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The venue was packed with media outlets, vying for coverage, leaving no room to stand. On schedule, Director Kwak appeared. He was followed by influential figures from the film industry, their expressions stern. Haejoo found a spot at the end, following her seniors. Dojun quietly offered her encouragement.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Nodding, Haejoo humbly clasped her hands and looked up. Director Kwak, standing at the microphone, began reading his prepared statement.
“I am merely a person who loves film.”
His calm tone conveyed the emotions he had suppressed. A bitter sigh mixed with his words as he read, his heart heavy.
“During the peak of film production, I received an incomprehensible offer from a certain corporation.”
The name of GN was not mentioned at this press conference. This was largely to serve as a strong warning before escalating into a legal dispute. Nevertheless, rumors had already spread online that Director Kwak was in conflict with GN. He meticulously read out the deplorable abuses he had suffered from GN, explaining the background to the halt in filming when even outsourced directors were swayed and turned their backs on him.
“Due to this incident, caused by the greed of one corporation, I, along with the actors, investors, and staff, had to endure great hardship.”
Following him, veteran figures from the film industry came forward one by one. They vehemently condemned GN’s wrongful actions, raising their voices.
“God forbid! Should such an absurd thing happen again, we, the filmmakers, declare that we will stand firmly against that corporation!”
Countless articles poured out in real-time. In the somber atmosphere, measures akin to punishment were not forgotten.
“Furthermore, we intend to expel any companies and filmmakers who acted as stooges for that corporation from the South Korean film industry.”
After about an hour, the press conference concluded. Dojun put Haejoo and Hyunseong in the car.
“Neither of you is to leave the house until I give permission.”
“CEO, me too?”
“Mr. Hyunseong, you also stay on standby at home.”
The car carrying Haejoo left the press conference venue. Dojun quietly bid farewell to Director Kwak and headed towards GN Entertainment. Chief Secretary Song, who was driving, asked worriedly.
“CEO, how about we pretend not to know about Director Yoo Jinhan’s situation?”
“He probably won’t die.”
“Getting involved would only cause a headache.”
“It’s not because I like Director Yoo Jinhan that I’m going.”
“Do you have another idea?”
While working in the securities industry, Dojun often came to know the hidden circumstances of corporate tycoons. He had heard quite a bit about Chairman Yoo during this incident. One of those things was that Chairman Yoo had a bad relationship with his wife, Hwang Gyeong-ok. Rumors were circulating that they were preparing for a twilight divorce, which would lead to an unprecedented divorce lawsuit.
“I think Han Jintae will cause trouble sooner or later, so he’ll need a preventative shot.”
Han Jintae had always been a wedge between Chairman Yoo and his wife. Dojun presumed that he had subtly driven a wedge between them and gradually enriched himself. Han Jintae had stirred up Director Kwak’s film to curry favor with Chairman Yoo. Unfortunately, at that very moment, Haejoo’s marriage scandal broke, and they were used. GN was now in an awkward position due to Director Kwak’s press conference. It was obvious that Han Jintae would devise a scheme to evade responsibility.
“We’ve arrived.”
Chief Secretary Song slowed down as they approached the GN Entertainment building. Two burly men were guarding the main entrance.
“They don’t seem to be employees of GN Entertainment.”
“Pull over.”
Dojun opened the car door himself and stepped out. At his unexpected appearance, the men guarding the entrance exchanged glances. Dojun strode towards them and stopped.
“I’m here to see Director Yoo Jinhan.”
“You can’t. Please leave.”
The eyes of the two men facing Dojun wavered. While the men hesitated, Dojun unceremoniously searched their jacket pockets.
“What are you doing!”
What he found was a key card marked ‘External Visitor’. Dojun placed the key card on the sensor. A short electronic beep sounded, and the door opened. The men roughly grabbed him. Dojun shook off their grasp and raised his index finger.
“Don’t touch me.”
“I told you, you cannot enter.”
“I’m a major shareholder in this company. Is that enough?”
The men, who didn’t understand his meaning, frowned. Ignoring them, Dojun took his key card and headed for the central staircase. To stop him, the two men rushed forward. Dojun quickly ran up to the third floor and arrived in front of Jinhan’s office. In the hallway, three men with similar intimidating auras were loitering and became highly vigilant.
“You can’t come in here.”
“Move.”
Dojun showed no sign of intimidation. The men were even more flustered by his actions, as he tried to enter the office as if it were his own home. Eventually, the men formed a human wall. Just as the three blocked the way, the two who had rushed up also surrounded Dojun.
“Five men might be a bit of a headache.”
Someone inside the office came out due to the commotion. It was Han Jintae. He spotted Dojun with an arrogant gaze and scoffed.
“CEO Park Dojun, to what do we owe this visit?”
“Is Director Yoo Jinhan in there?”
“Director Yoo is currently preoccupied and cannot meet you.”
“I know he’s inside.”
“Please leave.”
“Says who?”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Dojun kicked the men blocking his way, one by one. The considerable figures swayed violently, like waves, surprised. Han Jintae, equally startled, shouted in rage.
“Stop him!”
At the command that echoed down the corridor, the men charged. Dojun swiftly pushed forward, grabbed Han Jintae, and twisted his neck. It happened in the blink of an eye. The men, seeing the terrified Han Jintae held captive, hesitated.
“Director Yoo Jinhan, long time no see.”
Jinhan was practically imprisoned in his office, held captive. Recognizing Dojun’s arrival, he had secretly taken out a golf club without Han Jintae knowing. Just as he raised it to fight, the situation ended.
“CEO Park Dojun! What on earth are you doing?”
“Even when I help, you complain.”
Contrary to Dojun’s nonchalant tone, the hand gripping Han Jintae was forceful. The extreme tension was palpable, as if his neck might break.
“Uh, ugh! Cough...”
As Han Jintae was held, the men swallowed nervously, unsure what to do. On his behalf, Dojun spoke.
“Kneel.”
The men shuffled awkwardly. The more they hesitated, the more Han Jintae suffered. With a shaky hand, he managed to raise one finger, gesturing up and down as if telling them to kneel. Only then did the men bend their knees where they stood.
“Close your eyes and bow your head.”
At Dojun’s next command, the men complied. Eventually, Han Jintae even drooled. Just as he was about to gasp for his last breath, Dojun threw him by the nape of his neck. A dull thud echoed as Han Jintae tumbled.
“Get out.”
At Dojun’s single word, the men hastily got up, helped Han Jintae, and left. Then, Yoonji, who had been confined in another room with her manager, came out. She came to Jinhan’s office, spotted Dojun, and her eyes widened.
“By any chance, the press conference...”
“It’s over.”
“Ah, how frustrating! I’ll call the director.”
Yoonji left, and Jinhan also put down the golf club he was holding. All strength left his body, and he slumped onto the sofa.
“How did you even think of coming here?”
“Kim Young-jae choked Hyunseong, so I guess it’s my kind of revenge.”
“He choked Hyunseong?”
Nodding, Dojun walked to the refrigerator. He took out a cold sparkling water, offered it to Jinhan, and drank one himself.
“Hyunseong told me what Kim Young-jae said, and that the office was in chaos too.”
Jinhan, embarrassed, cleared his throat.
“My father called me this morning.”
“Hmm.”
“He said I shouldn’t attend Director Kwak’s press conference... Of course, I refused, and he sent Chief Secretary Han Jintae to stop me from leaving.”
Dojun sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and leaned back. Jinhan watched him curiously as he stretched his neck this way and that.
“I’m curious, where did you learn to fight?”
“You get better by getting hit and hitting back a lot.”
“You mean, to protect Haejoo?”
One corner of Dojun’s mouth twisted into a curved line. He found Jinhan’s question amusing, considering Jinhan once accused him of being a loan shark.
“Do I still look like a money-crazed loan shark to you?”
In Jinhan’s sight, Dojun was rough and reckless. Yet, this man loved a woman. The word “psychopath” fit him perfectly; Jinhan found it hard to even imitate him.
“You’re genuinely like a psychopath.”
“Really?”
“You’re quite... cool.”
Jinhan acknowledged Dojun. How foolish he had been, competing with him for Haejoo. Jinhan had been unaware of Dojun’s true worth. If what he was seeing now was just a fraction, he expected it would be unimaginably beyond.
“Enough with the embarrassing talk. I came here to tell you something important.”
Jinhan nodded slightly.
“Make a choice for Haejoo.”
“...”
“Otherwise, your company might be dissolved.”
“That’s terrifying.”
“Chairman Yoo will be furious about today’s events. Do well from now on.”
Jinhan understood Dojun’s hidden meaning. He was giving him a chance. Perhaps, soon, GN Entertainment would be able to escape Chairman Yoo’s shadow.
“CEO Park Dojun!”
Jinhan called out to Dojun, who was about to leave the office. To Dojun, who glanced at him with languid eyes, Jinhan conveyed his sincerity.
“Thank you for today.”
“Don’t eye Haejoo.”
Dojun’s method of winning people over was simple. It was to dramatically leverage their desperate moments and empower them. Thinking about Jinhan’s past actions made his blood boil. Nevertheless, he intervened because Jinhan was the perfect person to avoid direct conflict with Chairman Yoo.
“Let’s go to the company.”
Dojun returned safely. Chief Secretary Song, who had been anxious the whole time, breathed a sigh of relief.
“You worked hard.”
“Did Han Jintae leave quietly?”
“He seems to be pretending to leave while watching our car.”
“Is he a voyeur?”
“He’s someone to be wary of. There’s no telling what he’ll do next.”
Jinhan watched Dojun’s car leave GN Entertainment from the window. He returned to his seat and immediately called Chairman Yoo.
“Father.”
-Speak.
“You will regret today’s events for a long, long time.”
-Are you threatening your father?
“I will never forgive Chief Secretary Han Jintae for sending people to confine and threaten me and my agency’s staff.”
-You’re my son. What’s wrong with me stopping you from going to a press conference that would disgrace your father’s company?
“I know that your work comes before me, your son. You’ve always been like that.”
-It seems Chief Secretary Han overdid it a bit; no need to whine.
“I’ll see if you still say that later.”
Jinhan unilaterally hung up the phone. Only then did the terrified employees, who had been hiding in their offices, slowly emerge into the hallway one by one. Jinhan summoned the head of the planning department and further increased the security personnel who would start next week.
“Also, look for a private security company. The most powerful one.”
“Understood.”
This Friday, the CEO of GN Entertainment will officially resign. After that, at the upcoming shareholders’ meeting, the first step for Jinhan to become CEO was planned. This time, he called the accounting staff. Jinhan confirmed the funds Chairman Yoo had invested in GN Entertainment.
“Still, Chairman Yoo recovered his investment a long time ago.”
“He’ll be expecting profits now.”
“As long as we’re not in debt, it’s fine. Let’s just be thorough with the accounting.”
The internet was abuzz with Director Kwak’s press conference. The public wondered if the “certain corporation” he mentioned was indeed GN and shared his anger. Yet, GN couldn’t step forward. Since Director Kwak referred to them as “a certain corporation,” it was awkward for them to voluntarily issue a statement. This was also Dojun’s idea. It meant for Chairman Yoo to shut up and stop, but he probably didn’t understand.
________________________________________
As expected, Chairman Yoo couldn’t suppress his anger at the deteriorating public opinion due to Director Kwak’s press conference. Furthermore, a few days later, on a Saturday night, an anonymous post caused an emergency. The post, which began with “Exposing the truth about GN,” supported Director Kwak’s press conference.
“Find out who wrote this. Immediately!”
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