A Madman in Love

Intent.

It was intentional.

“Without a doubt…”

That smile was the same one Seo Jaehee wore when he was scheming.

The same smile he had at ten years old, when he decided Suin would be his personal underling. The same smile he wore when he acted like a perfect little angel in front of his grandmother and other adults.

He’s up to something.

Certain of her conclusion, Suin fixed her sharp gaze on the back of his head.

Feeling her eyes on him, Jaehee turned around, his expression dripping with mischief.

Even his gaze gleamed with an oily slickness, his playful grin amplifying the unease she felt.

Disgusting.

Suin quickly looked away, but as she did, a memory from the previous day’s phone call flashed vividly in her mind.

[Just look at him. Always so flippant... I can’t help but feel deeply uneasy.]

Woo Ilhwa had been visibly worried about Jaehee, fearing that his careless demeanor would lead to him being deemed unfit as her successor.

She had likely sent Suin to cover for his weaknesses.

[There was no other choice.]
[You’re the only one who can fill the gaps for Jaehee.]

But why was Jaehee acting like this?

Anyone else reuniting with their parent after so long would try to make a good impression.

Why, then, did he seem so determined to expose his vulnerabilities to his mother, even when there was nothing to gain?

“You’re the only one…”

Ah!

In a flash, Suin realized.

“He’s already gained something—me.”

The reason for Jaehee’s immature, troublemaking behavior in front of Woo Ilhwa became clear.

Woo Ilhwa trusted Suin more than anyone else.
The Hyesung Group executives unanimously recognized her as the ideal Chief Secretary.
And Suin was someone who could see Jaehee’s flaws yet still shield him from criticism.

It was her.

I was the goal. That bastard planned this.

By behaving like a reckless troublemaker, just as he had in the past, he must have predicted that Woo Ilhwa would keep Suin at his side to compensate for his shortcomings.

That lunatic.

“I’ve been played.”

The realization left her fuming. Her anger simmered just below the surface, though she forced herself to remain composed given their surroundings.

By the time her thoughts settled, they had arrived at the auditorium.

“Let me have one last look. Turn around for me.”

Woo Ilhwa, stepping into the role of a doting mother, paused to inspect Jaehee’s attire.@@novelbin@@

Jaehee, however, acted as though even this was too much trouble.

“I’m fine,” he muttered dismissively.

Woo Ilhwa narrowed her eyes in mild annoyance, but she said nothing. Instead, she signaled to the secretarial team with a tilt of her chin.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The waiting secretaries, Oh Daehwi and Hyun Jiye, pushed open the double doors to the auditorium and stepped aside.

As always, Woo Ilhwa entered first, exuding an air of confidence. Jaehee followed behind her, his relaxed stride brimming with self-assurance.

Watching his broad back from behind, Suin clenched her jaw.

“Damn Seo Jaehee.”

***

“This is Seo Jaehee.”

Standing on the stage in front of 120 senior executives, Jaehee began his inaugural speech. Within just three minutes, he managed to dispel Woo Ilhwa’s concerns.

“The key is flexibility.”

With his striking appearance and commanding physical presence, he captured the audience’s attention. Somehow, he had prepared a presentation titled “Hyesung Group’s Vision for Future Growth” that now illuminated the large screen behind him.

Walking confidently across the stage, he dominated the room.

“The future of industry lies in breaking away from conventional frameworks. Innovation requires breaking boundaries and fostering collaboration between sectors.”

His performance was overwhelming.

His gaze brimmed with confidence, unwavering as it scanned the audience.

Every syllable he uttered was enunciated perfectly, and his measured pacing made his words all the more impactful.

“First, I plan to promote sustainable growth by expanding environmentally friendly infrastructure.”

Everything about him exuded perfection.

He moved across the stage so effortlessly that he could have been mistaken for a star accustomed to the spotlight.

“We will expand contracts for eco-friendly construction and further develop hydrogen production plants and Green New Deal-linked projects.”

Executives who had been waiting eagerly to find fault with him were, in a matter of moments, utterly captivated.

Although he had yet to prove any substantial capability, he effortlessly drew them in, leading them to subconsciously acknowledge him as a future leader.

“Wow, the Senior Executive is incredible,” whispered Hyun Jiye from the secretarial team.

Annoying.

Suin cursed silently to herself.

A man who manipulated both Woo Ilhwa and her for his schemes now had the audacity to turn the tide with a single speech. She found his success utterly infuriating.

“Chief, isn’t he amazing?”

Hyun Jiye’s excited murmur came again. Suin only responded with a faint smile.

She couldn’t deny it.

He was amazing.

***

“As expected of the Chairwoman’s son.”
“It’s in the bloodline. Superior genes don’t lie.”

Jaehee might as well have been a fox spirit.

By the time he stepped off the stage, having concluded his speech, the executives were utterly enchanted, as if ready to offer up their very souls.

Woo Ilhwa was no exception.

Though her face remained impassive, the subtle lift of her shoulders betrayed her pride.

Suin had no intention of dampening the Chairwoman’s mood. She just wanted to free herself from the web Jaehee had spun.

“Chairwoman.”

As Jaehee moved offstage, shaking hands with the executives in a seemingly endless line, Suin approached Woo Ilhwa, ready to expose his plan.

“I need to tell you something…”

“Did you see that, Chief Lee?”

Woo Ilhwa interrupted her, lowering her voice but unable to hide her elation.

“Jaehee’s shaping up to be quite impressive, isn’t he? Perhaps I worried too much.”

“Yes, Chairwoman, he certainly was,” Suin replied, matching her enthusiasm. Then she attempted again.

“Actually, there’s something—”

“Oh, Chairwoman!”

This time, Executive Director Park Jiyeong appeared, cutting Suin off. Taking advantage of the moment, other executives began to crowd around as well.

“Chairwoman, with all you’ve done for the group, how did you manage to raise such a remarkable son?”

“Indeed, Hyesung Group’s future looks incredibly bright with him.”

“He’s still got a lot to learn,” Woo Ilhwa replied graciously, busy exchanging pleasantries with the group.

Suin had no choice but to step back.

The meet-and-greet with over a hundred executives was going to take a while. But Suin knew Jaehee would be tied up for the duration, leaving plenty of opportunities to speak with the Chairwoman later.

It would be a piece of cake.

“Jiye, I need to discuss something with the Chairwoman. Can you stay with the Senior Executive?”

“Of course, Chief. Don’t worry about a thing.”

With Hyun Jiye in position, Suin waited for her chance. Finally, Chief Oh Daehwi approached Woo Ilhwa.

“Chairwoman, if you’d like to attend the SeoHan Branding event, we should leave now.”

“Ah, it’s already that time. Let’s go.”

The opportunity had come.

Suin quickly followed Woo Ilhwa out of the auditorium.

Even a short elevator ride would suffice to reveal everything.

“Chairwoman, the Senior Executive is still greeting the executives. May I accompany you down?”

“Of course. Get in.”

Woo Ilhwa stepped into the elevator and gestured for Suin to join her. Suin stood by her side as Chief Oh stepped in and pressed the close button.

Since Oh Daehwi was always by the Chairwoman’s side, Suin figured it wouldn’t matter if he overheard.

Tilting her head slightly, she began, “Chairwoman, I need to tell you—”

Thunk!

“Chairwoman!”

A hand suddenly shot out to catch the elevator doors just as they were closing.

Suin flinched as none other than Executive Director Park Jiyeong appeared.

“Mind if I join you?”

“Of course not. Why even ask?”

Park Jiyeong, one of the few female executives, was known for her amicable personality and had a relationship with Woo Ilhwa that bordered on sisterly.

Suin had always considered her the “most pleasant executive to encounter.”

Not anymore.

“Chairwoman, please share the secret to raising such a wonderful son.”

“There’s no secret. He raised himself.”

“I’m jealous. My son causes nothing but trouble.”

“Oh, I didn’t want to say this, but Jaehee caused his fair share of headaches too.”

Their conversation shifted into an ordinary discussion about children, far removed from the world of corporate executives.

Suin, staring at the elevator display, silently prayed for the conversation to end.

“Chief Lee.”

Finally reaching the lobby, Park Jiyeong left, and Woo Ilhwa turned to Suin with renewed interest.

“What was it you wanted to tell me earlier?”

“Well, Chairwoman, it’s about—”

Bzzzzz—

As if the universe conspired against her, Woo Ilhwa’s phone began to vibrate.

“Let’s talk later,” Woo Ilhwa said, turning to answer the call.

Damn it.

Suin cursed internally, though the words nearly escaped aloud.