He's mine. Don't get any ideas.

Yuan Chen knew perfectly well why he was irritated. Far too many people were trying to win Shen Yi over.

Shen Yi was one of the few people around him whom he could trust completely, and the only person allowed into every corner of his daily life.

Though they were officially boss and subordinate, Shen Yi understood him better than his family and was more dependable than his friends. Precisely because he could trust him without reservation and leave everything in his hands, Yuan Chen had long since taken Shen Yi's presence for granted.

The problem was that those with ulterior motives toward his secretary were becoming increasingly irritating.

Just because Shen Yi was friendly, just because he had a nice smile, they all came flocking to him!

Everywhere he looked, there were people captivated by Shen Yi. Yuan Chen had never imagined that someone being too popular could become a problem.

Now even Ouyang Keke was like this, never mind how his mother offered to set Shen Yi up with someone whenever she had the chance. As for how many companies were privately trying to poach him, that was an open secret.

Yuan Chen didn't consider himself possessive, but he was human too. There were bound to be things he cared about more than others, whether objects or people.

"Mr. Yuan, are you all right?" When he received no response, Shen Yi asked again.

Perhaps the sudden accident had startled him. Secretary Shen's normally fair face was flushed, and his eyes were wider than usual.

Yuan Chen silently studied Secretary Shen, who was looking at him.

Why was a Beta who wasn't some universally irresistible charmer and didn't even have pheromones so likable? He simply couldn't understand it.

Shen Yi was certainly good-looking.

Because Yuan Chen himself was tall, Shen Yi looked a little smaller beside him, but he wasn't actually short. He had to be at least 183 centimeters. His features were refined, somewhere between handsome and beautiful, but when he smiled, he was captivating.

Most importantly, he was intelligent, perceptive, and highly competent. Those were Shen Yi's greatest strengths, so it wasn't surprising that someone like him would inspire affection.

Indeed, since Yuan Chen had personally selected him, perfection was only to be expected. In both looks and character, Shen Yi had a natural gift for being a secretary. Recruiting him early had been a wise decision.

A short sigh escaped Yuan Chen's lips.

"I'm fine."

"Then, about the accident..."

"No need to call the insurance company. Just settle it privately."

"All right, I'll get out and handle it. Mr. Ouyang, are you all right too? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Only then did Shen Yi remember to check on Ouyang Keke. Still shaken, Ouyang Keke came back to his senses and nodded, his cheeks still rosy. For some reason, Yuan Chen no longer even wanted to look in Shen Yi's direction.

Watching him, Yuan Chen sneered inwardly. This excitable Omega was merely taking advantage of Shen Yi's good nature. How pathetic.

"I'll be right back."

Shen Yi quickly unbuckled his seat belt and got out. Through the windshield, they could see him speaking with the other driver.

The driver who had scraped the luxury car looked terrified and kept apologizing. With a slightly awkward smile, Shen Yi handed over his business card.

Once he left, the car fell silent, with only the rhythmic clicking of the hazard lights. The two men remaining inside kept their mouths shut as though by mutual agreement.

Without Shen Yi, the space inside the car suddenly seemed larger.

An Alpha and an Omega shared an enclosed space, yet had no interest in each other whatsoever. With just one person missing, cold air seemed to seep in from nowhere, plunging the atmosphere below freezing.

Ouyang Keke lived in an upscale villa community on the outskirts. As expected of a place where celebrities lived, security was tight. It was late, and there was hardly anyone in sight.

As agreed, Yuan Chen escorted Ouyang Keke to his front door.

Though they had said there was no need to put on an act, he still dutifully played his role.

"Thanks for your time today. Get some rest."

"Of course. I had a lovely time today. Please drive safely too, Mr. Yuan." Ouyang Keke responded with a forced smile. The Alpha standing before him always made him feel under pressure. This man was too arrogant and cold to be likable.

His large eyes shifted to the side as he looked around for Secretary Shen.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Ah... Secretary Shen. I wanted to lend him a DVD."

"Keep business and personal matters separate. You're a grown man. Don't you understand even those basic boundaries?"

The reproachful tone made Ouyang Keke deeply uncomfortable. Before he could object, Yuan Chen loomed over him, suddenly closing the distance. Breath brushed his ear, and Ouyang Keke shuddered in fright, freezing on the spot.

Yuan Chen tilted his head, bringing his thin lips close to his ear, his voice low:

"He's mine. Don't get any ideas."

"...What?"

"If I catch you getting handsy with him again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

It sounded like something a man consumed by jealousy would say, but the instant Ouyang Keke saw Yuan Chen's expression clearly, he understood what he really meant: Don't even think about touching what's mine. This wasn't jealousy. It was a warning.

Ouyang Keke was struck speechless, unable to say a word. As Yuan Chen watched him, he suddenly smiled faintly. That face was outrageously handsome, yet it sent a chill down his spine.

This guy... was a complete lunatic!

Goosebumps rose all over Ouyang Keke's body, and his shoulders trembled slightly. He hastily turned, entered the passcode, and slipped through the door. No one was chasing him, yet he rushed into his home as though fleeing for his life.

Only after watching his figure flee in panic did Yuan Chen turn around.

His steps back to the car somehow felt a little lighter.

Meanwhile, Shen Yi, who should have been beside the car, appeared silently from somewhere, phone in hand.

"I took a few photos just now. If you don't think they're necessary, I'll delete them."

On the phone screen was the moment Yuan Chen had leaned close to whisper in Ouyang Keke's ear. Their faces were pressed so close together that they looked like lovers kissing.

Looking at the misleading photo, Yuan Chen's lips curved slightly. As always, Secretary Shen was thorough. He liked people who could do a job perfectly without needing to be told.

"Nice angle. Send that photo to Yuan Hao."

"...Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Let him enjoy himself."

After giving his instructions, Yuan Chen got straight into the car, and Shen Yi settled into the driver's seat.

The car soon started up and headed home.

The ride was exceptionally comfortable. Yuan Chen rested his head against the leather seat and relaxed.

Ahead of him was the rounded back of Shen Yi's head.

As he watched, he gave a soft laugh, as though his mood had improved.

Early the next morning, an unexpected visitor arrived at Yuan Chen's office.

Yuan Hao stormed in first thing in the morning, furious. Ignoring the secretaries' attempts to stop him, he shoved open the office door.

"Fuck! Yuan Chen, get out here! You've really pissed me off this time!"

Even with someone shouting at him like that, Yuan Chen didn't so much as lift his eyelids. Instead, as though he had expected this, he calmly leafed through the documents in his hands and replied flatly:

"Keep your voice down. You're a grown man."

"What was that photo supposed to mean? Was it real? You-you-you-you... you really hooked up with Ouyang Keke... with him?"

"You must have verified that the photo wasn't doctored. Do I need to explain anything else?" Yuan Chen's voice was level, yet every word cut deep. "Speaking of which, why can't you even get your words out properly? You're over thirty, and you still haven't fixed that stutter?"

Yuan Hao was so furious he nearly choked. His clenched fists shook uncontrollably, his face flushed crimson, and he looked ready to explode.

While Yuan Hao stood panting, Shen Yi, holding the documents that needed to be finalized, signaled for the secretaries outside to remain calm. Then he silently closed and locked the door, walked to a corner, and stood with his hands behind his back.

There was a concealed button on the wall behind him that could summon the security team at any moment, just in case. Of course, the chances of Yuan Hao posing any real threat to Yuan Chen were extremely slim. More accurately, he wasn't remotely capable of it.

Before Shen Yi now stood two Alphas facing off. Though they were brothers, the two men were completely different in both temperament and appearance.