Chapter 7 : THE KOREAN CONNECTION

"Hyung! You should have told me before coming here! I would have come to the airport!"

Kyrian whined, pulling back from the hug but keeping his hands on the man's shoulders.

Sergey, standing awkwardly to the side, cleared his throat loudly. He nudged Kyrian’s arm.

"Hey... who is this 'Hyung'?"

Kyrian blinked, realizing he hadn't introduced them.

"Oh! Sergey, this is Kim Seo-joon,"

Kyrian said, beaming. "But I call him Joon-Hyung. He was the one I stayed with in Korea while Dad was doing business there. He basically raised me for two years."

He turned to Seo-joon. "Hyung, means 'Big Brother' in Korean.

And Hyung, this is Sergey, my best friend."

Seo-joon adjusted his rimless glasses, a polite, charming smile playing on his lips. He looked every bit the powerful CEO—sharp grey suit, perfectly styled hair, and an aura of calm authority.

"Nice to meet you, Sergey," Seo-joon said, his voice smooth. Then he looked at Kyrian teasingly.

"Is he the one you were cursing to a few minutes ago?"

Kyrian’s face flushed red. "Ah... that! That’s a long story, Hyung. I will tell you at home. Let's go! Mom and Dad will be so happy to see you!"

Seo-joon chuckled, patting Kyrian’s head. "You go ahead, Rian. I will come over after putting my luggage in the hotel."

Kyrian’s smile vanished instantly. He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What do you mean by hotel? No way. I am not letting you stay in a hotel."

"No, Rian," Seo-joon tried to reason gently. "That’s rude. I am here for a business trip, I shouldn't impose on your family. I will stay at a hotel nearby."

"I don't care about the reason, Hyung!" Kyrian snapped, giving him his signature stubborn glare.

"You are staying with me. That's it. Or I will never talk to you again."

Seo-joon sighed, knowing he couldn't win against Kyrian’s tantrums. "But your parents might have a problem..."

"No need to worry about that.

They love you more than me anyway," Kyrian huffed. He grabbed the handle of Seo-joon's expensive suitcase. "We aren't arguing anymore. Let's go!"

Seo-joon shook his head, smiling helplessly as he waved goodbye to a stunned Sergey and followed the bratty Omega.

VOLKOV MANSION

The atmosphere in the Volkov Mansion shifted from gloomy to bright the moment they entered.

"I am very happy to see you after such a long time, Joon!" Arina Volkov exclaimed, pulling the tall man into a warm hug.

"Me too, Aunty," Seo-joon replied, hugging her back respectfully.

"You look as elegant as ever."

Arina laughed, cupping his face.

"Such a charmer. You must be tired from the flight. Go and have some rest in the guest room. Kirill and Ivan will be coming home from the office soon."

Seo-joon nodded and went upstairs, while Kyrian busied himself in the kitchen, excitedly giving instructions to the servants for a special dinner menu. For a moment, he forgot about the scary doctor and the fainting. He felt safe.

THE DINNER TABLE

By nightfall, the entire family was gathered in the living room. The reunion was joyous, with Kirill and Ivan welcoming Seo-joon like a second son.

The table was filled with laughter and old stories from Korea.

But the mood took a sharp turn when business was mentioned.

"So," Ivan started, cutting his steak. "What kind of deal brings the CEO of Kim Corp all the way to Monaco?"

Seo-joon wiped his mouth with a napkin, his expression turning professional.

"It's about the new device shipment," Seo-joon explained.

"We need a secure route through Europe. I am here to sign a contract with the Moretti Company."

The sound of cutlery clinking against the plates stopped instantly.

Kirill froze, his glass halfway to his mouth.

Ivan’s grip on his fork tightened so hard his knuckles turned white.

Kyrian, however, was busy picking out carrots from his salad, completely unbothered. He hated business talk anyway.

"With... the Moretti Company?" Kirill repeated slowly, his voice tense.

Seo-joon didn't notice the sudden shift in the air. He continued calmly. "Yeah, Uncle. We want them to board our tech shipments.

We have had these kinds of deals with them before in Asia, so that's why there is a meeting scheduled here to expand it."

Ivan exchanged a dark, panicked look with his father.

The Morettis.

The very people they were trying to hide Kyrian from. And now, Seo-joon was walking right into the Lion's den.

"Have you been in contact with them recently?" Ivan asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Seo-joon nodded, taking a sip of wine.

"Of course. In fact, I met Lorenzo Moretti a few times back in Korea at the Global Summit. I know him personally."

Kirill felt a cold sweat run down his spine.

He knows Lorenzo.

"He is a tough negotiator," Seo-joon added with a smile, oblivious to the danger. "But a man of his word."

"Can we stop talking about boring business?" Kyrian interrupted with a groan, rolling his eyes. "I thought this dinner was for me and Hyung! Why are you guys talking about some random Italian Alphas?"

Kyrian didn't react to the name Lorenzo. To him, it was just another rich, arrogant Alpha name. He had no idea that this "Lorenzo" was the same "Ugly Scent Doctor" who had threatened him just a day ago.

Ivan exhaled, relieved that Kyrian didn't make the connection, but his worry for the future doubled.

"You are right, Rian," Seo-joon chuckled, messing up Kyrian’s hair. "Sorry. No more business talk."

"Good," Kyrian huffed, stuffing a bread roll into his mouth.

"Because if I hear one more word about shipments, I am leaving."

Everyone laughed, but Kirill and Ivan’s smiles didn't reach their eyes.