Chapter 95
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 95
In just a few days, the seasons had shifted completely, ushering in the winter cold. Eun-seong, accompanied by Yeon-ju, paid a visit to his new agency, Dream Art.
When he opened the door to the CEO’s office, CEO Park shot up from her desk, where she had been looking down at a tablet. Her posture was just a little too perfect, and Eun-seong let out a chuckle instead of a greeting.
“That looked a bit staged, CEO Park.”
“Was it that obvious? I was pretending to be busy. I wanted to look cool.”
“Ah, I guess I can’t fool you.” CEO Park laughed like a child caught in a lie and came around her desk to stand before them.
Her gaze shifted from Eun-seong to Yeon-ju, and she offered a bright smile, extending a hand for a handshake.
“Welcome, Yeon-ju. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Hello, CEO Park. I’m Go Yeon-ju.”
“I’ve heard so much about you. Please, have a seat.”
CEO Park guided Yeon-ju to the sofa. She graciously accepted the bouquet of flowers Yeon-ju had brought, thanked her, and placed them on her desk before turning back to face them.
“You’re absolutely stunning. Instead of just being Eun-seong’s wife, you should sign a contract with our agency.”
“This is exactly why I didn’t want to bring her. I should’ve trusted my gut,” Eun-seong muttered.
CEO Park burst into laughter at his grumbling. Eun-seong’s transfer to Dream Art had been finalized without a hitch; all that remained was managing the fallout, just as he had requested.
Clapping her hands to change the subject, CEO Park said, “Alright, since we’re short on time, shall we get straight to business?”
She placed a set of documents on the table.
* * *
CEO Park explained the details thoroughly as Eun-seong and Yeon-ju reviewed the materials she had prepared. While scanning the pages, Eun-seong would occasionally look up to ask for clarification.
Each time, CEO Park answered without a moment’s hesitation, offering clear, precise explanations that left no room for doubt. With her confident gaze and magnetic voice, she was a natural-born businesswoman. Listening to her speak, you couldn’t help but feel a reassuring sense that everything would work out perfectly.
“Alright, that’s the first part.”
Eun-seong, who had been staring at the draft of the agency’s official press release, finally raised his head. He handed the document to Yeon-ju.
“Take a look. If there’s anything you’d like to change or add, just let me know. We’ll revise it accordingly.”
While Yeon-ju read through the file, CEO Park asked Eun-seong to write a handwritten letter to be uploaded to the agency’s official website.
The details seemed to be falling into place, but the real discussion was only just beginning. Eun-seong crossed his legs and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“So, basically, your recommendation is for the three of us to leave Korea for a while.”
“Exactly. I believe it’s best to stay out of the public eye as much as possible.”
CEO Park sat back, straightening her posture as she glanced briefly at Yeon-ju.
“If it were just the two of you, I’d suggest toughing it out here. But with the child involved, I think this is the best option.”
“For how long?”
“About a year?”
A year. Eun-seong’s eyes grew pensive. CEO Park handed him another set of documents containing itineraries and schedules for several different countries.
These were destinations curated not for the actor Im Eun-seong, but for the man Im Eun-seong to find true rest.
“A year goes by in a flash. Think of it as a long family vacation. You’ve all spent so much time apart, so traveling together would be a great way to bond.”
“But there’s also Yeon-ju’s mother to consider.”
“That’s not an issue. You can take her with you. We’ll handle all the arrangements, so you and Yeon-ju just need to make a decision.”
When Eun-seong looked at Yeon-ju, his expression conflicted, he saw that she, too, was lost in thought. Everyone in the room was prioritizing the same thing: Han-byeol’s well-being and his future.
“It would be a wonderful experience for the child to see the world. He can learn new languages and experience different cultures. He’s at an age where he’ll absorb everything like a sponge.”
Eun-seong slowly bounced his leg.
It wasn’t a bad option. Not at all. Leaving behind the inevitable media circus, holding his wife’s and child’s hands, and traveling to the most beautiful places on Earth with her mother—it would be an incredible experience and a lifetime of memories.
“I need both of you to understand that if you stay in Korea, Han-byeol will inevitably be subjected to sensationalized media exposure,” CEO Park added, delivering the final blow.
At those words, Yeon-ju flinched, her shoulders trembling. Shuddering at the mere thought, she looked at Eun-seong, her eyes filled with conflict.
“It’s alright. Let’s go home and think it over,” Eun-seong murmured softly, trying to reassure her.
CEO Park tapped the table lightly, drawing their attention.
“Eun-seong, we don’t have much time. You know that, right?”
Indeed, time was not a luxury they had.
Through a reporter from Sunlight who had been tailing him, Eun-seong had met with CEO Shin Gi-taek and discovered that Shin was already digging into Yeon-ju and Han-byeol. Eun-seong had bought them a brief reprieve by handing over evidence of Tae-gon’s sponsor-related crimes in exchange for a delay.
But it was only a temporary fix. If they dragged their feet, Sunlight would likely run the exclusive scoop anyway. A media outlet like that would never pass up a scandal of this magnitude.
“We have to break the news before Sunlight does. Controlling the narrative ourselves is a hundred times better than letting it blow up in our faces. You know that, don’t you?”
As CEO Park emphasized the urgency once more, Eun-seong fell silent, lost in thought. Finally, he looked up.
“Give us one day.”
“One day?”
“We need to talk to Han-byeol first.”
CEO Park raised her hands in a gesture of surrender and nodded.
“Of course. Han-byeol’s opinion is what matters most. Go home, have a family meeting, and let me know tomorrow. But please, don’t push it any later. We have a lot to prepare on our end.”
“We will.”
Eun-seong agreed, but a trace of doubt lingered on his face. He looked at CEO Park.
“But is this really the entire plan?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Releasing a brief statement and having me take my family out of the country for a year… if that’s the agency’s ultimate solution, doesn’t it feel a bit weak?”
Eun-seong gave her a skeptical look, questioning if that would really be enough to clean up the mess. CEO Park pouted. Then, narrowing her eyes as if to say, Who do you think I am?, she pulled out another folder.
“Eun-seong, do you really know me so little? I’d be insulted if that was all I had planned.”
“I would hope not.”
Eun-seong took the new folder from her. As he flipped open the first page, his eyes widened. His lips parted in surprise, and he stared at the page for a long moment before finally turning to the next.
Glancing sideways, he saw Yeon-ju staring at the document with her mouth agape in sheer disbelief.
CEO Park crossed her legs, offering a cool smile as she tapped the folder with her finger.
“Since our official statement will be brief, rumors are bound to run rampant. We won’t be able to respond to every single one.”
Her manicured nails, painted a vibrant, glossy red, caught the light, pulsing with a fierce energy like a beating heart.
“So, I’m thinking of turning your story into a movie.”
“Ah…”
As Eun-seong and Yeon-ju gasped in unison, CEO Park gave them a playful wink.
“No embellishments, no omissions—just an honest portrayal of your story. What do you think? I’ve budgeted about a year for production. That’s why I suggested you stay abroad for that long.”
“…”
“Instead of trying to explain everything in words, we’ll just show them. How you met, how you parted, and how you found your way back to each other. Showing them the truth will be far more powerful.”
CEO Park had already reached out to a director. Flashing her signature confident, charismatic smile, she tapped her finger on the desk.
“You know Director Kim Dong-ju, right? I’m already in talks with him. I’ll set up a meeting for the day after tomorrow.”
The working title written on the document was One and Only.
* * *
When Eun-seong stood up, Yeon-ju followed. CEO Park saw them off, telling them she would see them soon. Once they were in the car, Eun-seong and Yeon-ju turned to look at each other.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea,” Yeon-ju began.
Eun-seong nodded in agreement. Even after a moment’s thought, it was hard to imagine a better alternative.
“If we stay here, Han-byeol will be constantly hounded and hear all sorts of things. That’s my biggest worry.”
“Yeah, I agree. Let’s ask Han-byeol first, then make our decision. We’ll discuss it with your mother, too.”
One year. A precious window of time for their family to be together and travel.
Even if it was technically an escape from the storm of controversy waiting to unfold, the prospect of a family trip was incredibly appealing to Eun-seong. He would much rather build precious memories with his loved ones than stay put and endure the tempest.
“CEO Park is truly amazing. I was completely captivated by her the entire time,” Yeon-ju said, sharing her first impression.
Eun-seong chuckled.
“She certainly knows how to get things done.”
As if by instinct, they reached out and held hands. Yeon-ju leaned over, resting her head against his arm with a bright, hopeful laugh. Eun-seong smiled back, turning the steering wheel.
“They’re going to make a movie about us. I’m actually so nervous.”
Listening to Yeon-ju chatter away with a mix of excitement and nerves, Eun-seong laughed softly as he drove toward her house.
As expected of CEO Park. She really is a human bulldozer.