Ju Jeonghan was currently Executive Director of the Sungan Guild and was effectively in charge of its operations. So it wasn’t surprising that he also oversaw the guild’s research facilities.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. It’s our honor to have Guide Yeonsu visit us. And if you find the facilities to your liking, we’d be grateful if you considered signing a contract with Sungan.”

“...Are you scouting me right now?”

“Yes. You’re not only an S-rank Guide, Guide Yeonsu, but also a rare individual with emotional affinity abilities. My father deeply regretted not having signed a contract with you. And he repeatedly said he didn’t want Sungan to fall out with you over ‘something like this.’”

It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since he’d shredded my self-esteem by saying I couldn’t marry as a Beta male—and now here he was making a scouting offer.

Well, I’d already planned to break things off with Joo Seunghyuk, so I listened quietly. But if he’d said that to anyone else, they would’ve cussed him out without hesitation.

And to call it merely ‘something like this’...

Was he just shameless? Or was this what people meant by business acumen? The way chaebols thought was beyond me.

When I said nothing, Ju Jeonghan glanced at me and hurriedly added, “Ah, and don’t worry about Seunghyuk. Once he’s married, he’ll forget all about it. That’s how he’s always been. Just a month or two apart, and he’s off chasing someone new like nothing happened.”

His voice brimmed with certainty. Had this really happened many times before?

If that was the case, then good.

I’d been worried that even after the wedding, he might continue to obsess over me—or worse, seek revenge. But no... this was better. This was exactly what I’d hoped for.

I imagined what things # Nоvеlight # would be like two months from now.

Seunghyuk and I would run into each other again at a general meeting. He’d be wearing a wedding ring on his finger.

Even if we crossed paths, he’d glance at me with disinterest. Like I was nothing more than a pebble on the road. That was how he always was. He never cared about anyone. I had been the only exception, and only after our first time. But from now on, I wouldn’t be an exception. He’d treat me just like he did everyone else.

“Um, this...”

If I handed him the ring, he’d take it absentmindedly. Then he’d turn and walk away.

Yes. That’s how it would go.

Just like Ju Jeonghan said, he’d forget me. That would be the best outcome. It was exactly the future I wanted.

Yes, this was good. This was enough.

Of course, in the original novel, even after the wedding announcement, he kept obsessing over the main bottom, Kim Jun.

But that was a pure obsession that began through Guiding. I was different.

If we’d met before the wedding purely for fun or revenge, then surely that desire had already been satisfied.

Yes. This was enough.

What I needed to focus on now wasn’t Seunghyuk’s innocent smile or the way he clung to me.

All I had to do was think about leaving him.

As I tried to rein in my confused emotions, the black sedan exited the main road and turned into a narrow alleyway.

No matter how I looked at it, this wasn’t the way to Incheon Airport.

“Where are we going?”

“This car’s been compromised. We’ll be switching to a different vehicle.”

“Ah, I see...”

The car entered an abandoned building where no CCTV was present. In the parking lot of the derelict structure stood a large black SUV.

“We’ll be transferring to that vehicle, Guide Yeonsu.”

“All right.”

I thought we were just changing cars, but this felt more like a covert operation.

Well, I guess it takes this level of precaution to get away from a yandere Alpha. Still, did Ju Jeonghan actually understand his brother’s personality?

In the original story, he hadn’t had the faintest idea that Joo Seunghyuk would go as far as imprisoning Kim Jun. So I’d been worried that he’d naively handle things again this time... but it was the complete opposite.

I reached for my seatbelt, but he made no move.

When I looked at him, Ju Jeonghan gave a slightly awkward smile.

“Ah, I’ll be heading back now.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m going to go calm Seunghyuk down. Convince him to forget this little game and focus on the wedding preparations. Once I’ve had a talk with him, I’ll be heading to Texas myself.”

“Ah... I see...”

A ‘game,’ huh?

Ju Jeonghan was polite, but when referring to my relationship with Seunghyuk, he showed no mercy.

“I should’ve been the one to escort you. My apologies.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Secretary Son will take you to Texas.”

“All right.”

“Then I’ll see you again soon.”

“Until then.”

He bowed formally. I returned the gesture and stepped out of the car. The moment I did, Ju Jeonghan’s sedan sped off with a roar.

What the...? That felt like he was running away...

I could understand not accompanying me to Texas, but did he really have to leave in such a hurry?

As I watched the sedan disappear around the corner, a man in a suit stepped out of the SUV and bowed.

“Hello. I’m Son Min, Executive Director Ju Jeonghan’s secretary.”

He had a strong build, a firm expression, and powerful mana. Judging by the feel of it, he was probably A-rank.

Was he really using an A-rank Esper as a secretary? Then again, for a non-ability user to serve as an executive director of a guild, it made sense to keep an Esper close by.

But something about the flow of his mana was strange. Did he have an unusual attribute?

Seunghyuk also had a flame ability, but his secondary attribute was darkness, which gave his mana a black tint. As I studied the mirage-like flow of the man’s mana, the secretary cleared his throat.

I’d been staring too obviously.

Realizing my mistake, I quickly bowed my head.

“Hello. I’m Lee Yeonsu.”

“It’s an honor to escort you, Guide Lee Yeonsu.”

“No, I’m the one who’s grateful. I’ll be in your care.”

“Then let’s depart.”

“Yes.”

Secretary Son respectfully opened the car door.

Once I got in, I’d be headed for Incheon International Airport. Then I’d board a plane straight to Texas.

At last, I’d be free of the yandere Alpha. I’d be saying goodbye to Joo Seunghyuk.

And yet, I didn’t feel happy. Was this really the right decision? Would I regret it later?

Why did my chest feel so heavy?

Was it because of Seunghyuk’s voice, begging me not to give myself to someone else? Or maybe his eyes earlier today, pleading for us to hang out together?

Or perhaps it was Ju Jeonghan’s abrupt departure, fleeing like he was running away, that filled me with anxiety.

In the swirl of confusion rising within me, my thoughts tangled and refused to settle.

“Guide Lee Yeonsu, I’m sorry, but we’re short on time before your flight. Could you please hurry?”

When I stood still, Secretary Son prompted me again.

“Ah, yes...”

“This way.”

He gave me a light push on the lower back, and I ended up stumbling into the SUV.

“Hey, wait—”

I turned to call him out for the rude gesture, but the door slammed shut with a thud. It irritated me, but I assumed it had just been a hasty mistake.

I looked around the vehicle.

There were Espers seated in both the front and back of the six-seater SUV. Even the driver was an Esper. Judging by the mana I sensed, they were all A-rank.

None of them greeted me. Their faces were stiff, eyes fixed straight ahead. They were even equipped with protective gear.

It felt less like an airport run and more like we were heading into an S-rank gate raid.

Maybe it was the overly strict atmosphere, but something didn’t feel right. It felt less like an escort... and more like I was being kidnapped.

And this car—

When I touched the door, a tingling sensation jolted through my fingers. Just as I suspected—a mana barrier designed to block external magical attacks.

Had they really gone this far just to hide a pre-wedding fling?

You could call it thorough preparation... but something about it felt off.

“What are you doing!”

Secretary Son, seated next to me, suddenly yelled and grabbed my hand off the door.

“Secretary Son...”

“Drive!”

He shouted at the Esper in the driver’s seat, and the car started moving immediately.

“It’s dangerous. Please be careful!”

He let go of my hand and snapped sharply. Maybe he was worried I’d get hurt from the barrier? But his voice didn’t sound worried. If anything, he seemed startled that I’d grabbed the handle.

Like he was afraid I’d try to escape...

A creeping sense of dread began to settle over me. Could I really trust Ju Jeonghan?

I glanced back toward the door handle again—when suddenly:

Screeeech!

The SUV came to a violent stop.

I hadn’t fastened my seatbelt, so I flew forward and smacked my head on the seat in front of me.

“Ugh...”

Rubbing my forehead, I looked ahead.

A black sedan was blocking the road.

My blood instantly ran cold.

I didn’t know much about cars, but that one I recognized in an instant.

It was Joo Seunghyuk’s car—the same one I’d ridden in countless times over the past few months.

The driver’s side door opened, and the man I’d expected stepped out.

Joo Seunghyuk stared at the SUV. No, he stared straight at me inside the SUV.

The moment our eyes met—eyes burning with rage and murderous intent—I couldn’t breathe.

It felt like every drop of blood in my body froze solid.