Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Jongin ate another serving of tension-filled silence.

Even though it was a warm spring day outside, the atmosphere inside the Executive Director's office felt like the dead of winter.

“Chief Lee Suin.”

The Executive Director’s tone was frosty.

For a while, it had been as sweet as cotton candy spun with honey. But now...@@novelbin@@

“I have a favor to ask. Can you handle it? You always seem so busy with everything.”

“Go ahead. Considering how busy you are yourself, of course I’ll handle it.”

The strange thing wasn’t the Executive Director. It was Chief Lee.

Normally, when dealing with him, she maintained an unwavering calm. Even if she wavered, she stuck to a defensive stance. But today, she was completely different.

She was like a warrior fully prepared for a counterattack.

“This is the project proposal I was working on for the New York branch. It’s only in English, so please organize it in Korean.”

“Understood.”

“You can translate it, right? I recall your skills used to surpass mine.”

“Sure. Shall we do it here?” she replied smoothly, in English.

Her gaze, responding instantly in kind to the Executive Director’s subtle jab, was like that of a lioness on the hunt.

“Director, I have intern training scheduled this afternoon…”

“So you’ll be out of the office all afternoon?”

“Yes.”

“Of course, as usual.”

“Director, I’m not habitually absent to the extent that you’d need to make that kind of remark.”

“Was that a jab? I wasn’t aware.”

“Well, that’s how it came across to me.”

“Perception is subjective, but I’ll apologize. I’m sorry.”

“I accept your apology.”

As if spectating a battle between a lion and a lioness, Jongin stood awkwardly, unsure whether to sit or remain standing.

A sense of déjà vu struck him.

This feeling… He’d experienced it before, somewhere…

What was it?

What was this sensation…?

“Should I be grateful that you’ve accepted my apology?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary.”

“Alright, then.”

Ah!

That’s it.

It was like being stuck in the middle of his parents’ arguments when they fought.

“Intern Kwon Jongin, come in.”

“Intern Kwon is working with me. Unless it’s urgent, I’ll send him in a little later.”

“It’s very urgent.”

The sensation was just like when his parents—upset with each other—would turn to him and demand, ‘Do you like Mom more or Dad more?’ forcing him to make an impossible choice.

“Intern Kwon Jongin, follow me.”

“Yes, Director!” Jongin instinctively answered loudly, startled by the Executive Director’s commanding tone. Then, he immediately glanced at Chief Lee, gauging her reaction.

Her displeasure was evident, her expression tightening as she frowned slightly and gestured with her head.

“Go on.”

“Yes, Chief.”

But my heart is with you, Chief! Jongin threw her an apologetic look of support as he trailed after the Executive Director.

As he followed Seo Jaehee out of the office, a sudden thought struck him.

It made sense for the jealous Executive Director to act this way, but… why was Chief Lee angry too?

In most of his parents’ fights, it was usually Dad’s fault…

What did the Executive Director do wrong this time?

***

Jongin found himself unable to stand the sight of him.

Suin was in a foul mood all day.

Conversations or joint tasks with Executive Director Seo Jaehee were unavoidable due to work. She maintained her poker face, but internally, her irritation simmered. She walked around like a puffed-up toad, ready to burst.

“I can’t stand him.”

Truly, she couldn’t.

She hated his deep gray eyes that reminded her of the depths of the ocean. She hated his beautifully red lips that radiated an alluring glow.

She wanted to sink her teeth into them.

Bite down, hard.

The mere thought of those eyes looking at someone else—Yoo Ahjin—or those lips smiling at them (even if she’d never witnessed it) set her ablaze with anger.

“Professional courtesy and respect-based business etiquette reflect the dignity of workplace life. It’s essential for everyone and a fundamental manner we all need to uphold.”

Even as she conducted a workplace etiquette and business manners training session for the interns, excluding Jongin, who’d already secured his position, her mind relentlessly chewed on thoughts of Seo Jaehee.

“I can’t stand him.”

Clap, clap, clap!

“Thank you, Chief!”

The session ended with applause and cheers from the interns, but Suin’s inner monologue of discontent continued unabated.

Of course, no one noticed—not even Suin herself.

“Thank you for your hard work, Chief.”

“Yes.”

“The Chairwoman asked you to call her after the session.”

Hyun Jiye handed Suin her phone, which she had been holding for her during the training.

Suin glanced at the interns exiting the room in a flurry and asked, “Did she arrive at the airport?”

“Yes, she has some time before her flight, so she’s resting. If you call her now, she’ll answer.”

“Got it. You can head home now.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Chief.”

After sending Jiye off, Suin sat down in the now-empty training room and made the call.

“Chairwoman, did you arrive at the airport safely?”

“Yes, I got here fine. I just feel a bit uneasy going on this business trip without you, Chief Lee.”

Even from Incheon Airport, preparing to depart for England, Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa seemed to feel the weight of Suin’s absence.

Suin also felt a twinge of regret.

“It’s only four days. Am I being too dramatic?”

“Please take care and travel safely.”

She kept her tone calm and measured, showing no sign of emotion.

Pleased by her composed reply, Woo Ilhwa continued.

“By the way, could you stop by Hyesung House on your way home? My mother prepared some restorative food for Jaehee.”

“Restorative food? Did she hear about his injury?”

“No. She just wanted to make something for her grandson, who hasn’t been home because of work. She’s worried about his health.”

“Ah…”

Kim Myung-rye and Professor Seo Sungyeok had been told that Jaehee was staying at a hotel near the office due to project-related busyness. If they knew the real reason, they’d rush over barefoot, so the truth had been kept under tight wraps.

“I’ll pick it up and deliver it to him.”

“Sorry for the trouble. Thank you.”

“Don’t worry. Have a safe trip.”

After ending the call with the Chairwoman, Suin lingered in the empty training room for a while, intentionally waiting for Jaehee to leave for the day.

By the time she headed to the Executive Director’s office, Jaehee and Jongin were already gone.

In the uneasy stillness, she grabbed her car keys and made her way to the underground parking lot.

It had been a long time since Suin visited Hyesung House.

Although Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa had only taken her driver and personal secretary Oh Daehwi to the airport, she rarely requested Suin to visit Hyesung House.

It was a considerate gesture, knowing Suin didn’t leave on the best of terms.

“Hello, Grandma.”

“Oh, Suin! You’re here. Is our Jaehee eating well while he works? Please take care of him and make sure he doesn’t overdo it. Here’s the braised short ribs. They’re still hot, so make sure he eats them right away…”

Kim Myung-rye, who adored her grandson, barely paused to greet Suin.

Even as she handed over a bundle of food, she continued her endless string of reminders.

“I’ll make sure to take good care of him.”

“Yes, please. It’s such a relief that you’re so thorough. Thank you, Suin.”

Reassuring her with a trustworthy smile, Suin left Hyesung House.

Getting to the hotel wasn’t difficult.

Thanks to Professor Seo Sungyeok’s prior notice, Jaehee was waiting, making the delivery to his room seamless.

The problem was leaving.

“Here’s your meal, Director. Please enjoy it.”

After setting the food on the table, Suin prepared to make her escape.

But Seo Jaehee wasn’t about to let her leave so easily.

“Let’s eat together.”

“No, thank you. I have plans.”

“Cancel them.”

Standing in the doorway with his imposing frame, he blocked her exit and issued an absurd command.

His one-sided attitude ignited Suin’s temper. Executive or not, this was too much.

“What gives you the right to tell me to cancel my plans?”

“I don’t have that right. And if I tried to use my authority as an Executive Director, you’d just call it an abuse of power.”

“Then why are you giving orders?”

Maybe it was because she’d been bottling up her frustration all day, but her words came out harsher than she intended, sounding almost like a challenge.

“I wouldn’t call it an order. I just don’t like the idea of you having plans with someone else.”

“What do you mean, you don’t like it? You do whatever you want.”

“What have I done?”

“Forget it. I don’t want to talk about it.”

The exasperation she’d been holding back finally exploded.

Jaehee frowned in disbelief as he looked down at her, his brow furrowing.

“What are you so angry about? You’re mad at the wrong person.”

“And why is that?”

“This morning, you were with Baek Ihyeon. Even after I warned you.”

“Look who’s talking. Did you conveniently forget about your cozy little moment with Yoo Ahjin? I saw you linking arms with her!”

Her mocking tone escalated into a shout before she realized it.

Jaehee’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Ah.

Suin instantly realized her mistake.

“…”

A tense silence filled the room, the air thick with shock and disbelief.

Terrified of what might come next, Suin turned to flee.

But—

Thud.

Jaehee’s strong arm slammed against the doorway, blocking her path.

“Lee Suin.”

She froze, startled, as his shadow loomed over her.

His dark gray eyes, now as black as the midnight sky, bore into hers.

“Are you… jealous?”