A Light Contract - Chapter 41
The gathered team members’ jaws dropped at the articles popping up in real-time under the “Breaking News” headline on the portal site Jihye had opened.
Everyone was dumbfounded and unable to speak. At that moment, Shim Sang Hoon, who had confirmed the sensational headlines, clicked his tongue and cursed without hesitation.
“Huh, what’s all this. He’s really insane.”
Yu Ra was shocked by Oh Se Jin’s true nature. She couldn’t understand how such a polite and well-mannered man had lived doing such things. What on earth had happened all this time?
“Look, the company has also issued a statement.”
Among the spreading articles, one about Songlim Art Center’s official statement was also posted. Yu Ra clicked on the article without hesitation.
We at Songlim Art Center wish to reveal the truth regarding the controversy surrounding our employee, Team Leader Jin Yu Ra.
It is true that pianist Oh Se Jin and Team Leader Jin Yu Ra were once in a relationship, but it ended 5 years ago, and we inform you that Oh Se Jin’s interview is false.
The photo in the article simply shows her accompanying the artist to the hospital for health issues as the person in charge, and it is unrelated to any suspicions.
Furthermore, we express our regret that this situation has occurred.
When contracting Oh Se Jin’s performance, our company had no choice but to reluctantly agree to his pressure to appoint Jin Yu Ra as the person in charge, or he would not sign the contract.
However, despite our consideration, Oh Se Jin used his power to repeatedly order Jin Yu Ra to observe rehearsals and provide pickup services, behaving inappropriately.
Despite Jin Yu Ra’s efforts in enduring all these unfair demands, Oh Se Jin has committed this slander.
Songlim Art Center will no longer stand by in the face of these facts.
We plan to terminate our contract with Oh Se Jin regardless of any disadvantages, and will take all legal steps to protect Jin Yu Ra’s honor going forward.
We offer our sincere apologies to Jin Yu Ra, albeit belatedly.
Baek Jin Ho, CEO of Songlim Art Center
In the lengthy statement, Yu Ra could sense Jin Ho’s inner turmoil. How could he be completely comfortable in this situation? Wasn’t Oh Se Jin potentially a stepping stone for Baek Jin Ho? She felt guilty about her sharp words earlier.
Eun Young, who was reading the article beside her, pursed her lips and sighed.
“Wow, our CEO is a bit disappointing. Staying quiet and then posting this once the breaking news hits.”
“The company had to verify the truth first, of course. How would they handle the aftermath if they made a hasty statement?”
Yu Ra agreed with Manager Jung’s defense and smiled with a more relaxed expression. Manager Jung smiled and added,
“It’s fortunate that the truth has come to light like this.”
As the team members let out sighs of relief, Yu Ra said,
“I’m going to see the CEO for a moment.”
“Okay.”
In contrast to when she entered the office, Yu Ra headed to the CEO’s office with her usual bright smile.
There was something she was more curious about than Jin Ho’s statement.
The many articles about Oh Se Jin that broke as news couldn’t all be false, could they? Did Baek Jin Ho really join hands with him knowing all these facts?
No matter how much he needed Se Jin’s influence, she couldn’t believe he would associate with such a despicable person.
On the other hand, the articles about Yu Ra were also full of lies, so she felt uneasy that the breaking news articles might not necessarily be true either. That’s why she wanted to confirm it more clearly.
As she hurriedly entered the CEO’s office, the secretarial staff bowed their heads with surprised expressions. Only Director Kwon guided Yu Ra with a gentle smile, as if he had expected this.
As soon as the door to the CEO’s office opened, Jin Ho, sitting at his desk, peeked his eyes over the monitor.
“I see you’ve read the articles.”
His voice, quite different from earlier, meant he already knew about the news articles.
“Did you release them, brother-in-law?”
“The company statement was of course issued by us. Other than that?”
Still playing dumb with his sly manner, Yu Ra frowned and snapped at him.
“The breaking news! Oh Se Jin’s sexual harassment.”
“Ah, that.”
Ah, that? Yu Ra looked at him with an incredulous expression.
“About Oh Se Jin’s sexual hara-!”
“Baek Yi Hyun released that.”
The name that popped out interrupting Yu Ra’s words was Baek Yi Hyun. Yu Ra was once again at a loss for words. She had just heard from Jin Ho to trust Yi Hyun, so was this all anticipated?
“Yi Hyun oppa did?”
“It’s the start of Baek Yi Hyun’s long-awaited counterattack.”
What was long-awaited, and what counterattack…? Yu Ra couldn’t understand at all. Jin Ho stood up from his seat and came around the desk to face Yu Ra. With a relaxed smile, he sat on the edge of the desk, leveling his eyes with Yu Ra’s.
“What… what do you mean?”
“He hasn’t slept a wink since the articles came out, tracking down witnesses, requesting interviews, searching for hospital records… It was quite hectic.”
Yi Hyun had been in the study last night, saying he had work left to do. Yu Ra knew he was busy dealing with the articles, but she hadn’t thought he’d be busy preparing such countermeasures.
After all, regarding the situation, Yi Hyun had only told her not to worry, without adding anything else.
“He didn’t say… anything.”
“He didn’t have time for that. All the evidence was only secured this morning, so that’s when he released it.”
Yu Ra recalled Yi Hyun’s tense demeanor even this morning. She had thought he was distancing himself because he didn’t trust her.
She had assumed he was already pulling away since they would divorce soon, but was that not the case? Then, what about his words about seeking compensation for damages? The more she thought about it, the more things didn’t add up.
Jin Ho pressed his fingertip firmly between Yu Ra’s deeply furrowed brows.
“Just go home today. Things are in an uproar again with these articles out.”
Jin Ho ordered her to go home, but having seen the articles before even starting work at the office, Yu Ra didn’t feel right about leaving like this. Seeming to understand her feelings, Jin Ho stood behind Yu Ra, grasped her shoulders, and pushed her towards the door.
“Stop worrying about work. Just get some rest.”
Yu Ra just opened and closed her mouth before being pushed out of the CEO’s office. Her embarrassed gaze moved between the secretaries. Following Jin Ho’s instructions, Director Kwon personally held the elevator for her and advised,
“Since you have your bag with you, you can go straight home. I’ll contact the office separately. Take care on your way home.”
“Oh, ah. Okay.”
“Everything will work out, so don’t worry too much, Team Leader Jin.”
Yu Ra awkwardly bowed her head in response to Director Kwon’s encouragement that followed her clumsy reply.
[This is the timeline separator]As soon as Yu Ra got in the car, she changed the destination to CH Group. She tried calling Yi Hyun on the way, but it was still turned off, with only the machine voice responding.
Yu Ra thought about going straight to his office, but she felt she might cause unnecessary commotion from the entrance. Since getting married, Yu Ra had never visited CH Group. The unexpected arrival of the vice president’s wife would make the employees uncomfortable.
While she was contemplating what to do, the CH Group headquarters came into view. Yu Ra asked to stop briefly on the side of the road and called Secretary An.
“Secretary An, this is Jin Yu Ra.”
-Yes, madam.
“Oppa’s not answering his phone.”
-The vice president is in a meeting right now.
Hearing that he was in a meeting, Yu Ra was glad she hadn’t barged in thoughtlessly.
“Then, please let him know I’m waiting in front of the company.”
-Are you in front of the company now?
“Yes, please relay that message.”
Yu Ra ended the call without mentioning the purpose of her visit.
Since he was in a meeting, it would take some time. She thought about sending the car away and waiting at a nearby cafe, so she looked around. However, before she could spot a cafe, she noticed reporters lingering around the CH headquarters.
Due to Yi Hyun’s counterattack, most media outlets seemed to be camped out in front of the hotel where Se Jin was staying. News agencies were rushing to publish reports related to Se Jin.
Moreover, quite a few reporters had gathered at Songlim as well, so Yu Ra had thought there wouldn’t be any here at CH. But as if mocking her naive assumption, there were a considerable number of reporters here too.
She didn’t even dare to get out of the car. Just then, someone knocked on the car window.
Knock knock.
Outside the window, Secretary An was slightly bent over, gesturing for her to lower the window.
“How have you been?”
“Hello, Secretary An.”
“He says to wait in his office.”
Yu Ra had thought she’d have to wait until the meeting ended, but it seemed the message had been relayed midway. Feeling like she was taking up a busy person’s time, Yu Ra smiled awkwardly.
“I’m sorry. I’ve caused you trouble.”
“Not at all. As you can see, there are reporters around the company, so it’s not good for you to go in directly. Please come to the underground parking lot. Secretary Kim Ah Young will be waiting there.”
“I don’t know who that person is.”
“Secretary Kim knows your face, so it’s fine.”
“Ah.”
“Then, I’ll see you again soon.”
As soon as Secretary An turned away, the car naturally moved towards the underground parking lot of the headquarters building. When the car stopped in front of the elevator, a secretary with a refined appearance opened the door of Yu Ra’s car.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Ah Young, secretary to Vice President Baek Yi Hyun.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jin Yu Ra.”
“This way, please.”
“I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“Not at all. Don’t worry about it.”
Guided by Secretary Kim, Yu Ra entered Yi Hyun’s office.
After declining Secretary Kim’s offer to bring tea, Yu Ra quietly looked around Yi Hyun’s office for the first time.
The space, devoid of even a single plant, was desolate, just like Baek Yi Hyun. As she approached the desk placed by the sunny window, she noticed a wedding photo on it.
“I didn’t think he’d keep something like this.”
It was a photo of Yu Ra awkwardly linking arms and resting her face on Yi Hyun’s shoulder, both looking like broken mannequins. Fatigue and annoyance were evident on both their faces. Suddenly remembering that moment, Yu Ra’s lips curled up involuntarily.
Recalling how sullen their expressions were when the photographer asked them to pose more affectionately, this was one of the few salvageable photos. Just as she was clicking her tongue, wondering why he had put up such a photo, the office door swung open.
Yu Ra, startled as if caught looking at something she shouldn’t, took a step back from where she stood.
The person who entered the office without hesitation was Yi Hyun. As soon as he entered, he turned his head towards the reception sofa, then looked further inside searching for Yu Ra. Upon meeting her gaze, Yu Ra smiled awkwardly.
Yi Hyun’s face, as he strode towards her, looked pale, as if all the blood had drained from his already fair complexion. While Yu Ra was tilting her head in confusion, Yi Hyun grabbed her shoulders and questioned her breathlessly.
“Haa, Jin Yu Ra, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Huh?”
Surprised by Yi Hyun’s sudden action, Yu Ra responded quizzically, and he fired off more questions as if to confirm.
“Did someone say something weird again? Did you meet reporters? Or did Father come to see you? What is it, Jin Yu Ra, you have to tell me. Hm?”
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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