MHD - 35

Chapter 35: The Faceless Bastard

“There was someone who came looking for you while you were out, Boss.” 

It had been a few weeks earlier when the female employee handed him an envelope. Inside was a rather clumsy portfolio with a photo that looked like it had been taken at a local photo studio. The resume listed various performances in domestic and international ballet productions—none of which caught his attention. 

Ironically, there wasn’t a single ballet photo included, leading him to assume it was all lies. He figured she’d probably attended some community center classes a few times and exaggerated it as “experience.” 

“Some dancer thinks she can act now? Must’ve mistaken my office for an idol agency,” he scoffed. 

Though he liked the delicate face on the resume, Joo-won had carelessly tossed the portfolio back into the envelope and forgotten about it entirely. 

But now... 

“Principal Ballerina of the Kang Rim Cultural Foundation’s Youth Ballet Company, Seo Hee-soo.” 

Looking again, her credentials weren’t ordinary—but back then, he hadn’t even bothered to read them. 

Cho Jin-gyu was notoriously reluctant to cast newcomers, even for minor supporting roles or bit parts. Yet here he was, personally calling to express interest in meeting her. This was no small matter. 

“What a clever little thing,” Joo-won muttered, recalling how she’d already listed him as her manager before even signing a contract. He couldn’t help but smirk. Landing an audition without so much as a formal agreement—she clearly wasn’t your average newbie. 

But... 

[The number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please press 1 to leave a voicemail...] 

The phone number listed on her resume was disconnected. Days passed as Joo-won left dozens of missed calls, unable to reach her. Finally, Hee-soo called him directly—and made an absurd request right off the bat. 

[“Hello, President Cha. I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m in the hospital. Could you come see me?”] 

Being summoned like this already felt like losing the upper hand, but Cha Joo-won didn’t have the luxury of hesitating. 

When he arrived, exasperated, there sat Seo Hee-soo in the hospital room, visibly unwell. 

“You… what are you up to? Are you sick?” 

He had plenty to say, but kneeling and pleading with her immediately after meeting wasn’t an option. Joo-won decided to assert dominance over this tiny young woman quickly. 

“How dare you list my agency without permission? Ordering me to come to the hospital like this...” 

Despite his grumbling, Hee-soo responded calmly, though her voice was weak. 

“It’s temporary. I had some heavy bleeding.” 

“...?” 

“I miscarried recently, and I think I pushed myself too hard.” 

A twenty-year-old girl talking about a miscarriage? Joo-won was speechless. 

If her behavior was this reckless, no matter how talented she might be, her market value would plummet. Managing her would be impossible, and this incident would haunt her career forever once she became famous. 

“Hey, live properly! You’re still so young.” 

But that was a problem for later. Right now, Joo-won needed Seo Hee-soo. This product had rolled into his hands, and he had to get it onto the market. 

“Seriously, what do you think you’re doing?” 

Despite his sharp tone, Hee-soo didn’t flinch. With a composed expression, she spoke. 

“President Cha, you received Director Cho Jin-gyu’s call, right?” 

“I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t. What were you thinking, listing my agency without a contract?” 

“I’m young, and my conduct hasn’t been great. That’s exactly why I need an agency. I’m new to acting and don’t know much about this field. I need someone knowledgeable, a professional.” 

“You’ve got guts, acting like you knew you’d pass the audition from the start.” 

“Yes, I did. No one else seemed capable enough.” 

“Hmph.” 

How a ballerina managed to impress Cho Jin-gyu was beyond him, but her confidence was undeniable. 

Realizing this, Joo-won finally asked the question that had been nagging him. 

“Why me?” 

“You used to work at the Kang Rim Cultural Foundation.” 

“Ah, yes, briefly. Come to think of it, I also managed the youth ballet troupe for a while.” 

“That’s why I thought you’d remember me.” 

“To be honest, I didn’t.” 

“It doesn’t matter. You won’t forget me from now on.” 

Her words implied that she was accustomed to being seen by an audience, having performed on stage since childhood. 

If she had danced ballet for years, she likely had refined body movements and expressions. The real challenge would be her vocal delivery and tone. 

But none of that mattered more than the urgent issue at hand: the meeting with Cho Jin-gyu scheduled for next week. Joo-won had already arranged everything with him.

“Hah, can you even work in this state? Can you handle a job like this?” 

Clicking his tongue, Cha Joo-won looked down at Hee-soo, who appeared as pale as a ghost, and asked gruffly. 

“I can work, but I don’t have any money right now. Please pay my hospital bill.” 

“Huh. Don’t you have a guardian? Parents?” 

Questions swirled in his mind—was she an orphan without a home?—but Hee-soo ignored his words and pressed on with her own. 

“President Cha, you recently went independent, right? Let’s make a deal. Keep my secret, and I’ll make you successful.” 

“What?” 

“Think of it as investing in me. I’ll return it to you many times over.” 

For someone begging for just a few hundred thousand won, her confidence was staggering. Her shameless, brazen words left him dumbfounded. 

Yet strangely, her words didn’t feel entirely baseless. 

Perhaps it was the venomous gleam in her eyes, so incongruous with her youthful face. Despite her fresh, innocent appearance, her gaze carried the weight of someone who had endured countless hardships. 

“I’m young, determined, and a fast learner. Invest in me. You won’t regret it.” 

Joo-won prided himself on having an impeccable eye for spotting talent. Wasn’t that why he’d quit his stable job to strike out on his own? 

“This wouldn’t be a bad investment. You’d be acquiring a promising actor for a bargain.” 

There was something about Seo Hee-soo’s aura that set her apart from other girls her age. 

Ironically, her desperate yet dignified appeal reminded him of himself—someone cornered but still trying to maintain pride. 

What a tiny, amusing creature. 

Whatever it was, there was no denying that this girl had a knack for captivating people. Joo-won decided to take a big gamble on her. 

After all, it was high risk, high return. 

“...I don’t know what kind of situation you’re in—” 

“I don’t want to talk about it.” 

“I don’t want to know either. But if we sign a contract, dating is off-limits from now on. Got it?” 

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’m done with dating.” 

“We’ll see. If a scandal breaks, the contract is void. Once rumors start, your past will come out immediately—” 

“Don’t worry.” 

Hee-soo cut him off firmly, negating his concerns. True to her word, after debuting and even during her temporary hiatus, she never once engaged in a private relationship with anyone. 

In her early days, it could’ve been chalked up to being busy, but even after reaching the top, Seo Hee-soo never sparked romantic rumors with anyone. 

Countless men pursued her, but she rejected them all so coldly that some even harbored grudges. In retaliation, some spread fabricated dating rumors about her. 

Looking back, whoever had gotten her pregnant at just twenty must’ve been quite the bastard. To make her swear off men for ten years—he was truly despicable. 

Joo-won occasionally sent silent thanks to that faceless bastard. Thanks to him, Hee-soo had lived scandal-free. 

---

‘...Surely, that bastard isn’t Lee Jae-hyuk, right?’ 

Recalling the thought made Joo-won gasp, his mouth dropping open before he quickly covered it with his hand. 

If this ever came to light, it would undoubtedly become one of the biggest scandals in history. 

‘If used as noise marketing, it couldn’t get better than this.’ 

Joo-won’s eyes darted left and right as he calculated various scenarios. 

“Not that kind of relationship. I’m not in a position to ask him for favors.” 

Remembering how Hee-soo had firmly drawn the line, Joo-won’s expression turned sly. 

‘If you’re going to hide it so desperately, then I have no choice but to play dirty too.’ 

Having reached a certain conclusion, Joo-won nodded repeatedly to himself. 

While Hee-soo worked for him, naturally, he wouldn’t sabotage his own success. But if she ever tried to challenge the contract again, this could serve as leverage. 

‘When that happens, I’ll ask her outright.’ 

Was it Lee Jae-hyuk you got into trouble with? 

The moment he asked, he’d know. If it were true, he’d have a new weakness to exploit. 

If she denied it vehemently, he could always confront Jae-hyuk directly. If Jae-hyuk admitted it, this would become both Hee-soo’s and Jae-hyuk’s Achilles’ heel. 

Whoever he chose to manipulate, having leverage was advantageous. 

A sinister smile spread across Joo-won’s face as he crafted his devious future plan. With a backup strategy in place, he felt much more at ease. 

Even if Lee Jae-hyuk was backing Hee-soo, he could still use it to his advantage. Chuckling inwardly, Joo-won’s cheeks puffed up with satisfaction. 

As he raised his head, his eyes landed on the large poster hanging directly in front of him.

The poster that now hung there had originally been Hee-soo’s. Currently, it was replaced by a male actor who was at the peak of his popularity. 

Joo-won gazed at the poster and muttered to himself. 

“…You locked yourself away for three years with those dead fish eyes, draining all the energy out of everyone around you.” 

It was a gamble with no real downside—after all, Hee-soo had never once let him lose. Wasn’t she the most reliable collateral and valuable asset he’d ever had? 

Joo-won was certain he would soon be busy again. 

“All that’s left now is to make money.” 

He tore his gaze away from the poster. It was time for the occupant of that spot to change. Of course, its rightful owner would forever work for him.