The man, who had erased his smile and was staring blankly, seemed to have no intention of showing any further kindness.

Yoo Jin still wore a displeased expression, but quickly turned away to avoid the temperamental man’s mood that could change at any moment.

The man watched as Yoo Jin turned around and left the office, waiting until the door closed before finally withdrawing his cold gaze.

The unexpected visit and irritating conversation with Yoo Jin brought inexplicable annoyance and fatigue.

Her so-called advice was laughable, and her courage to stand up for her younger sister was ridiculous.

Nam Yoo Jin probably doesn’t know who really doesn’t understand Nam Yoo In accurately.

“The more I see, the less alike they are.”

Just as the man let out a soft chuckle and covered his stiff eyes with his hand, a commotion outside the thick door that usually blocked most noise disturbed his rest.

This floor belonged to Ki Yeon. His office, secretarial office, multiple meeting rooms, and reception rooms were all under Ki Yeon’s command.

The master of this floor disliked loud noises. This was a basic rule that those who assisted him should naturally be aware of. But now, how should he deal with these outrageous behaviors?

Ki Yeon remained silent, sunk into the sofa. However, his tightly closed eyes and tense mind were busy working.

Then, knock knock! The somewhat irritable knock resonated in his eardrums.

“Come in.”

Ki Yeon waited for a while before allowing the visitor to enter. With the sound of the door bursting open, two guests barged in.

“Why are you following me in? If you’re done, get out!”

“I’m curious about what you’re going to say, so I can’t leave.”

“There’s nothing for you to know, so go. Quickly.”

“Why? Is there something I shouldn’t know? Are you going to have a secret conversation with Director Do?”

The man who had lowered his hand that was blocking his vision, now resting his chin on his cold hand, watched the two with an expressionless, colorless gaze.

The two who had been arguing seemed to sense the chilly, unspoken warning and stopped talking, each taking a seat. Even in that moment, the glances they exchanged were filled with sharp emotions towards each other.

Ki Yeon spoke with the face of someone who had no interest in such petty power struggles.

“Both of you, say what you need to say quickly and leave. I’m a bit tired.”

He then looked at his wristwatch again. The man, who was exuding a different threatening aura than when he had just met with Yoo Jin alone, was difficult to approach casually.

The woman, who had long since finished her business and was sitting with her arms crossed haughtily, glanced disapprovingly at Yoo Jin and then shot a protesting look at the man who was ignoring Yoo Jin.

Ki Yeon, as if he didn’t understand, disinterestedly gestured for the woman to hurry up. She then, as if she had no choice, opened her lips that she had been biting.

“Director. Please put me in as a supporting role in ‘That Summer by the Sea’.”

Yoo Jin made a face as if he had eaten something disgusting upon hearing this absurd request, but Ki Yeon responded languidly without much reaction.

“The reason.”

“I want to work with that director too. If you put me in, I’ll really work hard. I won’t cause any more trouble in the future. I’ll listen well to what you say and won’t do anything you tell me not to do.”

Ki Yeon brought about a stern silence with an expression that made it impossible to know what he was thinking. As the emperor who was considering their opinions kept his mouth shut, Yoo Jin, overwhelmed by an absurd impatience, launched the first attack.

“Kim Sun Young. Is something wrong with your head? Are you trying to cause trouble again by getting into my movie? Don’t you know that with your acting skills, you’d barely qualify for a bit part in a film?”

“You’re the one who shouldn’t be so confident in your popularity. If you fall, there’s no coming back.”

“Wow! Are you worried about me now? I’m so touched I could cry. But you know what? I have no intention of doing that. Unlike someone who destroyed a perfectly successful group with their reckless behavior.”

“You really-!”

Bang-!

A thunderous sound cut off the fuse that was about to ignite. The resolute fist that had shaken the tea table gracefully came to rest on the man’s knee.

“Our actors seem to have become quite lax. Do you think this is a marketplace where we’ve set up a stage for you to fight?”

The man who had muttered ominously looked at the time again. He seemed to want to wrap up this tedious meeting soon.

“Ms. Kim Sun Young, your request is denied. That film director is very particular about casting, and all discussions have already been concluded. I have no reason to forcibly include you at the cost of incurring losses.”

His voice was low and even, as if stating objective facts.

“The lead in that film is Nam Yoo Jin, and it wouldn’t be good for the mental health of the main actor. It would ruin the atmosphere on set, delay filming, waste production costs, and cause unnecessary hardship. If the film turns out to be a mess and doesn’t break even… Can you take responsibility for all that?”

“I’ll do my best to-”

“No. This isn’t a matter of doing your best. I’m telling you this isn’t your place.”

“…”

“I have no intention of reconsidering, so don’t waste your breath. Have you said everything you needed to say?”

“No, that’s… Just a moment. Can’t you… ask him to leave?”

Ki Yeon’s brow furrowed slightly and then relaxed. Eager to get this over with, Ki Yeon waved his hand at Yoo Jin, telling him to leave.

However, for some reason, Yoo Jin remained unmoved. Glaring at Sun Young with a deeply furrowed brow, Yoo Jin ignored Ki Yeon and blurted out the question he had been rolling around in his mouth.

“Hey. How did you know Director Do’s car number? Are you a stalker?”

Ki Yeon quietly chewed on a hollow laugh as he pressed his large, strong fingers to his temple. Was his body aware of the impending fatigue that was about to descend, causing this irritation?

He had a vague idea why Nam Yoo Jin, who was usually so docile, was suddenly flying in like a moth to a flame. With his quick wit and ability to read situations, he must have figured it out immediately.

That ability, which was useful as an actor, was now quite annoying. Since his mouth was quite loose, he might spill everything to someone full of worry and concern, so he needed to be firmly silenced.

“What does it matter how I found out!”

“Oh~ So you are a stalker? Are you going to start following the director to his house next? Ah. I heard you put on an unnecessary show recently. Why do you live like that? And then you have the audacity to say you’ll listen well and do everything you’re told? Huh. Even a passing dog would laugh at that.”

“Nam Yoo Jin. Why have you been picking fights with me all this time? Does it harm you if I show interest in the director? Have I ever caused you any harm? Why did you follow me in here and why are you interfering?”

“Why do you think? Think about it carefully.”

Just as Yoo Jin was sneering, a snap of fingers drew their attention. Startled and bold gazes converged on one point.

“I didn’t know our actors were so enthusiastically interested in my private life. I never asked for this.”

Ahem. The man cleared his throat and spoke calmly with a chilling smile.

“I don’t ask for much from our actors. One thing is that I hope you’ll stop causing stupid incidents, and the other is that I’d like you to continue acting well as you have been. Not wasting time like this.”

“…”

“If you understand, let’s all quietly leave. Without causing any more commotion.”

The man, permeated with coldness, rose from his seat, signaling the end of the meeting.

Ki Yeon had no patience left to listen to Sun Young’s absurd words. He had already expended much patience dealing with Nam Yoo Jin and Kim Sun Young.

It was then, as his slender back was turning towards the desk, that something grabbed his sleeve from behind.

Ki Yeon hesitated in his steps and turned his head slightly. Sun Young was holding onto him with a desperate expression.

“What are you doing?”

“Director…”

As Ki Yeon coldly shook off her hand and brushed his sleeve as if it had been stained with some filthy substance, Sun Young looked hurt.

Regardless, Ki Yeon, now filled with displeasure, unconsciously raised his eyes and met Yoo Jin’s gaze, who had his mouth wide open in shock.

Ah, this. He clicked his tongue softly. A truly annoying situation had arisen. In that brief moment of closing and opening his eyes, Ki Yeon, having determined the priority of resolution, issued a curt order of expulsion.

“Nam Yoo Jin. Get out.”

Yoo Jin’s sharp gaze asked why. Ki Yeon coldly repeated his order to leave.

Yoo Jin looked back and forth between Ki Yeon and Sun Young standing side by side in disbelief, then let out a snort of derision before finally leaving the office with heavy footsteps.

Before the silence could settle in the room after the troublemaker had left, a low voice filled with contempt and anger flew towards Sun Young.

“Listen, Ms. Kim Sun Young.”

Ki Yeon stepped closer to Sun Young. The man, backlit by the lighting, exuded an ominous aura. Sun Young swallowed hard, her eyes wide, as she faced him, surrounded by raw anger that had just escaped from deep darkness.

“How much more do I have to tolerate? Staff assault, missed schedules, all sorts of scandals, and even gapjil controversy issues – I’ve cleaned up quite a variety. Thanks to you, Ms. Kim Sun Young.”

His deep voice was full of pressure that squeezed the breath out of the other person.

Then Ki Yeon suddenly chuckled. It was clearly a deliberate sneer.

“Well, I understand, but don’t try so hard to attract my attention. Why are you eroding your own value and making yourself useless? You surely don’t need me to point out that you need to maintain at least that much to stay here? You’re not unfamiliar with how this industry works to the extent that I need to spell out every little thing, are you?”

“…”

“If you want to be around me that badly, try being born as Nam Yoo In in your next life. Then you might at least get a glance, don’t you think?”

Sun Young, who had been barely maintaining a thin breath, shuddered with a reddened face as if she couldn’t breathe.

Confirming that this trembling was due to the humiliation and insult he had delivered, Ki Yeon burst into laughter as if even that sight was pathetic.

“Take it easy, take it easy. Don’t deliberately create trouble in front of Nam Yoo Jin. No matter how much anyone struggles, his heart won’t turn back to you.”

The man whispered in a sweet voice that would never be heard again.

Shocked by the man’s arrogant and fierce declaration, Sun Young finally couldn’t suppress her welling tears.

The woman, who had received too painful and grand a price for her unrequited feelings, pitifully let her tears flow.

And just before leaving the office, she glared at Ki Yeon with eyes full of cruel venom, then roughly closed the door and disappeared.