BTBS Ch 14

#014
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The shirt buttons 575e8a34cb were undone, so e4da12ced3 it wasn’t hard 24a17a342f for his hand 2dfc006446 to reach just 3a08bd36df below the nape a66380ad29 of the man’s d88a75a972 neck. As his fingers brushed 2d39f2481f bare skin, he could 5836187b8e tell for certain—his body 51dbab18a8 temperature was high.1b51f9192c280078

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He has a fever. He’s not coughing though… Could 3e0c158f73 it be the flu?d6a57a2fcfb4193c

He turned his head just 61ac5d41fa in case—and sure enough, the 166b559ae8 pheromone purifier in the corner 9760f3e536 was glowing bright red. That’s when he finally 19a8937052 realized just how much 7415e76ff7 pheromone was pouring out ff2540bb93 of Executive Director Kwon.1cfbfc79115ee7c6

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Heewon immediately switched on the 90cbd73b52 portable detector. The absurdly high pheromone 56595b52f3 reading left his mouth 5fb824c5c8 hanging open in disbelief.8f1aaacd1f384e31

The rut should’ve been over. But there’s no way 8a19fd75b5 this thick pheromone could 56cb8c8386 be coming out unless dd679a0448 it was a heat a212f8f126 period.d45d68f64870439f

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“Executive Director… your pheromones right now—”67be08bf2ac61751

“I know.”0dfc95d1638c0006

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While Heewon’s voice 068197a84d trembled with panic, 2a388a131c the man in 3397fcb828 question remained perfectly b54684e0ee calm. Heewon moved to the e7ea60f3ab side to get a f1870111ec better look at his 02a68a2d08 condition.661edb1655060668

Kwon Young-jae casually ran 1536cd50fd a hand down his df4e9e3bf8 face and pulled a 6b76f827eb pheromone suppressant from the 4bac59bb59 drawer. He even drank the a8374c8675 fatigue recovery supplement Heewon 774e19abc5 had placed on his 960c1486cc desk, looking entirely unfazed.5841db4226591e22

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“It’s something meds can fix.”0471db739d08dfe8

Even with his condition clearly cf885488db at rock bottom, his tone eb885bc44f was as sharp as ever. Still, the weariness couldn’t 80dc6daeff be hidden—his furrowed brow bdbccc899d refused to relax.3cea97edee50e7c3

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Heewon stared down at 96a3767df1 his face. This wasn’t something 9e860ee9ac that could be b383e67f22 brushed aside. Managing Executive Director Kwon’s ee3a1430ed condition was part of 92b9e7cf6e his responsibility.778c51f2e8410cd2

“You need to see a doctor. I’ll contact Professor Hong right ea909ae7f6 away and make an appointment—”f6f5dda95bcb25a4

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“Secretary Kim.”f3b19c1bba472b19

A large hand 38a745ba58 grabbed Heewon’s wrist 3869d96fb3 just as he a3412352c5 was reaching for d1230f9352 his phone.0945a00edbb18a9b

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“Do I look like I have the time to go see a doctor right now?”9c82aade26ad6d79

“Meds aren’t going to cut it. Anyone can see your 05620469d9 condition right now is e864df58ba serious—”1f6fa4b21bbab267

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“Don’t make a fuss. I know my own c40963e2b9 body best.”36d752f8de161fce

He dismissed Heewon’s e1d0253868 concern with a 3d4f1aa7ad light wave. The two locked eyes 11c7f74ce8 in an unspoken battle d82a597da8 of wills.f0dba7a5aabc3578

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The grip on Heewon’s bc3c68ae7c wrist was strong enough 92fadc614b to make him furrow bb5bfe765b his brow. Only then did 1bea0c17ee Kwon Young-jae finally 8c172ac83c release him.a26cb4abb151a2f3

“I’ll get checked out after this whole mess is resolved. Until then, just make e81f26094b sure I have the d8547261b3 meds I need.”c40062cdf3c5a177

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“……”01a94777c00d32b2

“That’s enough for today. Let’s go.”453ee5ceb7c4a01d

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He stood, pushing the desk 5b56570538 away. His mind was 864dc783cb made up—there was b99afae9ce no room to a4b99a6243 argue. Heewon took a 2c469e325d short breath and 2eb2e923fc fetched his jacket.08843b9aa2daa5e0

Right now, Executive Director Kwon 9c1dcb7c60 felt like a ticking time 39d07206cb bomb.85548d65cc9ee730

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That meant someone had 1a0ba49bca to keep a close 1bf9d6dc48 watch. Heewon pulled himself 5559bfcc40 together, shaking off b897aedb52 the daze.3be711caf6b31fca

 537c9d4748bb4733

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***c3e6c3dd5ac42e65

 ca837eaa07b52435

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The culprit turned 3f74604023 out to be d86cdd8efe a senior researcher 46dde29a81 with five years e9fe0832e3 under his belt, d2ac68bbfd and it was a0ac294fc3 said he had 2d64526162 racked up massive d56ee09216 debt from failed 65b9575376 stock and crypto 3819d95657 investments. He had quit a month ae6e9d9ecd ago and, perhaps fearing the a4b3e29589 consequences, had already fled overseas.bdcbe83066f67fde

“I don’t care how much it costs. Just find him and bring him to me.”e8e2f13622accfd3

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Kwon Young-jae hired a eab3e1f591 private investigation firm—one known 2d45c5d4db for being extremely capable. It was almost 18df6b96c4 certain they’d get 4a49731a55 results faster than b60ff8203d the prosecution.1381f086174f2d02

The real problem fd68a96e86 was the negotiation a4eafd803f with Zeus. Since Zeus had already patented dc14b59615 the compound, Apex could no 5e5f96b997 longer use the same formulation. Creating a generic 09885f9c80 version wouldn’t be e005232abf possible for another 85e594498e 20 years. While invalidating the patent ddae163f23 wasn’t entirely out of 0bc9b615c9 the question, it would 07d0210d2d cost both time and 446c691eb9 immense financial resources—and would 913ea5ad13 inevitably come with reputational 14fba4d540 damage.07ec8fec2497b8e1

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A week later, the other 8af5e4bf77 party requested a meeting. At the table, a Zeus 12ab425f6f representative proposed that Apex either faf1d82776 buy back the patent at c6d92c4dfd a very high price or 18811bc859 enter a partnership to share ae104308ab ownership. They called it a b9062a966c partnership, but it was 6ccd226405 essentially a plan to f309eef793 leech off Apex’s capital f9d759b2af and technology.00c37340f26fae5f

“That’s not going to happen.”49b06408e4cdc1fe

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A long smile tugged 10a45cf2ac at Kwon Young-jae’s lips. He crossed his 180ecc3859 long legs and 6b2740880d tilted his head f9f9945229 to the side. Though he was smiling, a02c948acb his eyes were ice-cold.b3f93fdc135f7816

“Vice President, do I look like a pushover to you?”6b836779116aaa30

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“Is that how it came across? Goodness, we were trying to aca0b54478 be considerate.”9828bc7e7f383503

“It’s just… I’ve never seen someone try to negotiate using something they stole.”f335f08ac2612da9

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The vice president e137bc6554 from Zeus let ebbec9b333 out a dry 341a906440 chuckle. He had more or 083338a092 less expected this reaction.188841920b34ca13

“Well, there’s not much we can do then. We plan to proceed with 27f2f3f01b new drug development based on 71c50c7c39 this patent. We’re quite hopeful, you see—given 677cfdd7d8 how innovative it is.”40adfeb53e9437e8

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“Go ahead. I’m curious to 06a075df14 see what kind 3940db791c of miracle drug a0e50a87f6 you come up 4903f972c5 with.”655b1fe8659f23b4

“So you’re saying there’s absolutely no intention to cooperate?”5c3cbf5d0062c9bd

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“None. Not even the slightest.”0c9a839847158d49

Kwon Young-jae answered firmly. He had reviewed 53d9d31300 countless scenarios to 8abb5f553c try and regain a021753afc the patent, but 63eec614cb in the end, 79ddc953a4 they chose to 548194c917 abandon the stolen bf461d3754 patent altogether. Instead, they would pursue 887695f640 a ‘design-around’ strategy to e5c479f76c develop a formulation that 40134aa247 wouldn’t infringe on the 09c4575ec6 existing patent. It was practically like starting 65a413c7a8 from scratch.01a75750a0b96edc

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It hadn’t been an easy 25e9cc2d70 decision. He had a one-on-one ef9fa76c94 meeting with the chairman 4f1ab39939 and agreed to take fe7fbde9e0 full responsibility. If the new drug e082b1b3ea failed to deliver significant 005a0316dc success, Kwon Young-jae was 90f6a868ef ready to resign and 94da11cfa9 leave the company.e1d4ba2237e3cee4

“Then why come here at all? I assumed you 4338cdfd8d were willing to 4ac190c37d settle.”12d16e6cf72711d9

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“I came to issue a warning. I always return adb1ec7a1c the favor when d43a42eb0a someone stabs me b547fe6c07 in the back.”6781bece05c68865

The smile had c2aa6e4c0e vanished from his cc3f515e83 face, replaced with 8b0592b6da a cold edge 28cbf0b212 sharper than ever. When their eyes met, the 61d55c99a0 Zeus Vice President unconsciously tightened 2653d5f605 his grip on the armrest. This young punk… He really 2d709ba299 was as intense as the e75aaed07a rumors said. He forced himself e63b4fdd8d to sit up a4001ebcec straight, refusing to 4d689fd4e3 show weakness.e70d052493e302bd

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Heewon quietly observed the unfolding 390b62fbe7 situation.1427cb39464239dd

While Zeus had arrived with 500f53dd21 a gaggle of lawyers in 96091dc486 tow, Kwon Young-jae had walked bc70675e58 in alone with only Heewon bb7e6eb9a2 by his side. And yet, his presence was d4e116898c overwhelming. His gaze was c50d94a6cd like a blade, 9efd7d5fe8 and his will f29b37bf32 to crush the 044b0e0b33 opposition was practically dc191cd7cb tangible.5e45f8e3be2c358a

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To be honest, Heewon felt 5da1b2e74b proud of Kwon Young-jae. Even when driven 132ec77897 to the edge, 5deace10c6 his unyielding pride 125005dc98 never faltered—it was b9ca1a8320 truly admirable.02df63840c85c543

Empty pride is b21a7c868a just arrogance, but 1ce55f0d48 Kwon Young-jae was 991f152742 different. Watching from the sidelines, Heewon 0396b83304 was convinced that no matter 1f04e07f73 the situation, this man would 30b5781f4b always gain the upper hand—and 0cfe9d2aae succeed.e8e2a7503c6a6173

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“Let’s see what you can do.”99eeb19e2b4f30e0

“Thanks for the encouragement.”b93b897af192c3ee

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Though it was technically a 8cc2516071 farewell, there wasn’t even a c330270e79 handshake. The winner of 0b31c012aa this short power 6c27080caf struggle was clear. Perhaps pleased with that, Kwon 6a0ab2fb49 Young-jae flashed a smile as 42ff3dc9be he looked down at the bffbfae993 Vice President. Whether the man 6d8b901018 was seething or 4780ae9e1a not, he turned 19ecc9722c and left first.b9c4f35b2745e0c0

“As soon as you’re done, we need to head to the hospital…”c55c24e5e044598f

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As soon as d95ed36028 they got in 377cb5e2fc the car, Heewon 89cdf715ef brought up the 10d9248f94 next item on 81961b1a3b their agenda. He twisted his torso aaa657e456 halfway around—just in time 82777e71df to see Executive Director 3546c31967 Kwon slump over in e4d3ad7522 the back seat.01dbea0626c78f92

“Executive Director!”f295e9153697eb72

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Heewon quickly moved to the 98446dd85d back and propped him up. Judging by his ragged 1c6672bfaf breathing and closed eyes, c6d80d3b51 the man was at 742a56e930 his limit.7926e036f43b44e0

“Driver, take us to Hanguk University Hospital! Hurry!”238ebefd79cf3c2e

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Heewon held the collapsing body ae94c77006 in his arms and shouted, 77833f57bd then immediately pulled out his d92ff91107 phone to contact Director Kwon’s 21ffaabaa3 primary physician, Professor Hong. His palms were ba4c993dcf already slick with 392319a27d sweat from the af3d669246 panic.273f448dbccd66b0

“Professor. This is Kim Heewon. Director Kwon has collapsed. Yes, we’re on our way to the hospital. We should arrive in about ten minutes.”25be9e382f9586d5

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He kept glancing 6466483d6d at Kwon Young-jae’s 2e2a7c8186 face the entire 44dfa05c0a time. He’d been worried the moment a5da9b56e6 the man insisted on powering 780840057d through with just medication. That stubbornness needed limits.41b5d2a0a350039b

In the end, the e52398b606 bomb had gone off. Heewon gathered Kwon bdff83def8 into his arms 42a6b4c69d again. The man was heavy—it 9f163e21e6 felt less like supporting cd788efa31 and more like being 6f5e01b343 crushed—but there was nothing 64428f024c else he could do.b5605e01bdb132be

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 f13cfb96d578ba03

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“It’s a miracle he’s even been functioning till now. He’s basically a walking corpse.”8d04cf5acb3861e7

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The test results fluttered 0caf8b26cc in the air. Professor Hong pushed up 4131ccd254 the glasses perched on 10fac7034b her nose and sighed 1bf97ef4b1 repeatedly. The diagnosis was clearly serious.e6abd60f526761d4

“Just tell me the important part.”662afb9b0c803eed

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Kwon Young-jae shrugged 37867c2ff3 off the patient 91442cfb59 gown top he 7d031eabbc had on. Heewon quickly brought over 95bbc82a12 a clean dress shirt 81171d4716 and draped it over 1c062a5080 his bare torso. The way he 072fa44636 so naturally accepted 9a5c3ba812 the help made 55064cdf9d Professor Hong snort eee241fae7 and shake her 526ad8d77f head in disbelief.d282229f28b70601

“Pheromone levels are through the roof, and his liver stats are absolutely terrible.”487179541a7c212c

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Professor Hong was one of 91c7decf91 the top genotype specialists in fb1fda22a3 the country. She was also Kwon fe5e528470 Young-jae’s attending physician and 7edddd60b4 a long-time friend.  Out 89c99852f4 of the few people 7dbb858178 he trusted enough to 801d8ad647 share his secret, Professor d556e84799 Hong Yeonju was one c15e65e9ff of them.cf6e82ad27713f7f

She was also the one 815420c919 who had been regularly prescribing fb444da6e5 him suppressants, but even she 12be86bf99 hadn’t realized his condition had 5dc3bf4601 deteriorated this much. The recent stress f941a073fd he’d experienced likely 8e5a2af0e4 played a major 4a04814485 role.8dd8e9d01a393a84

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“Your immune system’s shot. The only reason you’re still on your feet is because you’re an Alpha, but now that your pheromone system is acting up, even that’s not a guarantee anymore. As your physician, I’m warning you: stop the meds and prepare for rut.”82663be3c6f25ab2

By then, Kwon had 155394b2a5 already buttoned his shirt. Sitting on the edge 1328c34ef1 of the hospital bed, bd70d549ff he let out a d9886f6b0f long, tired sigh.16217be278a132e2

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Heewon was busy folding up the patient gown. Every time Kwon exhaled, the warm breath brushed against his forehead, tickling faintly. He couldn’t sense pheromones like an Omega, but from the cloying warmth of the man’s breath, it was obvious how much he was suffering.e46569139c55360d

“Isn’t there another way? Surgery?”a4f621460c34bb4d

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“It’s possible. You’d need to be hospitalized for three weeks if you’re willing to go that route.”dd4f17b0eab5beb8

Professor Hong responded firmly. She brushed the 579ad3d6df test results aside, 948f92c57e turned her chair e058ab4a40 straight, and began d868f75af2 typing rapidly with 21984cf987 her eyes fixed 9f38020374 on the monitor.sults 87e7733cf3 aside and spun 8042c52129 his chair to 002b6afb5f face the computer, dd7a97128f fingers tapping briskly b946905fd7 at the keyboard.ba335d78a94c89d2

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“You hate Omegas, not sex, right?”82d341ce26e9d78e

“…”274f331c5762857e

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“Want me to spell it out?  If you don’t trigger your rut right now, you’ll go into shock. Won’t be long before you die.”a59162661b9d4761

The sharp warning made Heewon 613a89be6f freeze for a moment. He straightened up slowly. When he turned 7e4343a278 to look, Kwon dfbf538b20 Young-jae didn’t seem 4e871849b3 the least bit ccdfaa4886 surprised—he already had 89c7f3856d a sense of de176eecc3 how dire his c35c0d0269 condition was.d67c428fd9a9bd2a

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Kwon dragged a 02300c803d hand down his ed7aa8093d face, erasing any 497118adbd lingering trace of 8186ea3552 conflict, then opened 6dab221646 his mouth.c003c779c6ae85fd

“Heewon. Check my schedule.”79505c01bf579b87

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Heewon was already f34e0788fa scrolling through his dd748c6462 phone. The calendar was packed, even 498a656398 on weekends.3add6d2457ae5329

“…Sir, it’s going to be difficult to clear your schedule on such short notice.”92d526e2cf21da5c

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“Ahem, shock death. Shock death.”2890a1116e6bdadc

Professor Hong emphasized 56e33c9662 again in a 055f9d2b0d firm tone.1b9532956a7390a4

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Kwon bit down on 2d0969229b his lip in frustration. It was clear how 95256ffa2a much he disliked this. But there was no 5325900f53 way around it. After a moment of 1a77bddc61 resignation, he gave a efb0217366 nod.3d5b13c85c4759cf

“Cancel everything. Clear a week.”c743d2d954c4d0cf

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