They risked plunging Jino Group into chaos, so Do Jun needed to consider the greater good, ensuring Hae Joo wasn’t overwhelmed.
Just then, Do Jun’s phone rang. It was Director Kwak calling.
Back in his car, Choi In Ho struggled to compose himself, still haunted by Do Jun’s intimidating gaze.
His hands trembled in fear and frustration.
“That bastard, does he think I’ll just let this happen?”
Searching his camera bag, he found some calming pills and quickly took one.
After a deep breath, he called Sun Kyu.
“It’s me. What’s happening?”
“Your article this morning backfired,” Sun Kyu reported.
“Why?”
“People claiming to know Do Jun are posting their stories everywhere.”
“No, why?”
“People everywhere are posting that they know CEO Do Jun,” Sun Kyu relayed.
“What are they saying?”
Choi In Ho’s rage exploded.
Despite the agonizing pain in his head, Sun Kyu continued.
“Someone started a national petition accusing us of causing chaos with sensational articles.”
“Oh, really!”
“Already, the petition has more than 50,000 signatures.”
“That many?”
“It seems it’ll quickly surpass 200,000. The editor-in-chief has just been summoned by the director.”
The director wasn’t known for his loyalty.
Being adept at discarding what’s unfavorable, Choi In Ho was anxious.
“The editor-in-chief will surely defend us, right?”
“Moreover, the police issued a summons, and today Hae Joo and CEO Do Jun filed additional lawsuits against us.”
“Again?”
“Not just against you, but the company faces a significant amount in damage claims.”
It seemed he had provoked someone untouchable.
Yet, as a journalist, his pride wouldn’t allow him to back down.
“If Do Jun gets cornered, he’s done for! I’ll make sure of it, just watch.”
“Before that, you might be the one getting arrested. And me too…”
“Why you?”
“The summons says I’m implicated as a kidnapper too. We’re completely doomed.”
“Damn it!”
“Hurry back, please. I’m ending the call.”
Sun Kyu hung up, feeling drained. Facing desperation, Choi In Ho quickly started strategizing.
He needed to find someone else who was as affected by the situation as himself.
“Hae Joo is in cahoots with CEO Do Jun. So, the person left out in the middle is…”
It was Jin Han.
Digging into Jin Han’s special feelings for Hae Joo could yield answers.
“He must have liked Hae Joo.”
Choi In Ho decided against calling and opted for a direct meeting.
He drove to GN Entertainment, one of the largest entertainment agencies in the country.
Choi In Ho had shaken up the company’s star, Hae Joo. Initially, he felt triumphant.
But soon, he was unexpectedly on the defensive.
Yet, yesterday’s enemy could become today’s ally.
He may have lost Yura, but winning over Jin Han could be his trump card.
“What brings you here?”
Arriving at GN Entertainment, Choi In Ho was met by a security guard.
“I’ve come to see Director Jin Han.”
“If you don’t have an appointment, please leave,” the guard replied.
Out of options, Choi In Ho pulled out all his cash and checks.
He begged as he stuffed the money into the guard’s pocket.
“Please just tell Director Jin Han that I’m here.”
“No, this isn’t right!”
“Please, this is my last hope.”
The guard, torn by the hefty cash, hesitated.
After checking around, he sternly warned Choi In Ho.
“Don’t try this a second time.”
“Understood.”
Recently, he had been informed by the company that they had contracted with a professional security firm.
The office was newly established, and it was planned to move it to the first-floor lobby, expecting young security guards to join soon.
Thinking he might as well make some money before getting fired, the guard sighed deeply and headed to the security room.
He was afraid to speak to the recently irritable Jin Han, but he picked up the phone.
“Yes?”
“It’s the security room. A visitor has arrived.”
“Send any outsiders away. I haven’t scheduled any appointments.”
“But…”
The guard, feeling awkward, turned around.
Choi In Ho, instantly sensing the atmosphere, snatched the phone.
“I’m reporter Choi In Ho.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Let’s put our heads together! You don’t like Do Jun either, do you?”
Choi In Ho provoked, trying to gauge Jin Han’s reaction.
As he heard rapid breathing on the other end, his heart pounded.
“Come to the first-floor reception room.”
“Phew, good thinking.”
He couldn’t afford to miss this slim chance.
Somehow, he had to persuade Jin Han and strike a blow against Do Jun.
Meanwhile, Jin Han scoffed at Choi In Ho’s audacious visit. It was too unsatisfying to just send away someone who dared to propose an alliance.
He decided to temporarily borrow a more ruthless power than his own.
“Han Jin Tae, Director, it’s me. Are you busy?”
“I’m on my way back from the provinces. What’s the matter?”
“Just take care of a rat for me. But don’t tell my father.”
“Understood. I’ll send someone right away.”
Jin Han relayed the rat’s location and leaned back in his chair.
Whether Choi In Ho would walk out on his own feet remained uncertain.
When Hae Joo woke up, the sky was overcast.
Do Jun, who had dozed off on the sofa, woke up sensing her movements.
“Awake?”
“Where did everyone go?”
“Sent Hyun Seong back. He said he was returning to the office.”
“I see.”
“Let’s eat something.”
The mealtime was ambiguous.
So, Manager Song ordered delivery from the hospital.
While waiting, Do Jun lay next to Hae Joo, holding her.
“You decided to do a press conference tomorrow?”
“So Hyun Seong told you?”
“Yeah. But I’m saying…”
Do Jun’s voice tightened, and he gripped Hae Joo tighter.
“Don’t do it.”
“What?”
“Don’t hold the press conference.”
“Do Jun!”
“The rumors about me have been around for a while, and Choi In Ho just exaggerated them.”
“That’s not all, you know.”
“I hate the idea of you doing a press conference in your condition.”
For once, Do Jun was unwilling to compromise. The close call of almost losing the baby made him intolerant of any risks.
“Just come with me to the press conference.”
“What?”
“We have nothing to hide, so there’s no fear.”
“Hmm.”
Earlier, he had received a call from Director Kwak.
Han Jin Tae, known as Chairman Yu’s man, had visited Jeju Island. He had offered to become an investor in the ongoing movie project.
Chairman Yu intended to manipulate Do Jun and Hae Joo himself.
Director Kwak’s opinion was straightforward.
‘Those guys are definitely crazy. We should probably wrap up the Jeju Island shooting quickly.’
He deliberately didn’t mention this to Hae Joo.
Chairman Yu would be closely watching the press conference scheduled for tomorrow, which was a cause for concern.
During the conversation, Do Jun’s phone rang. It was a call from Hyun Seong, so he quickly answered.
“Yes, Hyun Seong.”
[Dash] Our company is in chaos right now!Although surprised, there was a hint of excitement in the outcry.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
