SS 2

Episode 2

“Of all things, she had to push the Vice President’s berserk button.”

Before he became vice president, the older board members often mocked Seol Tae-geon’s temper, calling it nothing more than “pent-up frustration.”

They had no idea the tiger had merely been hiding its claws.

Right after taking office, Seol Tae-geon disciplined every board member who had made those harassing remarks—and even took them to court.

There was no middle ground in Seol Tae-geon’s world. Only conviction and authority.

As expected, one of his eyebrows rose sharply.

“What did you just say?”

The displeasure in his eyes made David Young flinch.

Seol Tae-geon’s build alone was enough to intimidate him. Years of boxing had made his shoulders stretch the limits of his tailored suit.

Expressionless, Seol Tae-geon looked down at the man who was nearly two handspans shorter than him—like a fighter sizing up his opponent in the ring. David Young’s small frame seemed to shrink even further.

He couldn’t understand Korean, but he wasn’t stupid enough to miss the murderous aura radiating from the man.

“I-I was just joking…” David stammered.

That excuse only made Seol Tae-geon’s face grow darker.

“Your sense of humor is vulgar.”

His tone was laced with irritation.

Seol Tae-geon never cared for others’ opinions. That was exactly why Han Bom, formerly the chairman’s secretary, had been reassigned to serve as his.

‘I value a secretary who can befriend even an enemy.’

It had been five years since she’d been tasked with managing this walking time bomb under the chairman’s orders.

She’d survived countless crises—but even she saw no way out this time.

If this continued, the entire project with Rugal could collapse.

“I can’t let that happen.”

They’d spent months preparing, every team burning the candle at both ends. She couldn’t let it all go to waste.

Just as she was thinking of how to salvage the situation, David poured gasoline on the fire.

“Can’t even take a joke, can you?”

Then, he yelled—furious and defensive.

“You’re just some damn Asian from a tiny country!”

Everyone in the room froze. His colleagues gaped at him in disbelief.

Seol Tae-geon’s brow furrowed dangerously.

“An executive of a global perfume brand, Rugal’s David Young, just made a racist remark toward an Asian. Should I take this as Rugal’s official stance?”

His voice was calm—but icily sharp.

David could feel the temperature drop. He tried to hide his fear, eyes darting to the veins pulsing on Seol Tae-geon’s clenched fist.

Still, his pride wouldn’t let him back down.

“You think threats will work on me? If this deal falls apart, Ato Beauty’s the one who’ll suffer, not Rugal.”

Han Bom’s eyebrow twitched.

‘Shut your damn mouth, idiot.’

For a split second, she wanted to slap him. That Seol Tae-geon was holding back his rage amazed her.

Her years of nagging must’ve had some effect—but that burning gaze still looked ready to pierce David Young straight through.

“This won’t do.”

She quickly pulled out her phone, typing a short message before stepping between the two men.

“Vice President, please calm down. The others will be joining us shortly.”

At her words, Seol Tae-geon’s rigid face eased—just slightly.

Her voice was his tranquilizer.

‘Interesting.’

David noticed it, too. His fear twisted into fascination.

There was something strange about them—like a beast and its tamer.

If she stayed close, he thought, Seol Tae-geon wouldn’t dare act rashly.

“For Miss Han’s sake, I’ll let this slide. Don’t worry—I’ll forget what happened earlier.”

His breath brushed against her ear, making her skin crawl. But she forced a neutral smile and turned away—

—only for Seol Tae-geon to suddenly grab her wrist and pull her back toward him.

Everything happened in a blink.

She thought she was falling into his arms—but then realized he’d already turned, shoving David Young against the table.

CRASH!

Seol Tae-geon twisted the man’s arm behind his back and slammed it down hard.

“Aagh! What the hell are you doing?!”

David screamed.

He’d only tried to touch her. Just a quick grope—nothing more.

Sure, maybe he’d wanted to rile Seol Tae-geon up, but he hadn’t expected this. The man looked ready to snap his neck.

“You need to be taught what happens to filthy hands.”

Seol Tae-geon’s low voice rumbled like thunder.

Only then did Han Bom realize what had happened—David had tried to harass her, and Seol Tae-geon had reacted instantly.

But David was shameless to the end.

“Got any proof? Ato treats guests with violence now? Can you handle the fallout? I’ll be filing an official complaint!”

“Go ahead. Our legal team’s good. And I don’t really care for holding back.”

The atmosphere turned toxic.

Han Bom quickly weighed the situation—not in terms of who was right, but what was best for Ato Beauty.

“Vice President, please release him. We still have a meeting to conduct.”

When Seol Tae-geon shot her a questioning look, she leaned in and whispered,

“I’ll handle it.”

Her tone was cold, professional.

He looked down at her, recognizing that steely resolve. After five years, he knew this face—she was plotting something.

“Fine.”

He let go.

David slumped into a chair, gasping in pain, while Han Bom calmly walked past him to the table with the laptop.

Everyone’s attention followed her.

She picked up the remote and switched on the ceiling projector.

A bright beam lit the wall, revealing six faces in separate windows—each one wearing a grim expression.

“W-what…? Th-the President?”

David turned pale.

Han Bom smiled softly.

“My apologies for not mentioning it earlier. Rugal’s CEO requested to join our meeting remotely while your team was in transit.”

She tucked a wave of hair behind her ear. Her white blouse, beige pencil skirt with a slit, and red enamel heels caught Seol Tae-geon’s eyes.

“The meeting began right on schedule. If you’re injured, we’ll arrange compensation and cover medical costs after we conclude.”

As realization dawned, David’s face drained of all color.

He was soon bombarded by the CEO’s furious voice and the executives’ scolding.

From his seat, Seol Tae-geon watched with quiet satisfaction as Han Bom approached, her red heels clicking softly.

“Do you approve of my solution, Vice President?”

Leaning casually against the table, she smiled—sweet, confident, dangerous.

And suddenly, Seol Tae-geon’s mind flashed to a scene from the novel he’d read the night before—where Secretary Kim seduced her boss.

The steamy lines surfaced unbidden:

“So this is what hunger feels like, President?”
“Then let’s share, shall we?”
“How does that sound, President?”

Seol Tae-geon’s face burned crimson.

‘Why does my secretary suddenly look… sexy?’