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Han Jintae knew about Haejoo’s pregnancy. This fact alone showed that Chairman Yoo had been secretly monitoring Haejoo. They were dirtier and more chaotic than reporters, yet they pretended to be noble on the surface.
“It seems you’re very interested in our marital affairs?”
“Honestly, it’s a huge setback for film production.”
“...”
“The lead actress of a thriller movie is pregnant. Wouldn’t you agree, Director Kwak?”
Han Jintae was as cunning as a snake. He deliberately shifted the arrow to Director Kwak, eliciting a response. Director Kwak, who had been watching their conversation, let out a shallow sigh. He met Dojun’s gaze briefly and gave a dry answer.
“The action scenes have already been filmed in Jeju.”
“...”
“What’s left can be acted out as long as Haejoo doesn’t overexert herself.”
“You didn’t modify the script to make it so, did you?”
“What?”
“We’re saying this after reviewing your script as well.”
“The script won’t change due to Haejoo’s pregnancy. If necessary, we can use a double.”
Han Jintae looked down and drew a meaningful smile. Dojun watched him intently, unable to read his thoughts.
“It seems you’re misunderstanding something. GN is not demanding a lead change.”
“First, fix your habit of rudely prying into others’ private lives, Chief Secretary Han Jintae.”
Dojun treated Han Jintae strictly as a subordinate. Regardless of whether he was older than Dojun, he was merely an employee of GN. As Dojun brought him back to reality, Han Jintae’s pupils narrowed significantly.
“Forgive me if I made a mistake.”
“Tell the Chairman not to do cheap background checks on others.”
Dojun dropped the honorifics with Han Jintae. Despite the bright lighting, a murderous aura filled the space where the three men gathered.
“It’s suspicious that Actress Lee Haejoo’s pregnancy was hidden in the first place.”
“It wasn’t hidden.”
“...”
“There’s no reason to hide it now.”
As if on cue, Director Kwak turned the laptop, which he had left open, towards Han Jintae. Displayed on the monitor was an announcement posted on Dojun’s official SNS. It was news that Haejoo was pregnant and currently resting in a quiet place. In response to the request for blessings, countless comments poured in.
“Since it was going to be like this anyway, you guys just wasted your time.”
“Your words are too harsh.”
“Did you covet this movie so much?”
“CEO Park Dojun!”
“From now on...”
Dojun’s aura was beyond normal. Anyone who had fought even a little would be able to read the energy radiating from him. The kind of energy that suggested he would die without regrets right then and there. The crazy mad dog was still rampant in Dojun’s consciousness.
“When you address me, make sure to add ‘nim’.”
One corner of Han Jintae’s mouth twitched, then settled. He came with a light heart but was thoroughly beaten by Dojun. Nevertheless, Han Jintae meticulously concealed his true feelings.
“I will, CEO Park Dojun.”
Despite the slick reply, Dojun’s expression remained unchanged. The conversation halted amidst the tense atmosphere. At this, Director Kwak, who had been observing the two men, cautiously began.
“The reason I invited CEO Park Dojun here today is because he is an investor in this film.”
“I see.”
Han Jintae smiled again as if nothing had happened.
“Regarding the proposal you made to me recently, it’s difficult to give a positive answer.”
“That’s a shame. To kick away such a good opportunity?”
“The film was doing well. Until Chief Secretary Han Jintae visited me, that is.”
“You make it sound as if GN is interfering with film production.”
“Aren’t you interfering?”
“Do you have proof?”
At this point, Director Kwak’s patience ran out. His face quickly changed color, and Han Jintae smoothly smiled as he tried to smooth things over.
“Please don’t misunderstand. We say this because we don’t engage in such crude behavior.”
He flatly denied pressuring the freelance directors. However, if GN was determined, it was easy for them to corner companies through various channels. In fact, there were quite a few places that had suffered or been troubled by GN. Director Kwak was no exception. He was in danger of suffering the same fate, but with Dojun supporting him, he remained unshaken.
“If it’s revealed that GN interfered with the film production, we will take legal action.”
“GN offered to support Director Kwak’s film. It’s disappointing that you’re so suspicious.”
“We have sufficient production costs. So, we’ll see you next time.”
Director Kwak hoped that his meeting with Han Jintae would end there. He didn’t want to see him again, as his gaze alone was unpleasant.
“I fully understand Director Kwak’s intentions. I will report that to the Chairman.”
With a nod, Han Jintae turned to leave. Dojun did not take his sharp gaze off him until he had completely exited.
“Dirty bastard.”
Chairman Yoo was unnecessarily furious, using Haejoo’s situation as an excuse to turn the perfectly fine film industry upside down. It was a comedy in itself that the head of GN, of all people, would get involved in an actress’s scandal. It was a despicable act to steal Director Kwak’s movie and fill their own pockets. He knew GN had a bad reputation for such things, but this surpassed his imagination.
Only after Han Jintae’s car drove away did the two men relax their tense postures.
“Director, Han Jintae is famous even among businessmen.”
“I heard rumors, but I didn’t think he’d be that bad...”
“He’ll probably bear a grudge.”
“That’s a big problem. I wish it would just pass quietly.”
“Director, there’s no law that says the freelance staff has to be Korean companies.”
“Then the production costs...”
“They say movies make a lot of money these days, don’t they? I’m not investing for free.”
Only then did Director Kwak’s mouth brighten. Dojun’s generous investment cleared the suffocating feeling in his chest that had lasted for days.
“I’ll buy you a drink. Let’s go out together.”
Dojun nodded and left with Director Kwak. The two got into the car driven by Manager Song and headed to the bustling downtown area.
________________________________________
The long dinner finally ended past 11 PM. With a little alcohol, Dojun felt good for the first time in a while. He sent Manager Song ahead and called a designated driver, then headed to the villa where Haejoo was. As the bright city lights faded, recent events flashed through his mind.
“When will this end?”
Dojun had put everything on the line to reunite with Haejoo. He expected it wouldn’t be easy, but he never imagined things would escalate this much. Choi Inho, after being fired from Real Fact, was refusing police investigation requests and holding out. The police requested an arrest warrant, but it was rejected on the grounds that there was no risk of flight. As a result, Choi Inho had gained time. For Dojun, this was an utterly unacceptable outcome.
“This won’t do.”
Lost in thought, the car driven by the designated driver arrived at the villa. As Dojun stepped into the entrance, Hyunseong, who was just coming out of the bathroom, bowed his head.
“You’re just getting back? I was going to eat and leave, but noona told me to stay the night.”
“Dinner?”
“We grilled meat. It was really delicious.”
Recently, Haejoo’s morning sickness had been subsiding. She could eat normally as long as the smell wasn’t too strong. The housekeeper who worked for Haejoo was also staying there. Hyunseong, enjoying the feeling of being on a trip, grinned foolishly.
“Look forward to lunch tomorrow too.”
“Oh, thank you!”
Hyunseong had borrowed Dojun’s pajamas, making him look like he was wearing his dad’s clothes. He had never felt self-conscious about his height of 173cm, but he sighed with every step. Dojun chuckled at the sight of him.
“Good night.”
“Yes, good night!”
As Hyunseong headed to the bathroom, Dojun went straight to the shower on the second floor. He undressed in front of the shower and turned on the water. He let the unpleasant feeling he had from Han Jintae wash away with the flowing water. Feeling refreshed, he put on only his pajamas and went downstairs. He turned on the laptop on the table. The screen displayed the waiting room footage taken on the day of Haejoo’s press conference.
“There are no secrets in the world.”
Chairman Yoo was sitting squarely in the chair prepared for Haejoo. Han Jintae, standing beside him, looked down at Haejoo as if she were an inferior. That day, Haejoo had to be careful even to breathe. Chairman Yoo forcibly made her stand, even throwing her wheelchair aside. The more he watched, the angrier he became. The first time he saw this video, he wanted to go and punch Chairman Yoo in the jaw immediately.
“Scumbags.”
As Dojun replayed what he would do next, Hyunseong returned to his bed. Dojun’s unannounced public announcement of Haejoo’s pregnancy had been the hot topic all evening.
“CEO Park Dojun is really smart.”
Hyunseong thought he would hide Haejoo’s pregnancy to the end. But suddenly revealing it at such an unexpected moment had several implications. What Haejoo told him during dinner was significant.
<If anyone attacks me from now on, the public’s criticism will be incomparable to before. I’m a mother-to-be with a child now.>
It was a kind of warning not to touch Haejoo. At the same time, she hoped Jinhan would come to his senses and play his role in the middle. Hyunseong also played the waiting room CCTV footage he had transferred to his phone. As he replayed it several times, Dojun went to the bedroom.
“Are you asleep?”
“When did you get here?”
“Just a moment ago.”
“You said you were going to drink.”
“I just had a taste.”
Feeling warm, Dojun took off his pajamas and hugged Haejoo. His hands naturally explored, overtly. The alcohol he drank that evening stimulated Dojun’s instincts unusually today. It was because he had endured Haejoo’s morning sickness until now.
“You smell like a woman.”
“Every time you say that, I have to check.”
“Check?”
“Like if there’s a strange smell or something.”
“The scent of your skin mixed with lotion. It’s subtly driving me crazy.”
Haejoo, who had her back turned, looked at Dojun. The alcohol he said he only tasted must have been quite strong, as his eyes were unfocused and reddish.
________________________________________
“Dojun is so sensual.”
“Me?”
“Your eyes are sensual. They’ve been like that from the beginning.”
“That’s a new fact.”
“When I met you in that old office, I was so nervous.”
“...”
“I felt like I was going to waver.”
A satisfied smile played on Dojun’s lips as he chuckled.
“I felt that way for three years straight.”
“Really?”
“If you accept me tonight, I might become your slave.”
“If you’re my slave, will you do anything?”
“Yes.”
“Now you’re making me waver again.”
Dojun’s hands explored Haejoo. The tingling sensation soon crossed an appropriate line. Haejoo opened his mouth first and took him in. The excitement from their first encounter spread, tapping on her quiet heart.
“You’re beautiful, Lee Haejoo.”
Dojun carefully held Haejoo in his arms. Unconsciously, a thick sound escaped with his breath. Although she couldn’t understand the words, their intertwined bodies could feel it sufficiently. The fact that the punishment for loving Haejoo could be so sweet.
________________________________________
Jinhan did not leave work even after sunset. This was because Dojun had publicly announced Haejoo’s pregnancy via his personal SNS account. This was why Haejoo’s condition had worsened. Just thinking that Chairman Yoo had threatened her in such a state made him sigh.
“The video is in CEO Park Dojun’s hands. There’s no solution to this.”
Haejoo was carrying Dojun’s child. A deep sense of defeat washed over him, yet in a way, he felt relieved. Perhaps this was how he would finally let go of the woman he had loved with such a burning fever.
“Anyway, what do I do now...”
He had sent a message to Director Kwak to meet tomorrow. There was no reply yet, so he put down his phone. He craved alcohol. He thought of getting completely drunk and just falling asleep but changed his mind. Finally, he left his office late. Just as he was about to get into his car, a chat message arrived. It was Hyunseong.
[Director, this is Haejoo noona’s CCTV footage.]
He immediately pressed to check it. Chairman Yoo, who had lured his son into the office and secretly met Haejoo alone, was as expected. In the video, Haejoo looked so fragile as if she would collapse at any moment. It was understandable that she would collapse after holding a press conference in such a state.
“This is maddening.”
Jinhan, clutching his throbbing head, sent a reply to Hyunseong. He carefully made a request, filled with concern.
[Don’t leak this video externally anymore.]
[Understood. And I have a request too.]
[Speak.]
[Please don’t disappoint me again, Director.]
He never thought he’d hear such words from Hyunseong. He wasn’t angry. Honestly, he was so ashamed he wanted to hide in a mouse hole. He regretted it even more because he knew that if he had let go of Haejoo sooner, it wouldn’t have come to this. He couldn’t stay like this. Even though it was late, he immediately called Chairman Yoo.
“Father, it’s me. I’d like to see you for a moment.”
-I’m having a drink now, so come over here.
The surroundings were noisy, indicating he was meeting someone. Despite his reluctance, Jinhan drove to the address Han Jintae had sent him.
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