine out of ten would lose it and come charging.

Lee Jeongwook was no exception. With a grimace, he staggered to his feet and swung at me. But he had no skill. His movements were too big and clumsy.

I dodged easily and landed another punch to his face. This time he stumbled back a few steps.

“Pathetic. All that bark for nothing.”

I looked at him with pure contempt. Relying on alpha pheromones and charging in with that laughable skill? It was almost too ridiculous to be mad about.

If I had actually reacted to his pheromones, things could’ve turned out horrifyingly. I kind of wanted to beat his face in completely.

“Uwaaaaah!”

His pride clearly in shambles, Lee Jeongwook let out a strangled scream and lunged at me. Calmly, I sidestepped and swept at his leg. He lost balance and slammed into the ground.

“You! You! This is assault!”

He sprang up and jabbed a finger at me, shouting.

“Then report it to the police.”

“You think I won’t?! Fuck!”

Red-faced, he whipped out his phone and started dialing. I didn’t wait around. Instead, I turned to the small crowd.

Some had started filming. Among them was a student who’d apparently been recording since the argument began.

Experience had taught me one thing, evidence is everything. Even Baek Mugyeong had said so.

“Excuse me, could I get a copy of that video? I could check the CCTV, but that’s a hassle. I’ll compensate you. Right now.”

I asked politely. The student, still in uniform, hesitated briefly before nodding.

Once I had the footage secured, I smiled with relief.

Lee Jeongwook did end up calling the police. They arrived and suggested we both apologize and settle things, but Lee Jeongwook refused.

So, in the end, we both had to ride in a police car to the station.

On the way, I called my biological father and texted Baek Mugyeong. I also notified the academy that I wouldn’t be attending class today.

Since it was mutual assault, I wasn’t too worried. Whether we settled or filed charges, I had nothing to lose.

But that turned out to be naive.

At the station, after we both confirmed there was no intent to settle, we began writing statements. Thanks to the video I got from the student, I had everything I needed.

Then Lee Jeongwook started lying. He claimed we’d been dating, and that after I got married, I wanted to break up, thus the fight.

I was so stunned and furious I thought I might die from sheer indignation.

While I was stewing over how to crush this bastard, my biological father called to say he’d contacted Baek Mugyeong and that Mugyeong would handle it.

As long as we reached Seoul, it didn’t matter how we got there. I finished my statement and waited for the lawyer Mugyeong had sent.

To my surprise, Baek Mugyeong came in person with the lawyer.

The middle-aged attorney watched the video and beamed.

“No problem at all. Leave it to me.”

Within thirty minutes of speaking with Lee Jeongwook, the matter was resolved.

More precisely, Lee Jeongwook apologized and promised nothing like this would happen again before disappearing.

On the lawyer’s advice, I also apologized for hitting him, but it was purely formal.

It was like something out of a drama. But either way, the mutual assault case ended in settlement.

By the time we left the station, it was already dark. The lawyer said everything would be fine and took off.

“This way.”

I followed Baek Mugyeong to the car waiting in the station’s parking lot.

It was a relief that the settlement with Lee Jeongwook had gone so smoothly. But I couldn’t relax.

My heart pounded, not knowing why Baek Mugyeong had come in person. My biological father had said Mugyeong would take care of it, but I hadn’t expected him to show up himself.

He didn’t ask questions, just asked what happened. Honestly, that scared me more.

Maybe I should’ve just taken the hit.

I grumbled inwardly as I buckled my seatbelt. If I hadn’t fought back, it would’ve been a one-sided assault, and Mugyeong wouldn’t have had to get involved.

But it was too late to regret it now. And frankly, I didn’t want to. In times like this, boldness was better.

“We’re going to the hospital.”

Mugyeong said as he started the car. I was about to say I was fine but shut my mouth, knowing I was in no position to argue.

There was no conversation on the drive to the hospital.

It was late, but the place Mugyeong took me to operated night hours and occupied an entire building. Apparently, he’d arranged things beforehand. Even though there were other patients waiting, I was taken in immediately.

The cheek Lee Jeongwook had slapped was swollen with a distinct handprint.