Chapter 146: MYSTERY OF PHEROMONES
"CHAIRMAN, VICE Chairman Song, this is where the powder disguised among the condiments has come from."
Song Sihyuk grabbed the small bottle that Jung Han carefully placed on the desk.
The label only said ’Power Rut.’
What a horrible name.
Anyway, the label came with a warning that consuming too much powder was dangerous. That it should be sprinkled on food or mixed with liquid, but only in small amounts.
That was it.
"The name of the manufacturer isn’t even included on the label," Song Sihyuk said, scoffing. "But this type of labelling is familiar. Did the Cho Triplets make the powder?"
"That seems to be the case, sir," Jung Han answered his question politely. "According to our investigation, a prominent politician commissioned the Cho Triplets to create a medicine to solve his erectile dysfunction. Apparently, this politician can’t get it up even during his rut. That’s how the Cho Triplets ended up creating the ’Power Rut’ powder. Then, after that, they started selling the powder to the black market."
Yeah, the Cho Triplets had to sell it in the black market because there was no way that a powder capable of triggering an Alpha’s powerful rut would be approved legally.
But, of course, there was still a demand for such ’medicines.’
"Do we know if the people who tried to harm my son are related to the Cho Triplets?"
Tsk.
Song Sihyuk didn’t like how his Alpha father sounded 100% sure that he was the target.
I mean, the chance is high. But it’s still annoying.
"Unfortunately, we do not know that yet, Chairman Song," Jung Han answered while shaking his head. "But our team is currently figuring out the real identities of the Omega and the sous chef who ran away. Once we do, then we can figure out if they are related to the Cho Triplets or not."
"I see. Then I’m looking forward to the result of the investigation," his Alpha father said to Jung Han before looking at Song Sihyuk. "I’ll take care of the rest, son. Go and check on your family."
"Are you sure, Abeoji?"
His Alpha father nodded. "Yeah. This is my house, after all. It’s my job to make sure that something like this won’t happen again."
"Alright, then," Song Sihyuk said, getting up from his seat. "Don’t worry, Abeoji— I’ll bring home Appa safely."
***
"GARAM-SSI, you don’t have to decide now."
Oh.
Garam was relieved to hear that from Dr. Seong Kyungmin.
Honestly, I don’t know what to do yet.
"Garam-ssi, to be honest, it’s also fine if we just let Gunwoo be," Dr. Seong Kyungmin said. "Yes, it’s strange that your son can smell pheromones. And I don’t mean it in a bad way. In fact, his ability is fascinating."
Yeah, that was true.
Even adult Alphas and Omegas can’t detect hidden pheromones.
"As a doctor, I’d love to examine Gunwoo further," Dr. Seong Kyungmin admitted. "However, Gunwoo is the son of my friend. Hence, I won’t force you if you want to stop here. I can tell you that Gunwoo isn’t a Beta. In fact, there’s a high chance that he’ll awaken as an Alpha."
Right.
Even Garam could tell that Gunwoo would awaken as an Alpha.
My son is gentle, but somehow, he also resembles Sihyuk Hyung.
"I don’t think Gunwoo will awaken anytime soon, so I’d rather we focus on how to reduce sensitivity in his nose without affecting his ability to smell," Dr. Seong Kyungmin said. "There are nasal sprays that Alphas use to avoid getting a whiff of Omega pheromones. But most nasal sprays that do that are made for adults. We have to find something that is safe for children."
"Does something like that exist, Doc?"
"I’ll do my best to find one. But even if it doesn’t exist, don’t forget that Gunwoo’s father is Song Sihyuk."
"Huh?"
"SG Group owns SG Biologics— a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization," Dr. Seong Kyungmin explained. "They provide comprehensive services to the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. If you ask Song Sihyuk, he can easily ask his company to make a nasal spray that is safe for children."
Oh, right.
SG Group was known best for SG Telecom Co.— South Korea’s leading mobile carrier.
But a chaebol group wouldn’t be called a chaebol if it only had one company under its name.
So, they also owned a company called SG Biologics, huh?
I’m not interested in SG Group, so I never bothered searching up all the companies they own.
Garam just knew that Song Sihyuk was filthy rich.
"This is one of the few times I’m glad Sihyuk Hyung is Gunwoo’s father."
Dr. Seong Kyungmin chuckled, relaxing as he leaned against the chair. "Can we talk not as a doctor and a patient, but a hyung and a dongsaeng instead, Garam-ssi?"
"Of course, Doc."
"How have you been, Garam-ssi?"
"I’ve been well— until Sihyuk Hyung caught me," Garam said, sighing. "Now that Sihyuk Hyung knows we have a son, I don’t think he’ll ever let me go again."
Dr. Seong Kyungmin gave him a look full of pity.
"Don’t worry, Doc. As long as Sihyuk Hyung doesn’t remember our past, I don’t think he’ll obsess over me the way he did before. That’s why I’m being obedient to him. If I act rebellious, I’m afraid I might trigger his memories."
"Are you hoping that Song Sihyuk finds you boring, and then forgets about you completely?"
"Yes, Doc."
"Well, that’s plausible. Song Sihyuk enjoys challenges."
Right?
Hyung liked me before because I was gutsy enough to make a deal with him.
"Doc, my Omega father-in-law mentioned that you don’t think Sihyuk Hyung lost his memories because of the accident."
"Ah, right. I did mention that to Uncle Wonjae," Dr. Seong Kyungmin confirmed while nodding. "I don’t know why, but that jerk donated his pheromones to the Cho Triplets before the accident. As you already know, the stronger an Alpha’s pheromones are, the stronger they are physically. Song Sihyuk’s health depends on his pheromones. And his pheromone level was low the day of the accident. That’s why I believe he suffered more than he should have since the accident wasn’t that severe."
That was true.
I came out unscathed, but Hyung lost his memories.
"Doc, do you think Hyung will ever recover his memories?"
"I’m not sure since it’s out of my expertise, but I will strongly recommend you to wear a perfume that dulls an Omega’s pheromones— especially if your heat cycle is near."
"For what, Doc?"
"Your pheromones might trigger Song Sihyuk’s pheromones since the two of you match really well. So, your pheromones might help him recover the pheromones that he lost five years ago. After all, his pheromone level increased after meeting you. And once he fully recovers, he might recover his lost memories as well. So, to prevent that, you must not trigger his pheromones," Dr. Seong Kyungmin explained. "Would you like me to recommend a perfume brand that works well in masking an Omega’s scent?"
"Yes, please," Garam said, nodding enthusiastically. "Thank you, Doc."
Later, Garam would find out the meaning of ’the road to hell is paved with good intentions.’
***
"VICE CHAIRMAN Song, I have an update about the other thing that you asked me to investigate."
Song Sihyuk leaned against the backrest of the backseat, and then he met Jung Han’s eyes in the rearview mirror of the car. "Did you find Mija, the shaman kid?"
"Yes, sir," Jung Han answered, avoiding his gaze when he started driving the car. The bodyguard’s eyes were fixed on the road, of course. "As you suspected, the young girl you saw during your reunion with Lim Garam-nim is Mija-nim, indeed. She’s in middle school now, but she doesn’t go to school."
"Is she being homeschooled?"
"Yes, sir."
Homeschooling wasn’t common in Korea, but it existed.
Song Sihyuk wasn’t surprised to hear that Mija was being homeschooled, though.
That kid has always been a recluse.
"Grandfather treasures that kid shaman more than he treasures his own grandchildren," Song Sihyuk wondered out loud. "Why did he let Mija leave with Lim Garam?"
"I talked to the former chairman’s secretary, but your grandfather isn’t in a good condition to accept visitors yet, sir," Jung Han said. "Apparently, your grandfather often falls asleep these days. That’s why they haven’t told him the news about Lim Garam-nim and Young Master Gunwoo’s return yet."
Right.
When Song Sihyuk and his Alpha father visited his grandfather last time, they didn’t get to talk to the old man because he was deep asleep.
I guess I should bring Gunwoo to Grandfather later.
"What would you like us to do next, sir?" Jung Han asked. "Should we approach Mija-nim and bring her to you?"
I’m curious as to why Mija suddenly left, but...
"No, it’s alright," Song Sihyuk said. "I’d rather hear the story directly from my wife."
Oh, he did it again.
Why do I keep calling Lim Garam my wife?
***
SONG SIHYUK heard from his Omega father that Gunwoo was in the playroom.
But instead of going there, he went straight to Seong Kyungmin’s office because Lim Garam was there.
It should be fine since his Omega father was keeping an eye on his son anyway.
I’m sorry, Gunwoo-ya— but I’m more excited to see your dad.
Plus, he didn’t like that Lim Garam was alone with Seong Kyungmin, who was an Alpha.
Seong Kyungmin is my friend, and I know that he’s not interested in someone younger than him. But Lim Garam is pretty and kind. What’s there not to like about my wife...
Oh.
Song Sihyuk suddenly stopped in his tracks when the realization hit him.
Am I attracted to Lim Garam?
***
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