Bora was already waiting near the stairs when she heard footsteps rushing down.
Haneul appeared first, holding Haru's tiny hand carefully.
Both were dressed head-to-toe in warm winter clothes.
Haru looked like a little chaebol princess
thick thermal innerwear,
Soft cream-colored knit sweater, tiny fleece skirt over warm leggings, fur-lined earmuffs, and a big puffy white coat shaped almost like a round snow pig.
Her boots were small designer winter boots, fluffy around the edges,
And she wore little mittens with pink strings attached so she wouldn't lose them.
Haneul also wore a puffy winter coat, white muffler, gloves, and thick snow boots.
Together they looked like a cute
Mother and daughter pair from a chaebol family.
Bora smiled the moment she saw them.
"You two look like you're going to a photoshoot,"
She said softly.
She handed Haneul a neat white box.
"In this, I packed snacks and warm drinks.
If you feel hungry, eat these inside the office."
Haneul nodded,
"Also,
Don't take anything from there until sir Taekyun's meeting ends."
Haneul nodded obediently.
"And,"
Bora added, lowering her voice,
"Haneul, don't talk too much with the employees.
Just stay inside sir's office.
I already called Lihan.
He's there."
"Okay,"
Haneul said.
They walked toward the entrance.
Haru waved enthusiastically at Bora as the driver opened the back door.
The car was cold at first, windows fogged from the weather, but slowly warmed as it moved toward
"K-Seong Pharmaceuticals"
Taekyun's company,
One of the strongest pharmaceutical corporations in korea.
When they arrived, the driver dropped them at the main entrance.
Inside the grand hallway,
Lihan waited near the front desk.
Haneul stepped inside, still holding Haru's hand.
The atmosphere was stiff.
Employees moved quietly, voices low, the kind of silence that came when something extremely important was going on.
The moment they saw Haru, heads turned.
She was familiar to them,
Taekyun's daughter.
But the Omega holding her hand.
Whispers started immediately.
"Who is he?"
"I don't know "
"He's so pretty."
"He looks like an Omega."
"Yes"
"But why is he with Haru?"
"Maybe he's a caretaker "
"I don't think so"
"He's beautiful like someone from another world."
Their stares were sharp, curious, almost too direct.
Haneul felt all their eyes on him.
He tightened his grip around Haru and pulled her closer protectively.
A few employees approached gently, bowing to Haru.
Haru bowed back politely.
Haneul bowed too, following her lead.
But the whispers continued.
"He's too beautiful to be a staff member."
"Maybe someone important"
"The CEO never lets anyone close to his daughter. So who is he?"
Lihan quickly stepped forward and placed a hand near Haneul's shoulder.
"This way,"
He said.
Haneul nodded, feeling a bit unsettled by how they looked at him.
Haru glanced up at him and smiled as if comforting him.
He smiled faintly back.
They followed Lihan to the elevator.
He pressed the button for the 7th floor
The top floor.
When they stepped out, the hallway was quiet and luxurious.
Haru immediately let go of Haneul's hand and ran ahead.
She knew the path to her father's office by heart.
"Don't worry,"
Lihan said softly to Haneul.
"You're safe here.
I'll stay nearby.
Sir will finish his meeting soon."
Haneul nodded.
He walked into the office slowly.
The room looked exactly like Taekyun cold.
Floor-to-ceiling windows showed a panoramic view of Seoul covered in snow.
Dark marble floors, a huge glass desk, and shelves filled with files and display pieces.
On the side shelf was a framed picture of
Taekyun and Harin together.
Two beautiful people standing beside each other.
Harin was strikingly pretty, long hair, bright eyes.
The kind of beauty that felt almost royal.
Beside it was a picture from the day Haru was born,
Taekyun holding a tiny newborn, Harin lying in the hospital bed smiling.
Haneul sat on the couch, staring at the photos.
Haru wandered around the office, touching nothing, just walking in her usual curious way.
After a moment,
She climbed onto the couch beside him and looked at him quietly.
Then she tugged his sleeve.
She took his hand and pulled him toward the window.
From there,
The whole city looked like a snow globe
white rooftops, moving traffic, snowfall brushing against the glass.
Haneul smiled without realizing.
They stood there together for a while.
After ten minutes,
A knock came.
Lihan entered with a servant carrying a tray.
On it were two small cups of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and a few warm pastries.
"Haru,"
Lihan called softly.
"Come eat."
Haru rushed to the couch with excitement.
The servant bowed deeply to them before leaving.
Haneul bowed back politely, holding Haru's hands so she wouldn't spill the hot chocolate as she tried to drink it.
Lihan stayed near the door.
"Is the meeting almost over?"
Haneul asked while helping Haru blow on her cup.
"Yes,"
Lihan said quietly.
"Just finishing."
Meanwhile,
On the 4th floor meeting room
Taekyun exited the conference room with several executives and CEOs from different pharmaceutical companies across Asia.
They had just finalized a major project
a suppressant developed for RDS (Recessive Dominance Syndrome),
a dangerous Omegaverse disease that affected vulnerable secondary genders.
This suppressant was predicted to save thousands.
It was the most successful collaborative project of K-Seong Pharmaceuticals in years.
Taekyun's expression didn't show emotion, but he was in a good mood internally.
He shook hands with the others as they left.
An older CEO named Yeonjun,
A long-time acquaintance of Taekyun's father, stood beside him.
"How is your father?"
The man asked warmly.
"He's doing well,"
Taekyun replied politely.
"He must be resting comfortably, knowing he has such a gentleman taking over all his work,"
Yeonjun said with a smile.
Taekyun bowed slightly.
Yeonjun continued, his tone shifting.
"So,
What are your plans for remarriage?"
Taekyun's expression tightened, very subtly.
The man didn't stop.
"I've seen you since you were born. You're a capable, intelligent CEO.
Because of you, our country's pharmaceutical field is progressing faster than ever.
But you can't live alone forever."
Taekyun remained silent.
But his eyes flickered with something unreadable.
"You have a daughter,"
The old man went on.
"She needs a mother.
And you need a wife.
And eventually, a son to inherit.
Girls nowadays end up Omegas;
They can't hold the position like a male Alpha can."
Taekyun's jaw clenched.
"My daughter is twenty,"
Yeonjun said proudly.
"I think she would suit you well.
She's well-raised, educated, beautiful.
I hope you consider my proposal.
It would benefit both families."
Taekyun looked at him coldly.
When he finally spoke, his tone was sharp but polite.
"I have no intentions of another marriage.
I'm grateful for your thoughts, but your daughter is like a younger sister to me.
I hope she finds someone suitable."
Without waiting for a reply,
He walked away, leaving the man standing alone.
Yeonjun clenched his teeth, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Selfish Kims,"
He muttered under his breath.
"The son is no different from the father."