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Hyunseong came home after giving Haejoo’s bag to Dojun. He grabbed only his car keys and started driving around places Haejoo might have gone.
“She wouldn’t be taking a walk in that condition.”
Just in case, he even went to Haejoo’s house. It was chaotic with more reporters surrounding the house than before. It was already approaching 9 PM. As he grew increasingly anxious, his phone rang, and he quickly pulled it out.
“Ugh, it’s Director.”
It was Jinhan’s call. Hyunseong pulled over to the side of the road and reluctantly answered.
“Yes, Director.”
“Did you find Haejoo?”
“Not yet.”
“You said she left her bag and phone. Where could she have gone?”
Jinhan’s voice trembled. He asked urgently, fearing that something terrible might happen to Haejoo because of this incident.
“If not, we’ll have to call the police.”
“Let me look a little more.”
“Have you talked to CEO Park Dojun?”
“Yes, he’s also looking for Haejoo Noona.”
“This is driving me crazy.”
“I’ll look more first and then contact you.”
Jinhan wasn’t in a position to leave his office. Even now, his office was swamped with calls from various media outlets and advertisers, leaving him no time to breathe. Hyunseong, his heart heavy, stopped and turned on his phone. While searching for articles online, he saw the statement Dojun had written himself.
“Wow, even his handwriting is handsome.”
He had meticulously written a statement that was an impressive five pages long. Hyunseong, who read every single word from the first paragraph, sniffled back tears.
“Ah, dang it, did a bug get in my eye?”
Dojun’s feelings for Haejoo surpassed even the purest devotion. For a purity that most men wouldn’t even attempt, he had dedicated his entire life. How anxious must Dojun’s ongoing love be right now? It made Hyunseong feel solemn, as if even someone as scarred as Haejoo had been able to open her heart because of him. Fortunately, the comments seemed to have softened considerably.
“Why is this hyung so cool?”
Hyunseong, sniffing and wiping his nose, slowly returned to the road. He couldn’t think of anywhere Haejoo might have gone, so he had to return to the company for now. Blankly, he drove forward. He soon arrived at the company parking lot and was about to get out when his phone rang again.
“He’s really pestering me!”
He thought it was Jinhan’s call again, but it wasn’t. It was a call from Dojun’s number.
“Yes, CEO!”
“Hyunseong, it’s me.”
Fortunately, he had reached Haejoo. Hyunseong sighed in relief, running a hand over his tired chest. Haejoo was with Dojun. Hyunseong, convinced that capable men were indeed different, looked up at the company building after the call.
“Should I tell Director?”
Lately, dealing with Jinhan had been very difficult. He was more on edge than before, and Hyunseong was afraid to say anything. After taking several deep breaths, he entered the building and happened to run into Jinhan.
“Director!”
“I’ll go look for Haejoo too.”
“I found Haejoo Noona. I’m on my way back after giving her phone and bag.”
He vaguely made up a plausible excuse. His heart pounded, unsure if Jinhan would believe him.
“You found Haejoo? Where?”
“I didn’t find her; CEO Park Dojun found her, and I delivered her bag.”
“So, where is she?”
“It wasn’t the situation to ask that.”
“Haa.”
Jinhan was also at his wits’ end. Advertising clients from various companies where Haejoo was appearing were protesting, making things difficult. Not only that, it was hard to release additional articles if things continued this way.
“I’ll call Haejoo myself.”
“Director!”
Hyunseong tried to stop him, but Jinhan paid no attention. If things continued like this, they would be facing massive compensation claims, so he had to act before tonight was over. Jinhan went back to his office and called Haejoo. But she didn’t answer no matter how many times he tried.
“Haejoo, please. Please answer the phone.”
More important than money were trust and image. If they took a hit from this incident, the repercussions on the agency would be unimaginable. Finally, Haejoo still didn’t answer. He was about to give up and hang up when, miraculously, the call connected.
“Haejoo?”
“It’s me.”
Instantly, a dark cloud settled over Jinhan’s heart. Dojun’s presence was more overwhelming than a typhoon encountered in an unpredictable situation.
“CEO Park Dojun?”
“Haejoo is safe, so I’ll hang up now.”
“Wait a minute!”
“What is it?”
“Let me talk to Haejoo.”
“That’s difficult right now.”
“Listen, CEO Park Dojun!”
“Haejoo’s physical condition is not good.”
“Is it very serious?”
“It’s almost a miracle that she’s walking.”
He had heard from Hyunseong that Haejoo hadn’t eaten well and was having a hard time in Jeju Island. Yet, Jinhan had forced her back, so she hadn’t rested at all.
“Are you at a hospital, by any chance?”
“What do you want to know? Haejoo’s health? Or why she’s with me?”
“This isn’t the time to fight!”
“It seems Director Yoo Jinhan also played a part in pushing Haejoo to her limits, didn’t you?”
Surprisingly, Dojun was calm. His low, detached voice pierced through Jinhan, making his fingertips tingle. Yet, Jinhan didn’t concede. It was still too early to accept defeat.
“If the company’s handling was insufficient, I apologize. And that we should have joined forces with CEO Park Dojun from the beginning.”
“Joining forces, huh...”
“We had limits in confirming the facts.”
Unconsciously, a pathetic excuse slipped out. For now, rather than raising his voice with Dojun, he needed to devise a strategy that would benefit both of them.
“It’s obvious without even looking.”
“What do you mean?”
“You must have pressured Haejoo until you got the answer you wanted, under the guise of confirming the truth.”
“Then what company would be alright in a situation like this?”
“Haejoo hates inconveniencing others.”
“CEO Park Dojun!”
“Why else would she have run away?”
“Look here!”
“How is what Director Yoo Jinhan did any different from Haejoo’s own mother?”
“---!”
Jinhan’s steps came to an abrupt halt. His mind was paralyzed, thick with fog.
“In the end, you’re the same. You’re just a harmful parasite to Haejoo.”
“Don’t speak so carelessly. What do you know?”
“I spread the rumor that I married Haejoo. If you think about it a little, it’s a simple matter.”
“What?”
“I managed to tell Haejoo the truth, and you were desperate to hide it.”
“...”
“All because of your selfishness.”
“Stop it.”
“You’re the one who escalated this, Yoo Jinhan.”
“Park Dojun!”
Jinhan’s shout echoed throughout the entire building. Dojun, who had utterly trampled on his pride, didn’t stop there.
“From now on, I’ll protect Haejoo. So you can get lost.”
The call was unilaterally cut off. No emotion was discernible in the cold voice. Just from the sequence of events, he had read Jinhan’s true intentions; he was a monster.
“Director.”
Hyunseong called from behind. Jinhan’s face was flushed red, and he looked precariously close to shattering.
“You really don’t know where Haejoo is?”
After the call with Dojun, the arrow turned towards Hyunseong. Hyunseong, flustered, stammered.
“I don’t know where she is. CEO Park Dojun just said he found Haejoo Noona.”
“Are those two definitely together?”
“Yes. I talked to Noona.”
Tiny blood vessels burst in Jinhan’s eyes, making them bloodshot. For him, who grew up in a powerful family and feared nothing, Dojun had appeared as a natural enemy. Of all things, he was fighting a war over one woman with him. He had a premonition that this fight would only end when one of them died.
“How’s Haejoo’s condition?”
“She still seemed to be having a hard time.”
“If you talk to Haejoo, tell her to call me.”
“Understood.”
At some point, Haejoo had to directly face the public. Continuously releasing only rebuttal articles would just make the situation more chaotic. Jinhan went to his office and pulled out a bottle of Booker’s from the display cabinet. He poured a generous amount into a glass without ice and chugged it down. The media response team and Team Leader Oh watched him, frozen in fear.
“Team Leader Oh!”
“Yes, Director.”
“Tell them we’re suing Real Fact and Choi Inho, and that we’ll take legal action against all reporters and individuals who spread fake news.”
“Understood.”
“And that we’ll hold a press conference as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Jinhan went to his desk. He wrote an email to the representatives of each company for whom Haejoo was advertising. The content stated that Haejoo was a victim of this incident and that he would resolve the commotion as quickly as possible. Along with an apology, he added a request for them to wait a little longer.
“Phew.”
Jinhan had never been in a subordinate position, even while running an entertainment agency. Even when he was learning the ropes, everything was easy for him because he was Chairman Yoo’s third son of GN. Producers always flocked to him, bowing their heads. With abundant capital, everything he touched became a hit, and he was called a god in the entertainment industry. This very man was now experiencing a bitter taste for the first time. He had foolishly lost Haejoo. Furthermore, unexpected incidents kept erupting, forcing him to bow his head to the public and corporations.
“Ugh, my head.”
As he swallowed medicine for his headache, the phone rang. ‘Father’ appeared on the screen, and he grimaced.
“Yes, Father.”
“What on earth is going on!”
“I’ll explain later when the situation improves.”
“Abandon that child, Lee Haejoo.”
“Father, I’ll handle my own affairs.”
“A talkative and sick chicken is not for eating. Fire her from the company immediately.”
“I’m hanging up now.”
“What are you lacking that you’re causing all this trouble!”
Chairman Yoo, furious, roared. Jinhan reluctantly dragged out the call, then made a flimsy excuse.
“Another call came in. I’m hanging up.”
“If you can’t do it, I will. Handle this properly before I step in.”
“Father!”
The call was cut off. Given that Chairman Yoo, who valued his reputation, was acting like this, it didn’t seem like empty words. A significant amount of GN’s capital had been invested in GN Entertainment. Just as it was taking flight, an unexpected incident occurred, threatening to bring it crashing down. He had to somehow resolve it. Before Chairman Yoo truly stepped in.
________________________________________
Haejoo stared blankly at Dojun, who had just finished his call with Jinhan. She unconsciously sighed deeply and buried her face in her palms.
“Don’t make that face.”
“If you’re like this with Director, I’m the one who’s in an awkward position.”
“Once this situation is resolved to some extent, let’s terminate the contract.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“It will.”
“What?”
“I’ll make it happen.”
Dojun took off his shirt. He, too, had spent the entire day tense, so fatigue was setting in. Having only his boxers left, he came to Haejoo, who was sitting on the bed. Dojun sat beside her and caressed the collar of Haejoo’s blouse. His hand naturally touched a button. With a soft click, the first button unfastened from its hole, revealing her straight neck.
“Let’s rest now.”
“Can I rest?”
“Our baby is here too.”
Haejoo chuckled softly.
“You haven’t eaten well all this time, have you?”
“No.”
“Since you’re starving, the baby must be hungry too.”
“Do you like babies?”
Dojun playfully lowered his eyelids.
“It’s not just ‘liking’. If the baby is born, I’ll go crazy.”
“Really?”
“I endured years waiting for you.”
“True.”
“Just looking at babies passing by makes me feel like crying.”
Haejoo had never imagined having a new family. But somehow, she ended up with a husband she allowed into her life, and now a child.
“I don’t think I’ll want to work after having the baby.”
“To that extent?”
“They’ll be so beautiful.”
“What if it’s a son just like you?”
“I’ll raise him tough.”
Haejoo playfully tapped Dojun’s mouth with her palm. Unable to resist, he nibbled her delicate flesh with his lips and exhaled softly.
“I’m hungry.”
“What should I order for you?”
“I can’t eat plain rice or fish at all.”
“Then noodles would be better.”
The two ordered spaghetti and salad via room service and ate a late dinner. After washing up, Haejoo collapsed onto the bed, and Dojun held her tightly.
________________________________________
He fell asleep first. Haejoo, in a semi-conscious state, sent a message to Jinhan.
[I’ll stop by the company tomorrow. I apologize for suddenly disappearing.]
Just then, Jinhan replied.
[My actions at the company were excessive. I apologize. And it seems we’ll have to hold a press conference.]
[Understood.]
[Let’s meet tomorrow and talk. Take care of yourself.]
[Thank you.]
She wondered how she and Jinhan had come to this. They were worse than strangers, making even exchanging messages uncomfortable. As Haejoo tried to sleep, Dojun was having a strange experience. As soon as he fell asleep, he met Jun in his dream. He appeared healthy, not having aged at all. A surprised Dojun called out to Jun.
“Park Yijun!”
“Call me hyung, you idiot.”
“Because of you, you bastard, how much I...”
“Shut up and take this.”
“What is it?”
Everything around them was white. Jun suddenly thrust three strings he was holding into his hand.
“Raise them well. It’s a gift from me.”
What he gave were three small, squirming puppies. One of them was particularly unruly and cute.
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