By Zephyria 
The sedan came to a smooth stop.
The towering building seemed to touch the sky, and the outdoor sign that read ‘Apex Pharmaceuticals’ sparkled, brimming with light. This was the headquarters of a pharmaceutical company specializing in traits, boasting a high market share both domestically and globally.
The driver quickly got out and opened the rear door. Meanwhile, Kim Hui-won also got out of the passenger seat and stood close behind Executive Director Kwon Young-je, who was walking towards the company’s main entrance.
The lobby was crowded, coinciding with the morning commute. Hui-won watched as the crowd parted in two directions, like the Red Sea.
When Executive Director Kwon appeared, people lowered their heads as if they had committed a sin. It was a common sight, so there was nothing new about it. More than being a high-ranking executive, he was a member of the owner’s family, which made it even more so.
Kim Hui-won followed Executive Director Kwon like a shadow, stepping forward when they reached the elevator lobby. Only after pressing the button for the executive elevator could he stand side by side with Executive Director Kwon.
After about seven years as an executive secretary, one develops a special ability: being able to discern the current mood of the superior one serves just by listening to their breathing.
This atmosphere, this breath, this posture… Executive Director Kwon is still in a bad mood.
It seems like it will be a day like war.
At that moment, there was another place experiencing war: the 22nd floor, Executive Director Kwon’s office.
The digital clock on the office wall raced against time, second by second. In sync with it, the secretaries were divided and moving with perfect coordination.
One placed the day’s morning newspapers, economic weeklies, and a weekly industry trend report on one side of the desk. The alignment was perfect, as if not even a millimeter of disarray could be tolerated.
Another was neatly organizing the approval documents that Executive Director Kwon needed to handle in the morning. Behind them, someone was busy closing the windows and drawing the blinds, not forgetting to check the temperature and humidity and turn on the pheromone purifier.
After finishing all the preparations, the elevator chime rang. The secretaries straightened their posture and stood in a line. Soon, Executive Director Kwon appeared.
“Good morning, Executive Director.”
Executive Director Kwon responded with a slight nod.
It was difficult to expect greetings like “Good morning” or words of encouragement. He simply walked with his usual cold expression.
As soon as Kwon Young-je entered the office, he took off his jacket, and Hui-won received it with both hands. The seamless teamwork made them look like a married couple who had lived together for decades.
Hui-won hung the jacket in the closet so it wouldn’t wrinkle. Afterwards, he moved around silently, carefully checking if there were any areas he needed to look over.
After completing the set routine, he took one last look around the office. As expected, there was nothing to criticize. Hui-won turned around with a slightly relieved expression. He caught sight of Executive Director Kwon’s back as he sat down in his chair.
Wow, look at those shoulders.
As expected of a Dominant Alpha, his shoulders were broad and sturdy like a shield.
His physique was like that of an active volleyball player: nearly 190 centimeters tall, with a slim but muscular body, and unusually long limbs. Because there were no clothes that fit his body type, he always had his suits custom-made.
Kwon Young-je always paid close attention to his physique, as he tended to gain muscle easily with just a little exercise. With his height, adding muscle would make him look intimidating, which wasn’t good for someone in business.
Managing his external appearance was an extension of his work, or so he said.
Indeed, he was a workaholic. A meritocrat, a hardcore workaholic, a top 1% Dominant Alpha—these were the adjectives that described Executive Director Kwon Young-je.
But… haven’t his muscles gotten bigger?
Hui-won thought to himself as he looked at the slightly tight back of his shirt today. Some people spend millions on one-on-one personal training, but it’s so easy for a Dominant Alpha. A slightly bitter smile appeared on his face out of envy.
“Executive Director, I will now report today’s schedule.”
“Alright.”
Fortunately, Executive Director Kwon’s mood had improved since arriving at the office. One might wonder how he could tell with the same expression and voice, but after being together all the time except when sleeping, one naturally knows.
Hui-won held the tablet pad in his hand and began the report.
“At 10 a.m., there is the clinical research team’s weekly report meeting. From 11:30 a.m., a video conference with Inno Medix in the United States is scheduled. At 3 p.m., Team leader Kim Han-song from the QA department will have an in-person report. Afterwards, there is an in-house symposium at 4:30 p.m. You must tell me separately whether or not you will attend the symposium.”
“I’ll let you know after lunch.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Executive Director Kwon was already immersed in work. As he began to look through the mountain of approval documents, Hui-won bowed politely and turned around.
No sooner had Hui-won stepped out of the door than heads popped up from over the partitions. The secretarial staff stood like meerkats, eagerly watching Hui-won.
“Let’s start our meeting too.”
At a light gesture, they rushed out as if they had been waiting. As it was Monday, the secretarial office also needed a weekly meeting. Everyone gathered in the conference room with their tablets in their arms.
The meeting always proceeded in a comfortable atmosphere. Kim Hui-won, who was in charge of the secretarial office, was far from having an outdated mindset. He was lenient with anything as long as the work was done well.
Secretary Lee, who had worked with Hui-won the longest, quietly offered him coffee and asked,
“General manager, did you see the post on Behind?”
“I did.”
As expected, the community post was the first topic to come up.
“No one commented on it, right?”
“Of course not, are you crazy?”
“Good job. Don’t leave any traces, just lurk.”
Hui-won blew on the hot coffee and answered nonchalantly. It’s always fun to watch other people’s houses burn down. Of course, it’s a tragedy when it becomes your own problem.
“Who could it be? The screenshots have already spread everywhere. What if it ends up on the news?”
“Ugh… disgrace, disgrace, utter disgrace.”
“Is that kind of thing common? Have you ever experienced it, General manager?”
Curious gazes gathered. Hui-won, who had been quietly drinking his coffee, narrowed his eyes and looked at the secretaries. Would Executive Director Kwon do that? Understanding the meaning conveyed in his gaze, everyone immediately turned their heads back without complaint.
“Well… our Executive Director wouldn’t. He doesn’t even have anyone in the passenger seat.”
“His private life is so clean, it’s almost obsessive.”
“Alright, alright, let’s stop and start the meeting.”
Hui-won tapped the table to change the atmosphere, and the secretaries entered work mode without complaint.
“Let’s start with the task assignments.”
Although he was an executive secretary, Kim Hui-won didn’t follow up on Executive Director Kwon’s every move. Since his working hours were twice as long as others, he distributed support tasks to other secretaries while he was at the company.
There were a total of four people in the secretarial office, including Kim Hui-won. All of them were top-notch talents. Each had their own outstanding qualities, and it was Hui-won who had brought them together. Executive Director Kwon had given Hui-won full authority over the secretarial office. A new recruit was also scheduled to be added soon.
“No objections, everyone? If anyone wants to change, speak up now.”
“We’re good.”
“Alright, let’s do our best today.”
The meeting ended in less than thirty minutes. While everyone returned to their seats, Hui-won stayed behind to drink more coffee. The need for a sip of coffee in the morning was the same for any office worker. Especially for Hui-won, this kind of leisure was precious.
“Ahem, come hither!It was during the height of the morning work. Someone appeared in the 22nd floor office, making a ridiculous joke. The man, acting as if he were a nobleman, was Director Park, who had recently been recruited as the head of marketing.
Director Park, who appeared with his hands behind his back, widened his eyes at the luxurious office. Even though it was used by Executive Director Kwon Young-je, he didn’t expect it to be this big and spacious.
“Wow… this is like the Chairman’s office?”
He had never even been to the Chairman’s office, but that’s what he said. Director Park, who had just been promoted to director and was full of pride, began to look around the office as he pleased.
“Wow… a secretary, one, two, three… four? Executive Director Kwon must have picked them based on looks. They’re all so pretty.”
“Director Park Chang-won, how can I help you?”
Even if he was vulgar, the other party was a company executive. Hui-won stood up as the representative to greet the guest.
“Oh, it’s nothing, I just wanted to see Executive Director Kwon.”
“Did you make an appointment?”
“No, I didn’t.”
Despite being a first meeting, the other party spoke in a casual tone, as if they had met several times before. If one were to get upset about this, they would be an amateur. Hui-won put on a business smile.
“If you want to have an interview with Executive Director Kwon, you must make an appointment in advance. Please call next time.”
“It’s not a big deal, I just wanted to say hello. It won’t take more than five minutes. I won’t take up too much of his time, so please tell him.”
“…….”
“Why are you just standing there? A secretary should act quickly.”
“If it’s not an urgent matter, please make an appointment next time…”
“I’m a busy person too. Do you think executives are made for free?”
Director Park tapped Hui-won’s chest with the back of his hand. It was an action that showed how he usually treated secretaries. Despite the low-level behavior, Kim Hui-won remained silent. Only the employees were looking around, trying to read the situation.
“What are you doing? Why aren’t you reporting?”
“…….”
“Hey? I’m a director, a managing director!”
Hui-won ignored the nagging Director Park and checked his wristwatch. There was still about an hour left until the weekly report meeting. It was obvious that Executive Director Kwon was busy processing approval documents right now.
“Are your ears blocked? Do you always treat guests like this? Or am I a joke to you? I’ve never been ignored by a secretary in my life.”
“…….”
“Oh, you’re not even pretending to listen. Don’t you know I’m much higher in rank than you?”
What should I do about this? Send him back? Or not?
“…Please wait a moment.The concern was surprisingly short. Turning around, Hui-won approached the office and took a short breath in front of the door before knocking. A low voice responded, “Yes,” and he turned the doorknob.
The secretaries each swallowed nervously and rolled their eyes. The General manager’s actions were so unexpected.
Anxious that something big might happen, the clueless Director Park was humming a song and checking his appearance.
A moment later, Hui-won opened the office door. Holding the open door, he nodded to Director Park.
“Please come in.”
Ahem, Director Park cleared his throat and took a step. He walked in with his shoulders straight, like a triumphant general.
Hui-won only let Director Park in and closed the door. After that, he washed his hands of it and returned to his seat. As he sat on the desk, Secretary Lee quickly approached and asked.
“…Will it be okay?”
“What’s not okay?”
“Is Executive Director Kwon going to meet him?”
“I said it was an urgent matter.”
Saying it was none of his business, Hui-won just shrugged. He leisurely crossed his arms and only stared at the wall clock. How long will it take, hmm… about three minutes for Director Park?
A moment later, a loud banging noise was heard from inside the office. Then, a shout followed. The door burst open, and Director Park backed out with a deeply bowed waist.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
It took exactly three minutes to be kicked out. Hui-won was sincerely impressed with his statistical data. Then, he got up from the desk to finish the aftermath.
As he entered the office, a cold gaze flew at him. Executive Director Kwon leaned back in his chair and pointed beyond the door.
“You deliberately let him in, didn’t you?”
“Of course not.”
“Secretary Kim could have cut him off, right?”
“If I had, it would have been even louder. It was the best choice.”
Kwon Young-je snorted derisively. He couldn’t possibly be unaware that Director Park was trying to screw him over by pushing this onto him.
“Secretary Kim is getting more cunning by the day, isn’t he?”
Hui-won, with his hands clasped behind his back, swallowed hard. The sound of Executive Director Kwon tapping the edge of his desk with a fountain pen synchronized with his heartbeat.
Even as one of Executive Director Kwon’s closest aides, Hui-won couldn’t help but feel intimidated by his chilling gaze.
He suddenly recalled how he had become Kwon Young-je’s personal secretary.