Chapter 100
Haemin’s POV
I imdiately lowered my head and bowed politely almost on instinct.
“Good morning, Madam.”
For a brief mont, nobody spoke.
Then—
“Oh my.”
The voice that reached was much softer than I expected.
“Please straighten up. There’s no need to be so formal.”
I blinked slightly.
Slowly, I raised my head again.
Madam Han was looking at with visible curiosity. Her eyes moved over once before she tilted her head slightly.
“Hm?”
A confused expression appeared on her face.
Then she glanced around the lobby.
“Is there so kind of school visit today?”
Huh?
*Silence*
I froze.
Every employee nearby looked visibly awkward after hearing that question, yet none of them seed brave enough to say anything.
Madam Han looked back at again.
“Students these days really know how to dress well, don’t you think so, Secretary Na?”
The middle-aged man standing beside her, who looked to be in his fifties, smiled at .
“Yes, indeed, Madam.”
Madam Han nodded in agreent before turning toward again, her curiosity only growing.
“What school are you from, kid?”
I nearly choked.
Before I could answer—
The security guard beside quickly stepped forward.
“Madam, I apologize, but this person here is not a school student. He is the Chairwoman new assistant.”
She blinked, trying to process the words, before her eyes widened in slight shock.
The people accompanying her had the sa reaction.
“What!? My daughter’s new assistant?”
“Yes, Madam.”
The security guard straightened imdiately.
“He is Chairwoman Seo’s new assistant.”
At this point, everyone looked genuinely surprised.
Madam Han and her entourage stared at .
I imdiately bowed once again and introduce myself.
“Greetings, Madam. My na is Kim-Haemin, the Chairwoman's assistant. It's my honour to et you.”
Several surprised voices sounded almost at the sa ti.
Everyone, including Ms. Han, looked completely caught off guard.
She looked at again, then back at the security guard, then back at .
“Wait, please straighten up first.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“How old are you?”
I straight myself again before scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“I’m… nineteen, Madam.”
The entire group behind her visibly froze.
“…Nineteen?”
“Nineteen?”
“Did he say nineteen?”
Even the security guard looked embarrassed hearing it out loud.
Madam Han eyes widened further.
“What?”
The elegant woman imdiately looked concerned.
“Nineteen?”
She took a small step closer.
“Did Yuna force you to work here?”
Her face suddenly turned serious.
“Seriously, that daughter of mine… she still does whatever she wants.”
“N—No, Madam. It’s not like that at all. Chairwoman didn’t force or anything. I work here willingly.”
Of course she forced . But I can’t say that out loud, can I?
She sighed and folded her arms.
The people behind her exchanged nervous looks.
“Are you absolutely sure? She didn’t threaten you or anything?”
She had sohow hit the bullseye perfectly.
“No, Madam. I chose to work here myself. Chairwoman Seo didn’t force .”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Madam Han remained silent for a mont before finally letting out a relieved sigh.
“Thank goodness.”
She looked at with a warm expression before composing herself again.
“It must be hard working under her, right? On behalf of my daughter, I apologize if she has caused you any trouble.”
I panicked and quickly shook my head.
“Please don’t apologize, Madam. Chairwoman has treated well.”
Madam Han looked at for a second, then a small smile appeared on her face once more.
“I’m glad to hear that. So, Assistant Kim, is Yuna here? I ca today specifically to see her.”
“Y—Yes! She’s upstair in her office. Please let lead you.”
“Such a well-mannered young n.”
I quickly looked away to hide my embarrassnt before stepping forward and pressing the elevator button.
A few monts later, we entered the elevator together.
Everyone in the lobby gave her a final bow before the elevator doors closed.
The atmosphere wasn’t uncomfortable. But for so reason, I felt strangely awkward.
Please arrive faster.
I silently prayed for the elevator to hurry up.
Then I noticed sothing.
Actually, ever since we were downstairs—
Secretary Na, who standing beside Madam Han had been looking at repeatedly, his face filled with curiosity.
“Oh, right, Assistant Kim.”
Madam Han broke the silence.
“Yes?”
I imdiately straightened.
“Is Harin around too? I didn’t see her downstairs earlier.”
“Secretary Yoo? O—Oh, yes. She went out because the Chairwoman assigned her so work.”
Well, that was only my guess. It’s not like I could say I had no idea where she was, right? Honestly, whenever Yuna and Harin wanted to do sothing, they would just go ahead and do it without telling . They seed to see as so clueless kid who wouldn’t understand even if they tried to explain.
I’d been bothered by that for a long ti now.
But it’s not like they cared about how I felt.
“I see. That’s unfortunate.”
Madam Han then glanced at Secretary Na beside her before smiling teasingly.
“Look at that. Your favorite niece isn’t even here when you visit. It’s not easy for us to co here often.”
Secretary Na simply let out a quiet chuckle.
“I really should have inford her before coming.”
Favorite niece?
Was he Harin’s uncle or sothing?
A few monts later, we finally reach the private floor.
The mont we stepped outside—
As expected.
The entire floor froze.
Every staff mber in the corridor stopped what they were doing. Their faces turned pale the mont they saw us step out. They stood stiffly, as if trying to process whether the person standing before them was real or not.
Then, as though reality had finally sunk in, they rushed forward in less than two seconds and bowed deeply, almost desperately, in perfect synchronization.
“Good morning, Madam!”
The greetings echoed down the hallway in a nervous chorus. The atmosphere instantly beca heavy and tense. I could feel the panic in the air. It wasn't surprising. After all, no one had been warned about her sudden visit.
Madam Han let out a soft sigh as she looked at the scene.
“Really… we should have inford them beforehand,” she murmured quietly to Secretary Na beside her.
He simply shook his head helplessly.
“This way, Madam.”
I quickly composed myself and led the way toward Yuna’s office, doing my best to ignore the nervous stares that followed us.
The employees continued bowing as we passed.
The pressure was unbelievable.
When we reached the grand doors, I stepped forward and knocked carefully.
Seriously, I wasn't looking forward to eting her again.
*Knock*
*Knock*
“Co in.”
I imdiately opened the door.
The mont I stepped inside—
Yuna looked up from her desk.
Her eyes softened slightly when she saw again. A small smile appeared on her lips.
“Changed your mind already?”
I almost had a heart attack when she said that.
Thank goodness she didn't say it out loud because Madam Han was standing right outside the door behind .
I quickly cleared my throat.
“Actually, Chairwoman, there is—”
Before I could finish—
Madam Han walked inside.
The atmosphere instantly changed.
The smile disappeared from Yuna’s face.
Completely.
The softness in her eyes vanished as though it had never existed, replaced by a cold, distant look.
Yuna slowly leaned back in her chair.
“What are you doing here?”
What?
I was completely shocked. Yuna… how could you say that to your own mother?
Madam Han, however, remained completely calm. Not even slightly offended. As if she was used to this kind of greeting from her daughter.
“Oh my.”
She shook her head lightly.
“Isn’t it a bit rude to greet your mother like this? I ca all the way here just to see you, you know.”
Yuna didn’t look moved at all.
Her expression remained completely unreadable.
“I didn’t ask you to co.”
“Chairwoman—”
I instinctively wanted to say sothing because Yuna was being incredibly rude right now, but Secretary Na lightly placed a hand on my shoulder and simply shook his head once.
“Your temper really hasn’t changed at all, has it, Yuna? Even after all these years.”
Yuna’s expression remained cold and distant, showing no sign of warmth toward her mother.
“If you’re here just to lecture , please save both of our ti.”
Madam Han simply sighed at her daughter’s attitude and rubbed her forehead lightly.
“Like father, like daughter.”
She then turned toward with a gentle expression.
“Assistant Kim, could you leave us for a mont? There’s sothing we need to discuss privately.”
I hesitated for a second, my gaze shifted between the two won.
The atmosphere in the room was already tense enough that I felt slightly worried about what might happen after I left.
At the corner of my eye, I noticed Yuna clicking her tongue quietly in irritation as she looked at . But since she didn’t say anything, I guess it’s okay if I leave.
“O-Of course, Madam… I will excuse myself first.”
I bowed politely to both of them before turning around. Secretary Na gently led toward the door.
The mont we reached the doorway, Secretary Na looked back inside the office briefly before turning to .
“Assistant Kim.”
“Yes?”
“If Secretary Yoo returns to the office, can you tell her to contact ?”
“Secretary Yoo?”
Secretary Na nodded.
“Yes. I need to speak with her regarding sothing important.”
“Ah… alright.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
“Thank you.”
Then he gently closed the office door.
I stood there, watching the close door.
Wait... now that I’ve co to my senses, isn’t she, technically, my mother-in-law? Shouldn’t that an sothing to ? Forget it. Why am I even thinking about that now? Our relationship is going to end in a few weeks anyway...
Honestly…
Yuna didn’t seem to have a good relationship with her mother. Well, I could pretty much understand the reason behind it, but still...
I really hoped nothing would happen.
Harin... please co back soon.
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