A few days later.

A difficult case arrived at Dolmare Animal Hospital, a cat with suspected nephritis. However, it didn’t show typical symptoms, necessitating detailed examinations. But when Eunwoo suggested this, the owner refused.

“Ultrasound and urinalysis? Maybe even blood tests?”

“Yes, it seems necessary given the situation.”

“I just came for medicine. Wouldn’t it get better with some rest?”
“Resting alone won’t be enough to get better in this situation.”

“Instead of excessive testing, treat me or I’ll leave.”

Eunwoo frowned as he remembered the owner’s words.

“Ah.”

Such cases are always tricky.

The owner had refused detailed testing, demanding immediate treatment instead. Insisting that they’d leave if forced to undergo tests, Eunwoo reluctantly let them go.

Normally, he would monitor how the patient responds to treatment in less severe cases, but in critical cases like this, testing is essential.

Maybe he should have suggested a less expensive alternative test, or agreed to start treatment first.

“What would have been best?”

Sighing and flipping through a textbook, Eunwoo noticed a shadow.

Seolhee?

Feeling a glimmer of hope, he looked up, only to find Ih-hyun. Eunwoo disliked him, both for his lackadaisical approach to work and his constant circling around Seolhee.

Eunwoo scowled.

“Do you need something, Dr. Ih-hyun?”

“No… it’s not that.”

Ih-hyun’s approach annoyed Eunwoo.

“Why are you here then?”

“Can’t I come? There’s no patient now, so I thought I’d have a chat with my senior.”

“You may have nothing to do, but I need to study.”

Eunwoo’s dismissive attitude made Ih-hyun chuckle.

“You’re cold.”

But Eunwoo didn’t react.

Confrontations with Ih-hyun, who had become hostile after their relationship soured, were futile.

“You’re still holding onto that one mistake I made in the past?”

Ih-hyun’s casual reference to his grave error angered Eunwoo, who bit his lip in frustration.

“You still keep grudges… Are you still bad at getting along with people? That Seolhee, or whatever her name is…”

Mentioning Seolhee’s name irked Eunwoo, who glared at Ih-hyun. Ih-hyun smirked at his reaction.

“She doesn’t seem to like you much.”

Eunwoo despised Ih-hyun’s sly nature.

“He’s skilled in manipulating words but negligent in his duties. And he should keep Seolhee out of it.”

“Why does it matter to you if Seolhee dislikes me?”

Ih-hyun’s interest piqued at Eunwoo’s retort.

“It does matter.”

Ih-hyun, pausing, then continued.
“Yu Seol Hee, that employee, she’s kind of cute.”

“So?”

“Well, not just that, but…”

When Eun Woo didn’t give the reaction Ih-hyun hoped for, Ih-hyun continued.

“I was thinking of making a move.”

“Ha.”

Really tiring, all of this.

Eun Woo disliked the thought of Ih-hyun bothering Seol Hee and making her struggle, remembering how troubled she looked when they encountered each other the day before.

He knew getting involved with Ih-hyun over this would lead to more trouble, but if there had to be trouble, Eun Woo preferred it be with him rather than with Seol Hee. He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

“Don’t do it.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t like it.”

Ih-hyun raised an eyebrow amusedly at Eun Woo.

“If you dislike it, should I stop?”

“Not exactly, but Yu Seol Hee…”

Eun Woo hadn’t expected to say such things, but Ih-hyun’s provocation left him gritting his teeth.

“She’s mine. So stay away from her.”

The mask that had long been on Eun Woo’s face shattered. He couldn’t hold back any longer.

“If you bother her or make her struggle, I won’t let it go.”