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Director Choi Jae-man’s face flushed with anger. Seeing this, Park Se-hee thought, ‘Oh no, I’m screwed…’ It wasn’t like she said anything wrong, but in this situation where she was missing a crucial piece of information, it wasn’t the right thing to say.

Anyway, it was clearly her fault for entering a restricted area. To make matters worse, she even talked back to a senior executive of the company. If this continued, not only would it be impossible to gather information from behind the scenes, but her entire career at the company could be jeopardized.

Director Choi Jae-man was clearly an authoritarian type. Talking back to someone like him was no different from picking a fight.

Should she apologize now? Park Se-hee was torn between her pride and her mission. She bit her lip. There was no need to hesitate. The importance of each side had already been decided.

Park Se-hee opened her mouth heavily. “I’m sorry. I overstepped…”

“Name.”

“Huh?”

“Your name and position. What are they?”

“Uh…?”

“You don’t know your own name and position, so you’re asking?”

Ah… So he’s planning to come to our department and turn everything upside down. He’s determined to make me resign.

“Park Se-hee… I’m an assistant manager. I recently moved from the game testing department to the operations department…”

“Park Se-hee, assistant manager… Hmm. I’ll remember that.”

She pondered the implied meaning behind his words. No matter how you looked at it, it didn’t seem good.

She couldn’t hold back… Ugh, how stupid! No matter how much she blamed herself, the milk was already spilled. She didn’t know what to say to Jeong Ji-hwan, who had been trusting her.

However, instead of getting angry, Director Choi Jae-man chuckled and said, “So, can I speak casually to you now?”

“…Huh?”

“Now that I know your name and position, I’ll speak casually.”

For a moment, Park Se-hee was speechless, but she noticed the anger had disappeared from his face.

“Kids these days are so bold. You look young, but you’ve already risen to the position of assistant manager. You must be a competent employee. Am I right?”

Was it just that the anger had disappeared? His gaze toward her had also turned favorable.

This was a good sign. He actually liked her boldness.

“…Even if you know my name and position, that doesn’t mean you can speak casually to me.”

“How did you get here? Park Se-hee, assistant manager. The basement is a restricted area.”

“Ah, I was visiting Jeong So-ra…”

“Hmm? Are you related to Jeong So-ra? I heard she only has an older brother.”

“Ah, I’m not his girlfriend, just an acquaintance.”

For a moment, she almost said she was his girlfriend. She had originally planned to say they were just friends. But no matter how rude Director Choi Jae-man was, he was still a senior. Saying something like “girlfriend” would just complicate things… So she ended up fumbling her words. Anyway, that’s what happened.

“I see. So you got a pass.”

“Yes.”

“Park Se-hee, assistant manager. Do you want to see what this place is for?”

The sudden question left her speechless.

Wondering if he was testing her, Park Se-hee answered nonchalantly, “No. I just took the wrong path…”

“Hmph… Playing hard to get. But I like that about you.”

“…Huh?”

“If you really want to see, I can show you.”

Director Choi Jae-man grabbed the doorknob labeled “Restricted Access” and asked, “Do you want to see inside?”

She hesitated on how to answer. Saying she wanted to see seemed like he wouldn’t show her, and saying she didn’t want to see felt like a missed opportunity.

But… now wasn’t the time to be greedy. Park Se-hee’s intuition told her so.

“No. Not really…”

“Hmm. Really?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Then I’ll guide you to the elevator.”

“There’s no need for you to go out of your way…”

“Enough. Follow me. It’ll be troublesome if you get lost again.”

Director Choi Jae-man gestured with his finger and led the way. Park Se-hee followed without a word.

She felt that she shouldn’t accept his kindness, especially since she didn’t know how connected he was to Chairman Park.

It seemed safer to keep some distance and gather information discreetly.

“Director. By the way, was that room just now where the development department is located?”

“Development department? Haha… You could say that, or not.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Chairman Park is a genius among geniuses. He’s the most overwhelming genius I’ve ever seen.”

The answer was evasive.

Just as she was about to press further, a question came her way.

“Park Se-hee. How many people do you think made the Milky Way?”

The Milky Way is a next-generation device created using BCI (Brain Computer Interface) technology. It’s a virtual reality device that turns the world inside a human’s mind into a game.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Stella became one of the world’s leading companies today entirely because of the Milky Way.

“Well, wasn’t it made by the development department led by Chairman Park?”

“That’s what most people think. But what if I told you Chairman Park made it all by himself?”

“Huh? Chairman Park made it all by himself?”

No matter how much she thought about it, it was hard to believe.

Even though she didn’t know much, she was aware that the Milky Way wasn’t an ordinary machine.

When the Milky Way was first revealed to the world, it was such a sensation that people joked it must have been made by torturing aliens.

But to say that Chairman Park made such a machine all by himself?

“…Even if Chairman Park is a genius, it’s hard to believe he made the Milky Way all by himself.”

“Haha. I thought you’d say that. But what if it’s true?”

“Even if I asked people in the company right now, they wouldn’t believe it. There’s been no such story in the media either.”

“He really dislikes attention. Even now, people praise him as a genius, but if the story that he made the Milky Way all by himself got out, what do you think would happen?”

“…It would be a hassle.”

“Exactly. So he set up a separate development department. Even though Chairman Park made it all, no one would believe it if he said so, so he reluctantly created a… department in name only.”

She had no idea.

Could it be that Chairman Park really made the Milky Way all by himself? It was hard to believe, but considering what he had done to the Jeong siblings… it didn’t seem entirely impossible.

But there was something else that had been bothering her since earlier.

“But Director.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

They had just met today.

No matter how much Director Choi Jae-man liked Park Se-hee, he wouldn’t just reveal something close to a company secret.

They had arrived at the elevator.

At Park Se-hee’s wary question, Choi Jae-man grinned.

“You’re quick. If I’m not mistaken, you seem to have a lot of curiosity about the company.”

“……”

“Ah, don’t be so guarded. I don’t dislike people like you who have a strong sense of loyalty to the company.”

“So?”

“How about becoming my secretary if you want to know more about this company?”

“Huh?”

“My secretary position is currently vacant. And I don’t particularly like submissive people. I prefer bold ones like you.”

A secretary? Was he scouting her right now?

“Um, I appreciate the offer, but I have my current responsibilities…”

“Ah, of course, you might feel it’s a waste to leave what you’ve been doing. I understand. But I can promise you treatment that will make it worth it.”

Park Se-hee had no way of knowing his true intentions.

Whether he had noticed something suspicious about her or genuinely wanted her by his side, she couldn’t tell.

It felt very uncomfortable.

Park Se-hee got on the elevator. And she said to Director Choi Jae-man, who was waiting for an answer, “Then I’ll think about it.”

“Alright. See you again.”

Director Choi Jae-man waved with a smug smile.

Park Se-hee responded with a composed smile.

Of course, while frantically pressing the elevator’s close button.

—

Blanshe suddenly declared that she would become my concubine, and needless to say, the rare moment of peace was completely overturned.

“It’s all for the sake of being with you, miss.”

“I understand that you want to be with me, but there’s no need to become the Count’s concubine.”

“No. As the Count said, I also think I should get married.”

“But why does it have to be the Count?!”

In the end, Bella raised her voice.

But Blanshe didn’t change her expression and said, “I’m sorry, miss. There’s no other way. Being the Count’s concubine is the most convenient and rational way for me to stay by your side the longest.”

“…It’s not convenient for me at all.”

“You’ll have to endure that.”

“What if I don’t want to endure it?”

“You’ll have to endure it even if you don’t want to.”

Bella and Blanshe argued sharply without any compromise. Despite their long-standing friendship that went beyond a mere master-servant relationship, this was the first time I had seen them fight.

I decided to separate them and sent Wendy and Helga to calm them down.

So, with no one left in the reception room, I decided to take a walk around the mansion grounds to clear my head.

“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped me.

I was already troubled by Wendy, and now Blanshe.

Once an assassin for our family, she was abandoned and later saved by the Izakhel family. Because of that past, she harbored hatred toward me and even tried to kill me.

But that’s all in the past now.

Her hatred toward me has long since faded.

She has become one of my reliable allies, and it’s no exaggeration to say that I will never be caught off guard and killed again.

But suddenly, she wants to become my concubine? Is she serious?

Of course, it’s not that Blanshe is lacking as a concubine. She’s more than enough for me, if not too much.

But I couldn’t understand her reason for wanting to become my concubine.

True to her former assassin self, Blanshe is skilled at hiding her emotions. That much is understandable, but the problem is that she’s also clumsy at expressing them.

Having been forced to live as a top assassin from a young age and trained in the art of killing, it’s no wonder.

Because of that, I could never tell what Blanshe was thinking.

Of course… there had been a strange atmosphere between us at times.

For example, there was an incident in the north. Thinking Bella was playing a prank, I tried to get revenge, only to find out I had touched Blanshe’s leg.

In the process of clearing up that misunderstanding, Blanshe showed something akin to affection toward me.

If I remember correctly, she said that when she wears a full-body suit, it’s a signal that I can touch her freely.

It was a statement close to a green light, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.

As I said earlier, Blanshe is very clumsy at expressing her emotions. That’s why I couldn’t tell if she really had feelings for me or not.

Naturally, I didn’t think she had any romantic feelings for me. Thinking that way would just make things awkward.

Whether Blanshe wore a full-body suit in front of me or not, I didn’t really care.

Wait…

But has Blanshe ever not worn a full-body suit?

“Count.”

A low voice came from above.

Lost in thought, I hadn’t noticed the figure approaching me.

Looking up, a large man was looking down at me.

“Gale…?”

“Long time no see, Count.”

Gale Wolfbert, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, stood there with a beard, exuding a wild aura.

Even though he had retired from the front lines, he still carried a greatsword and wore heavy armor as if it were casual wear.

I guess he came to see Mabel, Helga’s mother?

Since handing over the family head position to Patrick, Gale had been visiting my mansion frequently.

He probably came to see Mabel and Helga. But I wonder if it’s okay for him to visit so often, considering he has Hildegarde as his wife.

“I heard the story. You’re going to marry my daughter.”

For a moment, I involuntarily held my breath. How did the news reach his ears?

I hadn’t exactly hidden it, but it was something I should have told him myself. Since Gale brought it up first, it was embarrassing. But it would be strange to act awkward now, so I decided to be shameless again.

“That’s right. I plan to marry Helga.”

“…Hmm. So that’s how it is.”

I studied Gale’s expression. His face was stiff, which made me nervous.

Thinking that he would be my father-in-law made everything seem more significant.

Was he going to say something like, “You can’t have my daughter”?

Fortunately, Gale quickly relaxed and patted my shoulder.

“Then it’s truly a joyous occasion. The union of two prestigious families of the Empire will elevate our status.”

“…That’s right.”

I thought he was going to say something heavy, but it seems I was mistaken.

“So when are you planning to do it?”

“When? Ah… you mean the wedding?”

“I’m not talking about the wedding.”

“Then?”

Gale didn’t answer my question and instead drew the greatsword from his back.

“Come at me.”

Come at him?

“…What are you doing?”

“You can use weapons. You can use magic. You can even use underhanded tactics.”

“…I don’t understand. Are you challenging me to a fight?”

“It’s the opposite, Count. You’re challenging me.”

“Me? Challenging you?”

What kind of nonsense is this?

Gale didn’t answer my question and adjusted his grip on the greatsword, which was as tall as a person.

“If you want something, take it by force… Haven’t you heard that?”

“The Wolfbert family motto? What does that have to do with anything?”

“Still don’t get it? If you want to marry my daughter, you need to get my approval first.”

Electricity began to flow from Gale’s body. He was serious.

“Come at me with the intent to kill, Count. I’ll give you the first move. I won’t call you a coward no matter what means you use.”

“…I have no intention of fighting you, Gale.”

“What did you say?”

“Helga and I have already promised our future to each other. So there’s no need to take anything by force now.”

“You won’t take it by force…?”

For a moment, an unusual aura flowed from Gale.

What’s this? Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?

His fists were trembling.

“Are you saying you’ll get my daughter… my daughter for free?!”

“I said I have no intention of fighting you.”

“Count! My daughter isn’t free!”

“…I never said anything like that.”

“Insulting my only daughter as if she’s free…!”

“Are you even listening to me?”

“I can tolerate being insulted, but I can’t tolerate my daughter being insulted! Draw your weapon!”

He’s not listening at all.

 

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