TSG 20

Jin Hye-in arrived with high hopes after Ha Jin-seong promised to let her meet Shin Tae-oh, but she was disappointed.

She had seen him a few times while passing and wondered if he recognized her. However, when their eyes met, she realized. This man had no idea who she was.

Well, that could happen. Honestly, she had considered the possibility of not being recognized, so she could overlook it. All she had to do was tell him who she was. However…

Shin Tae-oh did not change even after hearing who she was. It would have been better if he didn’t know who she was in the first place.

Since he doesn’t know her, it could be considered natural for him not to be interested. However, even after knowing, the fact that he showed no interest made her feel unpleasant as if he was indifferent to whoever she was.

‘Does he even know how common it is to have someone like me?’

She spoke only to Ha Jin-seong, who was sitting next to her, revealing her discomfort towards the arrogant Shin Tae-oh. It was a sign that she would do the same if Shin Tae-oh ignored her.

The result was, of course, a failure.

‘Why is he so arrogant?’

It was a moment when resentment began to rise. Jin Hye-in saw Shin Tae-oh giving someone a drink and looked at his companion. She seemed to have seen him somewhere before.

‘His appearance is not easy to forget after seeing it once…’

His face was nice, not showy. Maybe that’s why he had a good appearance that complemented his expressionless face so well.

She wondered if she had seen Shin Tae-oh with him, and as she was thinking about it, she realized it when she saw him chatting with Shin Tae-oh.

‘What. It’s him.’

It was the person who walked with Shin Tae-oh at the hotel. The companion from that day who made her realize that Shin Tae-oh was not an eunuch.

‘What. Was he a secretary?

The thought that she was so excited just because Shin Tae-oh came to the hotel changed once more when she saw that Shin Tae-oh was hand-pouring drinks for him.

‘Who takes such good care of their secretary?’

Rather, it was the opposite. Especially Shin Tae-oh, who was famous for not taking care of anyone who wasn’t his. Jin Hye-in’s cell phone rang as she pondered whether their relationship was more than just that of a secretary and superior.

Jin Hye-in smiled deeply after checking the message from her father’s secretary.

“Jin-seong Oppa.”

She drew Ha Jin-seong in and whispered to him for a more perfect plan.

“Could you please call that secretary separately and take him out?”

She wasn’t particularly worried about whether Ha Jin-seong would grant her request. Because had been giving that secretary peculiar looks since earlier.

⍣⍣⍣

When high-ranking executives appeared, the atmosphere completely changed. Ha Jin-seong became quiet, and Jin Hye-in seemed happy as if they were on her side. And Shin Tae-oh had a troubled look in his eyes.

It became difficult for anyone to open their mouth. They were not just high-ranking executives, but also their parents, creating an unusual atmosphere.

Ha Min-hyuk went up to the podium and continued his speech about new products. The Chairman of Jinmyung Group saw this and spoke to Chairman Ha Cheol-gyu.

“Your son has done a great job this time. The pre-orders are no joke.”

“It’s not that great. It’s only around two million units; we need to sell more in the future.”

Chairman Ha Cheol-gyu acted casually, yet there was a tinge of pride in his tone.

‘This is the so-called jackpot.’

In particular, since their company could compare sales volume for each model, they could further determine how well Ha Min-hyuk’s new product was doing.

Given that it will be released as a series in the future, it has generated a significant amount of future value.

‘This must be the reason why Ha Jin-seong developed hatred towards Ha Min-hyuk.’

Ha Min-hyuk, who will face even more challenges ahead, and Yoo Jin-ha, who will be impacted by being by his side.

‘Still, they say that happiness comes after suffering…’

The thought that Ha Min-hyuk’s ordeal would become fertilizer and make a flower bloom disappeared the moment Se-hyun saw Ha Jin-seong.

‘Why…’

Was he looking at him?

⍣⍣⍣

As they were now free to talk, Chairman Ha’s secretary pointed somewhere.

“I heard that a banquet hall has been prepared. Let us go there.”

Fortunately, there was an after-party arranged after the presentation, allowing them to shift their attention there.

“Wait, let me see you for a moment.”

Se-hyun sighed as he looked at Ha Jin-seong, who ignored his wishes and left after saying what he wanted to say.

Se-hyun thought it was best to ignore him since Ha Jin-seong would end up in trouble. Se-hyun, who saw Shin Tae-oh following the chairman, quickened his pace with the intention to attend to his business quickly and then go inside.

Se-hyun unconsciously frowned as he noticed Ha Jin-seong waiting for him. He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, and didn’t look around despite knowing Se-hyun was approaching. And he just tilted his head slightly and was staring into empty space with unfocused eyes.

“How long did you work under Shin Tae-oh?”

“Three years.”

“Really? Seeing you sticking around like that, you must be good at your job. Do you have any thoughts about working for me?”

Earlier, he didn’t seem to regard himself highly, and now suddenly offering a scout…

“I’m sorry.”

“Why? Worried I won’t take good care of you? I can do well. If you want, I can even give you a kiss.”

Ha Jin-seong winked and smiled.

‘This… ’

[How long have you been dating Ha Min-hyuk? Do you have any thoughts on coming to me?]

[I can be nice to you too. I’ll give you a kiss if you want.]

Se-hyun saw a similar comment in the original.

‘Could it be that this character had such a simple repertoire of harassing people?’

Se-hyun thought Shin Tae-oh’s teasing remarks were refreshing in their own way…

Se-hyun lowered his head. His body immediately began to move as he wondered if he should continue to refuse until Ha Jin-seong backed down.

“Yes, Sir.”

Se-hyun held the cell phone to his ear and said to be on the call. Even if it wasn’t the Chairman calling, but the CEO, Se-hyun was confident he wouldn’t stop him. Se-hyun silently apologized and turned around.

“It’s nothing. I’ll be there soon.”

He treated the matter with Ha Jin-seong as nothing and quickly distanced himself.

‘Why is he like that?’

Se-hyun didn’t understand why he was acting that way, but he hoped they wouldn’t meet again.

⍣⍣⍣

When Se-hyun returned to where Shin Tae-oh was, he noticed a strange atmosphere and looked around.

Shin Tae-oh’s mother and the chairman of Jinmyung Group were together. There was also the woman named Jin Hye-in, and considering it was an introduction, it felt heavy.

For now, Se-hyun has positioned himself behind Shin Tae-oh.

And while Se-hyun was catching his breath to figure out what was going on, the chairman from Jinmyung said something uncomfortable with a red face.

“I mean, is it so difficult to tell us who the person you’re dating is?”

What kind of nonsense was this.

Se-hyun took a step to the side, looked at Shin Tae-oh’s profile, and then saw Yoo Jin-ha in the distance.

‘Come to think of it…’

Se-hyun remembered that Shin Tae-oh went to the headquarters to meet the chairman and was urged to begin dating right away.

‘Right now, Yoo Jin-ha is with Ha Min-hyuk.’

The reason why Ha Min-hyuk had Yoo Jin-ha with him today even though he was an employee of another company was to introduce him to his grandfather. That was why Se-hyun couldn’t reveal Yoo Jin-ha’s presence here.

“Hmm. I was asking if it was the person you went to the hotel with, and I’m sorry if I was very rude.”

Hotel?

Se-hyun felt eyes on him as he tried to piece together what it meant to mention the hotel. He followed the glance and realized it was Jin Hye-in. She was still staring at him with strange eyes, and Se-hyun began to feel uncomfortable.

“You seem to know that it was rude.”

Shin Tae-oh’s mother, whom he had only seen a few times, was also displeased.

‘Let’s summarize. She told Shin Tae-oh to find a lover right away. Now Jinmyung’s chairman asking if it was the person he went to the hotel with. As far as I know, Shin Tae-oh has only been to a hotel once recently. I was with him that day. So, with Shin Tae-oh… no way.’

Se-hyun looked at Jin Hye-in as he realized. Did she see them going to the hotel together? Was that why she’s acting like this?

‘That’s why Ha Jin-seong wanted me.’

Then Shin Tae-oh…

‘Ah, this guy is really…’

Even though he knew that his mother was in an awkward situation, he did not seem to want to speak out.

Now that things have become like this, Se-hyun could no longer pretend not to know. He could remain silent, but if Jin Hye-in mentioned him, this silence could become more of a problem.

If Shin Tae-oh wouldn’t speak about it… He had to do it.

“Secretary Ahn, go and do your business.”

In the midst of confusion, Se-hyun raised his head and made eye contact with Shin Tae-oh, who had been looking at him for a while.

“There’s no need to concern yourself with the matters here.”

Shin Tae-oh seemed to notice that he was concerned. Shin Tae-oh’s eyes were very affectionate as he said that it had nothing to do with him.

Should he really leave?

“Chairman, please talk to me separately.”

“I don’t feel like having a conversation with CEO Shin alone.”

“Then should we just cover it up like this? You are giving me an advantageous offer.”

Jinmyung Chairman cleared his throat and his eyes brightened as he heard Shin Tae-oh speak calmly. It was obvious to see what would benefit them now.

“This arranged marriage may seem like the stubbornness of all us older folks, but looking at the future, it is a means of strengthening the business…”

Thinking that it would be beneficial to accept Shin Tae-oh’s offer, Jinmyung Chairman raised his arm to place it around his shoulder but was blocked by the considerable height difference. Even so, he continued to talk endlessly with Shin Tae-oh, so it seemed this situation would be resolved soon.

‘It’s not my business.’

Shin Tae-oh had no relationship with him, and he couldn’t bring Yoo Jin-ha over. It wouldn’t be appropriate to intervene.

Shin Tae-oh’s stiff expression bothered him, there was no other option.

‘I’m just a secretary.’

He was nothing and there was nothing he could do…

“The topic is closed.”

Se-hyun’s body stiffened as Jin Hye-in sneered as she passed by him.

“Prepare your resignation letter. I don’t want a secretary who’s spending time at the hotel with my husband.”

Jin Hye-in has openly said that she will fire him.

‘Therefore…’

Se-hyun pondered Jin Hye-in’s words, unable to calm his rising emotions.

‘Is she saying she’s going to fire me from this sweet job?’

Was it Jin Hye-in, and not Shin Tae-o, who would make his stable life difficult? Se-hyun, who was filled with anger for the first time in a long time, raised his head and smiled.

“CEO Shin Tae-oh.”

Shin Tae-oh stopped walking when he heard Se-hyun’s voice which was neither too loud nor too soft. Se-hyun ignored Jin Hye-in’s glare at him and looked at Shin Tae-oh.