Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 85

“Secretary Team 2 Leader ran away, Boss.”

“I see.”

Yoon Taeo wasn’t particularly surprised by the General Secretary’s report. Or rather, since Taeo had handled that guy himself, he couldn’t be surprised. Most secretaries, especially those handling important tasks, were under the General Secretary’s control. The Team 2 Leader was no exception. The Jeju Island resort construction project was delayed beyond tolerance, and evidence showed most of the unofficial funds injected were flowing into Team 2 Leader’s pockets.

“I will handle it soon.”

“Do as you please. The General Secretary has been having a hard time.”

“It’s all due to my negligence and incompetence. I’m only ashamed.”

Though it was known the head of embezzlement was the General Secretary, there wasn’t enough concrete evidence to touch him directly. So Taeo gave a warning through the General Secretary by merely cleaning up Team 2 Leader. A warning that he wouldn’t tolerate any further missteps.

The General Secretary was by no means a clean person, but at least he wasn’t trying to ruin the company. While taking his ‘fair share’ of profit, he also contributed to the company’s growth. Of course, Taeo’s patience was reaching its limit. He didn’t know how much longer he could tolerate the ever-raising ‘fair share’ line. He just hadn’t found a replacement for the General Secretary yet.

It was while tackling an unusually tight morning schedule and heading to lunch. No matter how fast he worked, the tasks didn’t shrink, and he had to work inside the car. Taeo’s eyes lingered on his phone screen as his fingers swiped busily, when suddenly a memory popped up.

‘A-are you hurt?’

On the way to the hospital with the runaway beta and the secretary who had stabbed someone at karaoke, that guy worried about Taeo without knowing his condition, pulled Taeo’s hand to check for injuries. He wiped and rubbed Taeo’s hand, saying some disinfectant would be enough, though Taeo’s hand was unblemished.

It was rather funny that someone else was worrying about him. He couldn’t possibly be hurt by something like that, and even if he got a scratch, why make such a fuss? And that secretary, rubbing Taeo’s hand on his own knee with hidden intentions... it was kind of ticklish. Maybe because the guy had delicate skin.

Even after confirming Taeo’s hand was fine, that cheeky secretary kept rubbing it for quite a while. What was that insolent guy doing now? Taeo had confined him to reflection and restraint until all the ugly scars vanished. Maybe he should have just let him come to work... But how did that guy look again...?

While Taeo was staring at his hand, lost in these thoughts—

“We have arrived.”

Ah, right. That voice. That face.

Arriving at the restaurant and hearing the secretary’s voice and seeing his face opening the car door made the faint image in Taeo’s mind clear. Exactly the guy Taeo had told to stay home and properly treat his wounds.

“Why is Secretary Kim here?”

His complexion still wasn’t good. Even when Taeo pulled the guy’s chin to inspect his face up close after getting out, nothing changed.

“My words must really suck.”

A deep-rooted irritation surged. The ticklish feeling he had when recalling that guy in the car vanished instantly. He didn’t like the secretary’s reckless behavior, which was different from the memory.

But seeing the face he held turn ghostly pale made Taeo immediately regret it. Shouldn’t have gotten angry, he thought. No, it was irritation. Annoyance that such a scared guy even existed. He hadn’t even gotten properly mad, yet the guy looked like he was about to lose his mind.

“N-no, no!”

“Then why do you keep ignoring me? I said to stay home and be restrained.”

His lips had turned pale from fear. It was an unpleasant sight. Taeo softened the grip on the secretary’s face to hide the sharp anger inside. Though he couldn’t do anything about the sulky voice, Taeo tried his best. He stroked near the lips with his thumb as if to soothe. The guy seemed so fragile he’d crumble if a little pressure was applied.

“Th-that... sh-should I go in and report it? Our Boss... your leg might hurt. You must be tired after a long meeting...”

But as soon as Taeo’s attitude changed, the secretary quickly switched gears. Though still trembling, he started spouting ridiculous nonsense.

Taeo felt relieved. To be able to hear that annoying chatter again. At least this guy wasn’t a weakling like ordinary timid ones. It was strange. Why was he relieved about a secretary who might disappear anytime babbling nonsense?

That pale face quickly flushed red. The heat spread so strongly Taeo could feel it through his hands cupping the secretary’s jaw and cheek. The redness spread like wildfire from cheek to ear to neck. He thought, “Surely... still not well.”

The heat was for a different reason, but Taeo didn’t know.

❖ ❖ ❖

“I saw something strange today.”

“Oh...? Is that so? Amazing, Boss!”

There weren’t many people around Yoon Taeo. That was normal. Taeo never tried to keep anyone near. Friendship wasn’t a one-sided effort. Still, some people lingered nearby. He kept people distant partly because he knew most had impure motives.

“If you don’t ask what it was?”

Among them, the exception was Kang Seokho driving the car now. An Alpha who cared about Taeo’s safety differently from the General Secretary. Not very smart sometimes, but without greed or selfishness. One of the few trustworthy people.

“What did you see?”

“A beta finished an entire Korean full-course meal by himself.”

“...W-why...?”

“Usually {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} betas can’t even finish half, right?”

Kang Seokho was baffled by Taeo’s story. What was the intention behind bringing that up? Was it the start of some new incident? He wracked his brain but couldn’t come up with a reply. Of course, it was normal to eat alone since the course came as a single portion.

But thinking more, it was somewhat understandable. Most betas Taeo encountered were doll-like, restraining not just appetite but every desire.

“Wow, that must be a Guinness record. Who eats like that?”

“Secretary Kim. Contrary to his appearance, he’s a big eater. Just looking at his face, I thought he couldn’t chew even a piece of meat.”

...What kind of face looks like it can’t chew meat? And who was “Secretary Kim” again? Kang Seokho was more confused.

“Is he one of our employees?”

Curious, Kang Seokho noticed it was rare for Taeo to talk about anyone without orders or instructions and even share personal impressions.

“He’s an employee of the same company. I think he’s the Secretary Team 1 Leader.”

Team 1 Leader? That must be the madman who stabbed a beta. The coward with no fear—how Kang Seokho defined Baek Sieon. Not Secretary Kim, but Secretary Baek. He didn’t bother correcting it since Taeo probably wouldn’t remember.

“Oh, I know. But did you eat together?”

“By chance. He said he had no appetite but even finished dessert.”

It was a trivial story, but Taeo cared about the employee. Kang Seokho was also somewhat interested in Baek Sieon. He wasn’t unaware of him but had formed an impression after the last time they searched for a beta together.

“I heard he’s also taking on Secretary Team 2 Leader duties.”

Maybe this was Taeo’s real point. His voice sank more heavily than before.

“...Is he really the General Secretary’s man?”

“Well, we should keep an eye on him anyway.”

If Baek Sieon was the General Secretary’s dog, his future was almost decided. No matter how interesting a person was, Taeo’s command was enough. Kang Seokho didn’t judge right or wrong. This place was simply a world where Taeo’s word was law.

If even a small link or trace of wrongdoing was found, like with the dismissed Team 2 Leader, it would be over in a moment.

“I hope it’s not that.”

A smile returned to Taeo’s voice as he gazed out the car window. The noisy secretary who chattered and cleared his plate in front of him was still running around in his mind. Now Taeo could remember his face quite clearly.

But when Taeo arrived at the hotel lounge, all those thoughts vanished. Even the secretary who had been buzzing in his head all afternoon.

A new beta had appeared.