Chapter 8.6

"Min-kyung?" He tapped his finger on the table in front of them. “It’s not, Min-kyung… It’s Deputy Director Kang Min-kyung.”

Lee Seop coldly continued to criticize Hyunseong, "You are acting all nice and friendly, but remember right now you are having a meeting with your boss's client. Correct, Attorney Lee Hyunseong?"

"I'm sorry, sir." Hyunseong's face flushed red as he apologized.

Min-kyung let out an awkward laugh, "Ah, haha…" watching Lee Seop unleash his shittiness which froze the two lawyers.

"Attorney Hyunseong and I are not close friends, but that's the title I've been calling him for 15 years… I will be careful in the future, Executive Director."

Min-kyung thought it would be nice if Lee Seop could just move on from the topic, but once he got off track, he didn't know how to stop himself.

"Okay, so if you are not close friends, then what kind of relationship do you two have?" He spoke in a gentle tone that disguised his teasing.

Min-kyung began worrying and answered, "He is my best friend's cousin."

Lee Seop shook his head grimly and laughed, "You two say it's been 15 years, but there's nothing."

Min-kyung was taken aback by his behavior and struggled to maintain a smile, trying to keep her thoughts in check. Lee Seop frowned at her forced smile, which only prompted her to fake a smile even wider.

'I need to cut through this awkward mood and end this.' Min-kyung thought, then wondered if she could implement methods she had used at work before.

Fumbling under the table, Min-kyung grabbed her cell phone. *Ding, ding* Lee Seop's phone rang. As he looked at the caller, the corners of his mouth rose into a smirk.

'Please, sir.' Min-kyung made a silent plea, and sensing it, Lee Seop nodded in understanding.

"I'll go take this and be a moment."

As Min-kyung watched Lee Seop stand up and walk outside the restaurant, she couldn't help but let out a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions wash over her.

"The Executive Director is quite tired today, I've been setting an intense schedule for him. I'm sorry if you were made uncomfortable."

"No, not at all! I'm glad I felt much more comfortable with you than expected." Min Ji-hoo answered cheerfully as Min-kyung wiped some sweat off her forehead.

Hyunseong watched and asked, "Does your head hurt?"

"No. Please excuse me for just a moment." Min-kyung apologized and left the table. She felt a tightness in her throat and stomach as if the grilled sea bass she ate had come back alive and was flipping. She headed to the restroom to rinse her mouth with water, but there he was, waiting near the door and leaning against the wall.

Lee Seop noticed her and quickly stashed his phone in his pocket. Min-kyung took a deep breath as she walked toward him. Her heart started pounding loudly in her chest, and she felt hot, as if she had come down with a fever.

"Director, I don't think you look well. You have been working nonstop this past week, and today's schedule must have been difficult. I think we should wrap this up for today…"

Min-kyung began to look up as she spoke, focusing on his tie. Lee Seop's light fingers brushed over her sweaty forehead.

"It looks like you're the one not well."

"No."

"Then are you in a bad mood?" he tilted his head to the side. "Why? Cause you came out looking pretty and dressed up for the meeting, but I ruined your mood?"

Min-kyung frowned as she looked up at his face. His eyebrows were neatly furrowed as he spoke. Something welled up in his chest, making it throb. She lowered her gaze back to the floor, and he could barely suppress his irritation as he spoke.

"Let me ask you one thing."

"What…" She lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze, and spoke in an aloof tone.

"Kang Min-kyung!" He called her in a warning-like manner, noticing her avoiding eye contact when she spoke. "Lift up your head and look at me."

Only then did Min-kyung raise her gaze. As she looked up at his face, she could see anger, frustration, and nervousness in his dark gray eyes as if about to explode. She felt like she was going to suffocate.

His thin, red lips trembled as he spoke, "Did you sleep with Hyunseong that night?"

'What?!' She opened her mouth and closed it in surprise.

"We've been friends for 15 years. He's your friend's older cousin. Are you kidding? Even here, he's looking at you with that look? You should notice it, you have integrity."

Lee Seop's annoyed tone was familiar, but Min-kyung couldn't take it anymore. Her cheeks heated up.

"I would like to know the reason you're asking this."

"Are you asking as if you don't know?"

"Yes, I don't know."

Lee Seop's lips twisted, "Well then if that's the case, I don't think you should be involved in this business."

Min-kyung looked straight up at Lee Seop, her throat felt hot and burned with indescribable emotions.

"Then don't worry about it. If you are feeling uneasy, I will send in a formal request to be excluded from the work with M&P."