To the Missing Secretary (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16
It was true that he’d come up to the chairman’s office with the thought, “What had to come has come.”
He’d expected the chairman to sternly tell him to part ways with Jae Heon right away—but he never imagined he’d be asked to help orchestrate his marriage himself.
Frankly, the former might have been easier to bear.
Better than having to push the man he loved into another woman’s arms.
This felt like torture.
His heart ached as if it were being ripped apart.
The back of his throat burned hot and swollen.
He’d tried so hard to avoid it, yet he’d ended up confronting Jae Heon’s marriage head-on.
Suddenly, Suk Young’s voice echoed in Ra Jin’s ears.
“If we leave, you’ll be alone for the rest of your life.”
It seemed his stepmother’s curse was already coming true.
Perhaps fate itself had spoken through Suk Young’s voice,
telling him that from now on, no one would ever stand by his side.
“There’s certainly a valid reason—what’s best for the group. Denying that would be dishonest. But more than anything, I truly hope our Jae Heon builds a family and finds real happiness.”
Those words made Ra Jin’s chest ache even more, because he could feel Chairman Seo’s earnest longing for Jae Heon’s happiness.
He could clearly sense the genuine affection of a grandfather who cherished and loved his grandson—making him even sadder.
So this was how real family spoke—with such eyes and expressions.
Sincerity… couldn’t be hidden.
Not once had Ra Jin ever felt true sincerity in his adoptive parents’ eyes.
And from this moment on, he began to yearn.
For a “real family” who would stand wholly by his side and love him exactly as he was.
“Miss Seo Young apparently likes our Jae Heon. Most marriages of convenience are just for show, but I believe Miss Seo Young truly cares for him. That’s why I’m determined to make this engagement happen.”
Aside from himself, Ra Jin was the only person Jae Heon kept close and trusted.
At first, the chairman had been worried.
When a man and a woman see each other every day, feelings naturally grow.
Especially since they weren’t strangers—they’d been seniors and juniors in the same university club.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if their relationship had progressed at any moment.
But after observing them for years, he saw clearly that they were nothing more than boss and secretary.
He felt a bit awkward saying this himself, but Jae Heon had inherited both his father’s and his own exceptional looks.
It was hard to find a woman who hadn’t thrown herself at Jae Heon—those who initially played coy always ended up with the same goal.
Some had even clung to him relentlessly, so the chairman fully understood why Jae Heon avoided relationships altogether.
And yet, things had reached this point.
Precisely for that reason, Chairman Seo firmly trusted Ra Jin—someone who stayed by Jae Heon’s side every day yet never let his feelings stray.
“So please help me, Secretary Sa.”
The only answer she could give to Chairman Seo was this:
“…I don’t think my involvement will make much of a difference, but I’ll do my absolute best.”
“Make a difference? Nonsense! That boy still listens to what you say. Looks like I’ve gained a very reliable ally indeed.”
Ho ho! Chairman Seo burst into a hearty, cheerful laugh.
“I’ll never forget Secretary Sa’s efforts.”
She managed a faint smile, forcing her lips upward with effort.
“I’d like to see some results within about three months.”
At the chairman’s mutter, Ra Jin froze as if time had stopped.
Three months.
The moment his contract with Jae Heon became time-bound.
“I believe there’s nothing we can’t achieve if Secretary Sa helps actively. I’m not asking for a wedding within that time—just that he changes his mind toward marriage. If they get engaged by then, that’d be perfect.”
Hmm, just imagining it feels wonderful.
With a broad smile, Chairman Seo suddenly remembered something and said, “Ah, by the way—that scarf suits you very well.”
Ra Jin’s heart plummeted. Flustered, he quickly smoothed his scarf and lowered his head.
“Th-thank you.”
“Oh? First time I’ve seen Secretary Sa stammer! Seems you’re unexpectedly sensitive to compliments. You even have that human touch—truly, there’s not a single flaw in you! Ha ha ha!”
At that hearty laughter, Ra Jin’s gaze dropped even further.
He couldn’t bring himself to look directly at Chairman Seo, who was praising the very scarf Jae Heon had given him that morning.
While Chairman Seo beamed with joy, Ra Jin’s heart burned black with despair.
Jae Heon returned from his external schedule sooner than expected.
Seeing Yoon Hee alone at the desk outside his office, he frowned.
He’d thought he’d see Ra Jin the moment he walked in.
Whenever he came back alone from an outside appointment, she’d always be sitting there calmly and neatly—and as soon as she saw him, she’d quietly rise, offer a faint smile, and greet him with, “Welcome back.”
Even if it was just a formal smile and greeting, seeing her always quieted his noisy mind—as if she were a sedative.
But now, not seeing Ra Jin right away put Jae Heon in a very foul mood.
“Oh—y-you’re back, Director!”
“Where’s Secretary Sa?”
“He’ll—he’s—just—any moment now… Oh, look, there he is!”
Nice timing! Our Chief Secretary is truly the best!
Inside, Yoon Hee shed tears of joy and wagged an invisible tail furiously toward Ra Jin.
“You’re back, Director.”
“Where did you go?”
“I went to brush my teeth.”
Fortunately, Ra Jin arrived at the office at the exact same time as Jae Heon, so he nodded without suspicion.
“Come in.”
“Yes, Director.”
Jae Heon walked into his office first, hands tucked into his pockets.
Yoon Hee let out a sigh of relief.
“Phew… that was close. Almost turned my espresso into a caramel macchiato! Chief Secretary, you’re unbeatable—even your timing is perfect!”
“Did the Director say anything?”
“No, he just arrived.”
Good. Ra Jin nodded to Yoon Hee, gave two polite knocks, and entered the office.
“You called for me, Director?”
Only after they were alone did Jae Heon’s stiff expression finally relax.
At some point, being with Ra Jin had started to bring him peace—and that shift in his mood had begun showing on his face.
Though he himself hadn’t realized it yet.
“I got some intelligence. It seems Seo Joo Han is trying to commercialize a famous New York chef’s pasta sauce. He’s apparently having trouble—the chef’s quite prideful.”
Geonyoung Group had originally started as Geonyoung Foods, making it one of the most historically significant subsidiaries.
So much so that Chairman Seo actually spent more time at the Geonyoung Foods building, located about 2 kilometers from headquarters.
It was customary for heirs to start their careers in Foods. If they achieved major success there, becoming the next group head was practically guaranteed.
Thus, when Jae Heon was assigned to Geonyoung Foods right after university, his uncle Seo Hoe Myeong strongly objected.
“Father, Joo Hoon worked tirelessly at the shopping mall to get where he is today. Why does Jae Heon get direct placement into Foods? The executives and shareholders will misunderstand your intentions and be thrown into confusion.”
“Are you the one making them misunderstand?”
“Father! Foods carries huge symbolic weight. Both Joo Hoon and I pushed ourselves to the limit just to win your approval. If Jae Heon joins now, there’ll be pushback—and he won’t be able to settle in properly.”
“So you’re threatening me now?”
“It’s not a threat—it’s honest counsel, Father. And Joo Hoon is your grandson too.”
Chairman Seo chose to compromise—for Jae Heon’s smooth entry.
Instead of Jae Heon joining Foods directly, Hoe Myeong’s son Joo Hoon was promoted to executive managing director. That way, he placated Hoe Myeong’s side while protecting Jae Heon.
Thankfully, Jae Heon joined without incident and steadily built an impressive track record—thanks in no small part to Ra Jin’s outstanding support.
“I should take the lead on this.”
“What do you mean…?”
“I’m thinking of meeting the chef myself.”
Jae Heon seemed already decided. That left Ra Jin with only one task:
to ensure his plan succeeded.
“Understood. I’ll adjust the schedule so you can depart as soon as possible. How many people will be accompanying you?”
“Just you and me.”
Ra Jin, who usually understood Jae Heon’s words instantly and rarely asked for clarification, found himself wide-eyed and repeating in surprise,
“Director, I’m sorry, but…”
“If it’s something you’ll regret saying, don’t say it.”
“I’m truly sorry, but… could you please repeat that once more?”
Jae Heon narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly as he looked at Ra Jin.
What’s with those wide eyes?
Is he… trying to tempt me right now?
He looked just as adorable as when he’d flustered that morning over the mark left on his neck.
…Adorable? Who exactly was adorable?
On top of that, while out on his external schedule, Ra Jin kept popping into his thoughts during conversations—even though he sternly scolded himself to focus, he kept gulping down water like liquor just to distract himself.
This was all Secretary Sa’s fault. Could a person really change so suddenly?
Could someone really… become this attractive overnight?
“Why are your eyes so…”
“Sir?”
“Never mind. Nothing.”
“I’m really sorry, but I’m not sure if I heard correctly.”
“How did you hear it?”
Ra Jin took a soft breath and parted his lips.
“That I’m to accompany you alone on your New York business trip…”
“You heard it right.”
This was a first.
Chairman Seo Sung Jae’s philosophy was, “Mistakes stem from carelessness,” and Jae Heon, who’d inherited that exact teaching, never allowed himself to take actions that could be misinterpreted.
He might have taken Ra Jin along on same-day trips, but never—not once—had he traveled alone with him on an overnight business trip.
When unavoidable, he always brought Yoon Hee or another male colleague along.
Yet now—just the two of them?
“But don’t bother preparing for international travel. The key detail I just learned is that the chef is coming to Korea.”
Hearing that, Ra Jin unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
Of course—this was Jae Heon. He wouldn’t recklessly do something so rash.
Unlike Ra Jin, however, Jae Heon’s mood grew even more sour.
“Don’t relax just yet. We’re still going through the schedule alone—that hasn’t changed.”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
Most Commented This Week
The Villain Has Gone Mad For Me (Completed Main Story)
I’m The Lowest-Ranking Daughter Of A Martial Arts Villain (2 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Became the Assassin Family’s Foster Daughter (Completed Main Story)
The Duke Only Needs My Child (Completed Main Story)
Men of the Harem (137 Chapters Left to Complete)
At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete)
She’s a Villainess but her Husband is Handsome (Completed Main Story)
People Aren’t Meant to Be Fixed! (4 Chapters Left to Complete)
My Discarded Fiancé Returned (Completed Main Story)
Summer Must Die (16 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Received The First Time Of My Extraordinary Superior (9 Chapters Left to Complete)
Regret With All Your Might (Completed Main Story)