Many countries in Europe. Not only do Park Ra Jin and Dong Seon overlap, but they’re leaving the country at the same time.

Kang Ji Ho stared intently at the opinion submitted by Kim Yu Jun’s lawyer. Though he might be overreacting, considering Kim Yu Jun’s usual shameless behavior, it was a very reasonable suspicion.

What if Park Ra Jin’s photo shoot was scheduled to match Kim Yu Jun’s business trip? Oh Jong Hyuk, who manipulates her schedule, would have been behind it.

Overseas, where activities are not as free as domestically.

If Park Ra Jin encounters an unexpected variable like Kim Yu Jun and finds herself in an unwanted situation……

“Ha, damn it.”

Though it hadn’t happened yet, Kang Ji Ho’s vision went dark as if it had already occurred.

There was no need for grand reasons. Park Ra Jin willingly took the risk. Now that they were on the same team, her well-being was also an important part of Kang Ji Ho’s job.

“They shouldn’t meet at all. What to do……”

Kang Ji Ho tapped the lawyer’s opinion. Even if their overlapping schedules were coincidental, it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.

“If Managing Director Kim Yu Jun asks for cooperation, I’ll have to give it.”

Kang Ji Ho snickered and wrote a memo on the lawyer’s opinion: ‘Only possible while in Korea’.

“You haven’t even been investigated yet, and you’re trying to crawl abroad.”

Muttering that he was still shameless, the corners of Kang Ji Ho’s mouth turned up slightly.

The authority to prevent a suspect at risk of fleeing from leaving the country. Had there ever been a time when being a prosecutor suffering from overtime felt as satisfying as today?

Kang Ji Ho pulled up his schedule on the screen.

“A surprise is best when it’s startling.”

—May 30th, Kim Yu Jun Emergency Travel Ban!! Public humiliation at the airport!!

Since travel bans are not separately notified, even the capable Myeongjin secretariat wouldn’t know.

Kim Yu Jun would be struck by lightning in front of the employees who came to see him off, and everyone would be in chaos.

Although it was regrettable not to see Kim Yu Jun’s expression when rejected at the airport, remaining an invisible hand was the best option.

“One last thing.”

Kang Ji Ho raised an eyebrow and picked up the office phone. Soon, after the dial tone, a soft voice was heard.

“Director, this is Kang Ji Ho.”

After exchanging brief greetings, Kang Ji Ho got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

“We’ve received a disturbing tip.”

He spoke more seriously than ever, adding a bit of spice.

“In these economically difficult times, there are bastards smuggling foreign currency for gambling trips abroad.”

He didn’t forget to denounce their rotten minds and emphasize that bad habits should be corrected with strict legal treatment. Then Kang Ji Ho casually dropped what he wanted.

“The name of Oh Jong Hyuk, CEO of OH Entertainment, came up several times in particular.”

He mixed in the fact that it was a waste of precious foreign currency when they should be leading in earning it through K-content exports.

“He’s not a celebrity, but as an entertainment agency CEO, wouldn’t this lead to a string of news stories? Several celebrities might be involved too.”

It was an enticing tip for the chief prosecutor who needed flashy packaging ahead of the July regular personnel appointments.

“If a senior who’s sincere about investigations goes to a good place, wouldn’t juniors follow the same path?”

If he could give the chief prosecutor, who needed notable achievements, even a day and a half in the spotlight? He intended to stir up his desperation and shake Oh Jong Hyuk down to the last speck of dust.

Kang Ji Ho’s words must have been sweet as honey, as the chief prosecutor expressed his intention to form a team for a large-scale investigation into gambling trips abroad.

There was no need for either side to make long-winded excuses. The facts were clear, the conversation smooth, and the result satisfactory. The call ended as naturally as water flowing.

Having secured a lead actor brimming with a sense of mission, all that remained was for the scenario to unfold as desired.

“Well then, shall we prepare to issue a warrant?”

With nothing hindering him and everything feeling smooth, Kang Ji Ho grinned at the positive signal that made his heart race for the first time in a while.

The newly opened flagship store of the luxury brand ‘Serene’ in Hannam-dong.

Park Ra Jin had no time to admire the modern exterior and unique signature. Due to a delay in preparations at the Cheongdam-dong shop, the global ambassador was on the verge of being late.

Already prone to gossip, the celebrities would love to have something to chew on, so she hurried frantically.

“Miss Park, here’s the sponsored bag!”

“Oh? Oh! Thank you, Jung Ha Eun.”

Park Ra Jin winked at Jung Ha Eun, who was deliberately keeping her distance in front of the manager. Then she quickly hung the sponsored luxury bag on her arm.

“Welcome to the Serene House.”

The moment she met the picture-perfect smile of the white-gloved staff member, Park Ra Jin responded with an even brighter smile.

As she entered the event hall guided by the staff, the scattered gazes around the room stuck to Park Ra Jin like magnets.

People who rank even new items seemed busy calculating how much Park Ra Jin’s sponsored items were worth. Then, as if they had discovered some great secret, they whispered among themselves. Of course, with obvious pointing.

“Miss Park, the photo wall is this way.”

Park Ra Jin nodded and slowly moved her feet.

Somehow the photos needed to turn out well so that Jung Ha Eun’s efforts in bringing the top-line items like treasure wouldn’t be in vain.

The photo wall with its stylish logo.

As soon as Park Ra Jin took her place, everyone except the event staff took out their cameras and phones. Some turned their backs to take selfies in the same frame as Park Ra Jin, while others recorded videos.

Accustomed to being photographed, whether paid or not, voluntary or involuntary, Park Ra Jin pulled in her chin and lifted the corners of her mouth. As she always did.

“Park Ra Jin. Look over here too.”

“This side as well!”

Beyond the flashing lights and bursts of admiration from all around, a woman stood with her arms crossed.

‘Jin Jae Yi?’

She lifted one corner of her mouth as if finding it laughable. Then she exchanged a few words with her companions before shaking her head.

Though she didn’t point fingers, the blatant hostility sent a chill down Park Ra Jin’s neck.

It wasn’t unusual for the daughter of the Haesung Group, which owns duty-free shops, to be invited to a luxury brand event. But for a flagship store opening that wasn’t even a fashion show?

Park Ra Jin attended as a brand ambassador regardless of the scale, but for Jin Jae Yi of the Haesung Group, it was an utterly ordinary event. Both in terms of her wealth and her title.

‘Strangely, the makeup director was dragging their feet. Was it a divine sign not to go?’

Park Ra Jin barely held back the urge to run away, attributing meaning to past events.

“Miss Park, please come this way.”

“Yes.”

An event with scheduled video filming, no matter how irritating Jin Jae Yi was, she couldn’t break her promise. Park Ra Jin followed the staff member up to the second floor of the store.

“Please feel free to look around as if you’re shopping.”

“Should I go as far as that statue for the route?”

“Yes, Miss Park. We’ll proceed when you’re ready.”

Park Ra Jin walked along the guided route as a rehearsal. Lightly tapping the clothes hanging on the racks with her palm, as if sweeping soft grass.

“I think we can start now.”

Park Ra Jin, having returned to her starting position, took her stance.

As the cue was given, Park Ra Jin’s expression changed noticeably.

Walking gracefully with an expectant face, she pulled out a brightly printed outfit that would likely look best on camera. Then she brought the clothes up to her chin and smiled softly towards the camera.

Both the person holding the camera and the manager standing beyond it. When Park Ra Jin smiled, they smiled; when she moved, they followed and matched her pace.

Park Ra Jin picked up, put down, and tried on pretty clothes and new bags. She changed her pose several times, angling her face and the luxury items to catch the light like jewels in the sun. And with that, the filming quickly came to an end. This was child’s play for Park Ra Jin.

“Good work, Miss Park.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Do you think it turned out well?”

“We’ll edit it nicely and send it to you first. The video will be released online and offline simultaneously starting this weekend.”

Now that the most important task was done, was it just a matter of taking a few commemorative photos before leaving?

It was fortunate to be separated on the second floor; she didn’t want to share even a second in the same space with Jin Jae Yi.

As Park Ra Jin was looking for the right timing to say goodbye.

“So this is where you were?”

Jin Jae Yi’s tone was so friendly it was almost flirtatious, adding that she had been looking for a while. As if looking for a friend she came to the club with, two women were giggling beside her.

‘Why is she like this? Really!’

They weren’t even close, so why come all the way to the second floor to do this? While questioning Jin Jae Yi’s pitch-black intentions, Park Ra Jin outwardly lifted the corners of her mouth. Showing discomfort would only invite unnecessary gossip.

“I was filming.”

“Ah, right, you’re Serene’s ambassador. Are you done with work?”

Has she finally gone mad after being with Kim Yu Jun?

If not that, this must surely be a nightmare. Jin Jae Yi, not content with just friendly informal speech, came right up to Park Ra Jin’s side and gently linked arms. Quite ostentatiously.

It wasn’t like they were appearing together on a live broadcast program, so what was she trying to show the brand staff and filming PD? Park Ra Jin couldn’t understand why she was putting on such an absurd act.

“You two seem close.”

At the staff member’s attempt at small talk, Jin Jae Yi burst out laughing, looking at her companions.

“Does it look that way?”

“Yes. Are you the same age?”

“I wish we were friends. I’m her elder sister.”

Elder sister? At the impact of this ordinary word, Park Ra Jin took two steps back and quickly pulled her arm away from Jin Jae Yi.

“No? At times like this, even if it’s old-fashioned, shouldn’t you call me elder brother?”

The special meaning carried by the term ‘elder brother’.

Since Kim Yu Jun was the second son and youngest, Jin Jae Yi couldn’t be Park Ra Jin’s elder brother. Moreover, Jin Jae Yi also had no younger brother, so it was even more impossible.

Then, did she want to roleplay as wife and mistress with Kim Yu Jun between them? To properly humiliate her in front of people?

“As I’ve told you before, I haven’t done anything to invite misunderstandings.”

“We’ll have to see about that. Come on, which do you prefer? Elder sister? Or elder brother?”

Jin Jae Yi’s friends laughed as if they were about to choke at her repeated question.

“Elder brother, what nonsense. Even that’s too much.”

“Anyway, our Jae Yi is too soft. Just be an entertainer’s champagne shuttle.”

“I should take care of her. She’ll be living under my shadow anyway.”

My shadow? Who decided that? The unbearable role-play could no longer be tolerated.

“Here, take this.”

Park Ra Jin stared blankly at Jin Jae Yi’s hand offering a tall champagne glass. Then she slowly reached out her hand. As the glass was passing from hand to hand, Park Ra Jin quickly withdrew her hand like someone who had changed their mind on a whim.

The glass fell vertically as if in slow motion and shattered with a thud. Champagne soaked her feet, but what could she do if enduring this was necessary to end this moment?

“Come to think of it, I have another schedule.”

In that instant, a curse far from refined burst from Jin Jae Yi’s lips.

“I’ll consider the champagne drunk, Director Jin Jae Yi.”