The most dazzling Alpha

An Alpha's Heat Period usually came every six months. Although cycles varied from person to person, Yuan Chen's, as an S-Class Alpha, was almost as precise as clockwork.

Even a Beta who could not sense pheromones could tell something was wrong now. The oppressive aura radiating from Yuan Chen was almost enough to make his skin sting.

"Please wait a moment. I'll get your medication."

Shen Yi did not panic. This was not his first time facing this situation.

He was already familiar with Yuan Chen's Heat Period and knew exactly what to do. He hurried to the storage cabinet, retrieved everything he needed without hesitation, and lined it up on the table: a disposable injection kit, disinfectant, and a brown ampoule containing a highly concentrated pheromone suppressant. His movements were swift and precise.

The immediate priority was to measure his current pheromone level.

Steadying his slightly trembling hands, he switched on the device. A number immediately appeared on the screen:

187 ph.

Both men frowned at the reading.

Although his cycle was approaching, this reading was clearly too high. It was hardly a good sign.

"President Yuan..." Shen Yi prompted softly, indicating that he was ready to give the injection.

Yuan Chen silently extended his left arm.

His shirt cuff was pushed above his elbow, and a tourniquet was deftly secured around his forearm. After Yuan Chen clenched his fist a few times, blue veins stood out clearly beneath his skin. Shen Yi put on latex gloves and carefully administered the intravenous injection.

Yuan Chen's brow furrowed slightly as the medication went in. The drug used to suppress his Heat Period had to be injected intravenously, so he could not administer it himself. The more often he relied on Shen Yi, the more adept Shen Yi became at giving injections. His technique was almost professional now.

"The reading is too high." Concern showed on Shen Yi's face.

"I know."

"It looks like... medication alone may not be enough to suppress it completely."

"I'll judge that for myself."

There was clear irritation in his reply. Shen Yi said no more, quietly tidying the cluttered table while mentally revising the upcoming schedule. He needed to contact Yuan Chen's attending physician immediately and arrange a comprehensive examination.

He watched Yuan Chen's face. The suppressant could not take effect immediately, and Yuan Chen's cheeks were still flushed, his breathing rapid. He seemed to loathe this loss of control, and his brow furrowed even more deeply.

"Will you still be able to attend tomorrow's breakfast meeting?"

"That won't be a problem. More importantly..." Yuan Chen pressed hard against his temples. "I need rest."

"Of course. If you feel unwell in any way, please call me."

He was already prepared to stay the night. With Yuan Chen's temperament, he would never readily ask anyone for help. Rather than go home only to be urgently summoned back in the middle of the night, it was safer to stay in a guest room.

"I'll take your temperature again."

He placed the thermometer under Yuan Chen's arm, his fingertips inadvertently brushing the burning skin at the side of his neck. Yuan Chen let out a long breath and tipped his head back, allowing Shen Yi to work with rare compliance. Shen Yi found this unusual cooperation rather novel, and the faintest smile crept onto his lips.

A moment later, an icy gaze swept toward him, though not a word accompanied it.

Shen Yi immediately erased his smile and continued working with an impassive face, as though nothing had happened.

The breakfast meeting was held in the banquet hall of a five-star hotel. Although it was simply a networking event, its scale was considerable. The attendees ranged from people over sixty to those in their early thirties, each a leading figure in their field. Their presence filled the entire room with an invisible pressure.

"Hello."

"Good morning."

After exchanging brief greetings with several people nearby, Shen Yi headed toward the back. A row of chairs stood roughly twenty meters from the main dining table, serving as the waiting area for the CEOs' special assistants.

The number of secretaries present was proportional to the number of attendees. Naturally, no one had prepared food for them. They only needed to wait like spectators until the event ended.

As soon as Shen Yi sat down, he looked for Yuan Chen. Fortunately, the main table was clearly visible from here. Yuan Chen appeared no different from usual; the suppressant administered last night seemed to have taken effect.

His anxiety eased a little, and physical exhaustion came flooding in. He leaned against the hard chair back as a colleague beside him drew closer and whispered:

"Special Assistant Shen, you don't look very well today."

"No, I didn't sleep well last night."

The dark circles beneath Shen Yi's eyes were indeed pronounced. Keeping watch all night at Yuan Chen's residence had drained much of his energy.

"Coffee for everyone!"

The last secretary to arrive had brought iced coffee at just the right moment. Everyone looked grateful for the thoughtful gesture and accepted the much-needed caffeine.

Occasions like this also gave executive secretaries a rare chance to socialize. They all understood the hardships of the job, which lent their conversations a certain warmth. Several members of Shen Yi's group chat had also found a rare opportunity to meet in person.

Of course, not everyone was entirely cordial. An unspoken rivalry was always present.

"Who gave you permission to drink coffee here?" An older secretary clicked his tongue, displeased by the younger people's casual behavior.

"Would you care for a cup too, sir? The coffee here is quite good." Someone immediately smoothed things over with a tactful response.

By the time they reached the rank of special assistant, they had long mastered the art of concealing their emotions. Every one of them was as wily as an ancient fox spirit, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Secretary Shen!"

Someone at the main table suddenly called out. Among the secretaries waiting at the back, nearly ten stiffened reflexively.

Whose Secretary Shen was that?

The older secretary who had just been complaining was already on his feet, hurrying over.

Age and seniority meant nothing at a moment like this. They all looked much the same when their own bosses summoned them. Watching his slightly hurried retreat, the secretaries let out quiet sighs in unison.

"I don't know if it's just me... but after doing this job for long enough, don't you start becoming more and more like the person you serve without even realizing it? In personality, or even the way you talk."

"That's why I've started meditating in the mornings lately. I feel like I'm getting more and more irritable."

"Mental discipline is so important. What other profession relies on mental fortitude more than ours?"

A little "stress-relief session" quietly began. Everyone kept a sharp eye on their respective bosses while voicing their frustrations in hushed tones.

"What determines the seating arrangement at the main table? Age? Or influence in the industry?"

"Probably a combination of factors. Position, influence, personal connections-they'd all be taken into account."

"Look, Chairman Yuan is already sitting there. Just what you'd expect from him... Is it that Alpha presence? Even from a distance, his looks are on a whole other level..."

"Really? I don't see it. It's not as if Chairman Yuan is the only Alpha."

"He's different, though. Maybe seeing Secretary Shen every day has made me pickier."

In all fairness, Yuan Chen truly stood out among the guests attending that day.

The many gazes drawn to him were proof enough. His striking looks and innate bearing were his finest calling card, and the dark blue suit he wore that day set off his refined charm perfectly. Though he appeared unapproachable, the smiles he occasionally offered were enough to disarm anyone. Wherever he went, he was undeniably the central figure.

Shen Yi took a sip of coffee. Was it all in his head?

Honestly, in his eyes, Yuan Chen really was... the most dazzling of them all.

Just as on any ordinary workday, when the office door opened, the secretaries were already waiting in a neat line.

Shen Yi stood to one side, holding the door as Yuan Chen strode toward the inner office on his long legs. Shen Yi hurried after him.

"..."

His steps paused briefly. There was an unfamiliar face in the line. Today was the new secretary's first official day. Seeing the young man so nervous he was almost rigid, Shen Yi's gaze softened a little.

"Welcome. We'll talk more later," he said quietly, then followed Yuan Chen into the office.

The door closed softly. Through the frosted glass, only two silhouettes could be seen beginning their work.

"Phew..." Only then did the newly arrived Secretary Chen dare let out a long breath, his body trembling slightly.

The colleagues beside him patted his shoulder in understanding.

"Relax."

"See? We told you President Yuan wouldn't give you a second glance. There's no need to be so nervous."

"Secretary Chen, would you like to have some tea with us? We can show you around the break room while we're at it."

"Come with me."

With the addition of a new member, a subtle excitement filled the secretarial office, and the morning's bustle officially began.