Two years ago, the man in the video that Ji-Hyun Jung showed with a cold smile was walking in the busy street. He staggered, collided with a woman, suddenly grabbed her arm, and dragged her to a nearby hotel.
When the woman resisted until the end, he brutally assaulted her right in the middle of the street. It was literally a merciless assault. From the face, eyes, arms, and legs, everything was subjected to kicking and punching.
Ye-Rum couldn’t bring herself to watch it until the end.
“See? Tae-Seok doesn’t even remember that day because he was drunk.”
“No… No. That’s not possible. He’s not like that.”
“Look closely. Confirm with your own eyes whether it’s Seo Tae-Seok or not.”
Forcing herself, Ji-Hyun Jung placed the screen in front of Ye-Rum and played it again.
It wasn’t a direct shot, quite shaky, and the video quality wasn’t great. However, the man in the video, shot slightly from the side, was indeed Seo Tae-Seok.
Especially, the back view was undeniably that of Seo Tae-Seok. The sharp jawline and broad shoulders visible through the fluttering hair.
Moreover, the L-brand sweater worn by the man in the video was the same one that had hung in Tae-Seok’s closet until a few days ago. She remembered the unique design, claimed to be rare domestically, just a few days ago.
“On that day, I spent millions and barely managed to suppress it. I silenced everyone who saw the videos with an immense amount of money. I reached a settlement with this woman using an enormous sum as well.”
“No. I don’t believe it.”
“Whether you believe it or not doesn’t matter. It was only once, but if that one time is revealed, Tae-Seok is finished. Understand?”
It was the unluckiest day of Ye-Rum’s life.
How could I have such an absurd video? Editing? Fabrication? Direction? I couldn’t grasp anything with my own mind. It seemed so convincing that if I had loved him a little less, I might have just believed it.
“It’s definitely not true. I don’t believe it.”
But whether it was true or not wasn’t important. Ye-Rum despaired because of this.
Seo Tae-Seok’s video. How provocative and strange those words were. Once suspicions arise, the public will attack Tae-Seok regardless of the truth.
The media will continue to produce malicious articles, the public will exaggerate rumors, and voices proclaiming the truth will be buried without a chance to be heard.
Such incidents had always existed in the shadows. Mud-slinging battles between agency representatives and affiliated actors. A dirty relationship where they were like family when things were good but met in court to hurl insults when the relationship soured.
Ji-Hyun Jung would claim that the video was of Tae-Seok, and Tae-Seok would refute it.
The public would clamor about who was right, but most would hope that Ji-Hyun Jung’s words were true. People always wanted sensational news.
“After fighting in court for several years, Seo Tae-Seok may eventually win, but when that happens, no one will care anymore. The truth isn’t interesting.”
So, even if she wins in the end, it won’t be a victory. Tae-Seok’s celebrity life would be over.
“If this video is released, how many days will it take for Seo Tae-Seok to collapse? A week? A month? I’ve worked hard for ten years, only to have it ruined in a few days.”
Yes, the truth didn’t matter. Somehow, this video had to be stopped, and Tae-Seok had to be protected.
So, they broke up. Ye-Rum wasn’t a woman who could fight against this.
That’s how she felt.
“I should have endured it…”
Now, regret overwhelmed her. The strength drained from the hand holding the beer.
If Seo Tae-Seok crumbled, Ji-Hyun Jung would also be finished. If she had thought a little more sensibly, she might have noticed, but Ye-Rum was too exhausted.
She had already given up so much for him, so what was the difficulty in making one more effort?
“If Ji-Hyun Jung asks for an apology, I should do it…”
While thinking such thoughts, a phone call came. It was Young.
[Unnie, what are you doing? I’m on break. I’m late again today.]“Ah… Yeah. I’m just here. Did you eat?”
[Unnie? Why does your voice sound like that?]Young caught on to Ye-Rum’s odd tone.
“No, it’s nothing. Why?”
[Yeah. Why are you crying? What’s wrong?]Ye-Rum wiped away her tears and forcibly brightened her voice.
“Really, it’s nothing. Don’t worry.”
It was a coincidence, an impulse.
Ji-Hyuk happened to pass by near Young’s waiting area, overheard the conversation, and learned that Ye-Rum was crying. In an instant, the desire to comfort her surged uncontrollably.
Since the wait for the shoot was getting longer, Ji-Hyeok thought it would be okay to go out for an hour or two. He quickly finished up and headed to Ye-Rum’s house, partially letting his guard down.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
When he came to his senses, he realized he was pressing the doorbell at Ye-Rum’s house.
“Who…”
A cautious voice flowed out.
“Who is it?”
“Nuna, it’s me, Ji-Hyeok.”
I should have called before coming. Why did I rush here, even throwing away my phone? Ji-Hyeok felt a bit empty, exhaling a sigh.
Clatter. The door opened.
Ye-Rum, emitting a faint beer smell, stood there with a serious expression. Ji-Hyeok wordlessly handed her the chicken.
“This was in front of the door.”
“Ah.”
It was a hastily ordered chicken that he had forgotten about. She didn’t feel like drinking, so she had casually ordered it. Even though she had no intention of eating, she accepted it for now.
“What’s going on?”
Ye-Rum, who was uncomfortable with Ji-Hyeok suddenly coming to her house without any prior notice, asked without letting her guard down.
“I heard you were talking to Young and that you were crying… I got worried.”
Ye-Rum briefly raised her eyes from inspecting Ji-Hyeok’s face meticulously, then lowered her gaze again. Something was strange, really strange.
The situation now seemed a bit too kind to call it kindness. Moreover, she didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with someone today.
Tired, Ye-Rum said in a flat tone, “Go back. I’m sorry, Ji-Hyeok. It’s uncomfortable for you to come to my house without any plans.”
The door closed like that.
Ji-Hyeok, who was looking at the front door, sighed deeply. He realized he had been too hasty, but it was already spilled water.
Closed like the entrance door, had Ye-Rum’s heart also firmly shut? It became a concern of how to make up for this awkward visit. After pressing the elevator button with sagging shoulders, he swept his hair back.
At that moment, the elevator door opened, and Tae-Seok came down.
“Why is Hyung here?”
“Why are you here again?”
The enmity between the two men who didn’t want to back down clashed in the air for the second time.
An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
