Private Secretary - Chapter 56

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Private Secretary Episode 56

Whenever it came to matters related to Kim Se-na, all her nerves would stand on edge and become sensitive, so how could she assist him in such a state?

Even setting aside personal matters, it was indeed right to quit due to her own lack of capability.

If she distanced herself physically, her heart would also grow distant, so in the long run, leaving his side would be good for Lee Seol too.

After reaching this conclusion, her previously tangled thoughts seemed to clear up completely.

As if this had been the one and only answer all along.

“…I will quit.”

“…What?”

“I’ll submit my formal resignation letter as soon as I come to work on Monday. Please approve it.”

“Han Lee Seol.”

“Until now, whatever actions the Department Head took were all fine. I could endure it, it was bearable. But after going through this situation, I don’t think I can serve the Department Head anymore.”

“…”

“I don’t want to work with someone who doesn’t respect their subordinates.”

“Think carefully before you speak. Do you know what you’re saying right now?”

“I know exactly what I’m saying.”

“Don’t be reckless. Why do something you’ll regret tomorrow?”

“What office worker in the world would speak impulsively about their livelihood?”

“Han Lee Seol.”

“I’ll see you at the company on Monday.”

Tae-san blocked Lee Seol’s path again as she tried to pass by him.

“So you absolutely won’t listen to what I have to say?”

“No. I don’t want to listen.”

To be precise, rather than not wanting to listen, she didn’t want to waste time on something that would be pointless to hear anyway.

When Lee Seol spoke firmly, Tae-san laughed helplessly. When she passed by him again, he didn’t stop her.

Lee Seol returned home late at night and collapsed on the floor without even the energy to wash up.

Right now, she didn’t want to think about anything. She didn’t want to recall reality or contemplate the future.

The only thing that was certain was that the time had come to end this hopeless one-sided love.

* * *

She couldn’t remember how she spent Sunday. She just lay in bed watching movies.

Actually, she wasn’t even watching them. She just had them on while staring blankly. She couldn’t eat properly or sleep well.

After spending the day so emptily, Monday morning dawned. Lee Seol arrived at work much earlier than usual.

Lee Seol accessed the company intranet, downloaded the resignation letter form, filled it out meticulously, and submitted it to Tae-san for approval.

When electronic approval requests are submitted, phone notifications also appear, so Tae-san would probably check it soon.

She was worried and anxious about what he would say to her as soon as he came to work, but she decided to accept it calmly.

Since she had decided to quit anyway, there would be no going back on her decision.

And even if he really had come to like her, they were in a relationship that couldn’t work due to social hierarchy from the start.

So in many ways, she thought giving up on him and stepping back was the right decision.

Ding-.

“Huh? Did the Department Head arrive?”

Yang Secretary, who always arrived earlier than Tae-san, rushed over as soon as she saw Lee Seol sitting at the desk.

Since she always came to work with Tae-san, this reaction from her was natural.

“No. Only I came early today.”

“Really? Oh my, I was startled thinking he had arrived. But why? Is something wrong?”

“I submitted my resignation letter.”

“Yeah. Huh? What did you say?”

Yang Secretary, who was putting down her bag and turning on her computer, was shocked and opened her eyes wide.

“I haven’t received approval yet, but I’m trying to get it today.”

“Why? Why, what is it? What happened? What kind of change of heart made you talk like this on a Monday morning?”

“You know, every office worker carries about a hundred resignation letters in their heart. I just pulled one out today.”

“That’s exactly it. Why did you pull it out today of all days? What was the trigger? Did the Department Head give you an unreasonable order? Did he say he’d fire you if you couldn’t do it?”

“It’s not like that. It’s just my personal problem.”

“Oh, what a shame. I was always alone in the office, so it was nice to work together after such a long time.”

She was grateful to feel that Yang Secretary was genuinely disappointed. It meant she had been a useful person.

When Lee Seol showed a wistful smile, Tae-san appeared beyond the glass door.

Lee Seol, who stood up following Yang Secretary, bowed her head while suppressing her nervous feelings.

“You’ve arrived.”

After receiving Yang Secretary’s greeting, Tae-san headed to his office without even glancing at Lee Seol.

“Yang Secretary, please come in for a moment.”

“Yes, Department Head.”

It was unusual for Tae-san, who would normally call Lee Seol, to summon Yang Secretary instead.

The puzzled Yang Secretary glanced at Lee Seol, then hurriedly grabbed her diary and went inside.

Since she had submitted her resignation letter, she needed to ask him to approve it, but when would be the right timing?

She thought she should go in when Yang Secretary came out, but as soon as she emerged, the Strategic Planning Department team members rushed in and she missed her chance.

The team members didn’t leave until lunchtime, but Tae-san immediately left the office saying he would have lunch combined with an external meeting.

Unlike usual, he took Yang Secretary as his accompanying secretary, so Lee Seol had no choice but to stay alone in the office and wait for him until quitting time.

Tae-san returned after 9 PM. Lee Seol was still at her post until then.

Yang Secretary must have gone home from outside, as only Tae-san returned alone.

Even seeing Lee Seol sitting at the desk, he entered his office without giving her a glance.

“Department Head. I have something to tell you.”

Tae-san didn’t respond to her words but didn’t close the door either. Taking it as a sign to come in, Lee Seol carefully stepped inside.

Tae-san, who had taken off his suit jacket and hung it on the coat hanger, sat in his desk chair while loosening his constricting tie.

Even knowing Lee Seol was standing in front of him, he still treated her like a ghost.

“I submitted my resignation letter. Please approve it.”

Tae-san, who had been unbuttoning his shirt cuffs, finally looked up with fierce eyes to stare at Lee Seol.

“It sounds like you’re giving me orders.”

“I’m asking you to approve it.”

Tae-san looked at Lee Seol, who had even bowed her head politely, then lit up his monitor screen.

After moving the mouse a few times, the mobile phone in Lee Seol’s hand vibrated briefly.

A popup notification appeared saying the approval had been rejected.

“Department Head.”

“Even if you submit it a hundred times, my answer will be the same, so don’t waste your energy on pointless things.”

“…You remember the bet we made with the wish voucher at the baseball stadium, right? I won that time.”

Tae-san stared at Lee Seol with an arrogant face as if telling her to continue.

“I’ll use the wish voucher I earned then. Please approve my resignation letter.”

“Are you trying to play games with me right now?”

“Department Head.”

“What kind of attitude is it to bring a bet made as a joke into work matters?”

“Won’t you keep that promise?”

“Separate public and private matters. Use wish vouchers earned privately only for private matters.”

Her disappointment in him reached its peak.

“I’d like to ask why you won’t approve it.”

“Because the reason for resignation is unclear. If you want to quit the company that badly, convince me.”

“Why should I convince the Department Head when I’m saying I want to resign? Workers have the right to resign freely…”

“Because I’m your superior.”

“…”

“What superior in the world would approve documents they’re not convinced by?”

Lee Seol swallowed her frustration and moved a little closer to him.

“I think I told you before. That I don’t want to work with someone who doesn’t respect their subordinates.”

“So.”

“…Excuse me?”

“It’s unfortunate that you think of me that way. But are you sure I’m the one who didn’t respect your wishes? Not you?”

“….”

“Who was it that kept ignoring me when I asked to talk and just walked away?”

“….”

“If you’re disappointed in me, what then. Should I get on my knees and beg?”

“….”

“I won’t say much more. You can’t go anywhere without my permission, so keep that in mind.”

“Department Head.”

“Get out.”

Tae-san rolled up his sleeves and began working.

Since repeating the same words in this situation would only tire them both out, Lee Seol eventually backed down.

After going outside, Lee Seol pondered deeply.

‘Persuasion, huh. How exactly am I supposed to do that.’

Honestly, she felt like throwing away the handover process and everything else and just disappearing.

If she just stopped showing up to work without notice, what could even the great Kang Tae-san do about it?

But reality wasn’t that simple.

Considering her relationships and potential future job changes, she needed to handle the conclusion responsibly at the very least.

To do that, she ultimately needed to resolve things amicably through conversation with Tae-san.

‘…What on earth am I supposed to say to him.’

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