Prey (Lee Seohan) - Chapter 116

“That filthy old man who only cares about money—how dare he touch me like that, acting all shamelessly.”

Brushing off the arm that Chairman Hwang had touched, as though trying to remove dirt, Do Cheoljun glared at Secretary Lee.

The coldness in his eyes, now devoid of the fake smile he had been wearing, was chilling. His narrow, elongated eyes, with unusually prominent whites, gave off a mean-spirited air. It was a stark contrast to the servile smile he had shown earlier in front of Chairman Hwang.

“What about it?”

Though no names were mentioned, Secretary Lee understood he was asking about Seol Hee-nam and responded.

“It seems we’ll be able to meet him soon.”

“Still getting turned down by the banks?”

“Yes.”

At Secretary Lee’s reply, a twisted smile spread across Do Cheoljun’s lips.

“Trash like that, born from dirty roots, never seems to have any sense of decency.”

To Do Cheoljun, the world was divided into people like himself, born of pure lineage, and those like Seol Hee-nam, born of lowly origins.

The fact that someone like him, who had climbed the social ladder for a brief moment, still had the audacity to claw his way back up only highlighted his lack of propriety.

“That bastard better learn some decency.”

“……”

Though he had a habit of speaking without specifying a subject, Secretary Lee understood that he was referring to Do Jeonghan this time as well and lowered his voice to reply.

“It would be best to discuss this in your office, Director.”

Do Cheoljun adjusted his hair while glancing at the direction of the CCTV.

“That would be better.”

After all, the owner of this building was that bastard without any decency.

Do Cheoljun stared at the panel screen showing the rapidly changing floor numbers.

When the 130-story headquarters building was newly constructed, he had believed that once Chairman Do Pilyong passed away, the chairman’s office on the top floor would naturally become his.

Chairman Do, who had no luck with children, only had one daughter, and even she had severed ties with him, leaving no apparent successor. It was only logical that the position would fall to him, the eldest son of the chairman’s younger brother.

If only his father, Do Hanyong, hadn’t passed away from his illness sooner than expected.

And if that bastard Do Jeonghan hadn’t shown up.

A fierce intensity flickered in Do Cheoljun’s already sharp gaze.

– 103rd floor.

The elevator arrived at the floor where the executive offices were located, and the doors opened.

‘That’s why I’m still stuck on the damn 103rd floor. No luck, none at all, damn it.’

Do Cheoljun ground his teeth and stepped out first, with Secretary Lee quietly following behind.

Meanwhile, Jeonghan, after finally breaking free from the major shareholders who seemed particularly unwilling to let him go today, boarded the executive elevator with Secretary Joo.

“You’ve done well, Director,” Secretary Joo said, only speaking once they were alone.

More than anyone, Secretary Joo understood the exhaustion Jeonghan carried from the relentless overseas business trips and the series of significant contracts, including those in the space industry, that he had to seal one after another.

“I haven’t stamped the final seal yet, so there’s not much to celebrate,” Jeonghan said with a small chuckle, glancing at Secretary Joo.

“The hard work was shared.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Secretary Joo quickly replied.

As the chief secretary, he was well aware of the difference in weight between his responsibilities and the monumental tasks Jeonghan had to bear.

“With the operational negotiations wrapped up, you might be able to take a bit of a rest for now.”

It was true that they had pushed forward to present these achievements to the investors at today’s general meeting. As a result, Cheonkyung’s stock was expected to continue trending upward for the foreseeable future.

“……”

Secretary Joo’s subtle suggestion—that Jeonghan should take this opportunity to get some rest after over exerting himself—did not seem to be taken to heart by Jeonghan.

The lack of response was evidence enough.

Secretary Joo glanced at Jeonghan. His face, cold and unreadable as always, now carried faint traces of fatigue.

It wasn’t unusual for Jeonghan to push himself excessively with work, but lately, it had reached a point that even Secretary Joo thought was extreme.

Seeing Jeonghan look visibly tired was an exceptionally rare sight for Secretary Joo.

This time, with a more resolute expression, Secretary Joo spoke again.

“A trip to Virgin Island is scheduled for next week to attend the completion ceremony of the new resort. It might be a good opportunity to combine it with a vacation.”

…Virgin Island.

Jeonghan considered Secretary Joo’s specific suggestion.

Several resorts under construction in vacation destinations had recently been completed one after another. This time, it was the Virgin Island in the Caribbean that was holding its completion ceremony.

Secretary Joo’s intent was clear: since Jeonghan had to go to a vacation spot anyway, he might as well take some time off and rest while he was there.

Virgin Island. And Seol Suhyeon.

The word vacation, which had previously left him entirely indifferent, suddenly felt enticing the moment it came to mind alongside the name Seol Suhyeon.