Come back to work. It has to be you.

As soon as Yuan Chen sat down, he carefully leafed through the documents the lawyer handed him. They contained only a lawyer's letter, a medical report, and a few pictures.

"Wang Zixuan, a researcher in the Research and Development Department," the lawyer added. "She's an Omega, President Yuan."

"I know," Yuan Chen said coldly. "I can read."

His eyes swept over the documents, missing no detail. The more he read, the more absurd it seemed.

Yuan Chen barely remembered the researcher suing him for insult, but as he read the description, he vaguely recalled her. She was the Omega whose pheromones had caused a commotion at a meeting a while ago.

"She claims the incident caused psychological trauma. She's currently on leave and subsequently developed severe post-traumatic stress disorder."

"She's suing over something this minor? And sending a lawyer's letter first? Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill."

Faced with Yuan Chen's sarcasm, the lawyer coughed lightly into his fist. "President Yuan... I hope you'll take this matter seriously."

"Her leave began a week ago, and the medical report was issued around the same time." Yuan Chen slowly turned the pages, his eyes full of suspicion. "Why stay silent then, only to suddenly announce she's suing for insult now?"

"I believe... this isn't just Wang Zixuan acting on her own. Someone is probably directing her behind the scenes."

"That sounds about right."

The other side was far too well prepared. Clearly, a professional was leading the charge. The psychiatric report was persuasive, too: anxiety, depression, feelings of shame, eating disorders-every symptom they could list was there.

Yuan Chen leaned back in his chair, tapping the documents with his fingertips. He quickly settled on a suspect: someone familiar with the company's inner workings, with access to employees, and eager to trip him up. Who else could it be but Yuan Hao?

"There were many witnesses present at the time. Most importantly, the email she submitted as evidence is very damaging. 'Please take care not to release Omega pheromones'-that wording is highly problematic."

The lawyer particularly stressed the email's contents. Shen Yi had written it, but Yuan Chen was the one who had instructed him to phrase it that way.

"By that standard, I insult several people every day."

"..."

"What do they want?"

The lawyer adjusted his posture and said cautiously, "They're demanding five million in compensation."

"..."

"Of course, we can contest it. If we submit a medical report diagnosing you with neurosis, we can establish that you had no intention of insulting her."

"You want me to admit I'm mentally ill?"

Yuan Hao had calculated his move shrewdly. Making Yuan Chen's compulsive aversion to Omega pheromones public would amount to announcing to the world that he was an Alpha with a major defect.

It might not matter as much at another company, but Akit specialized in pharmaceuticals. Its leader's aversion to Omega pheromones was certainly not a minor issue that could be brushed aside.

The earlier leak of confidential information had already drawn considerable criticism from the board. With this scandal added to it, Yuan Chen would likely struggle to maintain their confidence.

"It would be best to avoid litigation if possible."

"Even if we settle, can you guarantee this won't happen again?"

Once a precedent was set, anyone could come demanding a settlement. Yuan Chen's position would only grow worse.

"President Yuan, why not take this opportunity to make a change? We can't undo what happened, but for the future..." The lawyer tactfully suggested that Yuan Chen undergo pheromone treatment.

"..."

Yuan Chen did not answer immediately. He knew the lawyer's suggestion was the only solution; he simply wasn't sure he could overcome the problem.

His long fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he stared at its polished surface, his gaze more brooding than ever.

The only Omega pheromones he could currently tolerate were Shen Yi's. Unlike anyone else, only Shen Yi could remain by his side.

He smiled mockingly at himself. Of all the possibilities, why did it have to be Shen Yi? Just days ago, they had parted on bad terms, yet now he had to treat Shen Yi as the answer to his problem. The very thought was absurd.

He could not decide rashly. Yuan Chen carefully weighed the problems keeping Shen Yi beside him would bring against the benefits he stood to gain.

The scales quickly tipped to one side, and he let out a heavy sigh.

It seemed he had no choice but to ask Shen Yi to come back.

Shen Yi was quietly reading at home when the doorbell rang. He looked up in confusion. No one should have been visiting at this hour.

He put down his book and went to the entryway. Seeing Yuan Chen's face on the intercom screen, he couldn't help exclaiming softly, "Why is he here again?"

Ding-dong, ding-dong. The impatient visitor had already started knocking.

Shen Yi steadied himself and hurried to open the door. It was indeed Yuan Chen standing outside, clearer in person than on the screen.

He forced down his inner panic and asked as calmly as possible, "President Yuan, is something wrong?"

"I have something to discuss. Can I take a little of your time?"

"Please wait a moment."

Shen Yi was about to put on his shoes and step outside, but Yuan Chen pressed a hand to his shoulder and pushed him back, striding into the entryway himself.

The door closed behind Yuan Chen with a bang. Unlike the dumbstruck Shen Yi, Yuan Chen remained expressionless as he said, "This isn't something we can discuss outside."

What could be so secretive? The more mysterious Yuan Chen acted, the more uneasy Shen Yi became.

He wanted to tell him to stop being cryptic, but sober, Shen Yi really couldn't muster the courage to stand up to him. After a moment's hesitation, he gave in.

Fortunately, the apartment was tidy, with nothing embarrassing tucked away in any corner. Only the Omega pheromones lingering in the air were beyond Shen Yi's control.

He secretly studied Yuan Chen's face and found that, though pale, he was forcing himself to remain composed. Shen Yi sighed inwardly and went to open every window in the living room before standing in front of him.

Yuan Chen had already settled onto the sofa as though he were in his own home. Standing before him made it feel exactly like their old relationship as President Yuan and Shen Yi, so Shen Yi went to sit at the other end of the sofa.

"What did you want to say?"

"I've decided to rehire you."

Shen Yi rolled his eyes outright, then awkwardly dropped his gaze to his toes. His pale toes curled uncomfortably with embarrassment.

"Well... I was a little drunk last time."

"Come back to work."

"What?" Shen Yi asked incredulously. Yuan Chen looked perfectly sober and as arrogant as ever.

Even so, he didn't dare ask if the man had lost his mind. He could only stare blankly at him.

"Come back to work."

"President Yuan, have you lost your memory?"

"..."

Yuan Chen's scrutinizing gaze made Shen Yi squirm. This matter was clearly behind them, so why insist on bringing it up again? He couldn't understand it at all and blinked in confusion.

"I'm sorry, but I can't rashly take responsibility for your life. No matter how I look at it, it's unrealistic."

That was certainly true. Had Yuan Chen deliberately brought it up despite knowing Shen Yi could never agree, just to make him realize how humbly he was begging him to return to work?

But the thought that Yuan Chen was actually considering the possibility frightened Shen Yi instead. He pressed a hand to his pounding chest.

Yuan Chen's gaze gradually deepened. Looking straight at Shen Yi, he said, "In exchange, I'll transfer the Wanhua Building to you."

"What?"

The Wanhua Building? That high-end, twenty-five-story office building in a prime commercial district?

Even among Yuan Chen's properties, that building ranked near the top. Chairman Yuan had reportedly given it to him to celebrate his differentiation into an S-Class Alpha.

Shen Yi's confusion turned to shock. "You're giving me that building? Are you out of your mind?"

"So? Will you accept?"

Yuan Chen pressed his lips together as though he could barely stand this. Shen Yi couldn't hear anything, but he guessed the man was sighing.

"I need you. More precisely, it has to be you."

In an even tone, Yuan Chen explained the threats he had recently faced.

The more Shen Yi listened, the angrier he became. He clenched his fists, trembling with rage. He knew Yuan Hao was despicable, but he hadn't expected him to go this far. Even though it no longer concerned him, he couldn't help feeling furious.

"That's going way too far."

"There's nothing to get angry about. It's about all Yuan Hao is capable of."

"...I'm not angry."

Yuan Chen chuckled. His gaze seemed to see right through him, making Shen Yi look away uncomfortably and cough lightly to hide his embarrassment.

"So you're really giving me the building? You won't regret it?"

"On the condition that you stay by my side until I say it's over."

"..."

"I don't want to keep arguing over contracts. I'll give you enough property to support you for the rest of your life. Just be my secretary without worrying."

That wasn't reassuring at all. It sounded like he would have to work until he died.

How many years did he have left? At least thirty... God, that was far too long. And even when Yuan Chen became a white-haired old man, he would surely be just as demanding.

But Yuan Chen's offer was simply too tempting. It tore Shen Yi's hesitation to shreds. Owning property in a commercial district... collecting rent without lifting a finger... the temptation was enormous.

"What's the Wanhua Building's market value?"

"Around thirty billion."

The number made Shen Yi smile despite himself. "You'll really give it to me?"

"I admit it. You're that important."

That frank admission made the corners of Shen Yi's mouth rise again. Under Yuan Chen's gaze, he quickly schooled his expression.

Yuan Chen frowned and leaned back against the sofa, running his fingers through his hair. "Remember, you absolutely cannot sell it. Its value will keep rising."

"What if I take the building and run?"

Reclining lazily on the sofa, Yuan Chen slowly opened his eyes and fixed a burning gaze on Shen Yi. "You would never do that."

His answer was filled with absolute trust.

Precisely because he knew Shen Yi so well and trusted him completely, Yuan Chen was willing to hand over his property.

"..."

The feeling behind that gesture weighed heavily on Shen Yi's heart. He bit his lip without saying a word.

Faced with this trust he must never betray, his previously firm resolve began to waver.