Chapter 162. I Want To End This Relationship (11)

He soon shook his head and began to persuade her.

“The Chinese branch position may look good now, but it’s tough. What successful executive would want to go there? How can you be sure TK Fashion will continue to do well in China? If the boom fades, it could tarnish your perfect career.”

“I’m not a director yet. This is perfect for me.”

“Kang Minkyung.”

“Every employee at TK dreams of becoming a director, working tirelessly for nearly 20 years, hoping every day.”

Lee-Seob looked as if he had heard an alien language, his face drained of color.

“So… you’re leaving me?”

His voice cracked, speaking as if he were pleading like a child.

“Minkyung, are you suggesting a long-distance relationship?”

Minkyung gently pressed her hand against the tightness in her throat. It was time to say the lines she had rehearsed.

“Director, please let me go. I’m asking you.”

“No.”

“Assistant Lee Daehyung will do a good job. I’ve trained him well. If you assign another secretary…”

“Enough with the work talk! Why are you pretending not to understand?”

Lee-Seob raised his voice, pointing to the floor in frustration.

“I can’t let you go to China. I hate long-distance relationships. Even living in the same apartment complex, I can’t touch you most of the time. Might as well ask me to wither and die.”

Minkyung couldn’t bring herself to say the lines she had prepared, only opening and closing her dry lips. Lee-Seob scoffed bitterly.

“Kang Minkyung, you seem to be mistaken. The man you’re dating is Tae Lee-Seob. I know you’re capable and diligent, but I’m Tae Lee-Seob. Stay by my side. I’ll raise you. I’ll make sure you’re promoted to director within two years. I’ll give you that position everyone dreams of.”

Her dry lips parted as she spoke firmly.

“No.”

“What?”

“I want to end this relationship.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m tired of it.”

“Are you insane? Why are you suddenly like this?”

“You were the one who was crazy. You said so yourself when you first suggested we sleep together.”

“Kang Minkyung.”

“I understand. Sometimes people are blinded by something… But it’s time for you to stop. My initial task as your secretary was to assist you in getting the company back on track. I believe I’ve completed that task.”

He looked at her with a mix of shock and disbelief, rubbing his furrowed brow.

“So, you’re ending the relationship because the work is done?”

“I think I confused work with the relationship. It felt like an extension of my duties. I didn’t have time to properly assess it. I think it’s the same for you. Remember how much you disliked me the first day I came to you as a secretary.”

“Minkyung.”

His voice trembled. Minkyung forced herself to smooth out her furrowed brow and look at him.

“You disliked me a lot. You hated the thought of me being your secretary even for a day.”

“I was wrong.”

It was an apology that didn’t suit him.

“No, disliking something isn’t wrong.”

“I spoke harshly, and you misunderstood…”

He clung to her like a child, gently holding her arm and meeting her eyes.

“It was just a joke. Believe me.”

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