A Bad, Bad Act (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 6

Cha Hyun’s sudden visit brought the rooftop party to a swift end.

In the end, only Cha Hyun and Yeo Eun remained, and Yeo Eun swallowed her bitterness as she watched Ji Soo leave the rooftop.

“Let’s talk.”

With those words, Cha Hyun sent everyone else away and began a very long story.

It was mostly deeply personal anecdotes about Cha Do Ha.

It was so private that Yeo Eun even wondered whether she was allowed to hear such things.

Cha Hyun seemed somewhat happy whenever she bragged about Cha Do Ha—clearly fond of her nephew.

But whenever she recounted his darker side, Cha Hyun looked deeply pained.

Perhaps it was because Cha Do Ha’s late father had been Cha Hyun’s twin brother.

And that story seemed to have affected Yeo Eun as well.

After hearing it all, something heavy and uncomfortable settled in her chest.

“What do you think? Doesn’t Do Ha remind you of yourself? Your situations are pretty similar, aren’t they?”

Her family history—

even her best friend, Yoon Ji Soo, the CEO of Persona, didn’t know the details.

So how did Cha Hyun know?

“I told you—Hanju Group has the strongest intelligence network in Korea. I’m entrusting Do Ha’s fate to you, so I need to know exactly who you are. I also have to report everything to the Chairman.”

Cha Hyun picked up the abandoned liquor glass on the table—she didn’t even know whose it was—and emptied it in one gulp.

Then she slowly turned her gaze toward Yeo Eun.

“Your father’s affair and miserable death, the massive debt left behind, your incompetent older brother, and your ailing mother.”

Each word she uttered was sharp as a blade, her eyes drilling into Yeo Eun as if trying to flay her open.

Maybe that’s why every word stung deep in Yeo Eun’s chest.

“Apart from the scale, your stories are practically identical.”

Different in magnitude, yet eerily similar lives.

She had to admit that much—

and the more she admitted it, the worse she felt.

It brought back vivid memories of how her once-successful father had deceived their family.

Until the very moment he died—after fleeing with his mistress, leaving behind mountains of debt—she had believed he was a devoted, hardworking family man.

But in reality, he had secretly transferred all his assets to his mistress.

He died, and somehow the mistress survived and escaped to New Zealand, where she was now living in luxury.

That bitch.

She’d hidden his death for six months, preventing Yeo Eun’s family from renouncing the inheritance.

As a result, they were all buried under crushing debt.

Maybe it was the alcohol talking—

but hearing about Cha Do Ha’s life, which echoed her own, suddenly made him seem a little pitiful.

“For the past six years, Do Ha has been treated like a criminal within Hanju Group.”

Apparently, it was his grandfather, Chairman Cha Ji Seop, who had pushed him into that role.

Despite being exceptionally talented, Do Ha was ostracized as “the sinner’s son,” and his mother—the true victim of the whole incident—was exiled under the pretense of a marriage contract.

But now, after six years, Chairman Cha Ji Seop had summoned Cha Do Ha back.

“He offered him a position within the group and promised to set our sister-in-law—Do Ha’s mother—free.”

“Then isn’t everything resolved? It sounds like Director Do Ha’s situation has been properly settled. Unlike mine.”

He doesn’t carry debt, his family isn’t ill,

and he’s certainly not being openly blackmailed like her.

Plus, the man who holds all the power—the grandfather—has personally called him back, promising to restore him.

All that’s left now is a happy ending, together with Kim Hae Ri.

“No. Nothing’s been resolved at all.”

Chairman Cha Ji Seop didn’t just place Cha Do Ha in Hanju Group’s core Strategic Planning Headquarters—he went further, declaring Do Ha would become Hanju’s new public face.

“From now on, all group-related promotional materials will feature Director Do Ha’s face. He’ll be on the front lines of every event, media interaction, external policy, and crisis management. Do you understand what that means?”

Essentially, Cha Do Ha had been granted authority nearly equal to that of Cha In Woo, who managed Hanju Logistics—the group’s holding company.

“I don’t fully grasp our Chairman’s intentions either. But one thing’s clear—he wants his two grandsons to fight for succession.”

And apparently, Chairman Cha Ji Seop had imposed one preliminary condition on Cha Do Ha.

“The truth is… Do Ha’s been kind of reckless these past few years.”

“I actually looked into it already. People call him the ‘socialite wrecking ball.’”

While investigating the Kim Hae Ri scandal, she’d confirmed the rumors about him.

She even asked a friend who worked as a management team leader at Kim Hae Ri’s agency.

[“Cha Do Ha of Hanju Group? Don’t even get me started. You know what Kim Hae Ri’s private life is like? He’s basically her match. They’re the perfect ‘wrecking-ball couple.’”]

Kim Hae Ri—the nation’s sweetheart—had one glaring flaw:

her extreme promiscuity, which constantly caused headaches for her agency.

[“Nation’s first love? Please. She should be called the nation’s slut.”]

The management team leader would rant about Kim Hae Ri whenever he drank, so Yeo Eun knew all about it.

Kim Hae Ri—the chaotic, scandalous wrecking ball.

And Cha Do Ha was supposedly on the same level as her?

Somehow, Yeo Eun found that hard to believe.

At least, his eyes didn’t seem like that kind of person.

“So Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s preliminary condition is…”

“Exactly. Either shed that ‘wrecking ball’ image—or at least hide it properly.”

The Chairman wanted his seemingly perfect grandson to appear flawless.

“And that’s why we need you, Yeo Eun.”

He wanted Cha Do Ha to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cha In Woo, whose public image was already highly favorable.

“You’ll manage his public image carefully and preemptively block any damaging rumors from surfacing?”

“Precisely. That’s your specialty—turning even rumors into positive brand value. You’re a true pro.”

That wasn’t wrong.

“I heard you single-handedly saved Son Gyu Won, the disgraced star of Memories Entertainment.”

That was exactly why Yeo Eun was so respected in this industry.

“Our Do Ha absolutely needs you.”

“But Director Do Ha has zero interest in undergoing training.”

“Absolutely not.”

Cha Hyun shook her head firmly, rejecting the idea outright.

“He’s the boy who sharpened his knife while watching his mother suffer. When an opportunity finally appears, he won’t let it slip away.”

Yes. That made sense.

If she were in his position, she wouldn’t let it go either.

Yet Cha Do Ha showed no sign of wanting to seize that chance—

he hadn’t even opened his portfolio once.

Which ultimately meant he didn’t like his trainer.

And if they assigned a different trainer, Cha Do Ha might actually take the opportunity.

“Then why insist on me? If training is a prerequisite, wouldn’t it be better to choose a trainer Director Do Ha actually prefers?”

“I already told you—it’s because your skills are exceptional.”

“Plenty of people in this industry have that level of skill. So why specifically choose me? Please tell me the reason.”

From the very beginning, Cha Hyun had insisted on Yeo Eun.

Given how notorious his womanizing was, they could’ve easily assigned a male trainer.

So why her?

At Yeo Eun’s question, Cha Hyun’s expression shifted strangely—

the corner of her mouth twisted slightly, as if a faint, sly smile was forming.

“Our Do Ha…”

Cha Hyun lowered her voice, as if sharing a secret.

“What do you think of him as a man? Doesn’t he stir something in you?”

Caught off guard, Yeo Eun tightly pressed her lips together.

It felt like a sharp stab right below her sternum—straight to the heart.

Cha Hyun’s smile deepened immediately.

“You’re not denying it.”

She chuckled appreciatively. “Good. I like your honesty.”

“You don’t need to look so uneasy. Do Ha will be drawn to you anyway.”

“…?”

“You’re beautiful, Yeo Eun. And incredibly alluring. Especially that slender, willowy body and your ballerina-straight neck—they subtly provoke desire.”

Her smile fading, Cha Hyun continued.

“You seem fragile yet unbending—like something you’d want to break. And your eyes… full of hidden stories, yet strangely detached?”

She locked eyes with Yeo Eun, then leaned back lazily in her chair, wearing a cool, knowing smile.

“He’ll go mad for you. Because in your eyes, he’ll see himself.”

Yeo Eun swallowed hard, staring back at Cha Hyun.

It felt as if grains of sand had gotten into her mouth—rough, foreign, unpleasant.

“Then isn’t that even more problematic? If Director Cha Do Ha takes a liking to me, won’t that ruin everything…?”

“But you know your place.”

Her dark eyes flashed sharply.

“I know you’ll never cross the line.”

That’s exactly why you’re the right person for this.

“All you have to do is stay within that line.”

Cha Hyun’s low voice pressed heavily against Yeo Eun’s heart.

* * *

If she stayed within the line, not only would she receive astronomical funds for the surgery, but she’d also be given the earliest possible surgical schedule.

Hanju Group would provide everything she needed—specialized rehabilitation facilities, all necessary support,

complete debt relief for the massive loans her father had left in her and her brother’s names, and full resolution of her personal troubles.

“Mom.”

I received a strange offer today.

I’m supposed to allure a man—but never, ever cross the line.

“Is it hard to breathe?”

Yeo Eun asked her mother, So Jeong, the opposite of what she truly felt, and gently pressed her palm to So Jeong’s forehead.

She was worried about a possible fever.

“Is your chest tight?”

So Jeong let out a wheezing breath and shook her head weakly.

“N-no.”

Lie. Her eyes were shadowed with such deep purple fatigue.

So Jeong suffered from a rare disease that impaired both her heart and lungs.

As those organs deteriorated, her other organs were gradually failing too.

Her kidneys were losing function, toxins built up unchecked, and the vicious cycle continued.

Because So Jeong spent roughly 20 days a month hospitalized, Yeo Eun and her brother had accumulated enormous medical debt—on top of their father’s existing loans.

That was why she’d declined her professor’s offer to become a part-time lecturer in the Psychology Department at Korea University and instead joined Persona.

She needed money—big money.

That’s also why she’d devoted herself to laundering the images of vile people.

The more repulsive they were, the bigger the payout.

But now, even that kind of money wasn’t enough.

If she didn’t get a heart surgery scheduled immediately, treatment would become pointless.

Surgery was the only answer—but no schedule was available.

They told her she’d have to wait until year-end.

Cha Hyun—or rather, Hanju Group—had seized this vulnerability and offered a deal.

“If you do well, your surgery date might move up.”

Everything depended on Yeo Eun’s response—and her ability.

“It might even open up next month, if you’re lucky.”

At Yeo Eun’s words, So Jeong’s eyes flickered faintly.

Then, with great effort, she spoke.

“The surgery… costs so much. An enormous amount of money.”

“Don’t worry.”

Yeo Eun gently squeezed So Jeong’s hand.

“I’ve got… a project now.”

For a moment, her throat tightened as if someone had clamped it shut.

She swallowed once, then spoke again—

not forgetting to offer a warm smile.

“If I handle it well, I’ll earn a substantial sum.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. You know Hanju Group? I’ve been assigned to work for them.”

At the mention of Hanju Group, So Jeong’s eyes widened.

Hanju Group—one of Korea’s top three chaebols—was an intimidating name even on its own.

“The payment’s so large that it’ll cover the surgery and pay off all our debts.”

But then So Jeong asked an unexpected question.

“…Is it dangerous work?”

“Huh?”

“Well… they wouldn’t offer that much money unless there was serious risk involved.”

Cough, cough.

So Jeong began coughing, cutting off her sentence.

Even a minor cough overloaded her already compromised body.

Medical staff rushed in, and Yeo Eun had to step out of the room.

Standing outside the ward, watching the emergency response unfold, she clenched her fists tightly.

This had become her everyday reality—and it still hurt.

She thought again of So Jeong’s question.

[Is it dangerous work?]

Yes. It was dangerous.

[They wouldn’t offer that much money unless there was serious risk involved.]

That was an accurate assessment.

An unprecedented incentive—but with equally unprecedented risk.

To dare move Cha Do Ha’s heart—

it might be an impossible task.