Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

Falling out of favor

Yoon Hyejin's POV~

The sterile, fluorescent lighting buzzed overhead as Hyejin sat in the conference room, her fingers tapping nervously on the table. The walls felt like they were closing in around her. Her boss, Jung Minseok, sat across from her, his sharp gaze a mix of frustration and something darker she couldn't quite place.

"So, Hyejin," Minseok began, folding his hands in front of him with a faint smirk, "I've been thinking about this for a while. You're a great asset to the team, but—" He let out a heavy sigh. "I think it's time for us to part ways."

Hyejin blinked, her heart dropping into her stomach. "What... What are you talking about?" she stammered, her pulse quickening. "I've been working here for two years. I'm one of the top managers. I've done everything you asked. This doesn't make sense."

Minseok leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling look. "Oh, you've done your work. No doubt about that. But your... attitude towards me—" he cleared his throat. "It's not something I can overlook anymore. You've been very dismissive. Very cold."

Hyejin felt her throat tighten. She knew exactly what he was talking about. The way he'd touched her arm last week. The way he insisted on private "meetings" that always felt more like "advances." The way she had to fight off his flirtations, and the increasingly uncomfortable atmosphere it created.

"I've told you before, I don't feel that way about you," Hyejin said, voice steady but trembling with the effort of holding her emotions in check.

Minseok's eyes flickered for a moment, a flash of annoyance crossing his face. "You know what I mean, Hyejin. I'm not asking you to love me, but I've made my intentions clear, and you—" He paused, smiling almost smugly. "You rejected me. And now I think it's time for you to go."

The words hit her like a slap, a cold sting spreading across her chest. She tried to remain calm, but the pain in her chest made it hard to breathe.

"You're firing me... because I didn't want your advances?" Hyejin asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "You're firing me over that?"

Minseok shrugged, leaning back in his chair, a smug look on his face. "It's not just that. It's the fact that you think you're too good for me. You've made it clear you don't appreciate my leadership style. You don't appreciate me. You're a good manager, Hyejin. But your attitude? It's a liability."

Hyejin felt a wave of humiliation crash over her. She had worked so hard. She had put everything into her career, despite the pressures of her personal life and family. She had fought so hard to get where she was, and now it was all crumbling in front of her eyes.

"You can't be serious," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I've worked for you. I've worked my ass off. And this is how you repay me?"

Minseok didn't flinch. He didn't even look ashamed. "I'm sorry, Hyejin. You're fired."

The words hung in the air for a long moment. Hyejin's mind raced, her thoughts clouded with rage, disbelief, and betrayal. She could feel her eyes welling up, but she refused to let him see her weakness.

"Fine," Hyejin said, her voice low but firm. "I don't need this job. I don't need you or this company."

She stood up quickly, grabbing her bag from the back of the chair. As she turned to leave, she shot one last glare at him. "You'll regret this," she muttered, her pride stinging more than the loss of the job.

Minseok didn't respond. He didn't need to. Hyejin walked out of the conference room, her head held high, but inside, she felt everything unravel.

The moment she stepped out into the bright sunlight, the weight of the world came crashing down on her. Her phone buzzed—more bills, more reminders of the house she was drowning in. It didn't matter. She could feel the knot in her stomach, the hot rush of shame and anger.

She was losing everything. Again.

But one thing was certain. She wasn't going to beg anyone for help.

Lee Know's POV~

Lee Minho, CEO of one of the most successful tech companies in the country, had always prided himself on his efficiency. His life was a constant rush—meetings, emails, calls, presentations—there was no time for anything else. Including eating.

His lunch was taken care of, mostly—JaeYoung , his assistant, made sure that he had a proper meal during work hours. But beyond that? Forget it. Dinner? Skipped, most nights. And breakfast? A tea that barely counted as a meal.

He knew he needed to change it. His energy was starting to dip, and his irritation with himself was growing.

It was about time to fix this one small thing. He knew he could hire a personal chef—something simple, something unobtrusive. Someone who could cook, serve, and leave him to his work. That would be perfect, right? No distractions, just good food. And he could stop feeling guilty about skipping meals just to meet deadlines.

Lee Know glanced across the living room to where Sook-hee, his long-time househelp, was folding clothes. She was a reliable woman, but lately, it had become clear that she was struggling to balance her duties at home with the demands of his household. Her daughter had just turned six, and Lee Know had been more than happy to let her take time off whenever she needed it.

"Hey, Sook-hee," he said, getting her attention. She looked up, a soft, tired smile on her face. "I think it's time we get someone else to take care of the meals around here. You've been working hard enough as it is."

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but she nodded. "Are you sure, sir? I don't mind—"

"No, I insist." Lee Know leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping the desk as he thought for a moment. "You've got your own life outside of this, and I don't want to keep you tied to the kitchen. I'll hire someone. A private chef, maybe."

Sook-hee blinked, surprised but clearly relieved. "Private chef?"

"Yeah. Someone who can cook meals for me and then leave. Simple. I'm not picky about it." Lee Know paused, thinking for a second. He wasn't someone who usually let others take care of things, but he knew that this was one area he'd have to outsource. It wasn't sustainable anymore.

Lee Know leaned back further, running a hand through his hair. His eyes drifted to the window, where the city buzzed with life. As the CEO of a company that never slowed down, he always felt a constant tension in the back of his mind. But food—good food—was a constant source of comfort for him. He hadn't realized how much he missed having someone cook for him, especially after a long day.

There was something about the way his mind worked, too—always on, always moving. Food didn't need to be a grand gesture or an elaborate affair. He needed something that could balance his hectic lifestyle. Simple, fresh, and comforting.

But what he didn't know was that his request for a private chef would soon lead him to cross paths with someone from his past—a person who would turn his world upside down in ways he never expected.