Thump! Yujun slammed the desk with his fist.

Whether the lie was big or small, it always had a reason. It was either to defend oneself or to make a temporary excuse to cover up a mistake. Why did Rajin lie? Come to think of it, she had subtly made excuses even when asked to change her coordinator.

“Anything else?”

“The teacher once paid for the surgery of the coordinator’s younger brother.”

“Surgery?”

“Yes. It’s certain that the contact was made around the time of the coordinator’s brother’s surgery three years ago. After that, there was consistent interaction.”

“Three years. Three years, huh.”
Like reciting an incantation, Yujun continued to mutter the three-year period.

“But according to the agency’s confirmation, the relationship between the actress and the coordinator is not that special.”

Whenever the phrase “always a neat business relationship” was heard, Yujun’s heart thumped.

If Rajin had just openly flaunted their past friendship while lamenting the old times, it wouldn’t have been this uncomfortable. Acting as if she were distant in front of people, while going to the extent of paying for the coordinator’s brother’s medical expenses, indicated more than just suspicion—it was evidence of something else.

“How was it during the agency raid?”

“At that time, according to the staff, the prosecution officials moved swiftly from the executive office to the vault and warehouse.”

“They moved so efficiently without even conducting a proper investigation?”

Various possibilities floated in Kim Yujun’s mind.

“What about Rajin?”

“She purchased a plane ticket from Italy and didn’t cancel it, causing confusion in the middle.”

For employees who weren’t doing their job properly, harsh words were directed at them, questioning why it was so difficult to track the movements of one woman. Kim Yujun’s mind was filled with all kinds of possibilities.

“The actress moved to France alone. From there, she took a flight to Korea and arrived last night.”

“What about the hospital?”

“She visited this morning and seems to be filing a paternity lawsuit against O Jonghyuk.”

Bold and rapid changes. It was an action she would never have taken under normal circumstances.

Calling it a change centered around the coordinator seemed lacking. If that were the case, it was urgent to find the fundamental cause of this strange transformation.

“Assign people to both Rajin and the coordinator.”

If she declared a breakup with O Jonghyuk, there needed to be another surveillance point to monitor her continuously.

“Make sure they don’t notice, and keep them closely monitored by professionals. Report regularly.”

“Yes. Also, Prosecutor Kang Jihoo moved into the penthouse complex today.”

“As much as I haven’t spared any expense, I expect results in whatever means necessary.”

Squeeze them, instill fear. Instructions were given without hesitation on methods and means.

Even Kang Jihoo was causing trouble, and now Rajin, whom he trusted, was showing signs of something suspicious. Yujun felt like he was stepping on dirty snow the day after a heavy snowfall.

When the wind from the vast mountain reached Rajin, the yellow blouse and red skirt fluttered like flower petals.

“Ah, this is nice.”

Sitting in a quiet pavilion without staff, Rajin swayed her white parasol.

It had been two days since Rajin had been moving around without a manager. She either hitched rides with fellow actors or, sometimes, Jiho would drive her to the filming location early in the morning. With just one supervisor gone, life became unexpectedly peaceful.

Though it was a bit inconvenient until she found a new manager, the freedom she felt for the first time was delightful. The help of people around her made it relatively easy to get by.
Jiho, not to mention Hojin and Haeun, who had returned to Korea. No one felt any discomfort about how much they were taken care of.

Right at that moment, as if waiting, Rajin’s phone rang.

“Oh, Haeun.”

[Sister, can I really not come? It’s not like I’m getting a free meal for no reason, right?]

Haeun’s breath caught as if she would catch up soon. Instead of a free meal, she had been apologizing for allowing other actors to ride in her van for a break.

“Today, Teacher Suk gave me a ride, and I also had a lunchbox made at home.”

[I can’t live, I can’t survive. Our top star is somehow getting meals everywhere.]

“No, everyone has a bit of Taehyung’s personality, so they’ve been through a lot. They’ve been so good to me.”

It seemed like Taehyung was subtly high-handed everywhere. When Rajin sent a message saying she had sorted out her relationship with the manager, those who couldn’t express it first came forward.

[Is it really okay without me? Can I go to the countryside?]

“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a vacation. Take this opportunity to come.”

She had said she wouldn’t feel at ease, but now Haeun was trying to change her mind with nagging.

“Can you do me a favor then?”

“I can do ten favors.”

Haeun was eager for her to speak.

“Some chocolates I bought in France and a gift for Mr. Jiho. Can you take care of it for me?”

[Where to?]

“Mr. Jiho’s apartment lobby. I need to go to the hospital, and the filming is behind schedule, so I don’t have time to go.”

Returning empty-handed and not being able to give anything, Rajin couldn’t even spare time for Haeun.

[Can I go a little late?]

“Mr. Jiho is working overtime. Do as you please.”

“Got it. Tell Inspector-nim that kind Haeun ran an errand.”

As they promised, both of them burst into laughter at the same time. For a moment, Rajin’s red skirt fluttered like a dance. After the happy chat with Haeun ended like an overdue homework, endless filming continued.

Around midnight, Rajin’s scenes were all finished.

She dialed Jiho’s phone number as a habit to retrieve her belongings.

“Mr. Jiho.”

[Is it over now?]

“Yes. I’m just about to wrap up.”

[I just bumped into Haeun in the lobby.]

Over the phone, Haeun’s voice calling her ‘unni’ faintly reached Rajin.