RACA 119

As she entered the set, Im Seolye smiled with her eyes. She didn’t know what conversation had passed between Eunsol and Park Seunghyun, but facing Park Seunghyun directly, she had seen the smug alpha male lead’s face crumple.

So, she could immediately tell who the winner was between the two.

“I felt it when I first saw you, but Eunsol-ssi, you are bold.”

“…Thank you.”

It was probably a compliment. In the entertainment industry, such words could be sarcastic, but from what he’d seen of Im Seolye so far, it seemed genuine.

Though a bit unsure, Eunsol bowed his head. Then, glancing behind him, he leaned in slightly as Im Seolye bent forward, listening.

“But be careful. Guys like him can get reckless and lash out when their pride is hurt.”

Im Seolye advised, pretending to adjust her earring while covering her mouth.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

At Eunsol’s response, she straightened up, seeming relieved. He could feel Park Seunghyun staring their way, but he didn’t bother turning around.

The filming proceeded with appropriate adjustments to counter his sabotage and overreach. But if he acted this directly now, Eunsol had no intention of staying passive.

Park Seunghyun intercepted Eunsol’s line again, adding unnecessary gestures from the script.

“You’re leaving before hyung even finishes talking?”

Ad-libs happen during acting. But grabbing his shoulder hard enough to make him stagger was intentional.

Eunsol straightened his back and forced a smile.

“I’m sorry, sunbae-nim. I missed the cue and broke the rhythm.”

Eunsol bowed while politely admitting fault. Park Seunghyun couldn’t say much. And just then, the PD called NG, missing his chance to pick a fight.

“Eunsol-ssi, it was fine up until now, so let’s try again. Seunghyun-ssi, stick to your own lines if possible. That tone suits a whiny little brother, right? It sounds awkward coming from someone with a low, strong voice like you.”

The staff on set weren’t thrilled with Park Seunghyun’s attitude either. They had been watching without a chance to speak up, but seized the opportunity to point it out.

However, they couldn’t make it obvious, so they added a word to Eunsol too.

“And Eunsol-ssi, you can’t disrupt the flow like that, no matter what.”

“I’m really sorry! I’ll do it without mistakes next time.”

The PD was lenient toward a rookie who immediately owned up after an NG and showed eagerness to improve.

“Okay. You’ve been doing well so far, so just pay a little more attention. Like I said before, your acting is stable. Good projection, great expressions, so relax and try again.”

“Yes, understood. Thank you for the advice!”

The PD grinned at Eunsol’s energetic reply and signaled to start over.

Park Seunghyun’s expression hardened more and more as he watched. It showed even in his acting, making his movements stiff or his face awkward, requiring several retakes.

No one said anything, but everyone was getting a bit tired, so filming was paused for a longer break.

“Good work.”

Among them, Eunsol, the only one who had finished his part properly, went around greeting the actors and staff before preparing to leave.

“Eunsol-ssi, you’re back next week, right?”

“Yes, sunbae-nim. See you then.”

“Yeah. You did really well today. Good job.”

Im Seolye’s praise brightened Eunsol’s mood even more, and with a cheerful face, he bowed again before heading toward the car.

The spacious parking lot was nearly full with countless vehicles. Even arriving an hour early, he had to park way in the back due to all the equipment trucks left overnight.

“He’s not here yet.”

The manager had said he’d bring the car to the entrance. Eunsol tried calling Bulgom, but he couldn’t reach him, so he had no choice.

The sun was pretty hot. Eunsol looked around, spotted some shade from the building, and walked over there.

It was a spot where the car would see him right away, so it should be fine. But after a few steps, he had to stop abruptly.

“Park Seunghyun sunbae-nim.”

He thought he smelled white smoke coming from that direction, and then a figure hidden in the shadows came into view belatedly. Park Seunghyun had vanished right after the PD called for a break, who knew he’d be here of all places.

Moreover, it seemed Park Seunghyun had noticed him first. He spat out what was in his mouth, and a thick wave of pheromones emanated from him.

Eunsol swallowed his dismay and scanned the area, but no one was around. He couldn’t call for help like this.

“Leaving right after we’re done?”

“…Yes, sunbae-nim. I have other plans today.”

Not just today. Eunsol usually tried to head back as soon as his scenes were done. With the kids at home, he was always in a hurry.

Today, especially, since Jaebeom was at the bank for work, the twins were with the helpers, so he wanted to get home quickly to see them.

Normally, he’d stay another hour or so, but what can he do?

“Well, with a big sponsor backing you, no wonder you walk around with your head held high.”

Sponsor? Eunsol frowned.

‘Ah, could it be that?’

Then he suddenly recalled the rumor that he had Chairman Jang as his backer for the contract quietly spreading at the company

“I don’t know what you mean.”

He knew some people misunderstood it that way. But Eunsol was more upright than anyone. Chairman Jang wasn’t a sponsor; he was his spouse’s father.

It goes without saying that Jaebeom disliked it, but they were family through marriage, and the chairman was so kind to him, so he had no reason to feel guilty.

“Don’t play dumb. I heard all about it. Word’s out at your company that you’re sponsored by the big shot from Myeongdong, Chairman Jang.”

It was about Chairman Jang after all. Eunsol pondered for a moment.

‘Should I clarify the relationship right here?’

But he didn’t want to with Park Seunghyun of all people. It would feel like using power to pressure him.

More than that, Eunsol wanted to handle him within his own abilities.

“See, it’s true? Otherwise, how could a no-name omega like you land a role like that?”

Since Eunsol paused to think and didn’t speak, Park Seunghyun misinterpreted and sneered.

“You don’t even emit pheromones, do you? Do you even go into heat properly? Or are you not even aware you’re an omega? Does Chairman Jang even satisfy you?”

As the words got more outrageous, Eunsol let out a long sigh. Not revealing he was dominant seemed to lead to wild assumptions. Jaebeom had suggested disclosing everything from the start, but Eunsol had put it off for later.

So, no need to correct it now, but he wouldn’t tolerate slanderous comments about the chairman.

“It’s true he treats me specially, but he’s not the type to do that kind of thing.”

“Well, with plenty of decent omegas around, someone like you wouldn’t suit his status. So what, are you just a toy he plays with?”

Park Seunghyun started approaching slowly. The pheromones he released grew more intense, and Eunsol struggled not to frown.

“Can’t even smell this? Huh? Is that why you’ve been so cocky? Poor thing. But I heard that in cases like yours, some skinship can…”

No need to tolerate his blabbering anymore. Eunsol frowned and glared at him.

He didn’t like using pheromones to threaten other traits. He didn’t want to show dominance that way.

But in situations like this, it was better to act decisively than keep backing down.

Eunsol took a deep breath and released his pheromones.

It was a biting scent whipping through like a storm.

“…What the…”

The air, devoid of any sweetness, clawed at his face and pressed down on his body, changing Park Seunghyun’s expression. Alphas aren’t the only ones who can threaten with pheromones.

It was something Jaebeom had taught Eunsol before he left for filming.

‘Your trait genes are superior to most, so average alphas can’t handle you. If it comes to it, show your strength.’

He decided to trust that. As the dominant omega’s pheromones thickened, weighing down the air, sweat trickled from Park Seunghyun’s forehead. He gritted his teeth to endure, but couldn’t hide his pale face and shaking legs.

Glaring at the flustered Park Seunghyun, Eunsol drove the point home.

“Don’t throw pheromones around recklessly. You’re not the only one who can.”

With that cold remark, he turned around. His hands trembled from nervousness, clenched into fists, but his retreating figure was more resolute than ever.