Bondage and Marriage - 55

Ian attached a guard to Noah because he had personally experienced how Noah could attract all sorts of people, especially since the Cube Island incident. Also, Noah was staying around Tear. Tear didn’t tolerate troublemakers, so people enjoyed themselves within legal limits, but it was a different story outside of Tear. Since Ian didn’t need to manage things outside, he had let go, but trouble occurred once a week.

However, Ian didn’t want Noah in Tear, where so many Alphas were, so he attached a guard to Noah while Ian himself collected information from the staff that had been gathered over time. The materials were mostly credible stories or weaknesses that could be used.

“This payment is for the Swiss villa you acquired last week.”

Mikhail casually handed Ian a small chip containing the information. Mikhail was a broker who sold information and managed Tear’s operations. He sold Ian useful intelligence, earning half of the profits from Tear’s operations, along with specific payments for each piece of information. His hobby was developing and designing adult products, but recently, he had become obsessed with androids.

“…I’ll take care of it by next week.”

Although Ian was curious about how Mikhail had learned that he had obtained the Swiss villa from Dmitri, he didn’t show it and answered calmly. Since Mikhail had provided information about a video of Yulia that could corner Dmitri, it was likely that Mikhail had multiple routes for gathering information beyond just Tear.

“By the way, you seem to be having fun these days.”

“What fun?”

While putting the chip into its case and pocketing it, Ian asked. Mikhail raised his shoulder nonchalantly, pretending not to know.

“You’ve been sending your poor secretary to buy new products every time they come out.”

“I don’t know why you think he’s poor.”

Ian said this indifferently as he stood up. Mikhail wanted to tell him that it was pitiful because the secretary had to buy all sorts of horrible things for Ian instead of just relaxing. But, deciding it would be more fun to stay quiet, he kept his mouth shut. Daniel, who didn’t know Ian was the boss of Tear, probably thought Ian was spending a good time with someone else.

“By the way, a male android just came out. Are you thinking of buying one?”

“Android?”

Come to think of it, a female android had come out last month, bringing in decent profits. Ian was curious about how much the male android would sell for, and Mikhail, being the developer of androids, eagerly promoted it.

“Just like the female android, this one looks completely human. And unlike the female version, it doesn’t require detachable parts; you can enjoy both Alpha and Omega versions freely. No need to worry about contraception or hygiene, and since it’s not a person, you can do things that are illegal when with a human, but totally legal with an android.”

“……”

The androids were expensive, costing over 100 million each, but the price was not an issue for Ian. He briefly considered buying one, but he didn’t feel like it, so he put the thought aside. He was already content tormenting Noah at the current level. However, Mikhail encouraged him again.

“It’s perfect for legally tormenting someone.”

“…It would be better for you to mind your own business, Mikhail.”

Ian immediately understood that Mikhail was referring to Noah, and he warned him. Mikhail, sensing Ian’s threat, raised his hands in surrender and shrugged. Ian glared at Mikhail for a moment, then left the room. After Ian left, Mikhail’s face, which had been expressionless, faintly smiled. He muttered to himself, “Noah Frost would probably love the androids.”

As soon as Ian left the room, Daniel, holding shopping bags from the Tear shop and looking somewhat anxious, greeted him. Since Ian never took any electronic devices when making deals with Mikhail, Daniel, watching Ian frown, explained.

“There’s been a message from the guard… Noah is sitting at a café, talking to someone.”

“Someone? Who?”

“They say it’s an Alpha male…”

Ian’s brow furrowed. This was exactly why he had assigned a guard to Noah. He had feared that someone would approach him again like at Cube Island, and Noah would get dragged along without properly handling the situation. Ignoring Daniel, who was looking at him cautiously, Ian headed towards the café where Noah was.

It was a café located far from the hotel.

When Ian got out of the car, he didn’t see Noah struggling with someone approaching him, as he expected. Instead, Noah was walking out of the café with someone, and they were sharing a friendly atmosphere. Daniel and the guard, watching Ian, looked uneasy as they saw the man grab Noah’s shoulder. However, Noah didn’t even attempt to shake off the hand.

Ian stared at Noah, who hadn’t noticed him yet. The way Noah looked at the man with a warm, friendly gaze reminded him of someone he’d known for a long time. Ian’s thoughts began to race. Were they old acquaintances? Or did they just meet at the café? If they knew each other, why were they meeting today, here?

Then, as soon as Ian realized the man was an Alpha, a dark emotion began to spread inside him.

“Noah, I’ve told you so many times, take care of yourself, please.”

“I’m really fine. I’m doing well. It’s not what you think.”

Noah’s reassuring words were filled with affection. It reminded Ian of when he had tried to calm down Tanner, who had been angry. Ian instinctively took a step forward. He felt that this Alpha wasn’t just someone who had randomly approached Noah on the street or met him by chance at the café… something in him felt like a warning. Without realizing it, Ian was grinding his teeth and about to approach.

“Actually, to be honest, I hope you divorce as soon as possible.”

Ian froze. Divorce… How was he supposed to feel about an Alpha wanting an Omega, who was already married, to divorce quickly? And even worse, the Omega wasn’t denying it; he was calling the Alpha by name in a loving way.

Lately, Ian had been feeling a possessive obsession toward Noah. Of course, it was an emotion that an Alpha usually had when they had multiple relationships with an Omega.

But it had never been as strong as it was now. He had a strong urge to stop the Alpha from speaking and take Noah back to his mansion. At the same time, he felt anger and betrayal.

As Ian glared at them, they turned their heads. Seeing Noah’s startled face made Ian feel even more furious. It seemed like Noah had been caught doing something inappropriate… or was it really true? Ian growled.

“What is this now?”

Ian glared at the alpha, wondering how he could make it so that people would say he had handled the situation well. The alpha was unaware of the situation, only saying something stupid like, “Isn’t Ian the one who’s married?”

No, it wasn’t just a stupid thing to say.

“How could Noah have married someone like you… Is this even possible?”

Fine. When Ian saw the alpha acting so arrogantly, he smiled smoothly. Maybe because I’ve been a bit too nice lately, this fool thinks I’m easy to mess with. Despite the smile on his lips, Ian walked toward the alpha with eyes full of killing intent. Noah, who had been awkwardly grinning, quickly stepped in between them to stop him.

“Ian! Wait, just a moment!”

“Move. I’ll deal with you later…”

Ian didn’t mind being bothered (in fact, he was somewhat pleased by it), but when it came to Alex… it was a different story. Noah often enjoyed watching alphas fight over omegas at the club, but when it happened to him, it wasn’t fun at all. Ian might be upset with him, but if the two of them started throwing punches, Noah wouldn’t be happy about it at all. He didn’t enjoy seeing others getting hurt, and Ian’s forced smile made him feel something was off.

“Just how much fun have you been having with that guy behind my back, huh? What are you planning to do after the divorce?”

Ian grabbed Noah’s wrist tightly, pulling him back forcefully. Dragging Noah aside, Noah shook his head.

“I think you misunderstand… Alex is just my friend.”

Ian ignored Noah’s words and just glared at Alex. At that moment, Alex, who had snapped at Ian, realized his mistake. No matter how casually Noah had married, it was still a marriage. He shouldn’t have been so reckless, and seeing Noah uncomfortable made Alex feel sorry. But now that he had started this, Alex stood his ground and confronted Ian.

“Why are you holding on to him if you don’t even like Noah? Two months of torment should be enough; it’s time to let go.”

Noah looked at Alex in confusion, wondering why he was acting this way. Alex… Why is he doing this? Even if I rushed into this marriage without thinking, this is too much…

When Ian, who was visibly furious, lifted his arm without saying a word, Noah quickly clung to him in surprise. Ian didn’t care, but Alex… Alex couldn’t handle fights. Noah couldn’t bear to watch Alex get beaten by Ian.

“Ian, please calm down…”

Noah shot a look at Daniel and the guards, hoping they would intervene, but as soon as they saw Ian was really angry, they quietly backed off. Noah realized from their reaction that Ian wasn’t just bad at fighting—he was someone who would cause real damage if provoked.

Anger filled Ian to the point where his gaze left Alex and turned to Noah. Seeing him protect Alex made Ian even more frustrated. If he could, he would have torn Noah apart from head to toe. Ian sneered coldly.

“Do you really like that guy? Huh? You must have been happy going out lately since you could meet him.”

“No, it was really just a coincidence the first time we met.”

Ian’s rage was so intense that even Noah was surprised. He had thought Ian would just look displeased if he saw him with Alex, but now… it felt like…

“Are you… jealous right now?”

“What?”

Alex, who had a similar feeling, asked in a stiff voice. Ian hesitated at the question. Was he jealous? What a ridiculous question. Ian dismissed the idea with a sneer and bared his teeth.

“Maybe it’s you who’s jealous. You think I’m misunderstanding something? Don’t tell me you’re saying you don’t like Noah.”

Noah, wide-eyed in shock, looked at Ian. Wow… Ian is really perceptive. Noah had only figured out that Alex liked him around two years ago, and that too only after Heather had pointed it out to him.

Alex silently gritted his teeth. He couldn’t deny Ian’s words.

Ian’s eyes glinted cruelly.

“If you’re having some foolish dream, let me tell you this: Noah Frost is not getting divorced. You think I’ve tormented him enough? No… I’ll make sure to torment him so much that he’ll never forget me.”

The cruel smile of a winner appeared on Ian’s face as he stepped toward Alex and growled threateningly.

“Whatever happens to Noah today, it’s all your fault.”

In the middle of this dramatic confrontation, Noah absentmindedly thought, Is Ian proposing to me like this? Maybe it’s because I’m such a masochist?

Alex glared at Ian and then glanced at Noah. He knew Noah well enough to understand that, despite Ian’s provocations, Noah wasn’t suffering—he would probably even be happy about it. Alex wasn’t angry at Ian’s taunts. He simply realized that Ian didn’t hate Noah; if anything, he was perhaps even more invested than Alex had imagined.

“I think it’s you who’s having a foolish dream.”

Maybe, for Noah, this was a decent marriage. But Alex wasn’t going to give even the slightest hint or help to this man, who hadn’t even recognized his own feelings. This was also his way of getting back at Noah, who had ignored his feelings all along.

“You think Noah likes you. It might be true. But do you really think someone could endure being tormented like that?”

Alex bared his teeth and growled back. Ian’s eyes darkened, and then there was a loud slap, sending Alex’s face turning.

Noah, shocked by Alex’s actions, rushed to him.

“Alex!”

But before he could get to him, Ian grabbed Noah’s wrist and dragged him away. With a menacing look, Ian pushed Noah into the waiting limousine. He knew exactly how to hurt Alex the most… it wasn’t by beating him, but by taking away the person Alex cared about right in front of him.

Ian shot Alex a murderous glare before getting into the limo and leaving. Alex sighed, rubbing his sore cheek. His mouth tasted bitter. Was I… being childish?