The Secretary's Power (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5
“Hey, long time no see. Tae Beom.”
It was his first official day back, so Tae Beom headed straight to the Vice President’s office.
Ji Seok, as if he’d been waiting, quickly stood up to greet his visiting cousin.
“You look good. You’ve gotten even more refined than when you were in Korea. Been well?”
Ji Seok asked boisterously, and Tae Beom gave a brief nod.
Ji Seok gestured toward the sofa and took the seat of honor. When Tae Beom sat down too, Ji Seok looked at his younger cousin with evident satisfaction.
“Tae Beom, how long has it been? About three years? Well, doesn’t really matter.”
Ji Seok made an internal call to his secretary and ordered some tea. Then, straightening his posture again, he crossed his legs.
Tae Beom scanned the Vice President’s office with an expressionless gaze. True to Ji Seok’s competitive nature since childhood, the room was filled with expensive, auction-winning artworks.
Noticing where his cousin’s eyes had wandered, Ji Seok chuckled softly. Just then, the tea arrived, and Ji Seok took a sip.
“You’ve returned at a time when the economy’s really struggling. The market’s chaotic.”
“Has it ever been good? It’s always been like this.”
“True enough. But things are especially rough right now. Feeding all the employees is killing me.”
Hearing the deliberately exaggerated complaint, Tae Beom raised an eyebrow.
“You must be working hard.”
“What can I do? Everyone’s counting on me—I’ve got to step up.”
Ji Seok already carried himself like a CEO.
“It’ll only get harder once you’re fully in charge, so you might as well enjoy things while they’re like this.”
There was an unspoken pressure: the CEO seat is mine—don’t even think about it.
Tae Beom silently sipped his tea. Five years ago, when he’d abruptly left Korea, Ji Seok had been the one who’d genuinely and wholeheartedly seen him off.
Ji Seok never once tried to hold him back. He never even asked when he’d return.
“But seriously, why come back all of a sudden?”
It was the same question Grandfather had asked.
As the words left Ji Seok’s mouth, the sound of a teacup being set down followed. Tae Beom, who’d been staring at a famous painting on the opposite wall, moved only his lips.
“I came because it’s time.”
A brief silence fell. Ji Seok briefly pondered what “it’s time” might really mean.
Then, clearing his throat loudly, Ji Seok laughed. Leaning back in his chair, he rested his clasped hands on his knees.
“Right. It really is time you came back. Staying abroad too long isn’t good for you.”
For cousins meeting after five years, they didn’t have much to say.
Tae Beom glanced down at his wristwatch. As it was his first day back, he had plenty on his plate.
“Busy?”
Ji Seok asked, and Tae Beom nodded.
“I’ll drop by often. Let’s have a meal sometime.”
“Sure. Come up anytime. We’ve got lots to talk about.”
Ji Seok stood first. As Tae Beom followed suit, Ji Seok looked at him with proud eyes and patted his shoulder lightly.
“Your return gives me great strength. You know that, right? I’ve been waiting for you, little brother.”
“I’ll head out now.”
“Alright.”
After exchanging brief farewells, Tae Beom stopped mid-step and turned around. Ji Seok raised an eyebrow.
“What? Something else on your mind?”
Tae Beom hesitated for a moment—should he bring up Hye Won or not? Then he just gave a wry smile.
“No. I’ll go now.”
“Alright. Good luck, Tae Beom. See you at your Managing Director inauguration ceremony.”
Over the weekend, having received Hye Won’s diligent report, Ji Seok lifted his hand and smiled.
Yoon Hye Won. Yoon Hye Won.
Back in his office, Tae Beom opened Hye Won’s performance evaluation file.
But only briefly—he soon skimmed through it with indifference and closed it again.
There was nothing particularly wrong with it, but nothing outstanding either. He figured that if there’d been anything crucial, Ji Seok would’ve already removed it.
Sure enough, the mention of Hye Won receiving Yusun Airlines’ scholarship had been deleted.
“It’s irritating. Really irritating.”
It was an utterly ordinary resume and evaluation.
The very fact that there was nothing unusual about it bothered him even more.
Her fair face always stood out amid her neat, stylish clothing. Her slender arms and neck emphasized a delicate, fragile image.
A slight tension lingered in her sharp eyes—clearly palpable.
Changing one’s eye expression was far harder than forcing a smile. Tae Beom trusted eyes closer to their true nature more than artificial smiles.
Therefore, Yoon Hye Won always wore a fake smile.
“Who does she think she’s fooling with that clumsy acting?”
Just as he let out a low sigh of disbelief, the door opened without warning, and Yang Hoon walked in.
Tae Beom closed Hye Won’s report and looked up.
“Did you greet Ji Seok properly?”
“More or less.”
Yang Hoon walked toward Tae Beom’s desk.
“Don’t I need to greet him too? He already knows I’ve started work anyway.”
“Why go out of your way to hear something unpleasant? Take your time with greetings. Better not to greet him at all if you can avoid it.”
Knowing Ji Seok would absolutely disapprove of Yang Hoon’s hiring, Tae Beom cut straight to the point.
Attorney Kim Yang Hoon had been a prodigy in school—never once ranking outside the national top ten in mock exams. Ji Seok couldn’t possibly be happy about bringing in someone so highly sought after.
Especially since Yang Hoon had once rejected Ji Seok’s personal offer.
“By the way, Tae Beom. She started work today.”
“Who?”
“Who else?”
When Yang Hoon smirked, Tae Beom made a disgusted face. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Tae Beom’s eyes tensed instantly as he looked at Yang Hoon. Yang Hoon called out “Come in,” and the moment the door opened, a hairline dipping all the way to the waist stole everyone’s attention.
“Managing Director! Good morning! I’ve brought the documents you requested!”
Ugh. What a draining “fighting” spirit right from this morning.
Receiving Hye Won’s overly enthusiastic greeting, Tae Beom rubbed his temples as if his head ached. Though they’d just finished a meeting, Hye Won acted as if it were their first encounter of the day, greeting him with fierce politeness.
Holding a thick stack of files, Hye Won approached. Yang Hoon already wore a wide smile, clearly entertained by the scene unfolding.
“Hello. I’m Attorney Kim Yang Hoon. I’ll be working with you going forward.”
Yang Hoon offered his greeting first, and Hye Won bowed deeply—not yet realizing that ‘Kim Yang’ and ‘Kim Yang Hoon’ were the same person.
“I’m Assistant Manager Yoon Hye Won. Please take care of me!”
Ugh, so loud. Ugh, ugh, so noisy.
Tae Beom scratched his ear.
Yang Hoon politely exchanged introductions with Hye Won. Given Tae Beom’s obvious annoyance, Yang Hoon had expected someone fiercer—but she turned out to be just an ordinary, unremarkable assistant.
Ah. So you really can’t trust that innocent look?
“Yes, yes. Let’s work well together. Make sure you take good care of Managing Director Ha Tae Beom, alright?”
“Yes! I’ll do my absolute best—please take care of me!”
“Enough already.”
Tae Beom cut in sharply. He jerked his chin toward Yang Hoon—a clear dismissal.
“I’ve arranged a private office for you. You know where it is?”
“Sure. But I prefer shared offices. Do we really need to be that formal?”
“Please remember at all times that your role involves highly confidential matters, Attorney Kim Yang Hoon.”
When Tae Beom pressed his eyelids meaningfully for Yang Hoon to leave, Yang Hoon tilted his head.
“Managing Director Ha Tae Beom.”
“What? What is it?”
“I’ll be waiting for the watch.”
“…”
Since Hye Won hadn’t returned to her original department, Yang Hoon had ended up claiming her watch.
Remembering how easily he’d snagged it, Yang Hoon laughed heartily—as if flipping his internal organs inside out—and exited the room. Tae Beom’s eyes burned with simmering fury.
Whether or not he liked Hye Won’s ultra-polite demeanor, she quietly placed the towering stack of files onto his desk.
“Managing Director, I’ve brought the additional materials you requested.”
Tae Beom stared at the files with a dry gaze.
He’d given the instruction just two hours ago—faster than expected.
Given the volume, he’d assumed it would take at least half a day.
But irritated over losing his watch, Tae Beom wore an openly sharp expression.
“You brought this here expecting me to read it all? Line by line?”
Hye Won’s eyes widened in shock.
What’s he talking about…? Didn’t he ask me to bring it…?
Seeing her tense up, Tae Beom tapped the files dismissively, scolding her for delivering something utterly useless.
“Who even receives files like this nowadays? Is this really Yusun Airlines’ standard?”
Hye Won just stared blankly, not grasping his criticism, so Tae Beom let out a bitter laugh.
Ah—but then it suddenly came to her. Hye Won quickly separated half the files and set them aside.
“I’ve bundled together the documents I thought you’d want to review separately.”
Tae Beom opened the curated stack Hye Won had personally selected.
After flipping through a few pages half-heartedly, he snapped it shut. It was basic Yusun Airlines information—clearly treating him like some idle, clueless layabout.
Hah. Tae Beom sighed softly and crossed his arms in disbelief.
“Listen up, Assistant Manager Yoon Hye Won.”
“Yes, Managing Director.”
“This is… honestly quite awkward for me to say out loud, but—”
Tae Beom began with a slightly boastful tone. Since she clearly didn’t know, and no one else would tell her, he’d have to brag about himself.
“Assistant Manager Yoon Hye Won. I’m someone who’s stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s top experts in New York—the financial capital of the world, the city that never sleeps.”
“…Yeouido?”
“New York. I said New York.”
“Oh. Right. New York.”
Something inexplicably stung inside him.
Tae Beom barely suppressed his anger and continued—he was in a foul mood, but this boast needed finishing.
“In New York, I worked alongside elite professionals. What do you take me for, handing me this basic info like I’m some rookie?”
“Ah… I’m so sorry. I’m clearly inadequate…”
Swallowing her words like bitter medicine, apology-bot Hye Won reflexively offered another apology.
Tae Beom cut her off with a firm wave and lifted his chin.
“Record it for me. So I can listen whenever I have time.”
“…What?”
Hye Won looked utterly incredulous as she scanned the massive pile of documents.
He wants me to read all this? Every single line? All of it?
“Record… it?”
She was speechless. He’d just criticized Yusun Airlines’ current state—now he wants an audio recording?
In New York, do you receive reports as audio files? Is that the reality of your fancy financial hub…?
“Rec… recording…?”
“What? Can’t do it?”
Tae Beom began pressing her with leading questions, practically interrogating her.
Just say you can’t! Say you can’t!
“Or… maybe you’d prefer to return to your original department after all?”
Return to her original department?
Hye Won’s eyes suddenly lit up as if waking from a daze. If she got sent back now, what would happen? That absolutely couldn’t happen!
After a quick mental calculation, she plastered on another smile. Just thinking about the penalty fee made her automatically grin.
“No. I’ll get it done as quickly as possible.”
“Oh… so you’ll actually bring it back…?”
“Yes, Managing Director. Just give me a moment—I’ll bring it right away.”
Argh…
Tae Beom rested his chin in his hand and exhaled a frustrated breath.
Again—smiling sweetly again. Watching her flash that neat row of teeth in a friendly, cheerful smile made his chest inexplicably tight.
As if drained of energy, Tae Beom waved a limp hand.
“You may go.”
“Yes! Managing Director!”
Every time he faced off with Hye Won, he felt his energy drain faster than usual.
To recharge, he needed something pretty and cute to look at.
“Managing Director! Stay strong! First day back! Aja aja fighting!”
“Go… quickly…”
“Yes! Managing Director!”
He’d spend the next five minutes looking at Chihuahua pictures.
As Hye Won backed away like a court lady retreating from a banquet table, Tae Beom let out a gut-wrenching sigh.
“Oh, Assistant Manager Yoon Hye Won.”
She didn’t hear him calling—just kept walking her own way.
Tae Beom stood up, rounded his desk, and followed her as she headed for the exit.
Just as she grabbed the doorknob and turned it, Tae Beom pushed the door shut with his hand.
Startled, Hye Won turned around.
He was now standing far too close.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
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