The scent of lilies wafted strongly as a woman stepped out of a black SUV in front of the deLuna Company headquarters. Her high heels sparkled, her pastel dress fell above her knees, jacket was casually draped over her shoulders, and she wore black sunglasses that covered her eyes—this was the appearance of the President and CEO of deLuna Company that day.
Her slender fingers, adorned with long red nails and jewels, removed the black sunglasses. Secretary Rei was already waiting and obediently pocketed the sunglasses.
"How do I look today, Secretary Rei?"
"Gorgeous, as always, President." He praised with a straight face and full professionalism.
"Does gray—silver suit me?" The owner of the lily scent elegantly flicked her long gray—silver hair. "I still feel like the bright red from last week wasn't bad."
"Whatever it is, you always look amazing, President." The president smiled contentedly as she walked among the employees who stopped and bowed when they passed her.
"Have you gathered the files and data I wanted? Make sure to collect all the data from the last ten years. I don't want any of it to be missed." Secretary Rei nodded in understanding. "And, has AtoZ Holding responded?" The woman stopped walking and turned to look directly at Secretary Rei's face.
"AtoZ Holding still hasn't responded, President." The aura around the woman changed, the scent of pheromones that had been faintly detectable now became sharp and intense, indicating how much she disliked the news.
"Forget about AtoZ Holding, just because they're at the top—the economic rulers—they can look down on our company." The president resumed walking. "It's okay if they don't respond, don't contact them again."
"Yes, President. Then today, the executive board wants to meet with you."
"What for? I don't have an appointment with them today." She raised one eyebrow.
"The other executives are there too."
Like it or not, the CEO had to meet with the executive board who were waiting in one of the meeting rooms. When she entered, followed by her secretary Rei, serious faces followed her. As an arrogant president, she did not turn to look at them and immediately sat down in her chair.
"Good morning," she said, sounding half-hearted. "I remember that today is not the day for the monthly meeting, nor is there anything important to discuss. I'm even more surprised to see my father, mother, grandmother, and grandfather here too." The faces of the people she mentioned were calm and expressionless. The oldest woman—who was sitting closest to her—raised her glass elegantly, her graying hair not affecting her aura.
Not only that, but her mother and father were no different. Their expressions were flat, calm, and serious as they glanced at the president occasionally. "Why are you so vulgar? You are the president and CEO of this company, yet your pheromones are all over the place." The grandmother put down her glass and turned to her granddaughter.
"You're no longer a child who can't control your pheromones. Do you want to look arrogant and conceited?"
The woman smirked, unconcerned, and the strong scent of lilies grew more intense. The other executives tried to restrain themselves from running out of the room, resisting the shivers and goosebumps that ran through their bodies as their pheromone glands forced them to submit. However, this did not apply to the four members of the deLuna family. They remained still, as if unaffected, untouched, because they had prepared themselves.
"The doctor forbade me to use suppressants, either internal or external. Grandma knows that for the past three years I have had a pheromone disorder." She leaned back in her chair, folded her arms, and gave a sharp look.
With a brief glance, a man placed a file in front of her. "This is a candidate for your future husband. The pheromone disorder you suffer from can be treated with a permanent bond—forming a bond with a mate." Her face, which had been listless from the start, was now covered with dark clouds. The scent of lilies grew more intense and powerful, now the scent was even stronger.
Even her family members couldn't withstand the pressure from her overly strong and wild pheromones.
"Lilith!" The old man, who had been silent since the beginning, let out a threatening voice. The sharp scent of willow wafted through the air, pushing her back. Faced with an attack targeted at her, Lilith felt suffocated, her pheromone glands throbbing painfully, sweat instantly dripping from her temples. The president clutched her chest, dizzy, her world spinning.
"Mr. William, please stop. President Lilith just got out of the hospital, you could make her condition worse." Secretary Rei held his boss, his expressionless face changing to worry and anxiety.
Slowly, William's pressure disappeared. Gradually, Lilith could feel her breath returning. She lifted her head and looked at the old man sitting to her right.
"Hah. You gathered here this morning just to tell me to get married? Tell me, which company sold their son to you?" She took the folder and threw it onto the table without opening it. She wasn't afraid that the old man would attack her again. The old man was lucky because the residual medication given by the doctor was still in his system; otherwise, that Level A wouldn't have been able to suppress her so easily. Lilith felt humiliated. William could try again, but this time he could promise them all something different.
"If you insist on refusing, we will be forced to remove you from the seat you are currently occupying." A threat. "You're there because you're the only one in this family with dominant S-level pheromones. You've proven your abilities, but that doesn't mean we can't force you down." Setting aside the pheromone abnormality she suffered from, she knew many were waiting for her to slip up so they could sink her. All of them—every member of her family—were natural predators, hunters who would mercilessly prey on their own kind. There were no friends in this family; they were all enemies.
Lilith tapped her long fingers on the table, her red nails making a soft sound. The reason they hadn't done anything yet was because they were still afraid and wary of her. She was the strongest, worthy of fear. However, they wouldn't stop there; they would do anything to achieve their respective goals.
"I'm getting married," she said suddenly, causing all heads to turn toward her.
"Secretary Rei, post an announcement on the company website that the President and CEO of deLuna Company is holding a contest to find a husband. Anyone can participate, there are no restrictions, people from all walks of life are welcome."
Seeing the cracks on her family members' expressionless faces, Lilith grinned. "There is only one condition: if they can withstand my pheromone attack, I will marry them." The woman stood up from her seat. Before she left, the CEO glanced back at all her family members. "You must ensure that the names in that folder participate in this contest."
.....
In this era, humans are born with pheromone glands on their bodies—specifically in the nape of the neck. These pheromones emit different scents for each person, ranging from fresh, fragrant, intoxicating, to unfamiliar odors that have never existed before. Over time, pheromone glands have become an important part of every individual. They serve as an identifier, a signature, and also as a source of power.
Pheromones are divided into two types: dominant and submissive. Those with dominant pheromones can easily make submissive pheromones bow down, placing them under their control, obedient and unable to resist with just a pheromone attack. Those with dominant pheromones are divided into several levels: A, B, C, D, and S.
Those with S-level pheromones are few and far between, and their presence is greatly feared. They are intelligent, physically strong, and possess pheromones that can easily overpower other dominant individuals.
One of the most famous owners of S-level dominant pheromones in the country is a woman named Lilith Lana deLuna, whose lily of the valley scent has inspired major companies. She is also known for her beautiful face and arrogant attitude.
Born into the power-hungry deLuna family, with its never-ending internal intrigues, she sits in the CEO's chair like a queen on her throne, subduing those who try to bring her down.
...