Chapter 75
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Caught Red-Handed
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Four hours before Lee Jun-hyung called reporter Lee Kyung-wook.
Reporter Kim I-seul was staking out near the restaurant where the Oh, My Cat team was having their after-party.
"This is so weird. How did he know?"
She gazed at the street still bright from the lengthening daylight and recalled the day Do-jun had contacted her.
At first, he'd thanked her for the interview article, then cautiously shifted the topic.
'Um, Reporter. You mentioned something last time...'
'What? Oh, Lee Jun-hyung?'
'Yeah, I was just wondering why his name came up so suddenly.'
'I heard some recent rumors. His family got a lot of help from someone, so I figured I'd look into ways to return the favor.'
Reporters have eyes and ears everywhere. Picking up whispers on the set of the hottest drama, Oh, My Cat, was a piece of cake.
Her instincts told her: this was the real reason for his call, not the interview.
'Is there anything I can help with?'
What was going on? She knew there was bad blood between him and Lee Jun-hyung, but nothing major had blown up yet.
'Do you know about Peach Star?'
'Peach Star?'
Of course she did. A media outlet obsessed with gossip over facts.
Sure, clicks were every reporter's goal, but Peach Star took it to extremes.
They peddled baseless scandals and even rumors of manufacturing dating scandals.
'Yeah. Not super familiar, but... did they run another ridiculous article?'
Tap tap tap.
Kim I-seul wedged her phone between her shoulder and ear, pounding the keyboard. But nothing recent from Peach Star showed up.
Then what was this about?
She could sense his hesitation through the line. After hemming and hawing, Do-jun finally spoke.
'That company has faked dating scandals multiple times. And I heard I'm their next target.'
'...Pardon?'
She doubted her own ears for a second.
It wasn't shocking that Peach Star would pull something like that. What puzzled her was how Do-jun had gotten wind of it.
'Pida probably didn't tip them off in advance.'
Frankly, Pida Entertainment's media control was subpar.
The company wasn't small, but among reporters used to perks, it was infamous for offering zilch.
Even digging into Lee Jun-hyung's love life had hit a wall lately—Carrot Entertainment's handouts were just too juicy.
No one bites the hand that feeds them so generously.
'But Do-jun, if you know, can't you just block it?'
'I've got my own circumstances.'
He then explained his situation.
Lee Jun-hyung was backing Peach Star. And some of their fabricated articles had been at his behest.
By this point, she wondered if Do-jun was paranoid.
Lee Jun-hyung was a star, sure, but pulling strings at a whole media outlet seemed unlikely.
Kim I-seul replied calmly.
'Sure, he's got a rep for being a jerk, but even so, that seems a bit...'
'Just check one thing for me.'
Do-jun paused, then continued.
'About a reporter named Lee Kyung-wook.'
'Lee Kyung-wook? I know him. Why?'
'He's involved in this.'
'What? Lee Kyung-wook is...'
Before she could finish, Do-jun cut in.
'Yeah, different company. But he's connected. I heard it from someone reliable.'
His tone brimmed with unshakable conviction—almost too much.
'Look into it. If it's true, trust me and help out just this once.'
In the end, Kim I-seul decided to investigate, figuring it would repay his kindness.
No big deal if he was wrong. She'd feel better helping once anyway.
But the truth she uncovered was staggering.
"Makes us reporters look bad."
Lee Kyung-wook was ghostwriting fabricated articles for Peach Star under a pseudonym. It was almost too easy to confirm—she couldn't believe she'd missed it.
Made sense, though. Why would reporters dig into rivals' turf? No one had noticed.
Most prided themselves on their profession. No one imagined a fellow journalist stooping this low.
"Can't wait to see that shocked face later."
The more she thought, the angrier she got. People like him fueled prejudices against reporters. Time to teach him a lesson.
Screech!
Cars started pulling up. Do-jun arrived first.
'Quick.'
Spotting his face brought back the text she'd received.
B.O.Y Lee Do-jun
They're riding together.
Catch them if you can.
Tell me if you miss it.
The instructions were detailed. But that only fueled her suspicions.
'How'd he know they'd come together?'
Fine, today's the shoot day. (Though even that might leak from an insider.)
But riding in the same car? How?
'Definitely fishy.'
Her plan was to keep Lee Kyung-wook away. But Do-jun said that wasn't enough.
He planned to turn their scheme back on them. Not exactly the same— no article from him.
Screech!
Lee Jun-hyung's car finally arrived. Kim I-seul snatched her camera.
Zooming in, it felt like the car was right there.
'...For real?'
A split-second glimpse as the door opened: a woman inside. She snapped away in shock.
Good. Evidence secured.
Her lingering doubts vanished. Now to find Lee Kyung-wook lurking nearby.
"Oh, Reporter Lee Kyung-wook."
Finding him was easy. Reporters think alike.
Though calling him a colleague was embarrassing now.
"What brings you here?"
"Ah, Kim I-seul. Just out on a story, taking a break."
"Really?"
She plopped down across from his brazen face, matching his nonchalance. His eyebrow twitched.
"What story?"
"Haha, you know no one spills their rice bowl. You get it."
"Come on."
Kim I-seul pulled out her camera.
"I'll show you mine."
Lee Kyung-wook scowled, then froze at the screen thrust in his face.
A fresh photo of Lee Jun-hyung glowed on the monitor.
Kim I-seul beamed, landing the blow.
"Wow~ A Lee Jun-hyung dating scandal? Even with a civilian, if she's about to get tangled in a Lee Do-jun one, that's headline gold, right?"
"W-What?!"
"Oops. Spoiled your pre-dawn scoop, Reporter Lee."
"What bullshit is this?!"
Lee Kyung-wook jumped up, yelling.
"You'll know if it's bullshit when you see. Money's nice, but planned scandals are filthy. Wastes the reporter title."
"Money? What're you...!"
"Peach Star."
His lips clamped shut. His face drained pale in seconds.
"We share the same beat, so you get why I'm saying this, right?"
If this spread, Lee Kyung-wook was done. Violating the no-side-gigs rule? Company boot for sure.
Gnawing his nails, he muttered.
"...What do you want?"
"Leave Lee Do-jun alone from now on. And scrap today's plan, obviously."
"Ugh... This isn't just about Lee Jun-hyung. What am I supposed to do?"
Whatever. Not her problem.
"Figure it out."
"Fuck, long tails get stepped on."
After curses and sighs numbering in dozens, Reporter Lee Kyung-wook surrendered.
The after-party was winding down.
Do-jun watched Lee Jun-hyung frantically redialing unanswered calls.
His flushed face—booze or rage?—was a sight.
"I-I'm okay, right...?"
The woman, grasping the situation, asked Do-jun in a trembling voice.
"I said I'd bail midway, but he threatened me."
"Shut up!"
Lee Jun-hyung, glued to his phone, bellowed without looking.
Fury peaked; he raised his phone to hurl it but held back.
"What the hell are you doing? Why ignore my calls?!"
If you're busted, own it, asshole. Lee Jun-hyung was losing his mind.
Then Do-jun's mocking laugh reached him.
"Still clueless? Stupid sober or drunk stupid?"
"You fucking prick!"
"Don't curse at the guy listening."
Despite his words, Do-jun looked refreshed, not offended.
That smug face snapped Lee Jun-hyung's last thread of reason.
"You damn...!"
As he lunged for Do-jun's collar—
"Jun-hyung! Lee Jun-hyung!"
His manager, meant to watch Kim Han-soo inside, rushed over.
"C-call from the CEO...!"
Panting, face ashen from sprinting.
One glance at the scene, and he got it. He waved at Lee Jun-hyung gripping Do-jun's collar.
No more commotion.
"Come here!"
Do-jun slapped his hand away, grinning.
"It's ringing. Go on."
"Crazy bastard."
Cold rage steadied Lee Jun-hyung; he glared with murderous intent.
"Watch your back. Think I can't crush a punk like you? I'm Lee Jun-hyung."
"Got it. You're Lee Jun-hyung."
Unlike the anxious woman, Do-jun nodded nonchalantly.
The blatant mockery made his eyebrow twitch.
"Jun-hyung, hurry!"
But the manager's urgent call turned his feet.
Failure today, but he'd confer with manager and company soon—smash that cocky face.
But...
"Oh, before you go, check this."
Do-jun held out his phone, grinning. The photo he'd shown the woman earlier.
Lee Jun-hyung's eyes bulged.
"H-how did you get...!"
"How'd I snap it? Trade secret. Why spoil it? Yeah, you're stupid."
His face spasmed. What the hell was happening?
He'd thought the plan just flopped. But that photo in Do-jun's hands?
Do-jun pointed at the woman.
"She didn't switch sides for nothing. There's a reason."
But Lee Jun-hyung heard nothing.
How'd it go so wrong?
Lee Kyung-wook betray him? No way. Long deal with Carrot Ent's CEO.
He knew all the reporter's dirt. No betrayal possible.
Yet unanswered calls. That perfectly angled photo.
Everything screamed disaster.
'F-first, call the CEO...'