“The agency?”

“Yes. I wanted Ra Jin to know.”

As if the vague thought and immediate reality felt different, Park Ra Jin’s face suddenly turned pale.

In fact, although she had been excluded from danger, the events that had transpired hadn’t disappeared. Kang Ji Ho intended to separate work and Ra Jin in both public and private spheres, but he felt he should inform her about the agency search warrant in advance.

With the CEO absent, someone from the company would contact Ra Jin, who was tied as family. If not informed beforehand, it was obvious she would be flustered.

“For security reasons, I can’t tell you in detail, but it’s about what I discussed with Ho Jin last time.”

“Ah… the search and seizure?”

Ji Ho nodded lightly.

“What should I do?”

“Stay with Ha Eun tomorrow.”

“With Ha Eun?”

“How about going somewhere you can’t reach even if the company contacts you? Together with Ha Eun.”

After moving her lips a few times, she soon gave an affirmative answer.

‘If they conduct the search tomorrow, will Ra Jin’s name appear in the articles?’

Oh Jong Hyuk, the person involved, would become ‘Entertainment Agency CEO Mr. A’, while the name of Ra Jin, a public figure, could be plastered everywhere. If there were many disturbing issues, it would be better for Ra Jin to part ways with the agency at this point.

“When Oh Jong Hyuk is arrested, we’ll quickly settle things with the agency.”

“Yes. I’ll look into the advertisements with penalties first.”

Ji Ho was encouraged by Ra Jin’s willing agreement. To avoid paying large penalties, they would have to deal with the contracts with the most time remaining first.

“Let’s see if we can take over the remaining contracts even after leaving the agency.”

“There will probably be similar cases. Many celebrities part ways with their agencies.”

“I’ll look for a competent lawyer.”

As the matter seemed to be growing larger than expected, Ra Jin’s face darkened considerably. He didn’t want to see this expression… It was troublesome for the enjoyable time to end like this.

“Ra Jin.”

At the soft call, she forced a smile. Ji Ho habitually brushed her long hair behind her shoulder and kissed her round forehead.

“By autumn, everything should be over.”

So please wait just a little, just a little longer, Ji Ho whispered.

“By the time the drama filming ends, as if nothing happened?”

Instead of answering, Ji Ho confirmed with his lips. Ra Jin’s large eyes blinked slowly as she put her arms around Ji Ho’s shoulders.

Ji Ho closed his eyes slowly at the comfort of their touching body heat.

“The search and seizure. How long does it usually take?”

It was difficult to give a definite answer as it varies depending on the site. But since they were going in knowing what documents were where thanks to Ra Jin’s tip, it shouldn’t take long.

“If there’s no dispute, it should end around 2-3 PM.”

“Are you going there directly?”

“No, I’m not. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more.”

“Oh, no. It’s fine as long as you’re not in danger.”

Perhaps because of the conversation they had at Ho Jin’s house before, Ra Jin took it surprisingly calmly.

“Can you be brave?”

“Yes. Let’s go back now.”

“Do you want to go?”

“I don’t want to interfere with your work.”

She had already been afraid of ruining his work. Ji Ho’s heart ached, feeling like he had made her unnecessarily cautious.

Originally, he wanted to spend 24 hours with her, but why were circumstances so unfavorable? What would be best between the company and her? Ji Ho didn’t want to lose either.

“How about playing in the water for 30 minutes, washing up for 30 minutes, and leaving as soon as we’re done?”

“I’m fine. Don’t push yourself unnecessarily.”

“I just don’t want to part like this.”

Ji Ho said, pulling Ra Jin’s hesitating hand.

“Today is like a drama preview. Next time, we’ll properly make time to play like the main broadcast. How about that?”

He wanted to express his apologies somehow. Still feeling insufficient, Ji Ho pressed Ra Jin’s palm to his cheek and smiled brightly.

“What’s this… this puppy-like expression…”

Looks like she likes it? Then would this work too? Ji Ho leaned forward towards Ra Jin, who was trying to hold back her laughter with twitching lips.

“Put your hand on my shoulder.”

As soon as her soft hand touched his shoulder, Ji Ho lifted Ra Jin up. A startled scream escaped as her hands tightened their grip.

“Since we’re short on time, let’s go quickly and play quickly.”

As he chanted quickly, quickly for everything, Ra Jin relaxed and rested her head.

“Okay. Let’s do everything quickly, us.”

“Now there’s only one thing left. That ‘okay’ coming from Ra Jin’s mouth.”

If time was short, they’d just have to play harder within that time. Ji Ho, carrying Ra Jin, strode towards the stream in front of the house.

[This is the timeline separator]

Caramel-colored soil and evenly spaced stones. The ends of the roof tiles perched atop were beautiful like the tips of socks. On this quaint stone-walled path, Park Ra Jin walked arm in arm with Jung Ha Eun.

The director’s distant “Cut!” and the staff bustling to pack up again. Ra Jin looked around the historical drama filming set.

At Ji Ho’s mention of an impending search and seizure, Ra Jin’s thoughts multiplied.

Should she get a facial before filming, or work out to ease her troubled mind? Or should she stay put at her mother’s hospital?

Ra Jin pondered over various options.

Then, quite unexpectedly, she made up her mind upon seeing the script on her dressing table.

The filming location, where she could make excuses about being far away even if the company called, seemed like the optimal place. Plus, she could take a drive with Ha Eun for a change of mood.

Although Ra Jin’s filming was scheduled for the next day, she left at dawn, preparing snacks for good measure. This spontaneous decision to visit the set turned out to be perfect.

When Ra Jin showed up with loads of snacks, the actors and staff cheered so enthusiastically it was almost embarrassing.

Moreover, as if it were a sign of good fortune or just a lucky day, she ended up giving an impromptu interview after catching a reporter’s eye. With this, today’s alibi was sufficiently proven.

So many events in such a short time.

Ra Jin pulled Ha Eun’s hand to take a breather. They walked gracefully down the dirt path, arms linked affectionately like lovers on a date.

“Seems like something big happened at the company. Your phone’s been ringing off the hook.”

Yesterday, Ra Jin had sought a sort of permission from Ji Ho. How much she could tell Ha Eun. Although Ha Eun wasn’t the type to gossip easily, Ra Jin couldn’t act on her own. Ji Ho’s work was that important and dangerous.

“How many missed calls now?”

“Fifty.”

“Still no contact from Tae Hyung Sik?”

“That guy has good instincts. Looks like he ran away early, sensing trouble.”

The manager who said he was going to meet Director Hyun had turned off his phone since yesterday.

It was 8 PM when she got home after parting with Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho. She had sent a message saying she’d go to the filming location a day early, but Hyung Sik neither replied nor answered calls. Despite numerous missed calls and messages, Tae Hyung Sik had been off the grid for a full 15 hours.

“The company must have been trying to reach Tae Hyung Sik too, right?”

“Of course. How much did Tae Hyung Sik always brag, ‘I’m the CEO’s right hand. I’m the real power.'”

The manager did stir up trouble all over the company. Surely someone from the staff would have contacted Tae Hyung Sik. Why wasn’t he answering? Had something happened?

Scenes from action movies played out in Ra Jin’s mind. But this wasn’t some criminal organization, and Director Hyun wasn’t the type to make such rash moves.

“Is he running away, afraid of getting scolded by Director Hyun?”

“Why, did Tae Hyung Sik say something to you?”

“He asked me for help yesterday. I told him to figure it out himself.”

“There’s a saying for times like this. ‘The thickness of his face…'”

Knowing the manager’s usual misdeeds well, Ha Eun waved her palm over her face. Ra Jin chuckled at Ha Eun’s all-too-real expression.

Was it okay to laugh when someone was unreachable? Should she try contacting Director Hyun now? Even if the manager had been unpleasant, shouldn’t they maintain at least a minimal sense of human compassion? A shadow fell over Ra Jin’s heart.

Then she suddenly looked up at the sky.

A blue sky with fluffy clouds floating about. The kind of bright, deep blue sky you’d see in a favorite cartoon movie filled Ra Jin’s view.

“Ha Eun.”

“Yes?”

“I’m thinking of contacting Director Hyun.”

“What for! No! Don’t!”

Have you forgotten Tae Hyung Sik’s misdeeds? How he’d glare and monitor even a simple greeting with male actors on set, or complain about inadequate refreshments at ad shoots, tarnishing the actor’s image? Ha Eun jumped up and down, invoking memories.

“Tae Hyung Sik even brought some thug-like friends to tail the prosecutor… no, that person.”

At Ha Eun’s question of whether she’d forgotten, Ra Jin’s chest suddenly ached. Right, that had happened.

In fact, if Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho hadn’t been so capable, their meetings would have been exposed already. Not just the meetings, but his movements too could have been revealed, making him a target for Kim Yu Jun. To think she was about to help such a person as Tae Hyung Sik.

Ra Jin had almost become a foolish person, falling into useless sympathy.

“You’re right. Everything you say is correct, Ha Eun.”

“You’re too kind, unnie. That’s why you need someone as reliable as him right by your side.”

With Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho around, Ra Jin wouldn’t have to worry about being backstabbed or hurt, Ha Eun continued her concerned advice like a real sister.

Ra Jin just nodded, taking her sister-like friend’s advice to heart. Why was she still so weak despite trying to change? Ra Jin berated herself, then reflected again.

“Sigh. Knowing I’m at the filming location, they should ease up on the calls.”

As if another call was coming in, Ha Eun took out Ra Jin’s phone from her bag.

“Oh! Unnie, it’s Lawyer Kim.”

“Lawyer Kim?”

“Yes. What should we do?”

Although Kim Yu Jun had told her to pretend not to know, Ra Jin couldn’t completely avoid Oh Jong Hyuk. After all, he was family, if only in name, and the agency CEO. She hadn’t taken the lawyer’s call yesterday either, so she probably should talk today.

“I’ll answer. Give me the phone.”

Ra Jin quickly pressed the call button after receiving the phone.

[Ms. Park!]

“Yes, Lawyer.”

[Why haven’t you been answering? I was worried sick.]

Ra Jin was dumbfounded by the reproachful voice.

“I heard about the CEO’s situation from the manager.”

[Ha, then you could have called back, even if late. This is no time to be so leisurely.]

Are there only rude people around Oh Jong Hyuk? Ra Jin no longer wanted to continue the call with the lawyer who was subtly mixing in informal speech.

“I’m at the filming location now. It’s difficult to talk.”

[Ah, no. Wait a moment!]

At the lawyer’s urgent cry, Ra Jin sighed overtly in annoyance.

“If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

[CEO Oh has been arrested.]