Private Secretary - Chapter 59

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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 59

“Fine. Let’s say I understand that much. But why did you drag innocent Lee Seol into this?”

[There is something that comes to mind…]

“Tell me.”

[The day we went camping, Kim Se-na collapsed, right? After you and Lee Seol left, she regained consciousness quickly. We still moved to the hospital just in case, but the entire way there, she was furious that you had left with Lee Seol without saying anything.]

“What?”

[She threw a tantrum saying how could you abandon a sick friend and leave, to a degree that was incomprehensible. I found it strange at the time too… I think her misplaced anger was directed at Lee Seol because you were taking care of her instead of Kim Se-na.]

“…”

[And honestly, Lee Seol was also a suitable target. She would have known from the last camping trip that I felt sorry toward you two. She probably thought I couldn’t just ignore her if we ran into each other.]

“Haa…”

[Anyway, if you’re curious about Kim Se-na’s intentions, ask her directly yourself. I don’t want to know what’s in her heart, and I’m not particularly curious either. My feelings for her have already completely cooled.]

“So what are you going to do?”

[What else, I have to break off the engagement. I’d like to expose everything Kim Se-na did, but they asked me not to reveal it because it might damage the company’s image, so we’re negotiating. The final article will probably come out around afternoon.]

Tae-san, who had been hit with this bombshell since morning, pressed down hard on his throbbing head.

[And I’ll contact Lee Seol separately to apologize on Kim Se-na’s behalf. I’m ashamed of causing nothing but trouble in various ways.]

“No, there’s no need for that. I’ll manage my own secretary, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

[Really? Then I’m grateful. Let’s meet briefly once I finish wrapping things up.]

“Alright.”

Since Ryu Hwa-pyeong was also a victim, there wasn’t much more to say to him.

After ending the call, Tae-san stared blankly into space for a moment. To think Kim Se-na would actually do something like that.

A few days ago, Kim Se-na had come looking for him in front of his house after drinking.

Kim Se-na had mentioned the incident where he left with Lee Seol after she collapsed, asking if he had done that on purpose to provoke her jealousy.

At the time, she seemed out of her mind from drinking, so he had sent her straight home without saying much.

If he had known she would go after the completely unrelated Lee Seol, he regretted not settling things clearly back then.

“How could you do something like this, Kim Se-na.”

Just as his subsided anger was rising again, the two employees Tae-san had summoned arrived.

“Please sit in front.”

Tae-san, his face returning to a businesslike expression, picked up his tablet PC and headed to the sofa.

What he showed the External Cooperation Team Manager and Legal Team Manager were photos with Lee Seol’s face clearly visible without any mosaic.

“My secretary has been caught up in adultery rumors with Hwaeng Group’s Director Ryu Hwa-pyeong. Of course it’s not true, and Hwaeng has also decided to respond firmly.”

The two people blinked as if asking what they were supposed to do about it.

“The public isn’t particularly interested in the truth. So, shouldn’t we nip this in the bud before false information spreads and becomes our company’s problem?”

“…Ah, yes.”

Only then understanding Tae-san’s intentions, the two immediately opened their diaries.

“First, request the media outlets to take down the photos featuring my secretary. And if there are any articles that mention our company even slightly, request those to be deleted as well.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Make sure the photos can’t be found on portals by this morning. For companies that refuse to take them down and keep resisting, Legal Team Manager, please prepare legal measures.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Protecting employees is also the company’s responsibility. Not only is it untrue, but our company’s name should not be mentioned negatively in front of the public through articles that are merely sensational. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes. Understood. We’ll handle it before it spreads.”

“Report the results by this afternoon.”

After sending the two people away, Tae-san leaned back on the sofa and looked up at the ceiling.

In his heart were exactly two emotions.

One was anger and disappointment toward Kim Se-na, and the other was worry for Lee Seol.

* * *

Lee Seol, who had arrived home as Tae-san instructed, called him as soon as she entered.

[Did you arrive?]

“Yes, I just got in. What should I check?”

[First, fill the bathtub with warm water.]

“…What?”

[Soak in the bathtub for exactly 20 minutes, then lie down on the bed.]

Lee Seol, doubting her ears, checked the name displayed on her phone screen.

The caller was definitely Kang Tae-san, but what was he talking about right now?

“Department Head?”

[If I just told you to rest, it didn’t seem like you’d obediently listen to me, so I used work as an excuse. There’s nothing for you to do, so hurry up and do as I say.]

“…No, I…”

[Call me again after you wash up.]

“Department Head.”

[Carry out the instruction.]

When Tae-san hung up just like that, Lee Seol, bewildered, just blinked her eyes.

“Why is he acting like this?”

Telling her to rest in this situation. Does that even make sense?

Even now, she was overwhelmed by contacts from acquaintances because of the photos uploaded without mosaic, making her feel distressed to death.

She was tired of answering each one that it wasn’t true, so she was deliberately ignoring all contacts except from Tae-san.

Deflated, Lee Seol collapsed and leaned against the sofa.

Then, a short vibration sounded and a message arrived. Thinking it was another acquaintance, she checked, but it was from Tae-san.

「Don’t think about anything and hurry up and go wash.」

Is he a ghost? Are there cameras here by any chance?

How did he know she was sitting there listlessly and send this text?

Even though Lee Seol knew it couldn’t be, she flinched and looked around the living room ceiling. Naturally, there were no cameras or anything like that.

“Haa, fine. If he says to do it, I have to do it.”

Lee Seol, who started filling the bathtub with warm water as Tae-san instructed, finished a quick shower.

In the meantime, the bathtub had filled with an appropriate amount of water, and when she got in, it gently enveloped her body at just the right temperature.

“…But could it really be Kim Se-na?”

No matter how much she thought about it, there was only one person who would pull something like this. Kim Se-na.

But without evidence, she couldn’t carelessly suspect anyone.

“Ah, I don’t know. Really. What mistress? Why should I bear such a disgraceful reputation?”

Lee Seol, who found the series of situations extremely unfair, covered her face with both hands and submerged into the water.

As the water filled her ears with a humming sound, she somehow felt surreal.

It felt like she had escaped far away from the reality that tormented her.

“Puha-.”

Lee Seol, who had held her breath until her lungs were completely full, burst up out of the water.

After repeating the same action several times, she quickly became tired. After wiping off the water and drying her hair, Lee Seol took out her clothes to put on.

Because she had stayed here for a long time, she had already brought most of her belongings.

Lee Seol, who changed into comfortable clothes, called Tae-san again as he had instructed.

[Wait a moment.]

Tae-san seemed busy and hung up just like that.

When she was about to report via text that she had carried out the instruction, suddenly a video call came in.

The caller was naturally Tae-san.

Lee Seol, who had never had a video call with him before, became tense and swallowed nervously.

“…Yes.”

Tae-san’s face filled the phone screen. He also stared at Lee Seol filling the screen and didn’t say anything for several seconds.

“Department Head?”

[You’re in the bedroom now, right?]

“Yes…”

[Lie down.]

“…What?”

[Lie down on the bed.]

No, giving such instructions over video call is a bit embarrassing.

Lee Seol, who couldn’t bring herself to say that, obediently lifted the blanket and lay down on the bed.

It was the spot where Lee Seol would lie down whenever she slept with him.

[Just sleep there.]

“…Department Head.”

[I won’t be contacting you anymore, so turn off your phone.]

“…”

[I’m going to check if you turned it off, so turn it off right after we finish this call. Got it?]

“But why are you being so considerate?”

[Let’s talk when I get home.]

“…”

[I’ve had something I wanted to tell you for a while now, so later. Okay?]

“…Yes.”

[Sleep well until I get home. If you’re hungry, eat something on your own. I don’t need to give instructions for that too, right?]

“Yes.”

[Good. I’ll come in as quickly as possible, so get some sleep.]

Tae-san’s tone and expression were extremely affectionate and gentle.

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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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