Impossible Romance - Chapter 50

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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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50.

“Pardon?”
Jun-hee’s eyes widened at the mention of romance.
“Since you work so closely with the Executive Director, you wouldn’t happen to know anything, would you?”
Park Hyun-sik asked with unbridled curiosity written across his face.
“I’m not sure.”
Jun-hee tilted her head and offered a faint smile.
“That’s right. He looked happy when I saw him in the elevator recently. Come to think of it, you were there with him then, weren’t you?”
“Pardon? Oh, yes. That’s right.”
As I prepared to end things with Seok-ha, Park Hyun-sik’s words felt like sitting on pins and needles. Especially when I’d run into him in the elevator—both of us had probably looked happy in that moment, and it might have shown. My heart raced at the thought that Park Hyun-sik might have noticed.
“He wasn’t giving you a hard time then, was he?”
“No.”
Jun-hee nodded, her expression puzzled.
“That’s exactly it! The Executive Director usually torments people when they’re together—ordering them around, making their lives difficult. But since he didn’t do that, it means he was in a good mood. He’s definitely dating someone.”
“There’s even a rumor going around that he’s been on blind dates.”
Kim Seok-ho chimed in enthusiastically, caught up in the excitement.
“Finally, he’s in love! Our workload might actually lighten up. This is wonderful!”
Park Hyun-sik drew his own conclusion and lowered his voice toward the two of them.
“Shh! Don’t let on that you know anything. I’ll get called in by Hwang Manager and get scolded again. You know the Secretary’s Office lives and dies by discretion, right?”
“Yes.”
Jun-hee finally felt relieved. Park Hyun-sik knew nothing.
“The Executive Director and the Manager are coming in late today, I hear. What should we have for lunch?”
Park Hyun-sik, who had just been discussing Seok-ha’s love life, now shifted the conversation to lunch options.
“Oh, but they’ll have a meeting right when they arrive in the afternoon. I think we should start organizing the documents first.”
Jun-hee carefully broached the subject as she handed the coffee she’d just brewed to Kim Seok-ho.
“Thank you, Jun-hee. Manager, let’s head back inside. We don’t have time if we want to stay on the Executive Director’s good side.”
Kim Seok-ho took the coffee and pushed Park Hyun-sik out of the break room. Jun-hee followed slowly behind them.

***

The Founding Anniversary Celebration began after the sun had completely set. The event venue was the Grand Banquet Hall of the Seonjin Group Hotel located in the heart of the city.
A red carpet stretched from the entrance, flanked on both sides by panels displaying the company’s history at regular intervals.
It was an exhibition that spoke to how long and how magnificently this enterprise had grown.
Crystal chandeliers hung in layers from the ceiling. In the hall where opulence and elegance intertwined, an orchestra’s music flowed through the air. The beautiful melodies of piano and violin elevated the prestige of the celebration.
The attendees themselves were equally impressive. Key figures from politics and business, along with overseas partners and media representatives, were dressed formally and engaged in pleasant conversation.
They spoke with smiling faces while conducting discreet transactions. Each person’s interests, befitting their position, were intricately woven together like threads, heightening the density of the event.
Jun-hee, dressed in a silk gown, stood near the entrance, observing Kwon Seok-ha and his surroundings. The glittering jewelry felt burdensome, but Kwon Seok-ha had insisted this was how one should dress for such an occasion.
She had come with Hwang Manager, but he was an event staff member for this celebration. Key personnel from each subsidiary company had planned this event, and Hwang Manager was among them. Since he was occupied with his duties, Jun-hee was here solely to attend to Kwon Seok-ha.
“Hello? It’s been a while. Little miss.”
At the sound of someone calling to her as she stood alone, she turned her head.
There stood Kwon Seok-jun, Kwon Seok-ha’s cousin whom she had seen at the villa when they were children, waving his hand gently at her.
“Hello.”
Jun-hee bowed her head. Immediately, a sense of caution rose within her.
Kwon Seok-jun, who had stayed briefly at the villa when they were young, appeared at first glance to be just as headstrong and spoiled as Kwon Seok-ha, but he was cut from different cloth. Unlike Kwon Seok-ha, who was rough around the edges yet full of warmth, Kwon Seok-jun was of a much meaner disposition.
“Why are you standing here alone like this? Ah, because of Seok-ha? You’re still following him around like a puppy these days,”
Kwon Seok-jun watched Kwon Seok-ha in the distance while swirling his champagne glass.
“I’m here on business as his secretary.”
Jun-hee answered briefly and moved to another location.
“That’s all you do? Work as a secretary?”
He followed her as she walked, leaning his face close. His crude question displeased her, and her expression naturally hardened.
“Yes. Is there something you wanted to say? Your question doesn’t sound well-intentioned.”
Jun-hee lifted her head firmly and asked pointedly.
“You’re still cute. You know I like you, right?”
“No, I don’t. And since I’m an adult now, please speak to me respectfully.”
Jun-hee answered without softening her rigid expression. The more she resisted, the more Kwon Seok-jun tried to approach her with false familiarity.
“Oh, right. That little miss has become a lady now. Okay!”
Kwon Seok-jun nodded to himself in understanding and continued speaking. A faint smell of alcohol emanated from him.
“I run entertainment in addition to distribution. But I don’t have anyone suitable for the office. If Seok-ha gives you trouble, come to me. I’ll guarantee you the best treatment in the industry.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think that will be necessary. Our Executive Director treats his staff well.”
Jun-hee spoke with her eyes wide open and her tone firm. Then he leaned closer to her and whispered.
“Then, if his mother gives you trouble, come to me.”
To Kwon Seok-jun, his aunt was Han Seon-young. He winked with one eye as if to say he understood all the relationships involved.
In that moment, Jun-hee sensed a gaze from the opposite side of the hall. Kwon Seok-ha was looking in her direction. Though he was mingling among the crowd, his sharp gaze pierced through to her like an arrow.
“Seok-jun, what are you doing here?”
Then someone approached slowly and greeted Kwon Seok-jun familiarly. It was Lee Ha-eun from SEC Technics. As Lee Ha-eun, dressed flamboyantly in a red outfit, caught sight of Jun-hee, she opened her eyes wide in greeting.
“You’re that secretary I saw the other day, aren’t you?”
Her sharp tone was filled with displeasure.
“Hello.”
Jun-hee bowed quietly. She suddenly felt uncomfortable at a place where she was supposed to be here on business.
“Is this an event where secretaries participate too? It seems anyone and everyone shows up.”
Lee Ha-eun’s expression soured as she muttered under her breath.
Jun-hee lowered her head in discomfort. Being around these people only made her feel out of place.
“Ha ha ha, what’s wrong with everyone coming? It’s fine. Let’s drink.”
Kwon Seok-jun laughed and clinked his champagne glass.
Lee Ha-eun offered him an elegant smile and raised her glass in return. As Jun-hee watched the two of them take a sip, she tried to step away.
“Don’t go. Stay with us. I have some things I want to ask you about Seok-ha anyway.”
Lee Ha-eun grabbed Jun-hee’s arm.
Jun-hee wanted to leave immediately, but she hadn’t come here for leisure. She was attending to assist Kwon Seok-ha with his duties, so she couldn’t let personal feelings cloud her judgment.
“You must be quite busy managing Seok-ha’s schedule, aren’t you? It must be exhausting. But how is Seok-ha at the company? He seems like he’d be strict with the staff, doesn’t he?”
Lee Ha-eun erased her earlier rudeness and asked various questions with a gentle smile. Jun-hee understood why—Han Seon-young was approaching from behind.
“He treats us well at the company.”
Jun-hee answered quietly.
“Ha-eun, you came! I’m so glad to see you.”
Han Seon-young approached Lee Ha-eun and spoke warmly. It was an expression of tenderness and kindness that Jun-hee had never witnessed before.
“Hello. I work for Seonjin, so of course I had to come.”
Lee Ha-eun smiled brightly and spoke with an endearing tone.
“You’ve already met Secretary An. She’s an employee helping our Seok-ha, so it’s good for you two to know each other.”
Han Seon-young introduced Jun-hee to Lee Ha-eun while looking at her.
“Secretary An, please take good care of Director Lee Ha-eun. Treat her with the same respect you show Seok-ha. Make sure she’s comfortable.”
“Understood.”
Jun-hee answered respectfully without dropping the smile on her lips. Yet watching these people, exhaustion was already beginning to wash over her.
“I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other often.”
Lee Ha-eun, now backed by Han Seon-young’s support, spoke with even greater composure.
“Yes.”
“Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, Jun-hee, come with me. This is boring.”
Kwon Seok-jun suddenly approached Jun-hee from between them and grabbed her wrist, as if suggesting they go have fun together tonight.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Jun-hee pulled her wrist away from his grip. Coming here had been a mistake. Being treated as prey among people intent on mocking her left a bitter taste in her mouth.

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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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