He Answered My Husband’s Phone at 10 PM

The empty house was lit only by a few scattered indirect lights.

Jeon Seongwon had left for a business trip to China today.
His stated purpose this time was also to meet Weilin.

Twice in Korea, once in China.
A rather persistent courtship.
Not that I had room to talk, having slept with Kang Chaehee now, but……
Was an omega cheating the same as an alpha cheating?

Though not codified, alphas’ infidelity was generally far more condemned than omegas’.
For omegas, cheating was hardly even considered a flaw.
The reasons were, well…… varied.

First, the original sin of alphas—using the excuse of being unable to control their sexual urges during rut to commit all sorts of s*x crimes.

And before that, the atrocities committed in an era when imprinting was both a mark of true love and a curse.
Until barely a hundred years ago, many alphas would bind omegas through imprinting, seize their property, exploit them, and set up separate households for themselves.
Because omegas could only imprint on one person back then, while alphas could not.

Now, alphas and omegas have evolved rapidly compared to those times.
Alphas can still imprint on multiple omegas, but omegas have lost the physical function of imprinting entirely.

It was only natural, when you think about it.
Alphas and omegas were mutations that arose for species propagation.
If you bound the fertile individuals through imprinting, what would be the point?

That was also why omegas’ affairs were tacitly accepted.
As long as a child who clearly inherited the family’s bloodline was born somehow.
The source of the alpha’s seed remained invisible.

Hmm, speaking of it now, it sounds a bit like the animal kingdom, but……
Alphas and omegas were originally closer to beasts than humans, so I suppose it couldn’t be helped.

Of course, Jeon Seongwon hadn’t imprinted on me.
Probably.
If that was the attitude of someone who had imprinted, it would be hopeless.

Rather, I wondered if he had secretly imprinted on Weilin.
That would explain why he was chasing after him so crazily.

“Hmm…….”

Having just showered and while brewing coffee with my warm body, I suddenly rested my chin on my hand.
The espresso machine was making a loud noise.

Come to think of it, I had never really looked into Weilin.
I’d only heard about him from Jeon Seongwon.
And the Weilin that Jeon Seongwon described was a…… winged angel—no, closer to a celestial maiden.

I made my coffee weak with plenty of water, then took the cup and headed to the study.
It was the place in the house where I spent the least amount of time.

I opened my laptop and searched for Jang Weilin.
Even on a Korean site, articles, blog posts, and images flooded the screen.

I took some time to read them.
My impressions after reading everything were……

—He’s really famous. Almost a celebrity…… No, feels like a step above.

—His family background is good, so he even gets government push.

—His usual fashion is…… truly flashy. The outfit he wore to the meeting with Jeon Seongwon was relatively modest.

—Scandal generator.

That was about it.

Of course, Jeon Seongwon was included in those ‘scandals.’
I even went to Chinese sites to look, and the content was simply that ‘Weilin met the alpha who holds Korea’s auto industry in his grasp.’

That media outlet had made a big deal of it, but it got buried because, first, the content was nothing more than ‘they met,’ and second, it was a low-credibility tabloid.

In Korea, it seemed to have been ignored for that reason.
Or maybe people just didn’t know.
Even if they didn’t, there was no harm done, so I suppose it didn’t matter.

Finding it rather uninteresting, I ended up delving into deeper search results.
I should not have done that.
I encountered people who were obsessed with pairing Jeon Seongwon and Weilin on social media.

“……Ack!”

A scream escaped me.
In there, Jeon Seongwon and Weilin were sharing a thousand years of love.
I stabbed my own eyes about twice, then read the post again.

It was a post with the title ‘Secret Information,’ using a bespectacled face emoji—needless to say, it looked extremely stupid—and a sparkling emoji—seemingly used because there was no way to represent Weilin—to stand for initials.

It was difficult to read because it was full of Chinese slang, but I took my time and read it carefully.

“…….”

After finishing, I could only feel cold.
The content was this:

Jeon Seongwon had apparently given Weilin a ring sometime ago.
Supposedly given as a token of affection, Weilin wore it for a photoshoot.
Since then, he’s often seen wearing the ring here and there.
So, the claim was that it might be a couple ring.

Whether it spread from there, or whether Jeon Seongwon really gave him a ring, various tabloids covered the same story.
But since Jeon Seongwon only ever wore his wedding band, the rumor fizzled out.

“…….”

What exactly was the evidence that Jeon Seongwon gave him that ring?
Maybe I was making an unfounded accusation……?
An uneasy suspicion began to creep in.
If that were the case, what was I supposed to do about Kang Chaehee?

Biting my nails for a moment, I picked up my phone.
I found a familiar name (Husband) in my call log, pressed the call button, and waited.
After about five rings, the call connected.

―“Hello?”

“…….”

I hung up immediately.
There was no call back from the other side.
Which was only natural.
It was my first time hearing his voice, but I recognized it immediately from various interviews.

The one who answered was Weilin.
At 10 PM.
From a very quiet place.
I exhaled deeply and called Han Youngjun.

―Yes, Director. I’ve received the call.

“Manager Han……. Where is Seongwon right now?”

―…….

Han Youngjun hesitated for a moment.
It seemed difficult to say.
Without rushing him, I waited.
After a moment, he spoke very slowly.

―He is at a hotel with Jang Weilin.

“……Which hotel?”

―The Ritz in Shanghai…… Surely, Director, you’re not—

“Am I crazy?”

Answering his unasked question—’Surely you’re not going to go there?’—I told him I wouldn’t call again and to go home, then ended the call.

My phone returned to the home screen, irritating me for no reason.
The home screen was a photo of me and Jeon Seongwon holding hands, showing our wedding rings.
I’d never changed it because I was conscious of what others might think.

Jeon Seongwon knew I was cheating.
So I wondered if he was deliberately deepening his relationship with Weilin.
Maybe yes, maybe no.

Either way, I couldn’t sleep that night.

* * * *

Jeon Seongwon’s Shanghai business trip stretched on quite long.
During that time, Jeon Seongwon made a grand visit to the Ritz-Carlton every evening.
According to my spy, Weilin was staying in the suite there, and Jeon Seongwon was constantly going in and out of Weilin’s room.
Every time, carrying a bouquet.

“……Ha. A bouquet……”

After our honeymoon, Jeon Seongwon had never bought me flowers.
If he truly had feelings for Weilin, it must be a great love.

‘Huh? Come to think of it……’

I had seen wilted flowers in Jeon Seongwon’s car a few times.
Was he cheating in Korea too?
Or had Weilin come to Korea?
If they were bouquets he couldn’t deliver, you bastard, at least throw them away before I see them.

As I was fuming, Han Youngjun cautiously spoke.

“Director……. Is something the matter? We are continuing to investigate the Jang Weilin issue, so—”

“Manager Han.”

“Yes.”

“Jeon Seongw— No, Seongwon. Has he ever cheated in Korea before?”

“Not to my knowledge.”

The answer came without a moment’s hesitation.

“We have been monitoring the Vice Chairman’s activities through all possible means for some time. He has never done so in Korea or with a Korean person.”

“Is that so……?”

Then those flowers were indeed meant for Weilin, but he hadn’t been able to give them.
A ring, flowers, visiting a hotel room every day—quite the fuss.
So full of devotion.

“And, Director.”

“Hmm?”

“Jeong Incheol was dismissed today. He will no longer be able to set foot in this industry.”

“It’s been handled properly, yes?”

“Yes. He has committed numerous offenses over the years, so we tied various things together and recommended he retire to the countryside. We’ve also arranged lodging for him on Seonjam Island.”

I frowned slightly.

“Seonjam Island? Where is that?”

“A small island in the West Sea.”

“…….”

What on earth had Jeong Incheol done, and what kind of threats had he received, that he accepted going to an island like that?
Either way, one problem was gone.
Kang Chaehee would no longer have to deal with Jeong Incheol.

Still, my low mood didn’t lift as I rested my elbow against the car window.
Then my phone rang.
What if it was Jeon Seongwon……
I frowned and checked my phone, then unconsciously smiled slightly.