Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Lake Park Cafe
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A cafe near Lake Park.
It was a spot with a stunning view of the vast lake during the day.
But now, at night, it had become a popular place where the nightscape formed by streetlights blinking through the park was visible at a glance.
Lee Jae-hyun chose a quiet corner seat in the cafe, ordered a coffee, and sat down.
Sitting in front of him were Han Hyo-jeong and her former manager, Jeong Han-gyeol, holding their positions.
And between them unfolded an invisible, intense battle of wills.
"So, what happened? Why were you following Han Hyo-jeong around, Mr. Jeong?"
Lee Jae-hyun was the first to speak.
Perhaps because he'd already been subdued once outside, Jeong Han-gyeol hesitated to open his mouth.
"That's because you were doing the same..."
"First, I wasn't behind her—I was beside her. Second, I'm the one asking questions here."
"......"
"If you don't agree to that, we'll head to the station."
It might come off as a bit coercive, but there was no choice.
These two had worked together in the future as well.
If that partnership in the future wasn't a fair collaboration but one where Jeong Han-gyeol had exploited Han Hyo-jeong's weakness for an unfair contract?
'I have to stop it.'
Of course, it wasn't certain.
He was simply keeping all possibilities open and starting his deductions.
And to properly understand this case, he needed to hear the full story from Jeong Han-gyeol.
Depending on what came out of his mouth, Lee Jae-hyun might arrest him—or let him go.
When Jeong Han-gyeol showed no sign of speaking, Han Hyo-jeong opened her mouth.
"Manager Jeong, please tell him. You're not the type to stalk someone, right?"
"Hyo-jeong..."
Jeong Han-gyeol looked up, gazing at Han Hyo-jeong with trembling eyes.
It was understandable if he still felt uneasy about what had happened just moments ago, but Han Hyo-jeong acted as if she'd already forgotten, pressing on with her questions.
"You ghosted all contact and quit the company—what happened during that time? Why have you lost so much weight?"
"More importantly, what did CEO Hyeon say when I left?"
"...He said you suddenly cut off contact and vanished."
"No!"
Jeong Han-gyeol shot up from his seat, shouting as if it were absurd.
Startled cafe patrons turned to stare at their table.
Han Hyo-jeong, equally surprised by the sudden outburst, looked at him with wide rabbit-like eyes.
Lee Jae-hyun pressed down firmly on his shoulder.
"Calm down first and take a seat."
"......"
Jeong Han-gyeol swallowed his anger and sat back down.
It was clear the mere thought of it made his blood boil.
But they couldn't continue the conversation if he stayed worked up.
Lee Jae-hyun and Han Hyo-jeong waited for him to compose himself.
After a short while.
Jeong Han-gyeol seemed somewhat calmer and spoke in a trembling voice.
"I... I was fired. CEO Hyeon blackmailed me, so I had no choice..."
"What are you talking about? CEO Hyeon definitely..."
"No, you're the one who's mistaken."
From there, Jeong Han-gyeol slowly recounted everything he'd witnessed and experienced, leaving nothing out.
As his words continued, Lee Jae-hyun and Han Hyo-jeong's eyes could only widen.
* * *
Himitsu.
A Japanese restaurant located on the outskirts of Seoul.
Unlike more open eateries, Himitsu consisted entirely of private rooms and was situated inside a hotel, allowing patrons to rent a guest room on the spot if they grew tired—making it hugely popular among businesspeople.
At least, that's what it appeared on the surface.
And in the deepest private room of this restaurant, where renting a single room cost over 100,000 won, Han Hyo-jeong was seated.
She sat on an expensive leather sofa, glancing subtly around her surroundings.
Directly across from her was her agency CEO, Hyeon Woo-yong, and beside her, film director Joo Jin-hyuk.
"Whoa, CEO Hyeon, aren't you going overboard?"
Joo Jin-hyuk, sitting next to her, spoke with a face full of satisfaction—whatever the reason.
Whether he'd drunk before they arrived or if it was the room's lighting, it was hard to tell.
But Joo Jin-hyuk's face was already flushed red as he raised his glass.
"This much is nothing to entertain Director Joo. So, what do you think? Like it?"
"Like it? Of course. How many chances do I get in my directing career to come to a place like this? Especially with such a fine actress."
He let out a chuckle and glanced at Han Hyo-jeong.
It wasn't just the gaze of a director appraising an actress—the look in his eyes was far too deep.
Feeling Joo Jin-hyuk's sticky gaze, Han Hyo-jeong instinctively scooted away a bit.
'Why isn't Manager oppa coming in?'
Han Hyo-jeong looked around for her manager.
Kim Eun-soo had definitely driven them here, and they'd entered the hotel together...
But after entering the room, Kim Eun-soo was nowhere to be seen.
"Looking for something?"
Noticing her scanning the room, Joo Jin-hyuk leaned in closer to fill the gap and asked.
Feeling his breath on her shoulder, Han Hyo-jeong suppressed her goosebumps and forced a smile.
"I'm just wondering where Manager oppa is. We came together, so it'd be nice if he joined us."
"Heh... Our Hyo-jeong has such a kind heart. CEO Hyeon must be thrilled. Having such a proper actress under his wing."
"Exactly. Hyo-jeong, what are you doing? Stop looking for him and pour Director Joo a drink already."
Hyeon Woo-yong brushed off any concern for the manager and urged her on.
Under their stares, Han Hyo-jeong stopped searching and reluctantly picked up the bottle she didn't want to touch.
"Alright, shall we try a drink poured by our Hyo-jeong?"
Joo Jin-hyuk smiled and held out his glass, and Han Hyo-jeong poured.
No sooner had she set the bottle down than Joo Jin-hyuk snatched it and poured into the glass in front of her.
"Come on, let's cheers together. A toast to CEO Hyeon for arranging this wonderful spot."
"Sure."
Hyeon Woo-yong nodded and raised his glass.
Han Hyo-jeong, gauging their moods, had no choice but to lift hers as well.
Clink.
The glasses collided, and liquor splashed everywhere.
But no one in the room paid it any mind.
"Ahh. Director, how's the drink our Hyo-jeong poured?"
"What else? It's the best."
Joo Jin-hyuk downed his glass in one go, chuckling.
As he ate some snacks, he casually turned his gaze.
Spotting Han Hyo-jeong drinking, he smiled, his eyes crinkling.
"Wow, you pour like a pro. Who taught you? Your dad?"
"Ah... Yeah, my dad."
"You learned well. Liquor should be learned from your dad. My daughter these days won't even look at me when I get home—unless she wants autographs from actors."
"Hyo-jeong's a quick study."
Hyeon Woo-yong nodded in agreement.
Joo Jin-hyuk took another drink and scooted even closer to Han Hyo-jeong.
"Man, it'd be great if I had a daughter like our Hyo-jeong."
With that, Joo Jin-hyuk reached out and grabbed her shoulder.
Han Hyo-jeong flinched at the hand patting her shoulder as if in admiration.
Seeing this, Hyeon Woo-yong smirked slyly and spoke.
"Why look for a daughter like Hyo-jeong outside? Just treat the one right next to you like your own."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. Hyo-jeong would love it too. Gaining a wonderful father figure like you, Director Joo. Everyone knows how well you take care of your daughter."
"Haha. I do love my girl a lot."
Joo Jin-hyuk laughed happily and patted his leg—tap, tap.
A habit of his when he was truly pleased.
"If this project succeeds, won't Hyo-jeong come to see you as a father figure too?"
"Yeah? What do you think, Hyo-jeong?"
At Hyeon Woo-yong's loaded words, Joo Jin-hyuk whipped his head around to look at Han Hyo-jeong.
Slide.
The hand patting her shoulder naturally slid down, groping her waist.
"......"
Han Hyo-jeong clenched her fists tight.
The hand on her waist felt like a snake slithering against her skin.
It creeped her out so much she nearly screamed without thinking.
'If I weren't an actress...'
If she hadn't learned acting, she would've shown her disgust right then.
Should she be grateful she could act?
Gritting her teeth amid the heavy doubt, Han Hyo-jeong endured.
"Then I guess I'll have to treat our Hyo-jeong like my own daughter? That okay with you?"
"......"
"Of course it is. It'd be an honor."
"Haha, CEO Hyeon, you sure know how to make a guy feel good."
Joo Jin-hyuk nodded at Hyeon Woo-yong's words.
Meanwhile, his hand crept lower, fiddling with her glass.
"Think of it as learning to pour from Daddy, and drink up some more."
"Yeah, Hyo-jeong. We've booked a room upstairs, so relax and drink. If you get tired, crash there tonight. I'll have it prepaid, so no worries about the bill."
"CEO Hyeon really looks out for Hyo-jeong."
They really were two peas in a pod.
As the hand now roamed her thigh, Han Hyo-jeong let out a resigned hollow laugh.
'So it was true...'
She hadn't believed it.
No, she hadn't wanted to believe it.
But with the reality she'd dreaded closing in, she had no choice but to accept it now.
Hiding her emotions was getting harder.
"...Huh? What?"
Doubt clouded Joo Jin-hyuk's face as he looked at Han Hyo-jeong.
She pulled out her smartphone and dialed with a blank expression.
Joo Jin-hyuk tilted his head, perhaps too drunk to grasp the situation yet.
"You...!"
Only Hyeon Woo-yong, who'd drunk less, caught on and jumped up from the sofa.
"Yes, come in."
The moment she finished speaking, Hyeon Woo-yong bolted from the sofa.
As he strode toward her, Han Hyo-jeong gripped her phone tightly.
"You—what the hell are you...!"
It was then, as Hyeon Woo-yong raised his hand in fury.
Bang.
The door flew open, and Han Hyo-jeong let out a sigh of relief.
"You son of a...!"
Hyeon Woo-yong turned to the open door, his face freezing solid.