A Madman in Love

As a sleek black sedan pulled up in front of Hyesung Group’s main entrance, security personnel, alerted via radio, quickly lined up and opened the rear door.

"Good morning, Executive Director."

"Yes, good morning," Jaehee replied smoothly as he stepped out.

Adjusting the button on his suit jacket with practiced precision, he greeted the staff and passed through the main entrance under their watchful escort.

It was an unusual sight.

Though there were no actual spotlights illuminating him, it seemed as if all the light followed wherever he walked.

"That’s the Executive Director!"

Employees on their way to work paused, bowing their heads, while the female staff openly admired him.

"So handsome, Executive Director Seo."

"My mornings are blessed with this view."

"I’m never quitting. I’ll bury my bones here."

Their expressions practically glowed with the slogan: Your presence is our blessing.

But regardless of the floral gardens blooming in their hearts...

"Has Lee Suin arrived yet?"

Jaehee’s mind was consumed with thoughts of her.

He looked forward to another delightful day spent with her as he breezed past the security checkpoint.

Just then—

"Good morning, Executive Director!"

A large man with gentle retriever-like eyes jogged up to him, bowing deeply and introducing himself with enthusiasm.

"I’m Kwon Jongin, the new intern assigned to assist you starting today!"

Jaehee raised an eyebrow.

"Assigned to assist me?"

"Yes, sir!"

"And this was decided so suddenly?"

"Yes, sir! I was just as surprised when I got the notice!"

"Who approved this assignment?"

"Chief Lee Suin contacted me directly last night, sir!"

"Ah..."

An unexpected development.

At Hyesung Group, executives typically had both an administrative secretary and a personal assistant or opted for a single integrated secretary.

Naturally, Jaehee had wanted Suin to serve as his integrated secretary.

With a driver already provided by the company, having Suin alone would suffice—and conveniently ensure they spent the entire day together.

But now...

"It’s an honor to serve you, sir!"

Suin had played her hand brilliantly.

She’d slipped away like a wily eel before he could even get a firm grip.

"Let’s head up."

"Yes, sir! Allow me to escort you!"

Though Jaehee found Kwon Jongin’s overzealous loyalty a bit grating, it wasn’t the time to address the issue—nor was it Jongin’s fault. For now, he headed straight to the executive office.

"Good morning, Executive Director."

Suin greeted him with eyes brimming with smug amusement, her expression radiating delight.

"A very good morning indeed, Chief Lee," Jaehee replied, his words laced with sarcasm.

"Of course," Suin said with a dazzling smile, completely unbothered by the pointed remark.

Unaware that even this level of defiance made her all the more endearing to him.

***

"Chief Lee, what’s on the agenda today?"

As per Suin’s plan, Kwon Jongin’s presence forced Jaehee to adopt a more formal tone and demeanor.

Even the casual way he used to address her had changed, showing he wasn’t as reckless as he seemed.@@novelbin@@

"Yes, your schedule for today is as follows..."

"Come in," Jaehee interrupted briefly.

There was still a lingering sense of unease.

Following his order, Suin picked up her tablet and binder before entering his office.

She hadn’t even made it to the desk when Jaehee appeared right in front of her.

Leaning casually against the sofa’s backrest, he seemed to have predicted she would leave the door ajar. His next command was short.

"Close it."

"Yes, sir," Suin replied.

She deliberately shut the door with exaggerated poise.

If something happens, you need to burst in...

Casting a faint signal of distress through the shrinking gap in the door, she locked eyes with Kwon Jongin.

But as clueless as a golden retriever, Jongin just beamed at her with an innocent grin, oblivious to any hint of trouble.

And so, they were alone.

"I’ll begin the schedule report," Suin announced in a strictly professional tone.

"Your day is packed with departmental meetings. Starting at 9 a.m. in Conference Room E with the Future Strategy Division meeting, followed by the Overseas Sales Team meeting in Conference Room A at 11 a.m..."

Her unease was evident in her actions.

Determined to leave the room as quickly as possible, her eyes darted around, and her voice moved at a brisk pace.

"At 1 p.m., there will be a simple lunch with the department heads in the cafeteria, followed by the Plant Operations Division meeting in Conference Room C at 2 p.m..."

"..."

"And at 6 p.m., there’s the dinner with the Chairwoman and Vice Chairman postponed from yesterday. Once that’s finished, your schedule for the day will conclude."

Jaehee listened silently, not interrupting her once.

"And here is the mid-year budget proposal from the Finance Team. Please review and sign off on it."

"Hand it over."

He took the binder Suin offered, calm and composed, his lowered gaze fixed on the documents. His demeanor was every bit that of an executive.

With those broad shoulders and steady back bearing the future of Hyesung Group, the weight of his responsibilities must be immense.

Why was I so tense...

Relieved as she watched him meticulously review the details, Suin relaxed a little.

With Jaehee momentarily still, she found herself observing him more closely.

Yesterday, he had exuded a sensual charm in a simple single suit. Today, he looked even more refined, dressed impeccably in a three-piece suit complete with a stylish vest.

And...

"You’re wearing a tie," she blurted out, realizing her mistake too late.

Without lifting his gaze, Jaehee replied nonchalantly, "Didn’t want to give the Vice Chairman anything to nitpick. I’d rather not sit through a lecture."

"Did your professor help you tie it?"

"No. I did."

"I thought you didn’t know how to tie a tie."

"I never said I couldn’t. I said I hadn’t done it before."

Oh.

She’d been duped.

Cursing her gullibility, Suin bit her lip as Jaehee handed back the signed documents without batting an eye.

"And now, I’d like to hear about that uninvited guest outside my office."

His tone carried clear irritation.

Suin immediately launched into an explanation, careful not to provoke him further.

"As Chief Secretary, I’m often required to leave my post. Therefore, I assigned you a personal assistant to support your duties."

Her response was polished, having rehearsed it in her mind countless times the night before.

"Couldn’t you have run this by me before assigning someone to me?"

"Personnel decisions for the secretariat fall under my jurisdiction."

"So I’m supposed to just accept anyone you send into my office without comment?"

"You’re welcome to voice your concerns."

"How generous of you."

"Of course."

"Did it ever occur to you that I might feel uncomfortable having someone like him around?"

"I assessed that an assistant with a strong physical presence, like Kwon Jongin, would be most suitable to ensure your safety, given your stature."

"My safety isn’t an issue. I can protect myself—and anyone else I want to protect."

His gaze, sharp and smoldering, flared momentarily.

"Like my Chief Secretary, for instance."

Suin recognized it instantly.

An intense, almost suffocating possessiveness.

This man couldn’t stand the thought of another man sharing the same space as her.

He still thought of her as his.

"Kwon Jongin is a graduate of the Executive Protection program, trained in self-defense and combat. He’s highly sought after by other executives," she explained firmly.

"So am I," Jaehee retorted. "Did you not know I’ve mastered modern pentathlon, kendo, judo, and mixed martial arts?"

Of course, she knew.

And how often he’d used those skills to cause trouble.

"There could be unavoidable situations," she countered.

"Like what?"

"Getting into fights with gangs, for example."

The tension between them thickened as Suin refused to back down, even bringing up the brawls that had led to his exile to the U.S.

Jaehee chuckled, his disbelief evident.

"Why don’t you just admit it?"

"Admit what?"

"That Kwon Jongin is a shield you’ve put up to keep me at bay."

Ah.

He’d seen right through her.

"Did you think putting such a big, solid wall between us would make me behave?"

His taunting laughter filled the air, and he leaned closer, his gaze piercing.

"If anything, it just proves you’re unsettled by me."

He wasn’t just hitting the mark—he was digging into her psyche.

Though he often acted like a reckless teenager, this was no boy.

Jaehee was far sharper and more perceptive than Suin had given him credit for.

"What is it you want? For me to disappear from your sight?"

"Should I go back to America?"

That’s why he’d asked.

Because he knew she wouldn’t answer easily.

"You’re surprisingly clumsy, Lee Suin," he remarked with a smirk.

Though avoiding his question only served to reinforce his assumptions, Suin maintained her composure, responding with cold detachment.

"Your next meeting is about to begin. I’ll brief you before we head there."

With a sharp bow, she turned and walked out.

This time, Jaehee didn’t stop her.

***

Leaving Jaehee in Kwon Jongin’s care, Suin retreated to the relaxation garden.

"Pathetic," she muttered to herself.

She felt like a fish caught on a hook, wriggling desperately but unable to escape.

"I should’ve told him to go back to America."

She sighed in regret, only to feel a sudden chill against her flushed cheek.

"Ah! That’s cold!"

Startled, she looked up to see Baek Ihyeon smiling brightly, holding a cup of iced Americano against her face.

"Why do you look so annoyed?" he asked with a teasing grin.