It was called a crime video resembling Seo Tae-seok, and it quickly became popular, spreading like a trend. Thanks to that, almost everyone knew about the news of an actor resembling Tae-seok committing a crime and being arrested.

Ji-hyun-jung, who had exercised her right to remain silent, finally uttered nonsensical words a few days later.

“I’m also a victim. This is all a scheme by Seo Tae-seok. Please let me be investigated together.”

Her embezzlement and unrepentant attitude were reported daily. It was unclear how the investigation information was leaking, but it was impossible to find out.

Even those who had pitied her downfall turned their heads at her shameless attitude.

“If everything goes according to plan, the executives will be looking for Tae-seok around now…”

Director Hong said.

That was because HJ Planning’s stock plunge had been reported day after day.

<78% Drop. HJ ‘Ji-hyun-jung Shock’>>

As everyone expected, the company was shaken to its core. The stock market was in chaos, and stock prices were fluctuating wildly.

A representative with two faces. Seo Tae-seok continued to renew contracts and embezzled all the money. Various bullying and misdeeds were reported. Bad rumors spread quickly. Whenever people gathered, they talked about Ji-hyun-jung.

Internal noise also arose. Entertainers with contracts expiring soon quickly began looking for other agencies, and all schedules for a debuting idol were canceled.

The shareholders and directors’ wrath seemed to pierce the sky. At this rate, HJ Planning’s stock would become scraps of tissue, and the damage would be entirely on their account.
As expected, a few impatient directors rallied together to find Tae-seok. Tae-seok himself was one of the internal directors and a major shareholder.

“We need to drag out the CEO!”

Tae-seok, having some previous relationship with them, had refused several times, citing the difficulty of stepping forward. However, their determination was too forceful, and in the end, he had to reluctantly lend his support. It was a plausible performance.

And today.

An emergency board meeting was convened, and the agenda was the dismissal of the CEO.

Ji-hyun-jung had embezzled corporate funds to buy overseas stocks and real estate.

Especially, the purchase of overseas stocks had been ongoing for several years. Although it was revealed in this investigation that she considered the corporate account as her personal funds, Ji-hyun-jung remained ignorant.

“I don’t remember the past, and the current 5 billion is a scheme by Seo Tae-seok.”

But there were too many problems. Even in the tax investigation, several charges were eventually discovered. The group insurance that claimed to be for tax reduction was recognized as intentional tax evasion.

Ji-hyun-jung quickly lost trust in the board of directors.

“Even cheekiness has its limits.”

“Seo Tae-seok tried to block the dismissal until the end.”

“Why?”

“We’ve been through tough times together. He’s a loyal actor.”

The directors gathered didn’t hide their anger.

Even though they were a bit distant, Tae-seok could hear their voices. Tae-seok exerted all his efforts to manage his expression to avoid smiling.

It should have been done sooner.

Revenge was thrilling and delicious.

If Yeoreum had seen it, it would have been nice.

Not being able to bring her along seemed like a lifelong regret.

More easily than expected, the proposal to dismiss the CEO was almost unanimously passed. The directors wanted to decide on a new CEO in this position, and the ones who contributed most to the company, including Seo Tae-seok, shouted that he should take over.

Tae-seok had no interest in management, so he flatly refused, but today, with no immediate alternatives, he decided to temporarily take on the position of interim CEO. The formal CEO was scheduled to be elected within a month.

‘…Everything was taken away.’

Suddenly, Tae-seok thought.

No, it was his company that had been established thanks to him. So, it might be more accurate to consider this not as being taken away but as reclaiming it.

Leaving the conference room, he thought of the faces of some directors who would be good as CEO. Anyone would do a much better job than Ji-hyun-jung.

That’s how HJ Planning quickly erased Ji-hyun-jung.

Yeoreum visited the production company’s office. Singer and actor Jin Shi-hoo had expressed a desire to meet her several times.

It couldn’t be ignored any longer.

It all started during the meeting. Since the role had already been confirmed as Cheon Ji-hyuk, there was no reason to meet, so she had declined. However, he had requested meetings several more times after that.

During the shoot, she kept avoiding him, citing that she was busy and had no thoughts about the next project, but Jin Shi-hoo also didn’t give up.

Now that the shoot was over, she couldn’t think of any more excuses to decline. Avoiding a successful actor continuously might not be courteous, so she made an appointment when it was appropriate.

“Hello.”
“Wow. Writer Choi Yeoreum, it’s really hard to meet you! Nice to meet you. I’m Jin Sihu.”

An actor with sharp eyes and a sharp jawline extended his hand for a handshake. Yeoreum lightly shook hands and took her seat.

She quickly scanned his expression and body. It was a habit developed after becoming a writer.

His neatly combed hair, swept to one side, gave a clean yet intellectual vibe, and his slender jawline was sharp and alluring. His well-built body, not overly muscular, was also beautiful.

It was a visual that suited historical dramas or period pieces. He seemed like an actor with a strong warrior or investigator vibe. She diligently noted that image in her mind.

“You said you’d buy me something delicious, so why meet in the office? I have plenty of money and time.”

He created a smile, folding his eyes naturally.

“It would be awkward for you if two of us met outside. I’ll consider the delicious food my treat.”

The meaning behind his words was that he wouldn’t eat alone with a male actor. Jin Sihu instantly grasped the meaning.

“That’s not it.”

“What?”

“Last week, you had a meal with Seo Taeseok in Cheongdam, didn’t you?”

“Ah. That… Even if you’re careful, people are bound to see it. Instead of hesitating on how to answer, he casually changed the subject.

“Well, that’s not important. Then, please treat me to a meal later. There’s no rule that says Seo Taeseok can be treated, but I can’t.”

“…Okay.”

“What’s your next work, Writer Choi?”

“I’m still in the planning stage.”

“But you must have some plans, right?”

It was a direct and probing way of speaking. Yeoreum dealt with a somewhat tricky type.

“After casting for Writer Choi is decided, I’ll join in. You wouldn’t just use popular actors, right? Seeing actors like Cheon Jihyuk and Luda in the previous work, I can tell.”

Mixing casual and polite speech, he tossed jokes lightly and straightforwardly. It left her a bit disoriented.

“Am I better than someone like Seo Taeseok?”