Chapter 55: The Name I’ve Been Waiting For

Tae-ha had slipped out of the resort unnoticed, avoiding any staff or employees. The workshop concluded peacefully without incident.

Yet, amidst this quiet stretch of time, Jisoo couldn’t shake a growing sense of unease. After all, calamities often began with the calmest surfaces.

She busied herself throughout the day—doing laundry, browsing the internet on her phone, reading a book, making instant noodles when hunger struck, and preparing tomorrow’s outfit. Everything seemed in its rightful place.

Only after surveying her studio apartment did she realize what was missing: today was the day Tae-ha returned from his business trip. To avoid waiting for his call, she’d distracted herself by keeping busy since morning.

Though her body moved nonstop to keep him at bay, her mind lingered on his parting words as he left the resort.

<I’ll call you.>

“Why does he have to say things like that?”

If only she hadn’t expected anything, there wouldn’t be disappointment. She resented how he made her yearn for his voice—but blamed him anyway, even though it wasn’t entirely his fault.

Switching her phone from silent to vibration, then back to sound mode, she ensured she wouldn’t miss his call no matter where she was in the tiny apartment. Still, her eyes kept darting toward the device.

Clatter-clatter. Just as she finished washing dishes, the long-awaited ringtone finally sounded.

Jisoo hastily wiped her wet hands on her clothes and rushed to the bedside table.

The screen should have read “Bapmat,” but instead, it displayed her mother’s number. Having spent her entire Sunday anticipating Tae-ha’s message, Jisoo sighed dejectedly before answering.

“Mom? Did you eat dinner?”

-Is this Han Jisoo’s phone? Are you Yoo Ae-ran’s daughter?

The calm, unfamiliar voice instantly shattered Jisoo’s fleeting hope.

“Yes… What about my mom? How is she?”

-This is the Central Investigation Bureau. A fraud complaint has been filed against Yoo Ae-ran. She refuses to speak until you arrive. Please come to the police station.

“I understand. I’ll head there right away.”

Had the fluffy clouds she thought she was walking under turned out to be storm clouds? The unlucky streak had found her once again. Rising from her seat, Jisoo changed into the clothes she’d set aside for work tomorrow and left the house.

________________________________________

[We’ve registered your complaint. Since she’s already on probation from a previous case, aggravated punishment is possible.]

In the car heading to the club for her celebration party, Yoo-ri checked her messages and smiled contentedly. Reapplying red lipstick over her flawless lips, she grinned brightly.

“The roads are heavily congested. I’ll take a detour through the alleys.”

Manager Choi Soon-ho, new to the job, nervously informed Yoo-ri about the traffic situation.

“That’s fine. There’s no rush. Arriving safely is more important than speed. Thank you.”

Choi silently marveled at her professionalism behind the wheel. It had only been two months since he entered the entertainment industry thanks to an introduction from a hometown senior, yet he’d already witnessed countless stories.

Most involved celebrities abusing their power or tormenting others. Stories of depression, panic attacks, auditory hallucinations, and even suicide attempts were common. But Kang Yoo-ri? She was nothing short of angelic.

No matter how grueling her schedule, she never frowned. She treated colleagues, crew members, and even himself—the youngest employee—with kindness and respect.

“Yes, understood!”

After a brief hiatus, Yoo-ri’s comeback miniseries premiered with the highest ratings in a decade. What better occasion to celebrate such dazzling success?

Touching up her makeup, Yoo-ri hummed a cheerful melody, which she often sang when happy.

A few days ago, Choi overheard another manager discussing how the actor they managed had family members arrested for embezzlement using ghost companies to siphon investments.

‘Ah, why didn’t I think of that sooner?’

Yoo-ri knew too well how rising stars often led their families to abandon their jobs, basking in reflected glory. Watching countless similar cases unfold, she saw an opportunity.

While the impotence rumor about Cha Tae-ha had fizzled quickly (thanks to Taesung Group’s swift legal team), fate handed her something better: Yoo Ae-ran contacting her directly and Tae-ha canceling the franchise contract with Jinshim Foods.

[There will be no settlement. I don’t seek leniency. I only wish for justice so no one else suffers as I have.]

Yoo-ri quoted a line from last year’s courtroom drama movie in her reply to her lawyer.

________________________________________

Stepping out of the taxi, Jisoo hurried into the police station. Directed to the floor housing the Central Investigation Bureau, she ran upstairs, only to collide with Ae-ran and a neatly dressed young man descending the stairs.

“Jisoo!”

“Mom, what happened?”

“You must’ve worried. I’m Yoo Ae-ran’s attorney.”

The man’s introduction only deepened Jisoo’s confusion. Looping arms with Jisoo, Ae-ran guided her downstairs.

“I’m starving. Was I really detained just for questioning? Do I need tofu soup now? Lawyer Kim?”

“It’s high-protein food; eating it won’t hurt regardless of circumstances.”

At the entrance, the lawyer handed Jisoo his business card before leaving.

“Mom, what’s this fraud charge about? And why do you suddenly have a lawyer…?”

“Jisoo, can we eat first? I brought boiled pork wraps and kimchi stew. Why arrest me urgently like this? That wretched Yoo-ri!”

The sudden mention of Yoo-ri startled Jisoo. Ae-ran ranted as she led her daughter to a nearby restaurant recommended by the detective handling her case.

Kang Yoo-ri had filed charges of identity theft, fraud, and intimidation against Ae-ran.

“How could anyone believe I used Yoo-ri’s name to bribe Jinshim Foods into unfair deals or extorted investment funds by pretending we were secretly engaged? She agreed to lend me money for repayment, but now she claims it was long-term financing!”

Yoo-ri sent certified letters detailing material and emotional damages, while Ae-ran lacked evidence or documents to refute them.

However, Lawyer Kim reassured her that the allegations were ambiguous, requiring further investigation and leaving room for legal debate. With no risk of evidence tampering or flight, Ae-ran was released temporarily.

Blowing on a spoonful of hearty beef broth, Ae-ran shoveled it into her mouth. Her psychological hunger outweighed physical hunger. Recalling the smug face of Yoo-ri’s lawyer emphasizing her probation period made her grind her teeth.

“But how did you suddenly get a lawyer?”

Jisoo cut some kimchi and placed it on Ae-ran’s bowl, probing gently. Ae-ran paused mid-sentence, chewing silently.

Something was clearly amiss.

“What? Lawyers’ fees aren’t cheap. Did you know him beforehand?”

Though she could ask the lawyer herself tomorrow, Jisoo wanted to hear it from her mother first.

“Vice President Cha Tae-ha said not to mention it until later…”

The familiar name slipping from Ae-ran’s lips made Jisoo drop her spoon.

“Vice President Cha? Why? What do you mean?”

The realization that Tae-ha had been dragged into this petty squabble filled Jisoo with shame.

“Well… After breaking off the engagement, the Jinshim Foods contract fell through. Returning the money left us desperate. That’s when Vice President Cha sent Lawyer Kim.”

<Taesung Group doesn’t oversee many food-related businesses. If you’re interested, our hotel food division or leisure sector might suit you. Alternatively, I can connect you with projects similar to what you pursued with Jinshim Foods.>

Initially, Ae-ran politely declined, wanting to start her own shop independently. Accepting such generosity felt like trading on Jisoo’s connections—and knowing Jisoo, she’d react angrily. As a mother who’d given Jisoo little beyond life itself, Ae-ran hesitated to burden her further.

<These are Vice President Cha’s specific instructions regarding Han Jisoo.>

Ae-ran’s mind worked brilliantly in these situations. Looking back, she sensed Tae-ha’s peculiar demeanor during their previous meeting. He acted less like Yoo-ri’s fiancé and more like someone introducing Jisoo as someone special.

“So you signed the contract sent by Vice President Cha?”

“Yes, but Jisoo, it wasn’t exactly preferential treatment. The initial costs were higher than Jinshim Foods’, and they even lent money at bank interest rates without discounts!”

When had this happened? Why hadn’t she known?

Jisoo combed her dry hair, trying to untangle the mess in her head.

“So how did Lawyer Kim know to show up today?”

“He said… Vice President Cha reviewed the contract with Jinshim Foods and flagged potential issues. He told me to contact Lawyer Kim immediately if anything arose—even minor matters.”

Staring at the steaming bowl of broth, Jisoo picked up her spoon. She could feel how much thought Tae-ha had put into helping them. Yet the realization only deepened her embarrassment and misery.

Even after devouring a hearty bowl, the bitterness and emptiness refused to fade.

After seeing Ae-ran off in a taxi, Jisoo pulled out her phone. The missed call notification still bore the name she’d waited for all day: “Bapmat.”