A Madman in Love

Chapter 21

Why...

Why did he want the list of male employees without Chief Lee knowing...?

Kwon Jongin’s suspicions arose, but he quickly dismissed them. Seo Jaehee was not someone to question lightly. Besides, the Executive Director’s charisma felt so commanding that Jongin instinctively believed he should pledge absolute loyalty.

“Do you mean all employees in the group?”

“Yes. Every single unmarried man breathing in this building.”@@@@

“I’ll make sure to compile the list without missing anyone. I’ll also do it while Chief Lee is away.”

On the one hand, he felt relieved.

The atmosphere in the Executive Director’s office was hard to describe—an unspoken tension made Jongin feel like an intruder.

Even though both Jaehee and Suin were nothing but professional in their roles, with no overt display of personal emotions, the air around them seemed... strange.

“Get it done quickly.”

“Yes, sir!”

Jongin was genuinely thrilled to be assigned this task by the Executive Director himself. He vowed to do his utmost.

“What did the Executive Director ask for?”

“He told me to organize the meeting minutes and bring them to him.”

Of course, he felt guilty about lying to his direct supervisor...

But worshiping the Executive Director wasn’t a crime, right?

***

Kwon Jongin was acting suspicious.

After his morning visit to Jaehee’s office, Jongin had been glued to his computer, occasionally sneaking glances at Suin.

Whenever his gaze brushed past her, there was a faint but undeniable hint of guilt.

“Intern Kwon, doesn’t the Executive Director have a meeting with the SC CEO?”

“Yes, he does.”

“Make sure to join him for lunch afterward. Don’t let him eat alone.”

“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll be heading to the Chairwoman’s office to prepare for the International Business Forum.”

“Safe travels.”

Jongin’s obvious relief at seeing Suin leave the office was telling.

‘So Jaehee’s managed to recruit him,’ Suin thought, immediately grasping the situation.

She could see through Jaehee’s intentions like glass.

Sulking over the rumor about her secret fling, he was now using Jongin to work around her. By winning over the intern, he was setting up a new pawn to manipulate.

“Honestly, Seo Jaehee has a real knack for creating loyal followers.”

Suin didn’t mind.

In fact, she welcomed it.

This meant that their relationship could remain strictly professional, without any personal entanglements.

Having failed to use Jongin as a way to escape Jaehee’s control, Suin felt like she had finally regained her wings by spreading the rumor about a "fling."

“Well, poor Jongin will have his hands full from now on.”

Still, she decided to treat him kindly as a sacrificial lamb.

***

“Chairwoman.”

Arriving at the Chairwoman’s office with a light step, Suin ran into Woo Ilhwa, who was just leaving with Oh Daehwi after a meeting.

“It’s been too long, Chief Lee!”

Since they hadn’t seen each other since Jaehee’s inauguration, the Chairwoman greeted Suin warmly, her genuine affection evident in her expression.

“I’ve felt so empty without you around, Suin.”

“I feel the same way, Chairwoman.”

Suin responded with a pleasant smile.

For a moment, Jongin had misunderstood.

But it didn’t take long for him to realize Jaehee’s sexual preferences were entirely normal.

The real cause of this madness...

His instincts told him Jongin himself was an unwelcome participant in the situation.

“Director, it’s past eight o’clock. You should head home.”

“Is Chief Lee Suin still in the Management Support Office?”

“Yes.”

“Tell her to leave.”

“I’ve already informed her, but she seems busy preparing for the chairwoman’s forum.”

“Then let’s go.”

Jaehee stood up, still holding the bound document. When Jongin extended his hand to carry it, Jaehee shook his head.

“I’ll review it on the way.”

Jongin trailed behind him as they left the cafeteria.

“Hmm?”

Jaehee abruptly stopped as they walked through the cafeteria corridor.

His sharp gaze locked onto the lobby visible through the glass railing of the second floor.

Jongin stopped as well, following his line of sight.

There, in the center of the lobby, stood Chief Lee Suin, engaged in a lively conversation with a tall, handsome man.

“Who is that guy?”

Jaehee’s teeth audibly ground together. His stormy gray eyes seemed to swirl with black smoke.

Jongin jumped into action to extinguish the fire.

“That’s Lee Changho, an assistant manager from the Management Support Office. He’s getting married next month.”

The word “married” made Jaehee’s eyebrows twitch.

“To whom?”

Certainly not Chief Lee Suin!

Suppressing his urge to protest vehemently, Jongin explained carefully.

“Assistant Manager Jang Wonhyung from the Marketing Department. They’ve been dating within the company. There’s even a wedding invitation posted on the intranet. Would you like me to show you?”

“No. Let’s go.”

Finally convinced, Jaehee turned and walked away.

At that moment, Suin, as if sensing something, glanced up toward the second floor.

Both Jaehee and Jongin ducked behind a column, crouching beneath the railing.

‘Did she see us?’

‘I’m not sure.’

Pressed against the column, Jaehee mouthed the question, and Jongin shook his head, crouching further.

Jaehee signaled for Jongin to confirm, and Jongin cautiously peered through the glass.

By then, Suin was heading toward the main entrance.

‘She didn’t see us.’

Confidently nodding, Jongin reassured Jaehee, who finally relaxed against the column.

He watched Suin’s retreating figure.

“What am I even doing because of that woman?”

Muttering to himself, he glanced at the document in his hand.

Just as he was about to close it, a name at the bottom of the list caught his eye.

Baek Ihyeon.

The moment he saw the neat ID photo, a voice from the lobby called out.

“Suin!”

Suin stopped in her tracks and turned around.

The sight of Baek Ihyeon walking toward her came into view.