Impossible Romance - Chapter 18

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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18.

“Everything you’ve said is correct, Director. I have much to learn.”
I swallowed the sob rising in my throat and spoke.
Only then did Han Seon-young’s expression soften.
“Good. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you? I won’t stop you from sleeping with someone. It’s not like Seok-ha is the only one who plays around with women. There’s nothing wrong with it. Besides, you probably don’t dislike it either. Both Seok-ha and I will make sure you’re well taken care of. I’m even thinking of rewarding you.”
“….”
I wanted nothing more than to escape this place. My ears felt like they were rotting, my heart crumbling to dust.
I wanted to demand what right she had to measure me and my family by such a standard.
“But you must never overstep the position of my daughter-in-law. I’m talking about Seok-ha’s spouse. Marriage is out of the question. Do you understand? If you promise me just that, I won’t interfere with you any further.”
Han Seon-young wore the benevolent expression of someone bestowing great favor. Yet every word that fell from her lips became an arrow, piercing straight into my chest.
She was saying that someone like me—a child from such a lowly family—could never possibly be on equal footing with her son.
“Don’t worry. I could never fall in love with the Executive Director. And marriage is absolutely out of the question. I wouldn’t want a man like him either.”
I met Han Seon-young’s gaze directly and spoke with quiet clarity.
“What? You’re rejecting him? Our Seok-ha? Ha. How amusing. Ha ha ha.”
Han Seon-young laughed as though she’d heard the funniest joke, tears streaming down her face. It was laughter so loud that I felt embarrassed sitting before her.
Of course. From Han Seon-young’s perspective, the idea of me rejecting her son must have seemed genuinely hilarious.
“And there’s a misunderstanding I’d like to clarify, Director. My mother wasn’t gambling. She didn’t know what kind of place it was—she just went there briefly for work, and that’s how it happened.”
I spoke with tension in my lips.
Someone from the neighborhood had called my mother, offering a day’s wages for work. It turned out to be a gambling den. And as always, with her characteristically terrible luck, my mother was caught by police who raided the place that day.
No matter how much I explained the circumstances, the police wouldn’t believe me. In the end, through my grandfather, I had to ask Chairman Kwon for help just to get her released. The entire Seon-jin family knew this story.
Han Seon-young sitting before me knew it all too, yet she was mocking me anyway.
“If she had nothing to be ashamed of, she wouldn’t have needed to ask Father-in-law for such a favor. Anyway, I trust you. Don’t lead our Seok-ha astray, and don’t even think about marriage. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Working at Seonjin is partly with Father-in-law’s permission, but I’ve also shown you considerable consideration. Don’t forget that kindness—that’s what makes a person human.”
Just as Han Seon-young said, Chairman Kwon cherished me.
Just as my grandfather had devoted himself to Chairman Kwon, Chairman Kwon had shown me and my family every consideration and kindness he could offer.
It was, in essence, a deep bond woven through a strict master-servant relationship. In nicer terms, it was loyalty.
“Yes. I understand. You needn’t worry, Director. As I said, I don’t see the Executive Director as a man. He’s simply my superior.”
I spoke calmly. Inside, anger burned and tears threatened to spill at the slightest provocation, but I had no intention of showing such weakness before Han Seon-young.
“Good. You want to maintain your pride. You may fall short compared to our Seok-ha, but Jun-hee, you’re quite beautiful. You’re quick to understand, which is admirable. I was worried you might act like some ill-mannered child in front of me.”
Only then did Han Seon-young’s expression relax, and she transformed back into an elegant mistress of the house.
“If you’re finished speaking, may I leave now?”
“Of course! I’ve kept you far too long. You should be going on dates after work and such. Now that I think about it, our Seok-ha will be starting to meet potential matches soon. Help him out as much as you can as his secretary.”
Han Seon-young reminded me of my place right up until the moment I stood to leave.
“Yes. Then I’ll be going.”
I rose from my seat. I steadied my trembling legs, which felt ready to collapse at any moment, and bowed to Han Seon-young.
Han Seon-young merely tilted her head slightly, her legs still crossed.
As I turned and walked out, the sound of my footsteps echoed briskly through the spacious Director’s Office. At the same time, a chilling sensation crawled down my spine.
Kwon Seok-ha entered between the expensive masterpieces adorning the walls. His measured gait possessed the elegance of a model’s stride, and his striking features commanded attention wherever he went, radiating an effortless confidence.
“Oh my, Seok-ha!”
Han Seon-young rose from her seat with a brightened expression. The cold gaze she had directed at me moments before transformed into something saccharine and honeyed as it turned toward him.
“Mother, it’s been a while.”
Seok-ha greeted her with a radiant smile before his eyes shifted to me.
“Executive Director, hello.”
I stepped back and offered a composed greeting. In truth, I was quite startled. This morning, Kim Secretary had instructed me to come here without telling Kwon Seok-ha—something I had wanted as well.
At least I had hoped he wouldn’t witness the humiliation Han Seon-young was subjecting me to. I wanted to face Kwon Seok-ha as one human being to another, separate from our professional relationship.
Even if his family’s wealth and power far exceeded mine, allowing them to look down upon me and my family, I wanted to believe that as human beings, we were equals. Though today, as always, that hope had been crushed.
“Director, I should be going now. Please, enjoy your conversation.”
I bowed respectfully, my expression serene and composed as though I had forgotten every insult Han Seon-young had hurled at me.
“Yes, do go.”
Han Seon-young smiled gracefully and waved her hand with elegant poise. The woman who had moments ago pierced me with a frigid stare now wore the gentle smile of someone of refined character.
“Secretary Ahn, stop right there.”
Kwon Seok-ha’s command halted me as I turned to leave.
“Yes, Executive Director.”
I had barely taken a few steps before turning back around.
“Come here.”
Kwon Seok-ha gestured with his hand. The arrogant man took it for granted that I would obey his slightest motion.
I hesitated for a moment before walking toward him. After all, he was my superior, and it was only proper to follow his instructions.
It was Han Seon-young, not I, who grew tense as she watched us with wary eyes. She seemed deeply concerned that Kwon Seok-ha might have overheard what she had just said to me. Even she recognized how petty and unbecoming her warning had been.
“Yes. What is it, Executive Director? What do you need?”
I deliberately made my tone more clipped, requesting his instructions in a strictly professional manner.
“Secretary Ahn should stand here.”
Kwon Seok-ha turned toward Han Seon-young, who was still standing.
“Mother, this is a newly hired member of the Secretary’s Office. I was planning to introduce the new staff to you, but it seems you’ve already met and greeted her.”
Kwon Seok-ha spoke with shameless nonchalance, as though he knew nothing of what had transpired.
“Well, she works in my son’s office, so naturally I should look after her. I happened to see the personnel announcement. When I realized it was Jun-hee, whom I knew from long ago, I called her over. Seok-ha, come here. Secretary Ahn, you may go.”
Han Seon-young’s tense expression softened, and she settled back into her seat.
“Yes, I’ll be leaving now.”
I, who had been watching for an opportunity to escape, accepted her dismissal and began to retreat.
“Secretary Ahn, didn’t you hear me tell you to stand?”
Kwon Seok-ha stopped me again.
“I apologize, but I have an appointment I must keep.”
Unwilling to be caught between mother and son, I resorted to making an excuse.
“It will only take a moment. Mother, hasn’t Jun-hee grown well? When she was at the Villa before, she was just a little girl.”
“Indeed. She’s grown so much.”
Han Seon-young spoke with a lukewarm tone. Everyone in this room knew that fact, so his deliberate mention of it seemed suspicious.
And Ahn Joon-hee at that.
Han Seon-young swept her gaze over me with a chill.
‘That cunning fox—was she pretending to be innocent in front of me while relaying messages to Seok-ha?’
The fact that Seok-ha, who hadn’t set foot in the Director’s Office for quite some time, had come here in person was suspicious in itself.
“Secretary Ahn, now that you’ve become my person, Mother doesn’t need to summon you separately like this. I’m quite good at managing my subordinates, aren’t I? Please don’t worry.”
Kwon Seok-ha spoke softly with a smile playing across his face. Yet to Jun-hee, it sounded like a warning to Han Seon-young—that Jun-hee was his, and she shouldn’t be touched.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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