IMAO Chapter 49

Raine: I know this is late. I’m so sorry. I have been busy the past few days and got sick because of the stress. I will post two chapters a day this week to make up for the missed days.

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Hosea made no attempt to hide his scrutiny of Ji Chong’s appearance. Although he had long known of Ji Chong’s exceptional looks, seeing him in person still left him somewhat surprised. Ji Chong was like an unsheathed blade, heavy and sharp. Just standing there, he exuded a sharp sense of oppression.

It was both similar to and different from what he’d imagined.

Alfonso caught a glimpse of Hosea from the corner of his eye and saw those beautiful peach blossom eyes fixed on Ji Chong with an ambiguous smile.

Ji Chong’s features were bold and handsome, carrying that unique valor of a military man, the kind that proved fatally attractive to Omegas like Hosea.

Alfonso’s Omega children had only met Ji Chong once before begging him to make introductions. It had been quite embarrassing for him. Back then, Ji Chong was barely out of military academy, but he’d directly rejected his Omega daughter. Two years later, his Omega son had met the same fate.

If Ji Rong didn’t share a fifty percent resemblance with Ji Chong, Alfonso would have assumed Ji Rong was adopted and was just an excuse to keep Omegas at bay.

He found it hard to imagine what kind of Omega or Beta had given birth to Ji Rong. Although Ji Chong never spoke of them, Alfonso understood that he was clearly waiting for their return.

Ji Chong waited for a while, but Alfonso didn’t say anything, so he had to call out to him.

Alfonso finally tore his gaze away from Ji Chong, coughing lightly behind his fist before introducing, “This is Prince Hosea.”

As soon as Alfonso finished speaking, Hosea stepped forward, extending his hand to shake Ji Chong’s. “Hello.”

“Hello,” Ji Chong replied.

Hosea released Ji Chong’s hand with a composed expression, then averted his gaze and headed downstairs with the other two.

In the dining room below, seven students and seven or eight military officers were already seated, waiting. As Ji Chong and the other two descended the spiral staircase, everyone stood up to greet them.

Ji Chong’s expressionless face naturally carried an intense pressure that made students instantly nervous, except for Ji Rong and Jiang Yuan. Ji Rong was used to it, while Jiang Yuan seemed immune to the pressure entirely.

The Silver Palace had prepared both Federation cuisine and Hoyt delicacies. The food was excellent, and Jiang Yuan ate a lot.

Hosea was enjoying his meal contentedly, but his communicator buzzed. Upon checking the message, his previously relaxed brows furrowed. It was obvious that the content of the text message on the communicator made him unhappy.

Putting away his communicator, Hosea stood up and said, “Please continue eating. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll leave first.”

As he walked out, he paused briefly before adding, “Marshal Ji, would you mind escorting me?”

Ji Chong met Hosea’s gaze for a moment. “Okay.”

Ji Chong’s frown deepened, unable to gauge the intentions of this prince he’d just met.

At the dining table, Ji Rong suddenly lifted his head to look at Hosea, his thoughts churning like dark spots on the sun’s surface: What was this person trying to do?! Pursue his father? Become his ‘stepmother’?

Absolutely not!

It wasn’t that Ji Rong was being selfish in his disapproval. His father was like Mount Hua’s precipice. Forget about touching him, most people couldn’t even withstand a single glance from him.

Ji Rong silently lit a candle for Hosea in his heart. No matter how noble your status, it meant nothing before his father.

He’d never considered his father finding him a ‘stepmother.’ What kind of person would that even be… He couldn’t imagine it. He couldn’t even picture his birth Omega parent, let alone a ‘stepmother.’

Hosea’s eyes flashed with delight at Ji Chong’s agreement.

Ji Chong adjusted his clothes and left with Hosea. Alfonso shook his head secretly. The prince was too hasty. Ji Chong wasn’t someone who could be conquered by mere advances.

As they walked out the main door, Hosea suddenly turned to look at Ji Chong.

“Marshal Ji, would you mind if I ask you a rather personal question?”

Hosea had one hand in his pocket, wearing a confident smile, the beauty mark at the corner of his eye adding a unique charm.

Ji Chong frowned, and after a brief exchange of looks with Hosea, he said gravely, “Go ahead.”

“Are you still single?” Hosea asked.

Ji Chong replied calmly, “No.”

“Oh?” Hosea was clearly startled, reflexively questioning, “How is that possible? Who is it? I’ve been keeping track of your movements. This can’t be!”

Although Ji Chong wasn’t a narcissistic person, hearing Hosea’s words, he couldn’t help but suspect the Hoyt prince was trying to pursue him.

A cold glint flickered in Ji Chong’s eyes. The fact that Hosea had been watching him made him deeply uncomfortable.

“Your Highness seems very interested in me. While there may not be anyone by my side, there is someone in my heart,” Ji Chong said flatly.

Upon hearing this, Hosea immediately clutched his chest, his expression a mix of laughter and tears. “You gave me quite a scare.”

“Then, Marshal Ji, might I have the honor of inviting you to my birthday celebration in three days?”

Ji Chong raised an eyebrow. “Your Highness, I think I’ve made it quite clear-“

“Ah, my escort has arrived,” Hosea cut off Ji Chong’s rejection, turning back to wink at him. “Marshal Ji, consider it settled then. You must come, and remember to bring Ji Rong.”

At the mention of Ji Rong’s name, Ji Chong’s eyebrow twitched involuntarily. Upon returning, he immediately stopped Alfonso.

“What’s really going on here? The military forcing me to take leave and come to Hoyt, it’s not that simple, is it?” Ji Chong leaned against the wall by the room’s door, asking in a deep voice.

Alfonso spread his hands helplessly. “We really can’t hide anything from you.”

After explaining everything in detail to Ji Chong, he continued, “Listen, Hosea knows more about you than I do. I’m sure he’s investigated you thoroughly. He’s serious about this. I didn’t tell him about Ji Rong; he already knew.”

Alfonso faced the expressionless Ji Chong without a trace of guilt or embarrassment. Instead, he patted Ji Chong’s shoulder rather presumptuously and said, “Ji Chong, I’m doing this for our country.”

Ji Chong stared at Alfonso for half a minute, speechless.

…

Hosea entered the Hoyt Palace, meeting his older brother Horace, who was coming toward him.

“Ge.” Hosea was clearly in a good mood, calling out with a smile on his beautiful lips.

Horace glanced at Hosea, raising an eyebrow. His high cheekbones and the sharp lines of his eyes created an overwhelming presence. “You, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Hosea looked at Horace. Unlike his own delicate beauty, his brother possessed both their father’s valor and their mother’s refinement. His face could only be described as luxurious, perfect in every detail.

No Omega who’d ever met Horace could resist him. His striking appearance had captured countless Omega hearts, but Hosea found it amusing.

These Omegas who were infatuated with Horace could never imagine that their iron-blooded emperor was actually an Omega himself.

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