RACA 41

But Eunsol kept saying things like being cooped up at home was suffocating, or that a light stroll was actually good for him, or that he wanted to go out without stopping, so Jaebeom couldn’t very well keep him inside.

‘But Beom Jongjong doesn’t seem to want to go out.’

No matter how similar they might seem, humans and cats were fundamentally different. After checking with the doctor, it turned out Eunsol was right, pregnancy required sunlight, so he allowed walks. But who could have guessed Chairman Jang would swoop in as if he’d been waiting for it?

Even assigning someone to watch him wasn’t reassuring enough. Attaching a tracking device to his shoe was, in hindsight, truly the right thing to do.

When Jaebeom heard Chairman Jang had cleverly outmaneuvered his own subordinate through his secretary, he thought, “That’s just like him,” and ruhed over only to find the two of them hatching a scheme together.

“I’m always ready to listen, so contact me whenever you need to!”

Jaebeom gave Chairman Jang a displeased look as he tried to trip up Lee Eunsol right to the end. Unlike him, Lee Eunsol opened his lips immediately, as if he had been waiting for those words.

Wondering what absurd thing he might say next, Jaebeom waited with keen interest for him to speak.

“Then promise me the Chairman won’t interfere with whatever the CEO does from now on.”

“Huh?”

Chairman Jang looked dumbfounded. Jaebeom was no different. Eunsol, who had left them both speechless in an instant, made his request again with unwavering confidence.

“As you mentioned earlier, I’m asking you to promise not to step forward under the pretext of acting for the CEO’s sake.”

No matter how much of a gangster chairman he is, no matter how much of an elder he is, he must not arbitrarily control another person’s life for any reason whatsoever.

Especially not by holding hostage the spouse and children who will share half of that life.

‘It’s the same with work, isn’t it?’

Judging from the conversation between Pyo Jaebeom and Chairman Jang, the issue of company control also seemed linked to Chairman Jang. Pyo Jaebeom is someone who can handle things well on his own. Therefore, he hoped no one else would unnecessarily step in and destabilize him.

“Huh… This is something else. You really do have a better eye for people than I do. Or should I say, a better eye for Omegas?”

Chairman Jang stroked his chin as if stroking a beard he didn’t have. His sparkling gaze never left Eunsol.

First impressions really are important. he had liked him from the start, and as time passed, his satisfaction only grew. he had to be this capable to stay by Pyo Jaebeom’s side without tiring.

“Wait, why has the Chairman been acting like that since earlier?”

Eunsol turned to look at Jaebeom, raising his eyebrows in disbelief. Apparently unable to hold back any longer, Pyo Jaebeom finally laughed loudly.

“Looks like you’re into him?”

“Oh, no thanks. I’m perfectly fine with just you, CEO.”

“What?”

Jaebeom’s eyes darted around at the sudden interruption. But Eunsol, unaware, waited for Chairman Jang’s reply.

He felt he needed a definite answer right here and now to feel at ease.

‘He’d definitely do the same to the kid.’

While Pyo Jaebeom is a problem, it’s also necessary for the sake of the child yet to be born. So, he kept sending him looks demanding the answer he wanted, but Chairman Jang just chuckled and chuckled, never giving me the response Eunsol craved.

“Uha, hahaha, hahaha.”

How could someone of his age laugh so vigorously? Eunsol covered one ear against the sound that echoed loudly throughout the room.

“He told you it’s uncomfortable. Could you tone it down?”

Huh? When did I ? Regardless of Eunsol’s bewildered look, Pyo Jaebeom remained unshaken.

“For someone of your age, you have no dignity.”

“What the hell, you brat! Have you ever done anything to uphold my dignity? How many times have you actually undermined it instead!”

“Well, your son was worse than me.”

“Oh, come on! That kid was that kid! He was just rotten to the core from the start!”

Eunsol gaped. To judge his own son so mercilessly. Being a gang boss really isn’t for just anyone.

“So take care of your own kid.”

“You’re my child too?”

That’s right. He was a foster son, after all. But when Pyo Jaebeom heard that, his face suddenly scrunched up.

“I said I don’t want to?”

“I’m saying I’m refusing, okay?”

“Do you really think you can get away with forcing your way through everything like that?”

“I’ve lived like that until now, and it’s been fine!”

“You’re so smart.”

“Of course. That’s how I got this far, by being so damn good!”

It was so childish it was unbearable. To Eunsol, the two looked like father and son, mirror images of each other. Probably anyone watching would think the same thing.

He shook his head. Their back-and-forth banter was amusing, but he couldn’t keep watching this forever.

“Hey, you two.”

The two who had been bickering simultaneously clamped their mouths shut and turned their heads around. Seeing three pairs of eyes turn toward him at once, Eunsol was momentarily speechless.

He could understand Pyo Jaebeom and Chairman Jang, but why was even the secretary looking at him with such an intrigued expression?

‘I’m an actor, not a broadcaster.’

Of course, even that distinction has become somewhat ambiguous now.

“Alright, go ahead and tell me.”

Encouraged by Chairman Jang’s support, which signaled he was ready to listen, Eunsol began again.

“I haven’t heard your answer yet, Chairman. So, will you do what I want?”

Perhaps it was an unexpected question? Chairman Jang’s eyes widened. Pyo Jaebeom gave him a look that said, ‘There he goes again.’

The chief secretary would probably be similar. Eunsol hadn’t looked into that side, though. Whatever it was, he waited for Chairman Jang to say the words he wanted to hear.

“Hmm… Well, then I suppose I’ll have to grant it conditionally.”

“Conditional?”

That’s another rather unsettling remark. When Eunsol gave him a look urging him to say more, Chairman Jang smiled meaningfully.

“We’ll discuss that again later. First, I think the two of you need to finalize your contract.”

Even as he stepped into the elevator, Eunsol had resolved to confront Pyo Jaebeom head-on.

But the moment the front door opened and he stepped into the familiar space, his body suddenly felt heavy. his eyelids drooped, and his legs refused to obey, dragging behind him.

Meow…!

Eunsol stroked the head of the cat that ran up meowing as if to greet him, then staggered toward his room. Unaware that Pyo Jaebeom was following and watching him, he slipped right into the room.

“Ugh… I’m gonna die…”

Eunsol rubbed his face against the pillow before rolling onto his side. As if waiting for this moment, the cat flopped down beside him. The soft fur and warm body pressed against his arm, and sleep instantly wahed over his.

‘We’ll talk… after I sleep…’

Guess the sudden meeting with Chairman Jang drained me.

Just before falling asleep, Jaebeom came to mind, but that thought too was soon drowned out by drowsiness. Leaning against the doorframe, Jaebeom watched Eunsol slowly drift off to sleep before quietly closing the door.

“Huh? CEO?”

Bulgom, who had just passed by the room, looked at Jaebeom as if to ask why he was there. Jaebeom quietly put his index finger to his lips.

Bulgom’s gaze shifted between Eunsol’s door and Jaebeom. Then, as he realizing something, he nodded his head vigorously.

“Is sister-in-law asleep? The walk must have been exhausting.”

Bulgom, who had been stuck at home, hadn’t yet heard the news that Eunsol had met Chairman Jang. Jaebeom gave a nod and silently moved his feet.

Passing the kitchen, a faint, savory aroma wafted through the air. As he glanced in that direction, Bulgom, noticing him, quickly opened his mouth.

“Sister-in-law said he wanted a spicy broth with seafood, so I made soft tofu stew.”

Bulgom, a former cook, was quite skilled in the kitchen. Thanks to that, even when he was part of the organization, he practically handled all the meals during group living.

That was why Jaebeom assigned him the role of surveillance and management. But that plan fell apart in less than a few days.

Because Eunsol volunteered to cook himself.

“Didn’t Eunsol insist on cooking today?”

“Oh, he said he’d do it after his walk, but he was running late, so I did it. Anyway, all the ingredients were already prepped, so I just had to throw everything in and boil it.”

Jaebeom looked back into the kitchen. Seeing the pot bubbling, filled generously with seafood, it certainly did look delicious.

“Would you like to eat first?”

Bulgom must have noticed that look too, because he quickly made the suggestion. Jaebeom hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

“Forget it. He’s the one who said he wanted it. If I eat it all, he’ll just glare at me with those wide eyes again.”

That image came to mind naturally. Seeing Jaebeom smile faintly, Bulgom nodded in understanding.

“Well, sister-in-law has been trying hard lately to cater to the CEO’s tastes.”

“Lee Eunsol?”

“Yes…!”

Bulgom, who had unconsciously agreed, closed his mouth, belatedly realizing his mistake. But even so, the words already spoken couldn’t be taken back.

‘He asked you to stay quiet until he spoke first!’

As Bulgom who had actively helped Eunsol because it was nice to see him trying to get closer to the CEO, this was nothing short of a fatal mistake.