Chapter 35: The Chairman's Warning
Suhyeon was holding a conversation in Actor Team 1 Manager Park Sil-jang's office.
"Suhyeon, I've looked into what you asked for."
"Thank you. It took much longer than I predicted, though?"
"Sigh. There's a reason for that. Things got more complicated than expected while investigating your request."
"More complicated?"
"Yeah. At first, I asked a high-ranking police contact I know well to run the plates you gave me. The car came back registered to a company called Daehan Guard."
"Daehan Guard?"
"It's a security firm. They contract with other companies to handle bodyguard and security duties. It's made up of pros trained specifically in protection work. I initially suspected it might be some shady fixer outfit, but it checked out as legit."
"I see. But it doesn't make sense that digging into something that basic took so long and got so messy."
"Haah. I got greedy."
"Don't tell me... you looked into who they were contracted with?"
"...Yeah. I figured it could be handled discreetly. I called in a guy from their world who's sharp and connected. Told him to be extra careful..."
"From the look on your face, it didn't go as planned."
"Feels more like I got burned. They traced it back to us."
"Hmm. You pushed too hard. Forgot they were backed by one of the country's top chaebols, huh?"
"Yeah, I overreached. Sorry about that."
"No worries. Water under the bridge. Besides, we'd have to clash with them eventually. Might even be for the best. Don't stress it."
"If you see it that way, I'm grateful..."
"Any unusual moves from their side? Seems like they'd come straight at us."
"Spot on. They called me directly just a bit ago."
"A direct call to you... so it was from Hanho Group's Chairman Lee Hoe-jang?"
Park Sil-jang stared at Suhyeon in astonishment.
"How do you know all this?"
"Simple. Unless Marvin's Chairman Lee's grandson, none of what's happening around him adds up. So he is the grandson... which makes secrecy and Marvin's safety the top priorities in all this. No sane grandpa would hand off his one and only flesh-and-blood's life-or-death situation to outsiders. So, what'd Chairman Lee say to you?"
"I was shocked when he introduced himself as Hanho Group's Chairman Lee right off the bat. I was racking my brain on how to play dumb about how I knew or how deep my intel went, but he didn't even ask. Just laid out his piece and hung up."
"They already vetted us as being on Marvin's side through prior checks. A chaebol without that kind of reach? No way. So he skipped the details. Knows the small stuff isn't the priority right now. Go on—what'd he say?"
"Three things. One: stay out of family business. Two: he's quietly investigating the past himself, so keep our mouths shut. Three: Marvin's safety is on him now, so butt out. Then he hung up."
Suhyeon smirked at Park Sil-jang's words.
"What a clown. Whose fault is it things got this far? The guy with the biggest share of blame talks like that..."
"What now?"
"Pull back and watch for the moment. Have to trust he'll handle it—it's his grandson. But..."
"But?"
"Couple worries. He's promising a discreet probe into the past now, in his old age when his power's faded. Could he even back in his prime when he missed it? And the guy watching Marvin before was way sharper than his current guards."
"So what do we do?"
"Nothing for now. Pushing more could just stir up trouble. Anyway, you went through a lot, Sil-jang."
"Nah. Feels like I botched it for you. Sorry."
"No, this might be better. At least the phone call confirms Marvin's Chairman Lee's blood. Probably a relief for him."
A little later, Suhyeon waited for Marvin in Studio 1, making a call.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Park PD. This is BBG's Suhyeon."
"Ah, Suhyeon. I was waiting for your call since broadcast's in two days. How's it going? Is the video you promised ready?"
"No, the video isn't ready, and you don't need to carve out time. We dug deeper, and it turns out it's not true. Sorry to waste your time, PD."
"Oh, I see. Can't be helped. I was pumped for some juicy scoop. Thought it'd boost ratings thanks to you... Bummer."
"Really sorry for the hassle. Must suck having to re-edit..."
"It's fine. I left about a minute open like you asked from that day's raw footage. Easy fix—extend some prep or cooking clips. Not like the old tape-splicing days."
"Still a pain, I'm sure. My apologies. Call anytime if I can help."
"Sure. Heard you're blowing up lately. Help me out on another show sometime?"
"Of course. Just say the word—I'll be there."
"Good enough. See you, Suhyeon. Hanging up."
"Yes, Park PD. Talk soon."
Suhyeon hung up with a sigh of relief, muttering softly.
"Park PD took that better than expected... Probably 'cause of the buzz about me killing it lately. Entertainers gotta ride the wave no matter what."
About an hour into rearranging Moon and My Story in the studio, Marvin burst in, flushed and panting.
"Marvin, you're here. What's with the face?"
"Huff huff. You said it was urgent, so I ran from the parking lot. Elevator was slow—took the stairs."
"Tough break. Sit. Got a lot to tell you today."
Two days later, Suhyeon headed to the YK building in the morning and dropped by the practice room to meet BBG.
Gyeongbin was waiting alone.
"Hyung, you're here? Why'd you call us all together?"
"You alone? Where's everyone?"
"Grabbing breakfast at the cafeteria. Be back soon."
"Got it. Guess I wait till they're fed."
"Hyung, you see yesterday's news? Pics came out great."
"News? What news?"
"Last night, you saw Marvin off at Incheon for Rule of the Jungle Africa shoot. Airport fashion shots blew up online."
"Oh, that. Special Investigation Headquarters drama team called me out. Asked the cast for more media exposure leading up. Killed two birds—dropped Marvin too. Premiere's soon, press conference today..."
"That's why you dressed to kill at the airport."
"Yeah. Otherwise, no way I'd trek to Incheon for Marvin—he's not a kid."
Just then, the rest filed in after breakfast. Robin waved happily at Suhyeon.
"Suhyeon's here. Heard you're slammed with drama shoots. Why the group meet?"
"Breakfast good? Need to lock down new song schedules. I'm swamped from here on—drama, upcoming movie, producing for Haiyu sunbae and Pink Berry. Tough to carve time, so figured we'd sync up."
Suhyeon eyed each member.
"Gyeongbin, raps done?"
"...No, not yet."
"Robin, composing?"
"...Not yet."
"Kevin's lyrics obviously not either?"
"...Yeah."
"See? That's why I called. Nothing's solid. Bring results by tomorrow dinner. Doesn't have to be perfect—meet then, tweak together. Theme's set."
The members went mute like they'd eaten honey.
"Told you last time: I'm producing this one myself, pitting it against the A&R team. Hustle till tomorrow night. Without me cracking the whip, you slack in hiatus mode. I'll lead the charge—you just do your parts. Got it?"
Leaving the head-clutching BBG behind, Suhyeon hopped in the car for the drama press conference. Knowing he was a rookie, he left way early.
At the downtown hotel venue, he changed into coordi-provided clothes, did makeup, then waited in the green room for the other actors.
Soon, Seong Kang-ho and the leads started arriving.