#49

“If I had that kind of sticker, I really would have given it to you.”

“Then should I prepare a compliment grape sticker chart instead?”

At my playful remark, Secretary Sung Yoojun smiled faintly as he stepped into the elevator.

“That would actually be quite fun.”

“Right? It would be pretty amusing. Of course, if the media ever caught wind of it, my image would take quite a hit.”

“Oh dear. That’s not a particularly pleasant thought. Since dealing with the aftermath would be troublesome, it’s unfortunate, but let’s put the compliment stickers away.”

“Wouldn’t it work if I framed it as a surprising charm or something?”

I was just joking, but unexpectedly, Secretary Sung Yoojun started seriously considering it.

“That might actually work…… But no, I think it’s best not to. From my official standpoint as a secretary, I believe maintaining your current image is the best course of action.”

“Your official standpoint as a secretary? Then does that mean you have a different opinion when you’re not in an official capacity?”

“Of course. I have a personal opinion as well.”

There was a nuance in Sung Yoojun’s response, as if he was inviting me to ask about his personal thoughts. I narrowed my eyes and looked at him.

“So, is this the moment where I’m supposed to ask what your personal opinion is, Secretary Sung?”

By the time I asked, the elevator had already arrived at the eighth floor, where the executive office was located. As I stepped out, he followed and responded.

“You’re quick-witted as always. Yes, this is that moment.”

Seeing him brazenly admit to his intentions, I couldn’t help but smile faintly. Honestly, he was a difficult person to win against.

“Alright, then. I’ll ask as you wish. What is your personal opinion, Sung Yoojun-ssi?”

“Since you’re asking, I’ll be honest.”

“…….”

“To be frank, it does sound fun, but dealing with the aftermath would be a hassle.”

Hearing those words from Sung Yoojun, my eyes widened as I stared at him.

“Are you serious?”

“I am.”

His response was crisp and without a hint of hesitation. I barely managed to suppress the laughter bubbling up inside me.

“Isn’t that a little too honest?”

“You were the one who started joking first, so I was simply going along with the mood.”

“You really never let me have the last word, do you?”

“My apologies. But don’t you actually prefer it when someone matches your pace like this?”

Sung Yoojun’s remark hit the nail on the head, leaving me with no choice but to burst into laughter.

“You really put in a lot of effort to keep up with me, huh?”

“Not at all. I enjoy it, so it’s fine.”

I laughed so much that my eyes teared up. As I reached up to wipe them away, a hand beat me to it, gently touching the corner of my eye.

“Oh, thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. I only did it because I wanted to.”

With a gentle voice, Sung Yoojun carefully wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes.

“But, Secretary Sung.”

“Yes?”

“I’m really grateful for your kindness, but wouldn’t this kind of gesture be more fitting for a lover? Rather than for me, I mean.”

I spoke with a lighthearted tone, a soft chuckle in my voice. In response, Sung Yoojun remained silent, but I could feel his fingers press slightly harder as he continued wiping my eyes.

Oh. Did that come off as rude? Maybe he saw it as an invasion of privacy. I might have crossed a line, caught up in the relaxed atmosphere. Should I apologize? As I hesitated, he suddenly spoke.

“If it’s with a lover, then it’s acceptable?”

“Huh?”

“I mean…… this kind of gesture.”

Was I just imagining it, or did his voice carry an underlying implication? As I blinked in confusion, his hand, which had been wiping my eyes, slowly moved downward. His fingers stopped at the knot of my neatly tied tie.

“……Secretary Sung?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why are you touching my tie……?”

“Oh, my apologies. It was slightly crooked, and it was bothering me.”

Crooked? From what I could see, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.

“It looks perfectly fine to me. It’s tied neatly.”

“Things appear different when viewed from above versus from the front. Let me fix it for you.”

I felt a little skeptical, but I let him take care of my tie without resistance. If he said it was crooked, then it must be. There was no reason for him to lie about something like that.

“Now that I think about it, earlier, Yoo Euiseo-ssi was adjusting your tie. Did he tie it for you?”

“Yes. He’s pretty skilled at it. He told me he practiced tying ties alone in high school so he wouldn’t bother his mom.”

I spoke with a tone full of pride, like a parent boasting about their child’s first steps. A faint smile appeared on Sung Yoojun’s lips.

“But seeing how the knot is still slightly off, it seems he needs more practice. Next time, rather than letting someone else do it, just leave it to me. I’ll handle it for you.”

“What? No, I can do it myself, so there’s no need—”

“I would be happy if you entrusted it to me.”

Sung Yoojun spoke as he lightly brushed his finger over the perfectly tied knot.

……Wait. This is odd.

Something felt strangely different from usual. As I tried to say something, he beat me to it.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t answered your question yet. I apologize. That was my mistake. The person who put strange ideas into President Lee Yongjun’s head is none other than the mother of Lee Gaon-ssi and Lee Daon-ssi.”

Hearing the unexpected name, my entire body tensed up. It was clear he was trying to divert the conversation, but I couldn’t ignore the topic.

“……Gaon-ssi and Daon-ssi’s mother?”

“Yes. Her name is Oh Hahyun. In political circles, she’s considered quite an influential figure. Some even believe she has a chance at running for president in a few years.”

So Lee Gaon and Lee Daon’s mother is a congresswoman…… I had no idea. Well, I guess it makes sense—I don’t usually ask about my colleagues’ family occupations.

“But why would someone like that be influencing Lee Yongjun? Pressuring her son’s agency wouldn’t do her any good.”

“If you think about it in a simple way, yes.”

“That sounds like you’re implying there’s a more complex reason.”

At my weary remark, Sung Yoojun slowly nodded. Seeing that, I sighed and shook my head.

“What is it? What don’t I know? Did Rep. Oh Hahyun and the original Goo Won have some kind of history?”

“Yes. Just as you suspected, there is a connection. And it’s not a good one.”

I had a bad feeling about this. Letting out a quiet sigh, I rubbed my forehead.

Why do I have so many things to deal with? Wouldn’t life be easier if I were just an ordinary person? Instead, I had to be the heir of a massive corporation, making my life unnecessarily complicated.

“We should probably go inside and discuss this.”

Even though this floor only had my office, the secretary’s office, and an outdoor garden, this conversation felt too sensitive to have in the hallway. I hurried my steps toward my office.

“Welcome back, President. Secretary Sung.”

As soon as we arrived, Secretary Jung Minjae, who had been working outside my office, stood up and greeted us.

Acknowledging him with a nod, I spoke seriously.

“Secretary Jung, I need to have a private conversation with Secretary Sung. I don’t want any interruptions. Please don’t let anyone into my office until I say otherwise. If someone comes, just turn them away.”

“Understood, sir. I’ll make sure of it.”

Noting his unusually serious expression, Jung Minjae straightened up and responded firmly. Satisfied with his reaction, I entered my office, followed by Sung Yoojun, who closed the door behind us.

“So, what exactly is their connection? Between Rep. Oh Hahyun and the original Goo Won?”

As I sank into a single-seat sofa, Sung Yoojun sat across from me and spoke.

“Honestly, it’s not much of a relationship. About two years ago, Rep. Oh Hahyun asked you to provide political funding, and you flatly refused. That’s it.”

That’s it? That doesn’t sound minor at all.

“She asked for political funding? She made the request herself?”