Grandfather’s voice could be heard through the ear.

But it wasn’t accepted in his mind.

[Dash] It seems like it was tough. It looked so exhausting that I couldn’t resist, bowing deeply and begging. I couldn’t ignore it. Hasn’t Secretary Jung been taking good care of you all this time?

So, Grandfather knew in advance.

However, he never mentioned it to me.

A moment of betrayal.

In the passage where Jaehun restrained his breath, pleading with his head bowed, he exhaled the held breath.

[Dash] Jaehun, I know it must be very confusing. Therefore, I’m planning to assign Team Leader Kim Seokcheol to you. You know how capable he is, right? He has more experience than the secretary, and he has already grasped the overall scope of your work.

In New York, Team Leader Kim did his best not to make Lajin’s absence noticeable. He seemed to understand more than Yunhee. I just thought it was a difference in experience.

Even though emotionally it was difficult due to missing Lajin, there was not as much of a void in terms of work as he had thought.

Because the handover had already been completed.

Without my knowledge.

[Dash] You looked exhausted. It seemed like you could collapse at any moment, so I thought it wouldn’t be good to leave you like that. She made such a request after saying that she would give you an incentive for doing a good job. She assured me that it wouldn’t be a burden, so please handle it within my authority.

“I didn’t know.”

[Dash] The tone may be a bit off…

It was an agreement. Without me knowing, Lajin’s request for an incentive was to process her resignation while I was on a business trip.

“If Grandfather respected you, he shouldn’t have accepted that request.”

[Dash] Of course, I respect you. However, this time, rather than a feeling of respecting you, I felt more sorry for Secretary Jung. She said it was so difficult for her to come to work. She was afraid to open her eyes in the morning.

Every word from Grandfather shattered Jaehun’s heart and crumbled the ground beneath his feet.

Although he wanted to express his anger, the sound of sobbing inside his throat couldn’t burst out.

It was so difficult for her to open her eyes in the morning…

[Dash] It seemed tough for her, but I also didn’t want to be an obstacle in your way. It seems that there are people who misunderstand the relationship between you and the secretary.

“…”

[Dash] Jaehun, I understand that you are confused by the sudden situation. It must be pathetic when a subordinate you value quits without saying a word. It’s time to accept people and let them go. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have entrusted everything to me. In my eyes, now is the time to let her go. Moreover, Director Jang contacted me. He asked if there was someone you were meeting. As you know, this incident will have a significant impact on your future.

“I am meeting someone.”

[Dash] What, what did you say?

“I had someone, but she just left. Without me knowing.”

The sound of Chairman Seo Seongjae taking a deep breath was loud. However, it didn’t reach Jaehun’s ears.

Lajin left. Without me knowing, after completing all preparations.

Despair covered his eyes.

“Secretary, Secretary!”

The sound of knocking on the door was so loud that a man from the neighboring apartment, scratching his head, came out hesitantly.

“Oh, hello.”

Under his intimidating gaze, I involuntarily muttered such greetings and words. Just as I was about to quietly go inside.

“Wait.”

At the low voice, the man’s movement stopped abruptly, like a lie.

“The woman who lives here. Do you know her?”

“Uh, I know her… She’s so beautiful like a model…”

As the man mumbled, Jaehun’s face twisted.

“N, n, not that I have any feelings! Just because she looks so noticeable…”

“Where did she go?”
“I know that you moved out three days ago…”

Jaehun’s eyes flashed fiercely.

“Three days ago?”

“Yes, I’m sure she moved out three days ago. I’ve seen her sharing things she had near the belongings. Oh, please don’t misunderstand! I work as a freelancer and do telecommuting, so sometimes I come out to stretch or take a walk in front of the window for ventilation. That’s when I saw it.”

The trembling man was nowhere to be found. Jaehun stood as if he had forgotten even to breathe.

“Um… then, I’ll go in now…”

“Did you hear anything?”

The man’s voice echoed up and down.

If Jaehun knew he was talking to Lajin, he might have torn his throat off right away.

Perhaps sensing the man’s hesitation, Jaehun took out his wallet from his jacket pocket and handed over the bills as soon as he grabbed them.

“Anything will do. Please tell me even the smallest thing.”

The money in his hand, grabbed by the surging waves, could be seen at a glance to be a considerable amount, with checks and ten thousand won bills mixed in.

The man cautiously opened his mouth.