He could freeze anyone if provoked, and he often issued harsh commands if his employees didn’t swiftly and accurately follow.
Regardless of whether they were male or female employees, their age, or rank, it didn’t matter.
His perfectionism meant his secretaries were under constant tension, working 24/7. The staff’s exaggerated fears of just making eye contact with him were not an overstatement.
Yet, he was respected by everyone.
To her, he was a man so distant, high, and valuable that she couldn’t believe she was supporting him.
But that day, no one was beside the drunken Tae-han. Even Sung-won, his accompanying secretary, trusted Yeon-woo and went to entertain guests.
Left alone in the dark, empty banquet hall were just the two of them.
Yeon-woo tried to tidy up the disheveled Tae-han, but his large body didn’t budge, no matter how hard she tried.
“Secretary Seo.”
Suddenly, the slouched Tae-han opened his eyes. Thinly opened eyelids revealed a twinkling black light.
“Come to think of it, I had something to ask Secretary Seo.”
Yeon-woo hadn’t the slightest guess as to what he might ask.
She became nervous, as they had never conversed outside of official duties, and her heart began to pound faster.
“Please, go ahead.”
Although very drunk, Tae-han’s articulation was clear. His pleasantly scented breath almost made her eyes close.
“You were looking at me.”
For a moment, Yeon-woo’s movement halted.
But Tae-han, unfazed by the stiffening Yeon-woo, continued calmly.
“You’ve been looking only at me for some time.”
“…”
“You thought I wouldn’t notice.”
Tae-han’s lips smoothly curled up.
“Tell me. Am I mistaken?”
It was the softest voice and smile she had ever heard from him.
But Yeon-woo felt dizzy. Though Tae-han was the one who drank, she felt intoxicated by his scent.
Yeon-woo knew well.
Even though he seemed drunk as a lord, his mind was clear.
Forgetting something the next day was not something Tae-han would do.
“…I think you’re mistaken.”
She had to keep her wit
Tae-han appeared unruffled, as if he had expected her to respond just that way from the start.
Instead, the look he gave Yeon-woo was playfully intense.
It wasn’t like Ki Tae-han at all.
“I’ll ask you something else then.”
“President, please stand up. Driver Park has been waiting for you…”
“Do you like me?”
His casual question weighed heavily on Yeon-woo, whose arms were supporting him.
It felt as though an invisible hand was strangling her.
“I’ll believe that Secretary Seo isn’t only looking at me.”
“…”
“But do you like me?”
His seemingly nonchalant question pierced her like a dagger.
It was terrifying to the extent that a chill ran through her entire body.
She wanted to escape his newfound curiosity that seemed to penetrate her every defense.
She had always thought she only admired him from afar.
But he had noticed. He knew all along.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll consider this question unanswered.”
“Answer me. It’s an order.”
Even while commanding, Tae-han didn’t lose his smile.
Yeon-woo felt her heart might burst, but she maintained her composure and smiled back.
“Of course, I do. He’s the person I serve. Not just me, but all employees feel the same.”
Then Tae-han let out a low chuckle.
As if he had expected her to dodge the question, he seemed almost amused by her response.
“So you do like me, or you don’t?”
Tae-han kept letting out deflating sighs.
It reminded her of the smirk he had shown at the interview five years ago.
“Answer me clearly. You know my personality.”
“Do I really have to?”
“Are you questioning me now?”
He arched his eyebrows, his gaze becoming inescapably intense.
Yeon-woo took a deep breath.
She hoped he would forget about this conversation by tomorrow, but she knew that was unlikely.
Finally, Yeon-woo opened her mouth.
“Yes, I like you.”
She had never been honest about her feelings in front of anyone. That’s why predicting his reaction was even more difficult.
Unexpectedly, Tae-han remained silent.
He just looked at her intently for a long time, then slowly reached out his hand.
“When will you show me your special skill?”
His hand gently swept her tensed eyelids.
“People might think we’re fighting.”
His gaze softened.
“Ah…”
Realizing she had been too tense, Yeon-woo backed away.
Or she tried to, but suddenly there was a strong pull at the back of her neck.
Her upper body naturally leaned forward, and the strong scent of alcohol nearly numbed her nose.
“Secretary Seo is smart.”
The way he looked at her was different from usual.
“Tell me why I can’t take my eyes off you right now.”
His gaze was that of a man looking at a woman, not the meticulous and business-focused eyes of a businessman.
Even the inexperienced Yeon-woo could feel the blatantly obvious look.
A look of a man wanting to be seduced by a woman, or seducing her.
Her heart throbbed painfully, then pounded as if being hit by a bat.
“I… I don’t know.”
Her mind was a complete blank.
Amidst the ringing in her ears, Tae-han’s voice was still clear. His breath, his gaze, his warmth, all focused on her.
“Then, shall we kiss?”
Neither of them might have been in their right minds.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
