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Haejoo’s resolute refusal left Jinhan feeling distraught. Given their past relationship, his sense of betrayal was indescribable. Jinhan wouldn’t have had to face such hardships if it weren’t for Haejoo. Nevertheless, he personally endured it because of his boundless affection for actress Lee Haejoo.
Of course, his personal feelings for her remained. However, above all, he judged that actress Lee Haejoo’s career was more important now.
“Ah, I... sorry to interrupt.”
The office door was open. Team Leader Oh had come to discuss something and overheard their conversation.
“Let’s talk later.”
“Understood.”
Jinhan personally closed the office door and returned to his seat. He rubbed his agitated face and sighed.
“Honestly, I don’t understand why Haejoo is so stubborn.”
“Director, you keep trying to cover up the truth.”
“I admit that this whole thing was twisted from the start. But we can’t let it continue.”
“Ultimately, you’re just trying to cover up the truth with more lies, aren’t you?”
At first, he was just desperate to put out the urgent fire. But even if it meant taking a risk, he had to help Haejoo get a divorce. Perhaps Dojun had thoroughly researched the ecosystem of entertainment agencies in advance. To make Jinhan impatient, perhaps. He never expected to be entangled in Dojun’s scheme and suffer such hardships.
“Are you saying you don’t care if your career as an actress ends?”
“Director Yoo Jinhan.”
Haejoo’s voice changed as she uttered Jinhan’s name. It was so cold yet weighty that it was hard to believe it was the same person.
“I can’t live without Dojun.”
“---!”
“Even if I can’t be an actress, I don’t care. The love he’s given me is too great. More than I deserve.”
“You can’t hold a press conference like this.”
“Director!”
“What’s wrong with saving Haejoo first?”
“It’s wrong! Is it over if you make someone a fool and only I live well?”
Jinhan ran his hand through his hair as if he was exasperated to death. The anger brimming in his eyes was on the verge of exploding.
“The world isn’t as pure as you think, Haejoo.”
“I know that much too.”
“I met my father today.”
“...”
“He brought up your matter directly. Do you know what that means?”
“Meaning?”
“It means he’s going to step in himself. The financial loss from this matter is enormous.”
Haejoo’s heart was heavy. She had unexpectedly caused harm to Jinhan and the company, and she had nothing to say, even if she had ten mouths.
“All the advertisements you contracted, Haejoo, are about to be cut. Just that alone...”
Jinhan stopped speaking and closed his eyes for a moment. His head was throbbing, so he took a deep breath and exhaled.
“My father is old-fashioned, he can’t be persuaded.”
“Then what?”
“It’s all or nothing. And you, Haejoo, happen to be the target.”
“---!”
“If we don’t properly cut off the tail this time, that anger will inevitably turn towards CEO Park Dojun.”
“Is that even possible?”
“The money that moves this company came from my father’s pocket. Doesn’t that say it all?”
Currently, Jinhan’s personal feelings for Haejoo were not the problem. It was highly likely that Chairman Yoo was already making moves while he was dithering.
“Please, don’t escalate things further.”
“Haa.”
“This time, only the person who first spread the rumors needs to be sacrificed.”
“So you’re determined to bury Dojun, then.”
“Do you think the world will understand just because you act like this, Haejoo? No.”
The two stood in tense opposition. If things continued like this, Haejoo would become, in common parlance, a discarded card at GN Entertainment. Or she might be targeted by Chairman Yoo and have her acting career eroded...
“It’s better if you abandon me, Director.”
“What?”
“If you had to pick the biggest victim of this marriage, it’s Dojun, not me.”
“Haejoo!”
“Dojun was married without his knowledge, and he’s been taking responsibility for it all this time.”
“What does that matter now?”
“Because of him, I survived.”
Haejoo was resolute. She firmed her resolve, not wanting to put Dojun through hardship again.
“Please reconsider.”
“This started because of me. So it’s right that I bear the burden.”
Haejoo’s stubbornness was difficult to break. A disheartened Jinhan weakly stood up and left the office. Haejoo, left with Hyunseong, bowed her head deeply.
“Noona...”
“If it weren’t for Director Kwak’s movie, I could just give up everything.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because I have to sort out the mess I’ve made.”
“Go ahead with the press conference as you wish, Noona. From my perspective, covering it up with lies doesn’t seem right.”
“Right?”
Haejoo forced a bright smile. Just as she was finding some comfort from Hyunseong, Jinhan returned. He held out an empty envelope with nothing written on it.
“It’s the press conference draft.”
“---!”
“Whatever happens, Haejoo, you have to step forward once.”
“Haa.”
“Please make a wise choice. The press conference is tomorrow at 10 AM.”
Haejoo reluctantly took the envelope and stood up.
“My thoughts won’t change.”
“You might end up facing Chairman Yoo directly instead of me.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s a heads-up. I’ll try to stop him as much as possible, but his drive is beyond imagination.”
“Drive?”
“Father might already be making moves.”
“Please explain so I can understand.”
“I can’t explain in detail right now. I need to find out.”
Haejoo turned around. Tomorrow morning at 10 AM, she had to stand in front of the cameras herself. If someone had to be sacrificed, the order of that sacrifice was Haejoo herself.
Haejoo got into the van and leaned her head back. As they slowly drove away from the company, she began to speak.
“Don’t tell Dojun what the Director just said.”
“Ah.”
“He’s such a fool, he’d really die if I told him to die in my place.”
“Then what about you, Noona?”
“The rest, I’ll leave it to heaven. For now, let’s just believe it’ll be fine.”
Just then, Haejoo’s lower abdomen began to ache faintly. It felt like an unpleasant period cramp.
“Why is this happening all of a sudden?”
It seemed to get better for a moment, but then it kept recurring. She attributed it to the stress from her conversation with Jinhan and called Hyunseong.
“Hyunseong, let’s go to the W Hotel annex.”
She wanted to rest as soon as possible. She clutched her lower abdomen and closed her eyes, but the pain didn’t subside. And then, finally.
“I’m sorry, but can you pull over at a restroom for a moment?”
“Yes, Noona.”
He searched for a place with as few people as possible. Just then, they found a seemingly newly built commercial building, so he pulled the van over.
“I’ll go by myself.”
“Noona, at least wear a hat.”
Hyunseong handed Haejoo a hat he carried for emergencies. She took it and got out of the van. The next moment, she felt a warm sensation below her legs, and a feeling of wetness. Haejoo looked down and saw blood through her dress.
“Hyunseong!”
“What’s wrong, Noona?”
“I need to go to the hospital. Quickly!”
Hyunseong also saw the blood flowing below Haejoo’s knees. Terrified, he quickly helped her into the car.
“Noona, just bear with it for a little while.”
“My stomach hurts.”
“I’ll go fast!”
Fortunately, Hyunwoo’s hospital wasn’t far. Hyunseong called Hyunwoo from the moving car.
“Brother!”
“Ugh, you scared me. Why are you shouting?”
“Haejoo Noona is in critical condition!”
“What are the symptoms?”
“She’s bleeding.”
“Bring her quickly. Come to the parking spot we used last time.”
“We’ll be there in 10 minutes.”
Meanwhile, Haejoo’s face had turned pale. Hyunseong prayed and prayed to all the gods he knew that nothing would happen. In the meantime, they arrived at Hyunwoo’s hospital. After passing through the main entrance, he parked the car, and Hyunwoo, who was waiting with the head nurse, gestured to them.
“Lee Haejoo, don’t walk, get in the wheelchair.”
Tears welled up in Haejoo’s terrified eyes. With assistance, she carefully got out of the van and sat in the wheelchair.
“There are many patients in the emergency room, so we’ll do the examination on the same floor as the inpatient rooms from last time.”
“...Okay.”
Haejoo’s voice, heavily drenched, was sorrowful. Hyunseong, also on the verge of tears, grabbed her bag and diligently followed. When they arrived at the examination room, Hyunwoo blocked him.
“You stay here.”
“Brother, everything will be alright, right?”
“I’ll check first.”
The door closed right in front of Hyunseong’s nose. Feeling helpless, he pulled out his phone. His heart pounded wildly. Nevertheless, he mustered the courage to call Dojun. After a long moment, a firm voice answered.
“Hyunseong?”
“CEO, hello!”
“Yes, but what’s wrong with your voice?”
“Well... Noona is a bit sick.”
“What’s wrong with Haejoo?”
“She suddenly had a hemorrhage after leaving the company...”
“Hemorrhage? Where is Haejoo?”
“She’s undergoing examination at my brother’s hospital.”
The call ended. Hyunseong sent a detailed message about Haejoo’s location.
________________________________________
Dojun, who had just left the detention center, was heading to the company. The article Choi Inho had launched against him was giving him a headache. He considered releasing the evidence he had gathered, making sure it wouldn’t affect Yura’s trial. After a long call with Lawyer Park, he received a call from Hyunseong.
“Secretary Song, there’s a problem with Haejoo. Let’s go to this hospital.”
Haejoo was in her early pregnancy. She shouldn’t have overexerted herself yet, but there were many pressing matters. She hadn’t rested for a single day and had gone to meet Jinhan. It was highly likely that she had experienced psychological pressure there. If anything happened to Haejoo, he intended to hold Jinhan fully accountable.
“Haejoo, just wait a little longer.”
Even now, the puppies Yijun gave him in his dream were clear in his mind. His heart ached because he had briefly been immersed in happiness.
“CEO, I think we’re at the hospital.”
The hospital was quite large. Dojun writhed in anguish as they went up the elevator. He couldn’t even wait for a brief moment and groaned. A moment later, the door opened. Hyunseong, who had been waiting anxiously, bowed his head.
“CEO, you’re here?”
“Haejoo?”
“She’s still in the examination room.”
Dojun abruptly tried to enter the examination room. Hyunseong held him back and calmed him.
“Noona should be out soon. You shouldn’t scare her.”
“This is driving me crazy.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Haejoo was wheeled out on a bed. Dojun rushed over and stroked her pale face.
“Haejoo!”
“Dojun, when did you get here?”
“Just now.”
Haejoo had already changed into a patient gown. For her stability, Hyunwoo moved her to an inpatient room. After an IV needle was inserted into Haejoo’s arm, he extended his hand for a handshake to Dojun.
“You’re CEO Park Dojun, aren’t you?”
“Yes, nice to meet you. How is Haejoo’s condition?”
“She came to the hospital with vaginal bleeding.”
Hyunwoo continued his explanation while looking at the chart on the monitor.
“The fetus is safe, but you absolutely must not overexert yourself from now on.”
Dojun let out a sigh of relief. For a moment, he felt an involuntary surge of emotion but swallowed it with difficulty.
“If this happens again, you’ll have to stay in the hospital bed.”
“Understood.”
“I’ve given her an injection to prevent miscarriage, so we’ll decide whether to hospitalize her after seeing her condition.”
Hyunwoo left the room. Secretary Song, who had been waiting, also took Hyunseong out and closed the door. Dojun sat beside Haejoo and held her hand, which was limply resting. Her soft skin smelled of powder.
________________________________________
“It’s a relief it’s only this much.”
“I guess I’ve overexerted myself recently.”
It was difficult to ask Haejoo about what happened at the company. For now, he just let her rest comfortably.
“Take a nap.”
Haejoo fell asleep. Dojun wistfully gazed at the ultrasound picture of the fetus that had been printed during the examination.
“Daddy will protect you, so stay close to Mommy’s belly.”
He absolutely could not forgive Jinhan. It was clear how much he must have pushed Haejoo, and he gritted his teeth. Dojun, who had left the examination room, sighed. Just then, Secretary Song approached him with new information.
“Someone claiming to know you posted on a famous anonymous online forum.”
“Someone who knows me?”
“Many people claiming to know you are also appearing in the comments.”
“What is it?”
“Public opinion is stirred by this post. See for yourself.”
Secretary Song displayed the post from the famous forum for Dojun to see. The title alone was unusual.
[I’m the person Dojun beat up a long time ago.]
People who were hooked by the title flocked and clicked on the post. However, the content was completely different from what they had imagined.
[Honestly, I deserved to be beaten. Dojun stopped me from doing something foolish in my ignorant youth, and now I live a decent life.]
The person who posted the message was one of the individuals who had made a strange bet, lured by Yura’s scheme to sell Haejoo out.
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