“Does it bother you, Team Leader?”

To Ho Jin’s question, Ji Ho inwardly exclaimed ‘Damn it.’ How unfocused must he have been to let his thoughts slip out.

“There’s just something that doesn’t sit right.”

Trying to act nonchalant, Ho Jin turned her face back to the window.

– Ladies and gentlemen, the probability of children in blind spots being exposed to crime is……

The woman on the radio reciting child abuse prevention and the dazzling night view of the Han River.

It was an awkward combination, but Ji Ho kept getting distracted.

“Oh! Senior, are you going to receive the commendation at the Law Day event this time?”

Ho Jin, who had her face pressed against the window, turned her whole body.

“Why bother with such a hassle.”

“Others want to receive it but can’t. Why aren’t you going?”

“Then, why don’t you go instead?”

At his leisurely tossed words, Ho Jin raised the corner of her mouth slightly.

“You should go. If you’re lucky, you might receive a bouquet and take commemorative photos.”

Ji Ho chuckled.

“What’s so great about taking a photo with the minister? I’d rather review case files in that time.”

“No, not the minister, but Park Ra Jin. Haven’t you heard she’s coming to this event?”

For goodness knows how many times today, not only popping up here and there unexpectedly, but now even at the company? Ji Ho furrowed his brow at her unpredictable presence.

“Wasn’t it last year or so, she filmed a drama at the Gwacheon Government Complex?”

“Drama?”

“This is what happens when you only watch the news.”

It was the first he’d heard of it.

“Anyway, there’s a rumor that the minister specially requested Park Ra Jin then. To be a PR ambassador for the Ministry of Justice.”

“You sure know a lot of useless things.”

“Well, I have quite a wide network, don’t I?”

Ho Jin leaned in slightly.

“I have a close friend who’s seasoned in the entertainment industry. Want me to share some gossip I heard?”

Despite Ji Ho’s lack of reaction, Ho Jin lowered her voice considerably, paying no mind.

“They say there are so many chaebol men chasing after Park Ra Jin.”

Chaebol men? Was Kim Yu Jun feeling insecure because of that? Even if there were many competitors, still. A threat when he should be trying harder to win Park Ra Jin’s favor? Ji Ho couldn’t readily understand Kim Yu Jun’s behavior.

“Everyone’s going crazy trying to impress her. And the top among them is Kim Yu Jun.”

“How do you know that?”

“There’s a rumor that he invests in every project Park Ra Jin appears in without even asking. Almost at the level of a ‘money sponsor.'”

Large sums exchanged for investments……

If so, Kim Yu Jun’s actions were even more questionable.

There was something subtle between the two that couldn’t be explained by money alone. Of course, he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what that something was.

“Plus, Park Ra Jin has a legal brother.”

“What’s a legal brother?”

“I mean her stepfather’s son. In other words, someone not related by blood at all.”

“Complicated.”

As Ji Ho showed interest, Ho Jin’s eyes sparkled.

“That brother runs Park Ra Jin’s agency, and his name is Oh Jong Hyuk. I heard he was once investigated for violating the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act.”

– Contact Oh Jong Hyuk immediately.

As if someone had pressed a button, Kim Yu Jun’s voice automatically played back. In that moment, Ji Ho’s eyes turned cold.

“But there’s a theory that Kim Yu Jun practically set up that agency. Even so, geez……”

“Why? What else is there?”

“Sometimes I wonder how much he must like her to act like that, but then I think, is he crazy when he even has a fiancée?”

Ji Ho’s head turned abruptly.

“Fiancée?”

“The youngest of the Haesung Group. Kim Yu Jun’s fiancée is Jin Jae Yi, a director at Hotel HS.”

To be obsessed with Park Ra Jin while having a marriage partner……

Even if it was fan enthusiasm, to invest such large sums there must be a valid reason. Could there be some other meaning? Then he recalled Park Ra Jin, the starting point of this question.

“Ho Jin. When did you say the commendation ceremony was?”

Cheongdam-dong luxury street.

Ra Jin stared at the flagship store window where her face was printed large. Ha, a short sigh escaped.

Why such excessive marketing? It felt like spreading a huge mirror on the street and pretending to be pretty.

“Actress, we’ll proceed with changing the product.”

“Okay.”

As the filming staff moved the reflector under her chin, the makeup director dabbed the tip of her nose with a brush. Being so accustomed to this, Ra Jin immediately assumed her pose as soon as the staff stepped back.

Click click click-

As the photographer pressed the shutter, a series of flashes made her vision blur. Satisfied with the test shot, the photographer immediately gave the okay sign.

“More beautiful than usual. Even more beautiful.”

Amid the flood of directions, Ra Jin tilted her head to highlight her left face. Holding the round powder compact symmetrical to her neckline, she naturally lifted the corners of her mouth.

The staff’s exclamations that a pro is different, and the clamorous shutter sounds.

Ra Jin maintained an alluring smile while moving the cosmetic product, not excessively.

“Just one more! Yes, good. Very good.”

Despite saying it was good earlier, the photographer kept pressing the shutter repeatedly, exclaiming it was art.

Eventually, the muscles under her eyes trembled as if broken.

What time is it now? Feeling the agreed time had long passed, she glanced up at the window. The sky that had been bright blue was now tinged purple.

‘Where is Hyung Sik and what is he doing?’

Not seeing the manager anywhere in sight, Ra Jin sighed quietly. Unable to bear it any longer, Ra Jin called the person in charge.

“Director, I have another schedule…”

She spoke up first, in place of the manager who was neglecting his duties. She could only make it to her mother’s hospital on time if this schedule ended.

Just as she was about to suggest wrapping up.

“Haa, we’ve gone this far over time.”

The manager who had been on the phone sauntered over. Ra Jin narrowed her eyes at his brazen demeanor.

“Our actress’s rate is how much? Shouldn’t you be giving her overtime pay?”

All talk and no action when it comes to what needs to be done. In the industry, a manager’s attitude directly affects the actor’s reputation. Is he crazy?

Unable to just stand by, Ra Jin gestured.

“I’m fine, so please just wrap things up here.”

At her words to hurry, Hyung Sik clamped his mouth shut.

Regardless, Ra Jin squeezed out one last smile and repeatedly said “Thank you for your hard work.”

In front of the store, finally escaping after 30 minutes.

The sky hanging between the checkered buildings was all gray.

Although slightly delayed, it shouldn’t take long to reach the hospital once crossing Hannam Bridge. Ra Jin threw herself into the large van as soon as the door opened.

As she took off the uncomfortably constricting high heels, a tingling sensation ran through her whole body as if electricity was flowing.

‘Ah, I can breathe.’

A groan escaped involuntarily, without the strength to move a finger. Ra Jin leaned deep into the seat and closed her eyes.

Click, as the door closed, Hyung Sik put the phone to his ear again. The destination was obvious, so why was he so eager to report? Was he openly advertising being the CEO’s CCTV? She shook her head in exasperation.

“We’ll be departing.”

Ra Jin nodded at Hyung Sik’s words after he finished the call.

The cheerful BGM from the radio, the line of vehicles with red taillights on, and Hyung Sik’s gaze frequently glancing at the rearview mirror.

Why was he acting so strangely today? Ra Jin turned her face away from the manager’s persistently clinging gaze. Then she looked at the twinkling streetlights, couples walking side by side, and office workers hurrying to the subway entrance.

‘When will I be able to live like that?’

Ra Jin, leaning her head askew against the car window, fell into thought.

– Next news. Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho has newly joined Special Prosecutor Heo Tae Su’s team investigating the fraud fund case. Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho, known for his expertise in special investigations, arrested Myungjin Group Chairman Kim Ki Tae…

Ra Jin snapped out of her reverie at the clear voice from the radio.

That person arrested the chairman?

The young prosecutor’s achievements were so remarkable, the explanation of the numerous political and business heavyweights he had arrested went on at length. Ra Jin leaned in to catch every word.

– As Myungjin Securities sold the largest scale of funds, attention is focused on where the investigation will turn next.

Even if Myungjin Group is powerful, if the news is making such a fuss, it must be a major crisis. Yet he suggested spending the night together at such a crucial time. Ra Jin could only wonder what was going on in Kim Yu Jun’s head.

‘Does he have something he’s relying on?’

Before she could think further, Hyung Sik cleared his throat.

“Where should I park the car?”

“Please drop me off at the back entrance.”

As the turn signal clicked on and the speed gradually decreased, Ra Jin grabbed her bag first.

“I’ll call when I’m done.”

It would only be bothersome to have Hyung Sik accompany her to the hospital room, being alone was better. Stopping the manager who was about to get out of the driver’s seat, Ra Jin got out of the car alone.

Late evening.

The hospital lobby, emptied of outpatients, was quite deserted. Still, she could feel the blatant stares of doctors lingering at the cafe.

15th floor where the private rooms were gathered.

As the light for the odd-numbered floor elevator lit up indicating arrival, Ra Jin crossed the lobby. If she missed that elevator, someone would likely approach asking for a photo. She’d already suffered enough from cameras, nothing would be welcome.

Ra Jin, in high heels, dashed across the slippery floor as if kicking off.

“Wait a moment please!”

She called out to the elevator that was about to close. Suddenly a large hand appeared, and with a clunking sound the door opened again.

“Ha. Thank you.”

Catching her breath, she quickly gave an eye greeting.

As Ra Jin entered the elevator, the man who glanced at her pressed the close button. A fresh scent wafted from the man’s wristwatch that shook with a click.

Citrus scent? Ra Jin’s eyes tilted to the right at the faint fragrance reminiscent of a clear sky.

A man in a classic suit.

The man’s navy lapel entered Ra Jin’s field of vision. The man’s facial features, glimpsed furtively, were as if drawn. But his eyes were as cool as early winter.

“You haven’t pressed yet.”

At his quiet remark, Ra Jin’s hand moved automatically. As she was about to press the 15th floor button, the red light was already on.

‘Here to visit a patient?’

Because of her mother who was a long-term patient, she was familiar with the people on the 15th floor, but the man’s face was unfamiliar.

“I’m also going to the 15th floor.”

“I see.”

She hadn’t wanted him to act familiar, but the man’s curt reply made her feel oddly embarrassed. She’d made a name for herself as a top star, was her recognition still lacking?

Inside the spacious elevator that could fit a mobile bed.

The time alone with a strange man was so awkward, Ra Jin fiddled with her bag, debating whether to take out her phone.

Bzzt, bzzt-

As a vibration sound came from the man standing beside her, Ra Jin’s eyes rolled to the right. Though he was clearly only looking straight ahead, she could clearly see the man’s movement checking the caller.

“Ha.”

Along with his sigh, the citrus scent became a bit stronger.

An unwelcome person? The man just held his phone without answering.

The awkward moment passed briefly as the elevator doors opened with a clear chime.

Ra Jin, adjusting her bag, stepped out first. A quiet presence behind her, and the noisy vibration abruptly cut off.

“Yes, Vice Minister. This is Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho.”

Ra Jin’s head whipped around.