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After the weekend, films whose releases had been delayed due to their support for Director Kwak slowly found their rightful places. Some were set to premiere overseas, while others had shifted their direction to rival theaters.
The resulting damage was entirely borne by GN’s affiliates. GN’s chronic abuse of power eventually led to the Fair Trade Commission stepping in.
“CEO, all preparations are complete.”
“File the lawsuit.”
At Dojun’s instruction, preparations for the lawsuit, which had taken several days, were finished. Meanwhile, Gino Group rose to the top position in the Korean stock market in terms of Kospi market capitalization. This event effectively silenced the previous whispers that Dojun was the son of a loan shark.
“Our company just surpassed GN in Kospi market cap.”
At Chief Secretary Song’s report, Dojun let out a shallow sigh. Now, all that remained was to cleanly handle Chairman Yoo’s affairs. As Haejoo’s honor was at stake, Dojun had to take direct action.
“Is there any news on Choi Inho’s whereabouts?”
“We can’t trace where he’s hiding. Even the police have given up.”
“Where on earth could he be hiding?”
“A desperate Choi Inho will try anything.”
Haejoo sent a chat message to his phone. She had taken a picture of the set where a commercial shoot was underway.
[Don’t overdo it.]
[Everyone’s considerate, so it’s not hard.]
[How’s Hyunseong?]
[He’s quieter than before.]
Hyunseong, who had taken a few days off, came to work today to match Haejoo’s schedule. He was still dispirited but didn’t show it.
[Let’s meet tonight.]
Dojun sent the last message and tapped his desk with his index finger. Even though his gaze was fixed on the distant empty space, his conversation with Chief Secretary Song continued.
“GN Entertainment’s general shareholders’ meeting is next month, isn’t it?”
“What are your plans?”
The selection of a new CEO for GN Entertainment was approaching. Jinhan’s name was listed as the sole candidate. Gino Group, as the major shareholder, owned 29% of GN Entertainment’s shares. Their shareholding even surpassed Jinhan’s.
“Director Yoo Jinhan said he would separate the affiliate from GN, so we’ll have to wait and see until the end.”
He still didn’t fully trust Jinhan. Nevertheless, his patience was due to Haejoo.
“And Seon-gyu, the guy who was with Choi Inho, is cooperating with the police investigation?”
“He reported to the police this week.”
“Is he cooperative?”
“He’s making excuses, saying he only drove and Choi Inho did everything.”
“So he’s not in contact with Choi Inho.”
Dojun’s jaw moved slowly. He finished his calculations in his head and curved the corner of his mouth upwards.
“I need to meet this guy, Seon-gyu.”
“It would be best to move quietly tonight.”
As dusk fell, Dojun rose from his seat to leave work. Just then, Chief Secretary Song entered his office.
“We’ve found reporter Ahn Seon-gyu’s residence. Let’s go.”
Recently, Seon-gyu had also been fired from Real Fact. Since his phone was off, Dojun directly sought out the neighborhood where he lived. After a short while, the car stopped in a cluster of multi-unit buildings where one-room apartments were located. As they approached, the lights in Seon-gyu’s second-floor apartment were off.
“Will this take long?”
About 30 minutes later, Seon-gyu shuffled down the alley, carrying a bottle of soju in a black bag. Dojun didn’t miss him and grabbed him as he was about to enter his home.
“Ahn Seon-gyu.”
“...”
“You know me, right?”
“N-no, I don’t. Go away!”
He was terrified and tried to climb the stairs, but Dojun blocked his way. Dojun stared at Seon-gyu, whose eyes were sunken.
“You’re about to be arrested, aren’t you?”
Seon-gyu trembled. He seemed to have been drinking heavily, looking so gaunt that he might collapse at any moment.
“Let’s eat first, then talk.”
“...”
“I’m not completely heartless.”
Dojun grabbed Seon-gyu’s arm. He looked around the alley and found a pork soup restaurant with its sign lit up, so he took him there. Even with the warm soup in front of him, Seon-gyu couldn’t eat. He just buried his head, trembling his emaciated shoulders in front of Dojun. Chief Secretary Song, unable to watch any longer, placed a spoon in his hand.
“It’s getting cold, hurry and eat.”
“Why... why are you here?”
Seon-gyu looked back and forth between Chief Secretary Song and Dojun with terrified eyes. Dojun, who was looking down at him with his arms crossed, answered curtly.
“Just eat it while I’m buying it. Don’t complain.”
Seon-gyu forced himself to eat. As he swallowed some of the soup-soaked rice, his shriveled stomach churned. It was about the time the earthenware pot was nearly empty. Seon-gyu put down his spoon, clasped his hands, and raised his face.
“You came because of Reporter Choi, didn’t you?”
“You know me well.”
“If I tell you what I know, will you be lenient?”
“Leniency, you say...”
“I really didn’t mean to kidnap CEO Park’s father. I didn’t even know that was considered kidnapping.”
“Then tell that to the police.”
Whatever happened, punishment would be hard to avoid. A despairing Seon-gyu sobbed and buried his face in his hands.
“You also played a part in cornering Haejoo, didn’t you? Or no?”
“...I was wrong. After I became a reporter, Reporter Choi was my first senior, and I was taught that’s how it should be done.”
Dojun took a sip of water. Inside, he struggled to suppress the urge to throw abuse at Seon-gyu.
“Everyone makes mistakes.”
“...”
“But you’ll still pay for your crime. However, if you cooperate this time, I’ll give you a little leeway.”
“Really?”
“I can’t stop you from getting a criminal record.”
Seon-gyu clutched his head as if in pain. His income had been cut off when he quit his job, which was also driving him to despair.
“The last time I talked to Reporter Choi was the other day.”
Finally, Seon-gyu opened his mouth, ending the long struggle. Dojun ordered a bottle of soju through Chief Secretary Song. He poured soju into an empty glass and pushed it towards Seon-gyu.
“Drink.”
Seon-gyu grimaced as he gulped down the soju without any food. Dojun, watching him coldly, began his serious questioning.
“Where is Choi Inho?”
“He seemed to be wandering around, but then it looked like someone was protecting him.”
“Protecting?”
“Reporter Choi said he’s preparing for the final battle.”
“Who is the person protecting Choi Inho?”
Dojun had a suspect in mind but chose not to voice it first. As his slowly simmering anger subsided, Seon-gyu’s answer came.
“It seems Chairman Yoo’s close aide approached him recently.”
It was Han Jintae. Dojun’s eyes gleamed with madness at the obvious intention, which he didn’t even need to see to know.
“Why would they need a reporter who’s already washed up?”
“Someone posted an anonymous message recently, right?”
“Yes.”
“They’re going to pick the weakest one and beat them using that as an excuse. And they’re going to use Reporter Choi for that.”
He had to stop it before the worst-case scenario unfolded. Before the “weakest one” they mentioned became Haejoo.
“GN seemed to be aiming for a big hit to cover up the current chaos.”
“And that’s Haejoo?”
Seon-gyu, gripped by fear just by facing Dojun, swallowed dryly. He groaned, struggling even to breathe.
“I don’t know the details.”
“Tell me clearly. Otherwise, I’ll put you down as an accomplice.”
“W-what?”
“Contacting Choi Inho secretly means exchanging information, so you’re naturally an accomplice.”
Seon-gyu’s eyes became bloodshot. He felt a chilling sensation, as if he’d been abandoned alone in a fiery pit, and squeezed his eyes shut.
“What do you want from me?”
“Everything you know.”
Seon-gyu opened his closed eyes again, refocusing his blurry vision. There was no trace of will in his pupils, making him look pitiful.
“Reporter Choi said he needed Lee Haejoo’s information. He kept bothering me, so I told him to call me later and turned off my phone.”
“Why Haejoo’s information?”
Tears welled up in Seon-gyu’s eyes, and his lips trembled fearfully. Not long after, Dojun realized Choi Inho’s intentions and stormed out of the place.
________________________________________
Choi Inho, who had narrowly escaped Dojun, was found by Han Jintae. Choi Inho, immediately recognizing him as Chairman Yoo’s right-hand man, crawled out of the opening.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“Cut the small talk and tell me why you’re here.”
“How about we work on a proper project together?”
“A project?”
“If it succeeds, I’ll give you 1 billion won in cash.”
“1 billion won?”
“You won’t be disappointed.”
“Why are you offering such a proposal to me, who’s not even a current reporter?”
“Isn’t Reporter Choi an expert on that actress?”
“That actress... Lee Haejoo?”
Han Jintae’s offer was quite tempting. While granting their wish, Choi Inho could also vent his accumulated anger. Moreover, 1 billion won was enough to make a comeback someday. The street negotiation reached an agreement. That day, Han Jintae provided Choi Inho with a suitable officetel.
“Shall we talk specifically about what GN wants?”
“Create a scandal that will turn the world upside down.”
“A scandal fitting the top actress in Korea?”
“That’s right.”
“If it’s that kind of thing, what else could it be?”
What they wanted was for Haejoo’s life to plummet into ruin. If Dojun was also dragged into it, it would be even better. Nevertheless, there was a problem. Even if he wrote an exaggerated article, there had to be some basis for it.
“There’s no time. Hurry up.”
Han Jintae constantly visited and pressed Choi Inho. In response, Choi Inho contacted Seon-gyu, who had recently been fired from the company. However, he failed to obtain the desired information.
“Is there anything useful in the interview materials?”
He had once met a man who lived in the same neighborhood while investigating Haejoo. When Choi Inho asked him questions, he immediately brought up Yoo-ra.
‘Yoo-ra was so promiscuous. There probably wasn’t a guy in the neighborhood who hadn’t fooled around with her.’
‘How so?’
‘Yoo-ra was really after money. So she probably tried to sell out her own sister too.’
‘Selling out her sister?’
‘She tried to do something weird and got caught by Park Dojun, and they all almost went down.’
It was a brief interview. Choi Inho had almost discarded this interview because it didn’t contain the information he wanted about Haejoo.
“Should I use this, even?”
Though not entirely enthusiastic, he showcased his skills. He skillfully pieced together the interview content using editing software. It didn’t matter if it was later revealed to be untrue. For now, releasing it was the priority.
“I can’t be the only one to go down.”
Choi Inho habitually carried a voice recorder. All conversations, from the moment Han Jintae approached him on the street, were recorded. In the worst-case scenario, he needed an escape route. After securing his escape, he began writing the manuscript. There was no truth in any of it. Yet, lies poured from Choi Inho’s hands as if they were facts.
________________________________________
Dojun, having left the soup restaurant, hastily got into his car. While Chief Secretary Song drove, he first called Haejoo.
-Dojun, I’m home now.
“I’ll be home soon too. Nothing happened, right?”
-Of course. I’m about to take a shower now.
“Alright. By the way...”
-Yes?
“Never mind. See you at home.”
Seon-gyu said that Choi Inho would release false rumors about Haejoo over the weekend. He didn’t know which channel he would use. Dojun, whose mind was suddenly racing, couldn’t control his swirling emotions.
“Chief Secretary Song, when I get home, inform Yoo Jinhan of this.”
“Understood.”
“We need to catch Choi Inho as quickly as possible.”
“Perhaps Director Yoo Jinhan might be of help.”
“That would be fortunate.”
He believed the end was slowly approaching. But an unexpected obstacle awaited him. A moment later, Dojun entered his house. Chief Secretary Song, sitting in the driver’s seat, contacted Jinhan and relayed the information he heard from Seon-gyu.
-Is that true? Haah...
“Please find out where Choi Inho might be.”
-There’s no other way but to tail Han Jintae.
“Let’s do it together.”
Chief Secretary Song contacted Jinhan and went to meet him. At the same time, Dojun arrived home and immediately looked for Haejoo.
“Haejoo, Lee Haejoo!”
Haejoo, who had been soaking in the bathtub, got up. Hearing Dojun calling, she quickly responded.
“I’m in the bathroom right now!”
Dojun burst into the bathroom. He only shook off his anxiety after seeing her clear face submerged in the bubbles.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Just...”
“I’m all done showering now, so I’ll come out.”
While Haejoo rinsed off, Dojun also quickly showered. On the surface, he acted calmly as if nothing was wrong, but inside, he was festering.
“I’m tired today. I’m going to bed early.”
“Okay.”
Haejoo habitually placed her phone on the nightstand. Dojun also checked the message Chief Secretary Song sent and placed his phone beside hers. Soon, the bedroom light went out. Dojun, holding his breath in tension, closed his eyes without realizing it. After some time, a notification appeared on his phone, indicating a new message.
It was Haejoo who woke up at the familiar sound.
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