Kang Jinwook’s gaze was filled with mockery. It was likely because, even if Sunwoo claimed he was resigning, without evidence to prove it, he knew Sunwoo couldn’t act boldly against him.
Sunwoo’s face briefly twisted in frustration.
He recalled Kang Jinwook grabbing him on the street, shouting, and eventually ripping his resignation letter to shreds and tossing it on the ground.
How could he fix that nasty habit of his?
While thinking, Sunwoo suddenly remembered the resignation letter he had handed to Secretary Jo.
‘But… Secretary Jo hasn’t given it to Kang Jinwook yet, right?’
That must be why Kang Jinwook was smirking so smugly now.
Please, let Secretary Jo keep forgetting about it!
“Even so, isn’t it enough if I refuse? I don’t plan on taking a salary, anyway. Fire me if you want, or don’t—whatever.”
It wasn’t as if he needed the money. Honestly, the tasks Secretary Choi had been handling up until now weren’t anything that someone else couldn’t take over immediately.
Crossing his arms with a combative expression, Sunwoo stared at him. If Kang Jinwook didn’t know about the other resignation letter, then Sunwoo had the upper hand. After all, once a month had passed since expressing his intent to resign, there would be no legal issue with it.
Of course, Sunwoo didn’t plan to wait that long. Today, right here, he had to settle things with Kang Jinwook. Then he would leave immediately and board a plane!
“Hmph…” Kang Jinwook let out a low, dissatisfied noise.
“So, that’s how you’re playing this?”
Sunwoo gave him a look as if to ask, “What are you going to do about it?”
“Fine. Just give me one month.”
“…One month? What’s that supposed to mean?”
What nonsense was this now?
“Stay by my side for one month. After that, I’ll let you do whatever you want.”
“No way, why should I?”
How many times was he going to say this today? Sunwoo sighed deeply, staring at Kang Jinwook. Stay by his side for a whole month? Such a horrifying proposition!
Thinking about all the shocks and stress he had endured because of Kang Jinwook so far, he absolutely, positively didn’t want that.
“No. I’m sick, don’t you get it? Are you really going to disregard my stomach ulcer like it’s nothing…?”
Sunwoo tried once again to emphasize his stomach ulcer and make his refusal clear. But before he could even finish, Kang Jinwook cut him off.
“I’m not disregarding it. That’s why I’m offering to make things easier for you.”
“Seriously, am I talking to a wall here?”
Without thinking, Sunwoo let his thoughts slip out.
“What?”
“You. You’re like a wall. A steel wall! I keep saying no, but you just keep pushing. Hey, seriously. Why are you like this? What’s with your personality? No matter how much of a domin—ah!”
Sunwoo nearly said, “No matter how much of a domineering Alpha you are, this is too much,” but he caught himself just in time, slapping a hand over his mouth. Even he thought saying that out loud in front of Kang Jinwook was a step too far.
“What did you say?”
Kang Jinwook stared at Sunwoo, who was now nervously glancing around while keeping his hand firmly over his mouth. He seemed to be replaying Sunwoo’s words in his mind.
“A wall? Are you calling me stubborn as a mule?”
Sunwoo looked at him with an incredulous expression, but then he thought about it and nodded.
Well, it made sense. How many people in his life had Kang Jinwook ever had to take into account? He was a fourth-generation chaebol heir, the successor to Taesung Group, and an ultra-dominant Alpha. Everyone around him must have catered to his whims, treating him like royalty. No wonder he was so arrogant and never listened to anyone.
Thinking this, Sunwoo removed the hand from his mouth and said sincerely, “Yes. So start listening to what people say. Please!”
“Listen to what? It’s not like you have anything else to say besides that you want to leave or disappear where I can’t see you.”
Well, that was true. His words hit so close to home that Sunwoo almost nodded in agreement but managed to stop himself just in time.
“Of course! That’s what I want the most!”
Why would he want to stay with this man? He valued his life and the baby in his belly too much for that.
“So there’s no point in talking anymore, huh? You’re not going to change your mind anyway.”
This isn’t the same! You’re just being pushy, while my life is on the line!
Unable to voice this, Sunwoo clenched and unclenched his fists, his frustration evident.
“One month. Just one month. After that, you can do whatever you want,” Kang Jinwook said, softening his tone as if he understood exactly what Sunwoo was thinking. The sudden change made Sunwoo, who was about to snap back, press his lips together tightly.
“I’ve already discussed your duties with Secretary Gwak. Regular hours, no overtime. How does that sound?”
Kang Jinwook glanced at Sunwoo, who was still glaring at him, before picking up the phone on the study desk.
“Come to the study,” he ordered as soon as the call connected.
A few moments later, Secretary Gwak appeared in the study.
“Secretary Gwak.”
“Yes, Executive Director.”
“Tell him what I said about Choi Sunwoo this morning.”
Huh? What was this situation now?
Secretary Gwak hesitated, looking back and forth between Kang Jinwook and Sunwoo. Kang Jinwook looked displeased about something, while Sunwoo’s face clearly said, “What the hell is going on here?”
Something about this situation felt incredibly off…
Secretary Gwak recalled what the Executive Director had told him that morning.
“From today, teach Choi Sunwoo the ropes,” he had said.
The ropes? What kind of work? Secretary Gwak had looked at him questioningly, but soon replied with a simple, “Understood.” Kang Jinwook wasn’t the type to tolerate questions about his decisions, especially once he had already made them.
“And don’t overwork him. Make sure he eats healthy meals regularly. Oh, and check that he’s taking his medicine on time.”
Hearing that, Secretary Gwak’s expression had turned slightly odd. No matter how he thought about it, this didn’t sound like assigning work—it sounded more like taking care of someone.
Carefully observing Kang Jinwook’s expression, Secretary Gwak realized he wasn’t joking. The Executive Director was dead serious.
Sometimes, Kang Jinwook did things that were difficult to understand. For someone who was supposed to be an ultra-dominant Alpha, he wasn’t just unique—he was downright eccentric… or worse.
“No overtime. No weekend work. No stress allowed!”
Even as Kang Jinwook emphasized strange things like that, Secretary Gwak had answered obediently, “Understood,” though countless thoughts raced through his mind.
Why was the Executive Director acting this way toward Choi Sunwoo? He resolved to figure it out—clearly, something unusual was going on.
“Secretary Gwak.”
Secretary Gwak snapped back to reality at the sound of his name.
“Yes! No overtime, no weekend work, no stress. And…”
He was about to mention the part about healthy meals and checking medicine, but Kang Jinwook cut him off.
“That’s enough.”
Was this enough to make his point? Kang Jinwook gestured for Secretary Gwak to leave before turning his gaze to Sunwoo, silently urging him to respond.
“No.”
Once again, Sunwoo flatly refused.
“Why not? What’s the problem this time?”
Kang Jinwook’s face twisted in frustration. He seemed to think he had done enough to satisfy Sunwoo’s demands.
But Sunwoo thought differently. There were multiple issues. The biggest, of course, was the fact that the child growing inside him belonged to Kang Jinwook—a reason he could never reveal.
The second?
“I just don’t like you.”