The moment the press conference aired, the Veris home exploded — not literally, but emotionally.
Lian's mother screamed first.
"A-A-ARION VAYNE HELD YOUR WAIST ON CAMERA?!"
His father dropped the TV remote, eyes bulging.
"I can't breathe—someone bring me water—no—actually bring me something stronger—!"
And Lin—
Oh Lin.
She was on top of the sofa, recording everything on her phone like a wildlife documentary.
"Behold!" she narrated.
"The rare species called: My Brother Being Manhandled By A Rich Alpha!"
"LIN!" Lian shouted.
His cheeks were redder than the curtains.
"You went viral in three minutes," Lin continued, zooming the camera into his suffering face. "The whole country is thirsting over your 'shy omega aesthetic'. Look at this comment—"
"STOP READING COMMENTS!"
Too late.
Lin read it loudly:
"'I'd let CEO Vayne choke me if he looked at me the way he looks at his fiancé.'"
Lian screamed into his hands.
His mother screamed because he screamed.
His father screamed because everyone else screamed.
The neighbors probably screamed too.
Lin collapsed laughing.
"This is the BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE."
But the mood shifted when the news segment changed.
A new headline flashed:
"BUSINESS EXPERTS QUESTION THE ENGAGEMENT — IS LIAN VERIS A WEAK LINK?""OMEGA OF MODEST BACKGROUND ENTERS THE VAYNE DYNASTY — IS HE WORTHY?"
The reporter spoke coldly, cutting:
"Some executives within the Vayne consortium claim the engagement may destabilize the company's reputation. Others comment that Omega Lian Veris lacks a prestigious pedigree."
The room fell silent.
Painfully silent.
Lian felt his heart sink so fast it almost hurt.
He wrapped his arms around himself, shrinking.
His father clenched his fists.
"How dare they talk about you like that?"
His mother pressed a hand over her mouth.
"Just because we're middle-class doesn't mean we're lesser—"
Lin's cheerful face hardened instantly.
Her bright eyes flashed with anger.
"No one insults my family."
But the comments kept coming.
The reporter continued:
"Sources say many business leaders prefer a high-profile Omega match for CEO Arion Vayne."
"Another source claims Lian Veris has 'nothing to offer' in this alliance."
Lin threw a pillow at the TV.
"THEY HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER EXCEPT THEIR UGLY MOUTHS!"
Lian sat down slowly.
"…Maybe they're right," he whispered.
His mother rushed to him.
"No, baby—"
Lian forced a small smile.
"It's true I'm not from a big family. Or powerful. Or… anything special."
His father gripped his shoulder.
"You have us. You have character. You have kindness. That's worth more than some rotten businessmen."
But Lian's gaze drifted to the screen again.
Arion had defended him fiercely.
But the world…
The world wasn't so gentle.
*************************************
Across the city, executives in luxury cars and high-rise offices talked endlessly, gossiping like crows.
Vayne Corporation — Executive Meeting
High-ranking board members murmured in a closed room.
"This marriage is a mistake."
"Arion should choose a high-profile Omega from a well-standing family."
"An Omega with no pedigree could destabilize our alliances."
"What if shareholders panic?"
"What if the press turns against us?"
Some smirked.
Some sneered.
And a few looked genuinely worried.
One particularly loud voice said:
"Frankly, Lian Veris looks fragile. He won't survive in this world."
The door opened.
The room froze.
Arion Vayne walked in.
His expression?
Freezing. Controlled. Deadly.
"Say that again," Arion said, voice dangerously soft.
The man who insulted Lian swallowed.
"C-CEO Vayne… I only meant that—"
Arion stepped closer.
"Our engagement is confirmed," he said. "Any executive who undermines my fiancé is undermining me."
A whisper rippled across the room.
"CEO Vayne—surely emotions aren't involved—"
Arion's eyes sharpened.
"We aren't discussing emotions. We're discussing respect."
No one dared speak.
Arion's voice dropped another degree colder.
"Lian Veris is under my protection. Anyone who forgets that…"
He paused.
"Won't remain in this company."
Silence.
Not even breathing dared to exist.
_______________________________________________
Back at the Veris home, Lin's phone buzzed.
Her eyes widened.
"Lian… Lian… LIAN!"
He jumped. "What?! Did another pillow explode? Did mom faint again?!"
"No—LOOK!"
She shoved her phone into his face.
A leaked clip was circulating online — Arion confronting the executives.
His voice in the clip was crisp:
"Anyone who disrespects Lian disrespects me."
Lin screamed.
Their mother burst into tears again.
Their father clutched his chest dramatically.
Lian stared at the screen, stunned.
"…He… said that…?"
Lin grinned wickedly.
"Your Alpha defended you in a boardroom full of wolves. This is not JUST an agreement, brother."
Lian's ears burned.
"No—he was just handling corporate issues—"
Lin snorted so loud it shook the walls.
"Sure. Keep lying to yourself, sweetheart."
But even Lian couldn't fully deny the warmth spreading in his chest.
_____________________________________________
At the Vayne mansion, Elder Vayne listened to the backlash report.
"Hmph. As expected."
Farrah eyed him carefully.
"You don't approve of Lian?"
Elder Vayne scoffed.
"He looks delicate. Naive. Too soft to handle our world."
But Farrah smirked.
"Funny… Arion seems to like soft things."
Elder Vayne glared at her.
"What are you insinuating?"
"Oh nothing," she hummed, sipping tea.
"Except that Arion has never defended anyone in a board meeting before. Ever."
The elder paused.
"…He defended him?"
Farrah's smile widened.
"With teeth."
Elder Vayne's expression shifted — not softer, but thoughtful.
"…Interesting."
****************
Lian was in bed, still shaken but calmer.
His phone buzzed.
Arion Vayne Calling.
Lian sat up straight.
"H-Hello?"
Arion's voice was softer than usual.
"You and your family… are you okay?"
Lian swallowed.
"Yes. We're fine. Just… overwhelmed."
A pause.
"I saw the coverage," Arion said. "The comments. The backlash."
Lian looked down.
"Sorry. I'm causing trouble."
"Lian."
Arion's voice tightened.
"You did nothing wrong."
Lian bit his lip.
"But your business—"
"I will handle the business."
"But your family—"
"I will handle my family."
"But the media—"
"Lian."
Arion exhaled slowly, almost… frustrated at himself.
"I chose this engagement. You don't have to carry its weight alone."
Lian blinked.
Arion paused again, then said quietly:
"…Let me protect the things connected to you."
Lian's breath caught.
"…Okay."
Neither spoke for a few seconds.
But it wasn't awkward.
It was warm.
Slowly shifting.
Slowly opening.
Arion cleared his throat.
"I'll come by tomorrow. We need to prepare for the next appearance."
"O-Okay."
"And Lian…?"
"Yes?"
A long pause.
Then:
"Don't read the comments."
Lian smiled faintly.
"…Okay."
The call ended.
But both lay awake far longer than they admitted.