Alpha Culinary Love

"Hey," she said softly. "How did it go with Delacroix?"

I forced a smile, trying to hide the turmoil inside me. "It was... enlightening. But don't worry about it. Let's just get some rest."

Jiyeon nodded, setting her book aside and snuggling into the blankets. As I lay down beside her, I couldn't help but think about the conversation with Delacroix. She had made her intentions clear, and I knew I had to act fast to protect Jiyeon.

The next morning, I woke up early, my mind already racing with ideas. Jiyeon was still asleep, her breathing slow and steady. I slipped out of bed quietly, not wanting to wake her. As I made my way to the kitchen to make some coffee, I mentally ran through my options. Delacroix was a problem, but she was also a professor at the academy—a position that came with a certain level of power and influence. I couldn't just confront her head-on without repercussions.

But I had resources of my own. My family was wealthy, and with that wealth came power. I had avoided using it in the past, preferring to handle things on my own. But this was different. Jiyeon was worth any sacrifice, and I wasn't going to let anyone come between us.

As I sipped my coffee, an idea began to form. It was risky, but it could work. I would need to gather some information first, though. Delacroix had to have some weaknesses, some vulnerabilities that I could exploit. Everyone did.

Later that day, while Jiyeon was in class, I decided to visit the administrative office. As an omega with influential connections, I knew how to get the information I needed. I approached the receptionist with a friendly smile.

"Good morning," I said. "I was wondering if I could speak with someone about Professor Delacroix's background. I'm considering writing an article about the faculty for the school newsletter."

The receptionist looked at me with mild suspicion but nodded. "I'll see if someone is available to help you. Please wait here."

A few minutes later, a woman who introduced herself as Ms. Park came to greet me. She led me to a small office and gestured for me to sit.

"So, you're interested in Professor Delacroix?" Ms. Park asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," I replied, trying to sound casual. "She's such a prominent figure at the academy. I thought it would be interesting to learn more about her background."

Ms. Park nodded slowly. "Well, Professor Delacroix has been with us for several years now. She's very accomplished in her field. Is there anything specific you want to know?"

I leaned in slightly, feigning interest. "I was hoping to get some details about her career before she joined the academy. You know, to provide some context for the readers."

Ms. Park hesitated for a moment, then opened a file on her desk. "Delacroix came highly recommended from her previous positions. She has a strong academic record and extensive experience in culinary arts. Before joining us, she worked at several prestigious institutions."

As she spoke, I caught sight of a name on one of the documents in the file. It was an unfamiliar name, but something about it piqued my curiosity. "Do you mind if I take a look at that?" I asked, pointing to the document.

Ms. Park hesitated again but handed it over. "This is just a summary of her previous employment."

I scanned the document quickly, noting the names of the institutions and some dates. One name, in particular, stood out—an academy in France where Delacroix had worked before coming here. I made a mental note to investigate further.

"Thank you so much for your help," I said, handing the document back. "This will be very useful for the article."

Ms. Park smiled politely. "I'm glad I could assist. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."

With that, I left the office, my mind already racing with possibilities. If I could find something incriminating in Delacroix's past, I could use it to get her removed from the academy. But I needed more information.

I decided to use some of my family's resources to dig deeper. That evening, I made a call to a private investigator my family had used in the past. I explained the situation, emphasizing the need for discretion.

"I need you to find out everything you can about a woman named Delacroix," I said. "She worked at an academy in France before coming here. I need to know if there's anything in her past that could be used against her."

The investigator assured me he would start immediately and get back to me as soon as he had something. With that taken care of, I turned my attention back to Jiyeon. She had just returned from class, looking tired but happy.

"Hey, you," she said, giving me a warm smile. "How was your day?"

"Productive," I replied, hugging her tightly. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," she said, kissing me softly. "I'm glad you're here."

We spent the evening together, trying to enjoy some normalcy despite the tension lurking beneath the surface. But I couldn't shake the feeling of urgency. Delacroix was a threat, and I needed to neutralize her as soon as possible.

A few days later, the investigator called me with some news. He had found something in Delacroix's past—an incident at the French academy that had been quietly covered up. It wasn't anything criminal, but it was enough to tarnish her reputation if it came to light.

Armed with this information, I knew I had the leverage I needed. But I still had to be careful. Delacroix was cunning, and I couldn't afford to underestimate her.

I decided to confront her again, this time with a plan in mind. That evening, after Jiyeon had gone to bed, I made my way to Delacroix's office. I knocked on the door, my heart pounding.

"Come in," her voice called from inside.

I entered, closing the door behind me. Delacroix looked up from her desk, a slight smirk on her lips. "Yura, what a surprise. What can I do for you?"

"I want to talk about Jiyeon," I said, keeping my voice steady. "And about you."

Delacroix leaned back in her chair, her eyes glittering with amusement. "Oh? And what about us?"

"I know about your past," I said, watching her expression closely. "The incident in France."

Her smirk faltered for a moment, then she regained her composure. "I see you've been doing some digging. And what do you plan to do with this information?"

"I plan to make sure you leave Jiyeon alone," I said, stepping closer. "You see, I have the power to make your life very difficult. Or I can make it very easy, if you agree to my terms."

Delacroix's eyes narrowed. "And what are these terms?"

"You will stop pursuing Jiyeon," I said firmly. "You will resign from the academy and leave town. If you do that, I won't reveal what I know. If you refuse, I'll make sure everyone knows about your past."

For a moment, Delacroix seemed to consider her options. Then she smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "You drive a hard bargain, Yura. But I'm not one to back down easily."

"Think about it," I said, meeting her gaze. "Is Jiyeon really worth ruining your career over?"

Delacroix's smile faded, replaced by a look of frustration. "Fine. I'll leave her alone. But don't think this is over."

"Oh, it is," I said, turning to leave. "Believe me, it is."

As I walked out of her office, I felt a sense of relief. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was a start. Delacroix was still a threat, but I had bought us some time.

Over the next few days, Delacroix's demeanor towards Jiyeon changed. She was still polite and professional, but the personal interest had faded. Jiyeon noticed the change too and seemed relieved.

One evening, as we were having dinner, Jiyeon looked at me thoughtfully. "You know, Delacroix has been acting differently lately. Did something happen?"

I smiled, reaching across the table to take her hand. "Let's just say I had a little talk with her. She won't be bothering us anymore."

Jiyeon squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Yura. I don't know what I would do without you."

"You don't have to worry about that," I said softly. "I'll always be here for you."

But I knew the battle wasn't over yet. Delacroix might have agreed to back off, but I couldn't trust her completely. I decided to keep a close watch on her, just in case.

A week later, the academy announced that Delacroix had resigned and would be leaving immediately. A new professor, a beta named Ms. Kim, was introduced as her replacement.