Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 16

Even after leaving the hospital, my mind felt a little blank.

I had been so sure there was something wrong with my pheromones that hearing otherwise left me unsettled.

Then how was I supposed to explain the way my body reacted around Yoon Taeo, and Kang Seokho’s response when he touched me?

“...Haa... I don’t know.”

Well, at least if there’s no problem with the meds or my body, that's a relief.

The most important thing right now is making sure no one finds out I’m an Omega.

Everything else can be figured out later.

“To Hannam-dong, please.”

I hailed a taxi and headed to Yoon Taeo’s house.

There wasn’t much time, so I would have to clean quickly and rush back to the office.

I had deliberately cleared Yoon Taeo’s afternoon schedule, hoping he’d spend a long time with his Beta.

Daytime traffic in Seoul was light, so the ride from Gangnam to Hannam-dong was over in an instant.

Maybe it was because of the good weather, but I suddenly had a fierce urge to just call it a day and clock out.

“I don’t think I can drive in any further.”

“...Sorry?”

When the driver spoke, I looked ahead and saw the one-way alley leading to Yoon Taeo’s house completely blocked.

This was a quiet neighborhood — no way it should be like this.

It wasn’t a main road, so there shouldn’t be any congestion.

“I’ll get off here. Keep the change.”

Since it wasn’t far, I decided to walk.

The situation inside the alley was worse than it looked from the outside.

Cars were lined up like parked dominoes, completely clogging the road.

Wondering what the hell people thought they were doing blocking someone’s house like this, I peered into each vehicle as I moved forward.

But every car was empty.

Some even had their engines still running; others had hazard lights flashing.

“...What the hell...”

It felt like something out of a zombie movie.

The first car at the front even had its driver’s side door hanging open —

as if someone had fled in a panic from something.

And strangely, the line of cars stopped precisely at the gate of Yoon Taeo’s house.

From the gate onward, the street was eerily empty — not a soul in sight — a stark contrast to the congested side.

The entrance is open.

If it stayed like this, I figured I'd have to report it to the district office.

If this mess was still here by the time Yoon Taeo got home, I was dead.

No, if he had to walk through it himself, I wouldn't just "get scolded" — it would be way worse.

Clang!

The moment I opened the front door, a sharp crashing sound stabbed into my ears.

Startled, I didn't even manage to take off my shoes properly and ran straight inside — and froze.

“...What are you all doing here...?”

The living room was packed with black silhouettes.

Some of them I recognized from the back — people from the Secretary Team, Security Team, HR Team...?

What the hell was this combination?

Even as I spoke, no one turned around.

“Baek Sieon.”

A voice — both unfamiliar and familiar — called my name.

It was a name I’d grown used to in this world, but hearing it come from that particular mouth for the first time made it sound strange.

Yes, it was Yoon Taeo.

And for the first time, he called me properly by name.

“Come here.”

There were so many people that I couldn't even see his face at first.

I had to weave between the standing bodies to finally ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) spot him.

He was leaning sloppily against the wall between the living room and the kitchen, holding a sheet of paper in one hand — and in the other....

“Sir!”

I rushed forward and tried to snatch the small porcelain object he was casually tossing into the air and catching.

But he nimbly dodged my hand and gripped it tightly instead, like a gust of wind.

“What do you think you’re doing.”

“Sir, what are you... that’s something you bought at Sotheby’s Hong Kong for 2.4 billion won...!”

Specifically, it was a pair of teacups.

Their simple colors and patterns were unusual for Qing dynasty pieces, and the competition had been fierce.

They were one of the few purchases even Yoon Taeo had seemed pleased about.

And there, at his feet, one was already shattered to pieces.

Twelve billion won smashed — and the other twelve billion dangerously spinning in his hand.

“Oh, really?

Even now, you still have the presence of mind to notice crap like that, huh.”

“First, please, just... put it down, sir — sir...!”

With a crack so sharp it was hard to believe it came from something so small, the teacup slipped from his fingers and smashed into the wall, shattering into dust.

I expected it the moment he threw it, but seeing it actually happen — pulverized so badly it couldn’t even be pieced together — made my mind go blank.

Whenever I cleaned, I was so careful around the interior decorations.

There wasn’t a single ordinary spoon in this house.

I even worried that dusting them might cause scratches and wiped everything with soft cloths.

Now, seeing one of those treasures hurled and obliterated like a toy left me completely drained.

“Baek Sieon.”

Still staring hollowly at the wreckage, I snapped back to reality at the sound of that low voice calling me.

Right.

Now wasn’t the time to worry about some cup.

“...Yes...?”

Yoon Taeo called my name again, clearly, without stumbling.

Looking closer, I realized the sheet of paper in his hand was my resume.

He moved over to the dining table, perched on the edge, pulled out a cigarette, and held out a finger — beckoning me closer.

“...Me...?”

I asked even though the answer was obvious.

When I glanced back, everyone else was standing rigidly, eyes fixed on the floor at a forty-five-degree angle, not daring to look at either of us.

Yeah.

Whatever the situation, no good would come from meeting Yoon Taeo’s gaze right now.

Realizing no one would help me, I slowly approached him — just close enough that I’d have to stretch my arm to touch him.

“You must think I’m easy.”

“S-Sir!

What are you saying...?”

The mood was so heavy that all I could do was deny it first.

I still had no idea why Yoon Taeo was at home when he should’ve been meeting Han Yejun — or what had pissed him off so badly — but the seriousness of the situation was crystal clear.

I hadn’t even heard a full explanation yet, but his demeanor alone was enough to make me feel like crying.

“You don’t think so?

Then why did it take me this long to realize there’s not a single other Team 1 secretary left besides you?”

“...Ah... that’s...”

...Again, my big mouth caused this.

That one careless comment at the office must have triggered all this.

“Where were you coming back from.”

“...I stopped by the hospital for a bit.”

From Yoon Taeo’s lips, a faint “Fuck” slipped out.

Hearing such a rough curse in that beautiful face was just cheating.

I could feel my knees getting weak.

“You keep working alone like that — no wonder you’re getting sick.”

“...Sorry?”

Wait —

He’s completely misunderstanding something here.

My brain started racing at lightspeed.

This house really does make me think fast.

After a flash calculation, I decided there was no need to correct him.

Better to let the misunderstanding stand.

And anyway, my face must already look terrified enough — no extra acting needed.

“HR Team Leader.”

“...Y-yes, sir...?”

A bald middle-aged man, who had been hiding in the back row, hesitantly crept forward.

He was the bastard who always whined about manpower shortages and refused every time I asked for reinforcements.

Yoon Taeo hadn’t even said a word yet, but sweat was already beading on his bald head, and his already small shoulders shrank even further.

I honestly didn’t know how someone like that had made it to team leader at our company.

“I thought we didn’t even have an HR team, but look at that, we do?”

Out came Yoon Taeo’s signature way of speaking —

vicious sarcasm that made your guts churn while leaving you no room to argue.

Even if he was planning to get rid of someone anyway, he always made sure to scrape every last nerve before doing it.

“T-that’s because, sir, since Team 1 serves the CEO directly, we can’t just hire anyone casually...”

“I don’t recall asking you to open your mouth.”

God, why is he doing this with me standing right in front of him?

Taking in the full brunt of Yoon Taeo’s aggression at close range made sweat break out all over me — even though the words weren’t directed at me.

My legs shook, and my mouth went dry.

“Secretary General.”

“Y-yes, sir...”

“Were you aware of this situation?”

The sly old man in charge of the Secretary Team stepped forward.

But even he had no composure left this time — the tension in the air was heavy enough to threaten his neck, too.

“I... was aware, sir.”

“So what action did you take.”

“...I judged that making sure your corporate schedule ran smoothly was the top priority, so I had the Team 1 leader take on the Team 2 leader’s duties as well.”

“Oh.

So the person already handling Team 1 alone — you dumped Team 2’s work on him too?”

“......”

Correct.

Now that I thought about it, this situation might not actually be bad for me.

It might even be the perfect chance to overturn this freakish work structure.

The only downside was that it had to blow up while I was standing right here.

“If Secretary Kim is doing all the work, do we even need a secretary team at all, huh?”

“Sir...!”

...Fine, he’s forgotten my name again, whatever.

The moment he finished speaking, Yoon Taeo flicked the cigarette butt in his hand.

With impressive aim, it flew across the room and bounced off the shiny bald head of the HR team leader before hitting the floor.

“Dismantle the secretary team.”

Dismantle...?

Had I relaxed too soon?

Or should I be glad instead?

I wasn’t sure.

Either way, if I got away from Yoon Taeo’s side, at least I wouldn’t have to constantly fear for my life anymore...

I wouldn’t have to worry about my neck getting cut or being dragged away by Security Team 3 anymore...!

“Everyone except Secretary Kim — get rid of them.

No need for incompetents.”

He didn’t name names, but Security Team 3 moved immediately.

The secretaries who tried to resist, the ones who tried to run — none of them could escape their hands.

Like predators hunting prey, they grabbed the dozen-plus secretaries and dragged them out of the house.

“Get rid of the entire HR team too.

Especially that team leader — I never want to see him again.”

The bald HR team leader, who had been calling out pitifully to the CEO, also offered up his final goodbye that way.

“Wait.”

Just before the HR team leader could be dragged out, Yoon Taeo halted them.

For a moment, I wondered if he was going to show mercy —

but of course, that didn’t happen.

“Tear his mouth apart.

Learn to shut up when you should.”

The way Yoon Taeo said those words — half sweet, half terrifying — meant that bald guy would never be seen again, unless he came back from the dead.

When he refused to give us support before, I’d sincerely wished he'd get fired — but actually seeing it happen made me feel a little bad.

“And Secretary Kim, let’s have a little chat.”

“...I’m fine, sir...”

“Wasn’t asking your opinion.”

I really didn’t want to follow him as he led the way ahead.

Honestly, I wanted to bolt in the opposite direction.

And when I saw the shopping bag in his hand, I wanted to run even more.

...What the hell did you bring this time... Taeo.