Dirty Switch

『W-Wait a moment! Mr. Joo Taehyun, did you just say divorce?』
『You’re saying you're having the child of Director Seo Baekhan, and now suddenly announcing a divorce? Do you really think that makes any sense right now?』

『Was what you just said agreed upon by both families?』
The commotion that broke out now was on an entirely different scale than before. The livestream even lagged for a moment, as if the viewers watching online were throwing everything into chaos. Either the viewership count had spiked, or the live chat had exploded—one or the other.
And yet, Joo Taehyun, the very person who caused this disaster—who had just dropped a news bomb that would be remembered not only for this year but for years to come—remained perfectly calm.

『I sincerely thank everyone who made the long trip just to listen to a mere graduate student like me, and also those watching through the screen. I’ve prepared all the documents to support what I’ve said today, so I’ll provide the detailed information in writing.』
After bowing his head once more, Joo Taehyun stepped down from the podium, immediately surrounded by security guards in black suits. They’d let it go this far, but now it was clear: no more exceptions. A human fortress formed around him as he calmly exited the press conference hall.
『Mr. Joo Taehyun! Mr. Joo Taehyun!』

As if afraid to miss even a single shocking frame, the broadcasters kept their cameras rolling until Taehyun had completely vanished from view.
The people who had been jeering at Taehyun now hesitated awkwardly. The reporters muttered in disbelief, “Is this for real?” And Taehyun, slipping into an unfamiliar car and calmly disappearing beyond the crowd...
“Hah. What the hell is this...”

Was this supposed to be a press conference?
What the hell is Joo Taehyun thinking?
Maybe he could ride out this exact moment. After all, he’d gone so far as to bleed from his finger just to announce his pregnancy—so, for now, all attention would be on that revelation. But what about after that? He’d said a dozen things that could be picked apart, and now he was telling people to wait and see the evidence? Nothing had actually been resolved.

『...Due to Mr. Joo Taehyun’s rather shocking announcement, the venue is in utter chaos. We sincerely apologize for the unstable transmission caused by network issues. We ask for your understanding.』
What is he even trying to pull?
Everything else can be covered up somehow. Omega? Sure, he’s shown some temporary symptoms. Pregnancy? Just announce a miscarriage and that’s it.

But divorce. How the hell are we supposed to clean that up? No matter how nicely we try to spin it, it’ll just look like a childish lovers’ spat.
Seo Baekhan’s hand pressed harder and harder against the screen as he swiped through channels.
『I am an Omega, and I’m currently pregnant. Of course, the child belongs to my spouse, Director Seo Baekhan of Jejungwon.』

Wham—his hand, almost like he was striking something, came to a halt. It was meaningless self-abuse. No matter what channel he turned to, it was the same—Joo Taehyun’s face was everywhere.
『...Because I don’t want to cause any more trouble for the person I love so deeply, Baekhan hyung, I intend to get a divorce.』
Because I love him so deeply, Baekhan hyung, I don’t want to burden him...
Joo Taehyun. If you really didn’t want to burden me, you wouldn’t be running away like this.

“Secretary Nam. Is there anywhere we can pull over for a moment?”
He asked hastily, before the privacy screen could finish lowering. Secretary Nam swallowed hard and glanced around. His silence suggested he knew exactly what kind of order was coming.
“I’ll drive myself. Please wait at the hospital with Director Hwang.”

While watching the news, Baekhan absentmindedly loosened his tie—but now he straightened it again and adjusted the sleeves and collar of his overcoat.
He must think he’s got something to fall back on, that he can pull a stunt like this and be fine, that fool Taehyun.
“...As if I’d let you.”

Naive. A naive, foolish way of thinking. That young spouse of his must have thought that if he came out this strong, he could end everything. No way. For Seo Baekhan, this was only the beginning.
Pregnancy? Love?
Those very words Joo Taehyun had thrown out in front of everyone—those would be what ended up trapping him completely.
* *

“Hoo boy. Looks like reporters are already swarming the airport.”
Joo Gukwon stared at his phone, chewing nervously on his lips. Taehyun had no idea his brother had this habit. Is this a family trait or something? Despite having caused a major incident, Taehyun was oddly calm as he entertained the thought.
“This won’t do, Taehyun. Let’s drive back to Seoul. The airport’s way too dangerous for you right now. If you get pushed over by a crowd or something, it could be bad.”

“Okay. I don’t mind.”
Taehyun answered evenly as he removed the bulletproof vest he’d worn under his clothes. Gukwon stomped his foot in frustration.
“What do you mean you don’t mind! Kiddo, you’re in the early stages! That’s when you need to be the most careful!”

“Oh... I meant I don’t care what we take to get there.”
It looked like Gukwon had been about to say something else but ended up just opening and closing his mouth in silence.
“...Right. Our little one’s body has to hold out.”

“It’s not like we’re going all the way to Busan or anything.”
They had just finished the so-called press conference—or rather, the brief announcement—and were catching their breath in a restricted area nearby.
He hadn’t chosen the location because of some sentimental reason tied to Baekhan.

‘Sojin said there’s some abandoned private land near the Ferris wheel. It’s not huge, but without permission, no one can get in. You could rest there a bit after the press stuff before moving.’
It was Joo Yoonwoo’s suggestion, and a sound one at that, so she immediately scouted out the location.
‘Ehh. Gukwon hyung, I’m against it. It’s too exposed. How are we supposed to handle security?’

‘That spot connects to multiple roads, so it’ll be hard for those bloodsucking leeches to guess which way we’ll go. Just drop a hint to the reporters that we’ll camp out at the airport. That should throw them off.’
‘Ooh, that actually makes sense. If we can split up our people between Sojin’s crew and the airport, big media outlets might just fall for it. Since we haven’t released an official statement yet, it’ll buy us some time.’
‘No! That’s not the issue—it’s {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} an open area! Our baby’ll be exposed on all sides, you morons! Oh god, Taehyun, I wasn’t yelling at you, okay?’

‘Mm. I checked Street View just now, and yeah, that parking lot is technically outdoors, but it doesn’t seem like there’s anywhere suspicious for someone to hide. Actually, it’s more secure than some hotel banquet hall or that godawful Pyongyang Uni building... Ah crap, baby, sorry for swearing.’
‘Hyung, just in case, have options ready for car, plane, chopper... What else... Oh! Should we check if we can take a boat too?’
Taehyun couldn’t help but laugh a little, remembering the chaotic speakerphone conversation with his siblings. It had helped calm him enough to say everything he needed to without stumbling.

Of course, this situation wasn’t truly resolved. His shocking pregnancy announcement and the emotional sympathy it stirred up had just muddied the waters temporarily. He’d still have to put a proper end to this—one that left people with no room to talk.
He also had to explain everything to his family, who were probably frantic waiting for him in Seoul. And then...
He had to settle things with Seo Baekhan.

What were the terms of their prenuptial agreement again?
Representative Seo and Director Ahn weren’t people to take lightly... Could he really see this through? His eldest brother had said to trust the family, but Taehyun had no intention of leaving all the cleanup to his already busy siblings.
He was the one who’d caused this mess, after all. Of course he had to be the one to end it.

“Then, baby, I’ll see you in Seoul.”
“...Huh?”
Gukwon’s gentle voice snapped Taehyun out of his thoughts. See you in Seoul?

“What? Hyung, we’re not going together?”
“Yeah. Sorry. I’ve got a ton to do today. I’ll be on the phone the whole time—you won’t be able to sleep with all that noise.”
Still, Gukwon winked and told him to text any time if he wanted to stop at a rest area along the way.

...This was probably him being considerate. Sure, Gukwon was busy, but for someone who usually made such a fuss about staying by Taehyun’s side, it was clear he was deliberately choosing to ride separately.
His little brother, who was now suddenly pregnant—maybe he didn’t want to distract him or make him feel on edge. Maybe he figured Taehyun needed some quiet time to collect himself.
“Let’s get going, then. Luckily, it’s not peak traffic.”

His big brother wouldn’t ask a single question until Taehyun was ready to talk. The rest of the family in Seoul would be the same. Even Cheon Seungpil, who’d been pestering him to call, had only sent silly messages like ‘Our baby’s even more handsome in person,’ ‘Your voice is amazing,’ ‘When did our tiny cutie get so grown-up and articulate...’
“...Hyung.”
“Hmm?”

“When I get to Seoul... I’ll tell you everything.”
“Baby.”
“From beginning to end... I won’t hide anything... I’ll tell you all of it. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, hyung.”

Gukwon pulled his chin back and stuck his lips out in mock scolding.
“Baby. You can say anything you want, anytime, okay? It’s all fine. But Taehyun, don’t just keep saying sorry.”
Do other people know? That Vice Chairman Joo Gukwon—the man even seasoned executives find intimidating—can speak with such warmth, or make such silly, gentle faces?

“If I suddenly asked you for something like this, you’d do it for me too, wouldn’t you?”
“...Yeah. Of course.”
“See? That’s why family shouldn’t be saying sorry to each other—”

It happened then.
A strange engine noise interrupted Gukwon’s words, loud enough to drown him out.
“...What the hell, I thought this area was restricted. Did Sojin send someone?”

His voice remained soft, as if trying to reassure Taehyun, but the glance he gave the bodyguards was anything but. Cold, severe. Whoever it was, it definitely wasn’t a planned visit.
The flashing headlights that had seemed so distant just seconds ago closed the gap in an instant. They bore down on them with a yellow glare like the eyes of a furious beast.