“Let’s see. In one minute.”

After returning from a meeting with the CEO, Jun Hwi passed by Yeon Woo’s desk and casually remarked. Yeon Woo responded immediately, grabbing her notebook and pen.

“[Dash] You seem in a good mood.”

Ji Eun, the new secretary, whispered this just loud enough for Yeon Woo to hear.

“What? No, no, it’s definitely not like that!”

“Huh? I don’t quite understand what you mean, Deputy.”

Mistakenly thinking Ji Eun’s comment was ‘You seem to like Kwon Jun Hwi,’ Yeon Woo defensively reacted, only to realize her mistake as Ji Eun looked puzzled, making her feel like she had just drunk cold water.

…I’m not in my right mind, Kim Yeon Woo.

“Uh, sorry. I didn’t hear properly. Could you say that again?”

“It’s nothing important. I just said Lawyer Kwon seems in a good mood today.”

“Uh-huh?”

“Usually, he would have yelled ‘Come right now,’ but he gave you a whole minute today and calmly said, ‘Let’s see.’ This is the first time I’ve seen this since I joined.”

Sometimes Ji Eun’s observant nature is frightening.

Yeon Woo, hoping Ji Eun wouldn’t analyze her slip of the tongue, calmed her fluttering heart and went to Jun Hwi’s office.

“Set up the special situation room for the P Automobile business transfer and technology leak agreement.”

“Yes, Lawyer.”

As expected, it was a big case since the CEO himself called.

The special situation room, essentially a war room, was where personnel gathered in one space to work together in real-time on important cases.

“We also need an information barrier. It involves R Motors, so ensure strict separation and get confidentiality agreements from all participants.”

“Yes.”

And a dual representation too! Yeon Woo’s mind quickly organized the detailed security measures she needed to remember.

“Also, I need to assemble a team. I have a call with the executive of P Automobile in 3 minutes. Contact the people I’m about to name as a top priority.”

Back in work mode, Jun Hwi was a cold perfectionist. Yeon Woo focused sharply, meticulously noting down about ten people, including Lawyer Yang Ju Yeon, for different sectors.

“Especially these four, make sure we engage them before Cha Han Bin, no, R Motors does.”

“……Yes, I’ll do that.”

“Nervous?”

“Huh? Ah……”

His sudden, personal question felt strange.

“Your lips are going to tear off at this rate. You keep biting them so hard.”

Pointing out her habit with a voice full of a personal conversation vibe, he had observed her lips. Yeon Woo quickly released her slightly swollen lips, which she had been unconsciously biting.

Please don’t add personal stuff while I’m in work mode! She wanted to shout but suppressed it.

“Um, that, the call! Are you doing it at your desk? Should I book a meeting room?”

Feeling awkward, she changed the subject. Still, she couldn’t avoid his deep, shining eyes behind the silver-rimmed glasses.

“I’ll do it at my desk.”

“Okay. Understood.”

Anyway, I need to stay focused. Yeon Woo prepared to leave and start her work, bowing slightly.

“I didn’t mean you should leave right away. You still have a minute.”
Jun Hwi stopped Yeon Woo with his words, leisurely folding his arms after putting down the pen he was holding.

“If Deputy Kim Yeon Woo is nervous, what am I supposed to do? I’m counting on you, Deputy Kim. Please take good care.”

It seemed his workaholic nature was kicking in, excited by a major project after a long time. Jun Hwi, exuding an ‘I’m feeling good right now’ vibe, effortlessly tossed out pleasing words.

“Ah. Make sure to set up a proper barrier with Lawyer Cha Han Bin.”

“Of course. I’ll remind Ji Eun too.”

“But, what did you do during the Lunar New Year holiday? Did you meet Cha Han Bin alone?”

“What? How did you know about that?”

Yeon Woo’s eyes widened in surprise.

Though there wasn’t enough time to probe further, Jun Hwi was quite satisfied with Yeon Woo’s reaction, which was focused only on him. He decided to tease her a bit more with a serious tone.

“There are ways to find out everything. You were supposed to tell me everything, but you didn’t again, did you?”

“Um… That… Oh, Lawyer!”

Yeon Woo’s eyes rolled around, clearly thinking of escaping the situation, but Jun Hwi decided to let it slide.

He suppressed a rising smile and replied.

“Yes.”

“I think a minute has passed.”

Jun Hwi grinned, then nodded and shifted his gaze back to the documents.

“……”

The scratching sound of his pen on the paper tickled Yeon Woo’s ears. The muscles in his long arms flexed with the movement of the pen under his rolled-up sleeves.

His cold, focused demeanor returned as he dived back into work, with his serious forehead and prominent nose.

The distinctive smart and sensitive sexiness of a man immersed in his work was palpable.

‘Well, it’s not because he’s Kwon Jun Hwi, but in general. Typically!’

Yeon Woo almost felt entranced by his perfect appearance, fitting her taste. Back at her desk, she hurriedly prepared the special situation room, focusing only on Kwon Jun Hwi’s work instructions.