Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Why…

Why did he want the list of male employees without Chief Lee knowing…?

Kwon Jongin’s suspicions arose, but he quickly dismissed them. Seo Jaehee was not someone to question lightly. Besides, the Executive Director’s charisma felt so commanding that Jongin instinctively believed he should pledge absolute loyalty.

“Do you mean all employees in the group?”

“Yes. Every single unmarried man breathing in this building.”

“I’ll make sure to compile the list without missing anyone. I’ll also do it while Chief Lee is away.”

On the one hand, he felt relieved.

The atmosphere in the Executive Director’s office was hard to describe—an unspoken tension made Jongin feel like an intruder.

Even though both Jaehee and Suin were nothing but professional in their roles, with no overt display of personal emotions, the air around them seemed… strange.

“Get it done quickly.”

“Yes, sir!”

Jongin was genuinely thrilled to be assigned this task by the Executive Director himself. He vowed to do his utmost.

“What did the Executive Director ask for?”

“He told me to organize the meeting minutes and bring them to him.”

Of course, he felt guilty about lying to his direct supervisor…

But worshiping the Executive Director wasn’t a crime, right?

***

Kwon Jongin was acting suspicious.

After his morning visit to Jaehee’s office, Jongin had been glued to his computer, occasionally sneaking glances at Suin.

Whenever his gaze brushed past her, there was a faint but undeniable hint of guilt.

“Intern Kwon, doesn’t the Executive Director have a meeting with the SC CEO?”

“Yes, he does.”

“Make sure to join him for lunch afterward. Don’t let him eat alone.”

“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll be heading to the Chairwoman’s office to prepare for the International Business Forum.”

“Safe travels.”

Jongin’s obvious relief at seeing Suin leave the office was telling.

‘So Jaehee’s managed to recruit him,’ Suin thought, immediately grasping the situation.

She could see through Jaehee’s intentions like glass.

Sulking over the rumor about her secret fling, he was now using Jongin to work around her. By winning over the intern, he was setting up a new pawn to manipulate.

“Honestly, Seo Jaehee has a real knack for creating loyal followers.”

Suin didn’t mind.@@novelbin@@

In fact, she welcomed it.

This meant that their relationship could remain strictly professional, without any personal entanglements.

Having failed to use Jongin as a way to escape Jaehee’s control, Suin felt like she had finally regained her wings by spreading the rumor about a "fling."

“Well, poor Jongin will have his hands full from now on.”

Still, she decided to treat him kindly as a sacrificial lamb.

***

“Chairwoman.”

Arriving at the Chairwoman’s office with a light step, Suin ran into Woo Ilhwa, who was just leaving with Oh Daehwi after a meeting.

“It’s been too long, Chief Lee!”

Since they hadn’t seen each other since Jaehee’s inauguration, the Chairwoman greeted Suin warmly, her genuine affection evident in her expression.

“I’ve felt so empty without you around, Suin.”

“I feel the same way, Chairwoman.”

Suin responded with a pleasant smile.

Woo Ilhwa gently guided Suin to the side and lowered her voice.

“What about Jaehee?”

“He has a meeting with the SC CEO. Intern Kwon Jongin will be accompanying him. You’ve met him, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I was introduced to him at dinner last night. He seems like a decent young man—well-mannered and sturdy.”

“He’s just an intern, but he’s very capable. I picked him myself. Even if I’m not around, he’ll take good care of the Executive Director.”

“You chose well.”

Suin emphasized the phrase “even if I’m not around,” but Woo Ilhwa seemed to let it slide, showing no indication of changing her mind about Suin’s position.

This left Suin a bit disappointed.

The Chairwoman wasn’t ready to "rescue" her from Jaehee yet.

“Our Jaehee has such a great reputation within the group. It’s thanks to your excellent support, Suin.”

“It’s his own talent and hard work, Chairwoman.”

“Please continue to give it your best, Chief Lee.”

“Yes, I’ll do my utmost.”

For Woo Ilhwa’s peace of mind, Suin decided not to reveal Jaehee’s petty schemes.

There was no point in stirring things up unnecessarily.

After all, freedom was now within reach.

***

Suin truly relished her newfound freedom.

Although part of it was due to the time she spent in the Management Support Office preparing for Hyesung Group's International Business Forum, the main reason was Seo Jaehee’s sudden lack of interest in her personal activities. He seemed to focus solely on keeping Kwon Jongin by his side.

Thanks to this, the vague "mystery boyfriend" effect Suin had carefully constructed remained intact.

Except for Hyun Jiye, no one dared to question her about it directly, which saved her from any discomfort.

There were occasional chills creeping up her back, but she chalked it up to psychological pressure—something akin to PTSD.

This phenomenon had a name: The Seo Jaehee Syndrome.

But syndromes were meant to be overcome, and Suin spent a blissful few days at peace.

She let her guard down.

And underestimated Seo Jaehee's single-minded persistence.

“Why are there so many male employees?”

The sound of a document being flipped echoed as Jaehee voiced his complaint.

Startled awake from his nap, Kwon Jongin reflexively chimed in.

“Right? It’s really something.”

“...”

Engrossed in the list, Jaehee didn’t even notice Jongin’s laziness.

His entire focus was on the photos and neatly summarized personal details.

The list Jongin had compiled of male employees from each department was vast, befitting Hyesung Group’s size and reputation.

Yet Jaehee had ordered it to be printed, bound, and carried at all times so he could review it whenever and wherever he pleased.

Standing, sitting, or during any spare moment.

“Next.”

“Here it is.”

Despite the absurdity of the task, Jongin wasn’t neglectful in his duties.

Even now, Jaehee had completed his packed schedule and, just before clocking out, was sitting in the cafeteria, poring over the list.

“This department has even more.”

“Yes, the Construction Support Division has a higher male-to-female ratio due to the nature of their work.”

Initially, Jongin had no idea why this was happening.

Jaehee quickly skimmed past anyone over forty or those deemed unattractive but lingered over the profiles of men in their late twenties to early thirties who were considered handsome.

It seemed like he was targeting young, attractive men.

But why...

‘Could it be… his preferences…?’

For a moment, Jongin had misunderstood.

But it didn’t take long for him to realize Jaehee’s sexual preferences were entirely normal.

The real cause of this madness...

His instincts told him Jongin himself was an unwelcome participant in the situation.

“Director, it’s past eight o’clock. You should head home.”

“Is Chief Lee Suin still in the Management Support Office?”

“Yes.”

“Tell her to leave.”

“I’ve already informed her, but she seems busy preparing for the chairwoman’s forum.”

“Then let’s go.”

Jaehee stood up, still holding the bound document. When Jongin extended his hand to carry it, Jaehee shook his head.

“I’ll review it on the way.”

Jongin trailed behind him as they left the cafeteria.

“Hmm?”

Jaehee abruptly stopped as they walked through the cafeteria corridor.

His sharp gaze locked onto the lobby visible through the glass railing of the second floor.

Jongin stopped as well, following his line of sight.

There, in the center of the lobby, stood Chief Lee Suin, engaged in a lively conversation with a tall, handsome man.

“Who is that guy?”

Jaehee’s teeth audibly ground together. His stormy gray eyes seemed to swirl with black smoke.

Jongin jumped into action to extinguish the fire.

“That’s Lee Changho, an assistant manager from the Management Support Office. He’s getting married next month.”

The word “married” made Jaehee’s eyebrows twitch.

“To whom?”

Certainly not Chief Lee Suin!

Suppressing his urge to protest vehemently, Jongin explained carefully.

“Assistant Manager Jang Wonhyung from the Marketing Department. They’ve been dating within the company. There’s even a wedding invitation posted on the intranet. Would you like me to show you?”

“No. Let’s go.”

Finally convinced, Jaehee turned and walked away.

At that moment, Suin, as if sensing something, glanced up toward the second floor.

Both Jaehee and Jongin ducked behind a column, crouching beneath the railing.

‘Did she see us?’

‘I’m not sure.’

Pressed against the column, Jaehee mouthed the question, and Jongin shook his head, crouching further.

Jaehee signaled for Jongin to confirm, and Jongin cautiously peered through the glass.

By then, Suin was heading toward the main entrance.

‘She didn’t see us.’

Confidently nodding, Jongin reassured Jaehee, who finally relaxed against the column.

He watched Suin’s retreating figure.

“What am I even doing because of that woman?”

Muttering to himself, he glanced at the document in his hand.

Just as he was about to close it, a name at the bottom of the list caught his eye.

Baek Ihyeon.

The moment he saw the neat ID photo, a voice from the lobby called out.

“Suin!”

Suin stopped in her tracks and turned around.

The sight of Baek Ihyeon walking toward her came into view.