In the distance, Choi In Ho could be seen emerging from the reception room, his face turning to horror at the sight of the approaching guards.

“Oh no!”

“Let’s have a quick chat.”

“What’s going on?”

“Don’t make noise, just go inside.”

The guards, armed with baseball bats, had a deadly look in their eyes.

Remaining there meant getting beaten up severely.

Meanwhile, Jin Han stopped and casually observed from behind. Seeing him, Choi In Ho yelled out.

“Director Yu Jin Han, what is this madness!”

As a guard reached for Choi In Ho’s collar, he quickly dodged and started to run.

A breathtaking chase between Choi In Ho and the guards began.

Trying to survive the bat swings, Choi In Ho struggled frantically.

“Aaah!”

His terrible screams echoed to the end of the building.

While shocked employees hid in their offices, Hyun Sung boldly chased after them.

A bat grazed Choi In Ho’s shoulder, causing unbearable pain.

“Oh my, I’m dying!”

After being roughed up by Do Jun, Choi In Ho was in despair, fearing he might be buried without a trace, and started to cry.

“Save me!”

No matter how much he cried out, no one came to his aid.

The robust men quickly closed in from all sides, and capture seemed imminent.

“Director, isn’t that Choi In Ho, the journalist?”

“Yes, it is.”

Jin Han’s face was devoid of any emotion.
He watched like someone observing a dull sports match.

Desperate to escape, Choi In Ho raced up the central staircase with Hyun Sung following. Hyun Sung then relayed the chaos to Do Jun.

“Our company’s in an uproar!”

He blurted out excitedly.

Despite the excited voice, Do Jun remained calm.

[Dash] What’s going on?

“Choi In Ho barged into our company, and he’s being chased by men with baseball bats!”

[Dash] What?

“I’ll fill you in later.”

After hanging up, Choi In Ho vanished from view, causing Hyun Sung to look around frantically.

The guards, having lost Choi In Ho, appeared flustered. The second floor, more complex than the first, required a split search.

Rushing towards a loud noise near a large window, they realized they had lost him.

In desperation, Choi In Ho had jumped out a window.

It was only the second floor, but it was as high as the fourth, injuring his ankle. Yet, he kept fleeing.

“What should we do, Director?”

“Let him go for today.”

Scaring him was threat enough.

After the guards left, Hyun Sung reported the situation to Do Jun.

Do Jun, receiving a second call from Hyun Sung, smirked and nodded slowly as they talked.

“So he’s been quiet until now.”

[Dash] Is that so?

“He intentionally cornered Hae Joo, trying to control things his way.”

[Dash] I see.

“Someday he’ll shoot himself in the foot.”

[Dash] You seem different these days. It’s hard to even talk to you.

“Hyun Sung, don’t let anyone know we’re in touch. Change my name in your phone.”

[Dash] Oh, okay! I’ll do that.

“Good job. We’ll talk again.”

After the call, Hae Joo, curious, asked about Choi In Ho.

Do Jun detailed what Hyun Sung had told him.

Hae Joo, pale, swallowed nervously.

“Is that really okay?”

“Where can Chairman Yu’s bloodline go?”

She recalled Jin Han’s words about the world not being as pure as she thought.

The idea that such impurity could affect her too sent shivers down her spine.

During their conversation, Seo Hyun Woo visited the hospital room.

Checking Hae Joo’s condition, he smiled brightly.

“You don’t need to be hospitalized.”

“Thank you.”

“Things will improve in the recovery phase, so bear with it.”

“Doctor…”

Hae Joo nervously called out to Seo Hyun Woo.

“I have a press conference scheduled for tomorrow morning.”

“A press conference? Stress isn’t good for you.”

“I can’t delay it forever. I was thinking of finishing it quickly.”

Seo Hyun Woo, hand on his hip, thought for a moment.

“Use a wheelchair if possible, and avoid Q&A.”

“I will.”

“The situation alone will be stressful, so finish it quickly.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“Keep a relaxed mindset.”

“Thank you.”

“You can go home today.”
Do Jun personally helped Hae Joo change out of her hospital gown.

Despite being thin, her belly was noticeably swollen, making Do Jun place his hand on it.

“It’s amazing.”

“It seems like my belly will get really big.”

“We’ll be like teddy bears.”

They both laughed at the same time.

Then, Hae Joo, with a concerned mind, mentioned a character troubling her.

“What about the movie shooting? I need to inform Director Kwak about my pregnancy, if not anyone else.”

Fortunately, the Jeju Island shooting comprised half of the entire movie.

However, Hae Joo’s pregnancy and the scandal could not help but impact the production.

Disliking causing trouble to others, she felt uneasy and apologetic, fearing the movie she loved might go awry.

“Let’s talk to him and see.”

“I feel so sorry for Director Kwak…”

“There’s nothing we can do.”

Do Jun took Hae Joo to a separate house at W Hotel.

Unlike the main building, the annex was surrounded by trees, creating a tranquil environment.

Hae Joo was amazed.

“There’s such a place in W Hotel?”

“I stayed here for a few days before moving my father to a nursing home.”

“Really?”

Located at a special spot within the hotel, they had to drive quite a distance to reach it.

Finally separated from the world, the two found solace.

They went to bed early that night.

After Hae Joo fell asleep, Do Jun called Director Kwak.

[Dash] Mr. Park, I was about to call you.

“Really?”

[Dash] Please, go ahead.

“Hae Joo is pregnant. I thought I should tell you in advance.”

[Dash] Ha, first of all, congratulations. That’s wonderful news!

“Will it be okay for the movie production?”

[Dash] Right now, that’s not our concern.

“What do you mean?”

Director Kwak’s voice, usually energetic, sounded lifeless.

As Do Jun frowned, Kwak spoke.

[Dash] Just a while ago, subcontractors one after another called to say they only want to continue until the Jeju Island shooting.

“Why?”

[Dash] I don’t know. They won’t give me an answer.

“That’s ridiculous.”

[Dash] This happened a day after Han Jin Tae visited.

Lighting, sound, and art directors, among others, informed us of their withdrawal.

Faced with this, even finding other companies seemed futile, leading to a sense of despair.

Kwak continued with a sigh.

[Dash] Our schedule is disrupted. We might have to pause production for now.

“Don’t worry about the production costs. Do as you wish, Director.”

[Dash] Alright. I’ll see you in Seoul then.

After the call, Do Jun sat on the terrace past midnight.

Only when a sudden downpour began did he return to Hae Joo’s side.

Early in the morning, Hae Joo, with the help of Manager Song, bought a plain black dress and wore it.

Instead of makeup, she styled her hair neatly and stood before the mirror.

Her eyes, usually tired, were lively today.

The press conference happening today was going to be a turning point for Hae Joo to confront head-on.

Despite arguing with Jin Han the day before, she wasn’t scared.
Throughout everything, Hae Joo had made up her mind, considering both Do Jun’s efforts and the disruptions to the movie production caused by her.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

Outside, Hyun Seong was waiting in a van.

Do Jun, dressed in casual clothes, carefully helped Hae Joo into the van.

“I’ll follow behind.”

“Okay, see you there.”

Hyun Seong settled into the driver’s seat and slowly started the van.

As they left the hotel, Hae Joo opened an envelope Jin Han had given her.

Inside was a document exposing Do Jun as a former loan shark and violent offender.

“This can’t be true.”

Hae Joo, without needing to read to the end, tore up the manuscript right away.