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“I reported this part in an electronic report, but you didn’t say anything.”
After Haejoo’s marriage scandal, GN Entertainment’s stock fluctuated wildly. Reports from various securities firms even lowered its target price. Haejoo’s marriage scandal, given her status as GN Entertainment’s signboard star, was that devastating. Fortunately, as Haejoo’s position was clarified, the stock gradually began to recover.
“There was hardly any trading volume, but it changed like this in a few days.”
Thanks to Jinoh Group, GN Entertainment’s stock had been on the rise for several days. Any available shares were almost monopolized. As a result, Jinoh Group’s stake exceeded 27%.
“Even now, Jinoh Group is buying up shares as soon as they become available.”
“Have you contacted Jinoh Group?”
“I did ask, but I only received a perfunctory reply.”
“What did they say?”
“They said GN Entertainment is the most undervalued investment opportunity in the entertainment sector.”
Even Director Kwak’s film, in which Haejoo was currently appearing, had its filming postponed. It wouldn’t be good if this fact became officially known. Nevertheless, GN Entertainment’s fundamentals weren’t bad. They expected a good momentum when the idol group, set to release a new album, made their comeback.
“You should have come here and reported this directly!”
“I apologize.”
Jinhan didn’t have time to worry about stocks. While he was busy solving immediate problems, Dojun implemented a bold strategy. It was truly an unexpected move.
“You may leave.”
There was no sign that Jinoh Group’s buying momentum would wane. If this continued, Jinhan wondered if it would even be meaningful to receive Hwang Gyeong-ok’s shares as a gift.
“To become CEO, you need Jinoh Group’s consent.”
From now on, whether he liked it or not, he had to cooperate with Dojun. Otherwise, Haejoo would be tormented by Chairman Yoo. The only thing Jinhan could do for Haejoo was to safely protect her agency, her nest... The problem was that he had been too sharp with Dojun until now. Asking him for help now seemed utterly pathetic. Just then, Hwang Gyeong-ok called. Jinhan ran a hand over his face and picked up his phone.
“Yes, Mother.”
He explained the current situation to Hwang Gyeong-ok exactly as it was. Listening to Jinhan, she asked with a complex feeling in her heart.
-CEO Park Dojun is Lee Haejoo’s husband, right?
“Yes.”
-He wouldn’t harm the agency his wife belongs to, would he?
“That’s what I think too.”
-If we gather all the shares held by your maternal relatives, it’ll be 30%.
“Leave this one to me. I’ll handle it.”
-Then, the blind date?
“I’ll go on the blind date. Just make sure I can become the CEO of GN Entertainment at the shareholders’ meeting.”
-I will.
The blind date was set for Saturday. The woman was the daughter of Hwang Gyeong-ok’s close friend and was a bit older than Jinhan.
________________________________________
Director Kwak officially announced he would hold a press conference through his official account. The unreasonable incident Director Kwak had experienced was already widely known among film professionals. Today, they were about to hold a press conference at the venue provided by Dojun. Film actors and industry insiders were also scheduled to attend this press conference. Haejoo, as a filmmaker, also decided to attend.
“Dojun, can I go to that event?”
“Weren’t you already planning to go?”
“It feels like all this misfortune started because of me.”
“Don’t say that.”
Dojun took the morning off today. He was planning to go with Haejoo for her regular obstetric check-up. The two, who woke up late, couldn’t get out of bed. Dojun, lying on his side, placed his hand on Haejoo’s belly. His touch was incredibly gentle.
“Will this ever end?”
“End?”
“Even after explaining so much, there are still so many people who doubt me.”
Haejoo laughed with a sense of futility.
“I’m afraid the end of this road will ultimately be me running away.”
“If it really comes to that... let’s leave together.”
Dojun believed that if Haejoo died, he was destined to die with her. This could only be explained as something beyond love.
“No matter where we go, just don’t let go of my hand.”
Haejoo’s eyelids slowly grew heavy. A transparent film formed, flickering as if about to fall.
“You just need to hold onto me.”
Haejoo cupped Dojun’s face. Eventually, her vision blurred from the tears that fell, losing their strength.
“I’ll save you, no matter what it takes.”
Haejoo found Dojun’s lips and kissed him. The flesh that had ripened overnight burst with the scent of skin. Even when they were together, she missed him. She wished this moment would last forever, but the world wasn’t so easy. Dojun ruffled Haejoo’s clothes. Each time the soft fabric brushed against her, the lingering feeling intensified.
“There’s only one moment when I want to torment you, Haejoo.”
“...”
“Right now. But we have a baby.”
Haejoo could never forget the first night she spent with Dojun in Jeju Island. She had lost her sense of reality while taking him in. Perhaps the current mildness wouldn’t satisfy Dojun. Yet, considering he didn’t stop his suggestive smile...
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Enjoying isn’t enough. Let’s do more.”
Before long, she passed the moment when her consciousness became hazy. A moment later, he barely managed to crawl out of bed and prepared to go to the hospital.
“Shall we go out?”
Dojun drove them directly to Hyunwoo’s hospital. The fetus seen through the ultrasound had quite a human form. He simply stared blankly, amazed.
“When can we find out the gender?”
“It won’t be accurate until at least 16 weeks, so let’s see then.”
Considering the conception dream, it was definitely a son. He would be so beautiful, but she also really wanted to have a daughter. With that in mind, she bravely asked Hyunwoo.
“How soon after giving birth to the first child can one have a second...”
Haejoo, still lying down, glared at Dojun. He flinched at her sharp gaze and quietly backed down.
“It’s not like the second child is urgent right now.”
“It takes about a year after childbirth for the mother’s body to return to normal.”
“I see.”
After the examination, Dojun was nagged by Haejoo until his ears rang. He showed no reaction to Haejoo’s declaration that there would be no second child.
“Why the long face?”
“Because no matter what you say, a baby will probably happen.”
“You’re really mean.”
“Are you coming to the press conference later?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll go after work, so let’s meet there.”
Dojun dropped Haejoo off at home and then went to work. While Haejoo was spending time alone, Hyunseong sent a message.
[Noona, I’ll pick you up a little earlier!]
.
.
.
Haejoo wore a black dress. She finished getting ready with minimal makeup. A moment later, Hyunseong arrived, and Haejoo got into the back seat of the car.
“Many senior figures from the film industry are attending today, right?”
“That’s what I heard.”
“Director Kwak’s power is truly amazing.”
“I heard that GN tried to interfere with this press conference too.”
“Really?”
“CEO Park Dojun provided the venue because GN unilaterally canceled Director Kwak’s reservation.”
The problem was the media. If GN manipulated things and published articles contrary to their intentions, it would be a huge problem.
“It’ll be fine. Let’s believe that.”
As soon as Haejoo’s car left her house, another car arrived and missed them. Youngjae was inside. He ordered Mr. Park.
“Catch up quickly.”
“Yes.”
Mr. Park, holding the steering wheel, sped up. Youngjae finally met Haejoo upon arriving at the press conference venue.
“Ms. Lee Haejoo should not attend this press conference.”
“No, why are you here again?”
Haejoo immediately spoke sharply as soon as she got out of the car. Youngjae stubbornly blocked her way, and Hyunseong intervened.
“Please step aside.”
“Mr. Hyunseong, you should also judge properly.”
“What kind of...”
“If Ms. Lee Haejoo attends this press conference, she will fall further out of favor with Chairman Yoo.”
Youngjae was firm. As Hyunseong, who was at a loss for words, looked troubled, Haejoo stepped forward.
“Director Yoo Jinhan is also attending, so move aside.”
“Director Yoo Jinhan won’t be able to come.”
“What are you talking about?”
“First, please get in the car. You need to leave here.”
“I’m not working with Manager Youngjae. So move right now!”
“Don’t you know that if Ms. Lee Haejoo attends this press conference, she might make Director Kwak even more uncomfortable?”
A hollow laugh escaped the dumbfounded Haejoo. Youngjae took advantage of the moment and pushed Hyunseong aside.
“As a manager, it would be good to make proper judgments like this.”
“Step away from Haejoo Noona.”
“Mr. Hyunseong, you’re the one who needs to come out.”
“Don’t speak informally to me!”
Youngjae’s gaze, marked by a hollow laugh, briefly shifted away. Taking advantage of the gap, Hyunseong grabbed Haejoo’s hand and entered the building.
“Noona, attend the press conference. I’ll take care of this person.”
“Hyunseong!”
“I’ll be fine, just go inside quickly.”
Youngjae, his face flushed, was following them. Seeing that, Haejoo hid herself in the waiting room where Director Kwak was. As rumored, many prominent figures from the film industry were gathered there. Haejoo bowed to each of them as if nothing had happened, maintaining her composure.
“Haejoo, thank you for coming.”
“Not at all, Director. By the way, Yoonji sunbae was supposed to come too, but I don’t see her?”
“It seems her agency is holding her back.”
“What?!”
“I heard Director Yoo Jinhan was also blocked on his way out.”
“Who on earth did that?”
“Who do you think?”
There was no one else who would go to such lengths except Han Jintae. Haejoo was worried sick about Hyunseong. Just in case, as she was leaving the waiting room, someone in a suit blocked her view.
“Dojun!”
“Why are you alone?”
“Hyunseong...”
Haejoo told Dojun what had happened in the parking lot moments ago. He gently patted Haejoo, his eyes narrowed sharply.
“I’ll go check it out. You go inside.”
“Be careful, Dojun.”
“Stay with Chief Secretary Song.”
Dojun left Chief Secretary Song with Haejoo and walked out of the building. He looked around, but Hyunseong was nowhere to be seen. Anxiety gripped Dojun, and his fists clenched. He sharpened his hearing and began searching the area around the parking lot. Then, he heard a pained groan and stopped.
“Mr. Hyunseong?”
Hyunseong was surrounded by two large men. He was pressed against the wall, breathing heavily. Dojun’s steps quickened. He grabbed the shoulder of the man cornering Hyunseong and pushed him away.
“CEO!”
Hyunseong’s neck was red and swollen. He was trembling with fear, clearly shaken by what had happened.
“Are you alright?”
The person who dusted off his jacket and stood up was Youngjae. His eyes, unlike last time, were filled with stubbornness.
“As a senior in the same industry, I was just disciplining a junior.”
“Mr. Hyunseong is a Jinoh Group employee.”
“Even so, he’s just a rookie manager.”
“You should have run when I gave you the chance.”
“There are plenty of opportunities like that...”
“Did Han Jintae promise to make you CEO of GN Entertainment?”
Youngjae’s cheeks puffed out, his mouth tightly shut. He couldn’t easily answer, having his thoughts so accurately read.
“Didn’t I tell you? Han Jintae is a con artist.”
“Don’t speak so carelessly.”
“Do you know who the major shareholders of GN Entertainment are?”
“...”
“Director Yoo Jinhan’s mother and me. And Yoo Jinhan.”
“...”
“Putting me aside, do you think Yoo Jinhan’s mother would put someone like you in charge of GN Entertainment?”
“Th-that!”
“Of course, I have no intention of supporting someone like you either. So.”
Dojun’s fist connected with Youngjae’s jaw. It was so powerful that Youngjae, who was not small, lost his balance and tumbled to the ground.
“Get out of here.”
Youngjae groaned in pain, clutching his face. Dojun, with his hands in his pants pockets, looked down at him indifferently.
“That’s for messing with my kid.”
There was something indefinably fierce about Dojun. Unable to argue back, Mr. Park helped the fallen Youngjae up, and they quickly retreated. Only then did Dojun sigh deeply and check on Hyunseong.
“Were you hit?”
“He choked me; it was scary.”
Hyunseong’s eyes were bloodshot from fear. His voice was even cracked as he recounted what Youngjae had said.
“It seems there’s a big commotion at the company too.”
“How so?”
“Chief Secretary Han Jintae seems to have sent people to scare Director and Yoonji Noona.”
Dojun couldn’t leave his position until the press conference was safely over. First, he took Hyunseong to where Haejoo was. Haejoo’s heart sank at the sight of Hyunseong, looking disheveled.
“I need to go to GN Entertainment after the press conference.”
Now it was Dojun’s turn to meet Jinhan.
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