The Pleasure-Packed Sparring Match

Song Jinho probed further into how deeply Park Hyungpil was involved in the embezzlement scandal, but Grace knew far less than he'd expected. That explained why Hyungpil had been so quick to throw her under the bus—there weren't many secrets she could spill from her position.

"What are you planning to do now? Stick around by the executive director's side?"

"I don't know. After the way he treated me, I don't want to stay, but in Korea, he's my only real option. If it doesn't work out... I'll have to go back to the States."

"Am I no option at all?"

"I don't want to be the bitch who jumps ship to the CEO just because the executive director said no."

"Is that something the woman who's been fucking the CEO behind the executive director's back should say?"

"He's the one making side pieces left and right while keeping me around! You think I can't do the same? This is just tit for tat!"

She kept steering it back to bedroom drama. Why did smart women always fumble on this front?

"Looks like there's a misunderstanding. I'm not talking about hooking up."

"Ha, then what 'option' is the CEO talking about?"

"A chance to join my plans."

"You're quitting the company?"

The Hong Seongi who had chosen JH Entertainment to make movies was gone. To build the planning agency that was his goal, he'd have to leave and start from scratch anyway.

"I'm setting up a new agency to develop actors and idols. I've already started scouting office spaces."

"Leaving one agency to start another? Why go to all that trouble...?"

"To do what I want here, I'd have to oust the executive director first. And behind him is the majority shareholder, the Oguang Group. I don't have the power to take them on yet. Even if I tried to build it up inside, there are too many eyes watching. No matter what, if I want to move, I have to get out of here."

"What does the CEO going independent have to do with my options?"

"Staying here forever won't get you the investment firm you want. The executive director's already lost interest in that side of things. Stick around if you want to keep getting used, but don't you want a shot at something with real potential?"

"Potential...?"

"We'll start as an entertainment agency, but I'll grow it into one that handles content production too. When that happens, it'll naturally link ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up with investment firms in your wheelhouse. I've got the knack for developing talent, but money's not my strong suit. I'd like you to handle that part."

"......"

In this industry, having a star solved everything. That's why everyone was desperate to scout the next big thing—but Jinho just had to satisfy Asmodeus's lust, and the prospects rolled in on their own. With a cheat key like that, failure wasn't an option. The real question was whether Grace would buy into this rosy future.

"No office yet, and you're already talking production? You've got some confidence."

"Come see for yourself if it works out. By my side."

At first, she was just a loose end to tie up before dealing with Hyungpil. But she was a legendary pussy who hadn't faltered against Hong Seongi's sex addiction or his own one-night-killer phase. Too good to waste.

"This could be make-or-break for your life, so no rush on deciding. I'll give you time to think it over while I wrap things up here."

"...Okay."

He touched the glove Asmodeus had given him, but nothing happened. Was pleasure really stored in it?

The last bit felt off, but he planned to test it soon enough, so he let it slide.

"Hwang Sanggu. A word."

"Yes, CEO? Something you need?"

He nodded grudgingly. What a prick.

"You said it last time, right? That if we squared up, I wouldn't last 30 seconds."

"Yeah. But why bring it up?"

"I've been thinking, and 30 seconds still feels too generous. You think so too, don't you?"

"Nah, I was being nice with 30. Honestly, one hit and you're done."

"Yeah? Then let's put it to the test. See if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you can really finish me in 30 seconds."

"Ha, you serious?"

He was starting to bite. Simple brute, as expected.

"Do I look like the type to joke about this?"

"If we really go at it, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠won't hold back even for you, CEO. You'll regret it."

"Then it's on. Clear your afternoon tomorrow."

He had his secretary post the notice straight on the company bulletin board. The whole office went nuts, and employees who hadn't even seen the CEO's face yet went wild over the random event. Betting pools popped up everywhere, hyping the match even more. Yeah, this was the stage he needed to take down Hwang.

"You lost your mind?"

"You barge in here, and that's all you got?"

As he pondered his opening remarks, Hyungpil stormed up, fuming.

"You think a pro fighter's a pushover? Planning to whine from a hospital bed again? Blame the guy below me and come crying to me for responsibility?"

"He kept talking shit, so I'm just teaching him some manners. I'll take full responsibility. Why drag you into it?"

"Manners? Fuck, like you'll teach me any. Don't come bitching when shit breaks. I warned you."

Warnings were for Hwang. Pretty soon, that prick would taste heaven before plummeting to the depths of hell.

The basement level had an empty practice room slated for remodeling. They laid safety mats in the center and roped off pillars to make a square ring.

By 6 PM, the crowd filled the hallways. Later he heard almost everyone showed up except those on business trips. Box office smash, right on cue.

He slipped on Asmodeus's glove and climbed into the ring. Across from him, Hwang eyed the gloves curiously.

"My hands are a bit rough, you know? This okay?"

"Sure. Hell, bring a weapon if you want. That chair over there's fine. Heh heh heh."

Let's see if you laugh like that later.

Behind the scowling Hyungpil stood Grace, looking worried. Jinho shot her a quick wink and grabbed the mic.

"Figure there might be some employees who don't know my face, so let me introduce myself. I'm CEO Hong Seongi. The ladies from the elevator last time didn't recognize me—hope there are none like that starting tomorrow. And..."

He hyped the crowd with prepared lines: the event was to lift spirits after the embezzlement mess, no hard feelings over the results, plenty of time to change bets, etc. Then he messaged Asmodeus.

'How do I use this glove?'

Glancing at Grace brought back the scene from days ago—her wrists bound with his belt, pounding her fiercely from behind. Heat started rising from the glove.

The drafted referee gave the signal, and Hwang slowly closed the distance, sauntering in clear disdain.

"I'll let you have first strike. Go wild. Heh heh heh."

"Alright then. Don't mind if I do."

Assuming he'd dodge, Jinho swung for Hwang's jaw.

—Thwack!

Everything around him slowed to a slo-mo crawl, but his fist rocketed into Hwang's jaw at blinding speed. Straight out of a superhero flick.

Hwang flew to the corner post, staggering back up. That had to hit his heart like pure ecstasy—impressive he stayed on his feet.

"F-fu-fuuuck! What the hell was thaaat!"

The employees were stunned—not just by the one-shot drop, but that cute squeal out of nowhere. They just blinked in silence. Hwang himself had to be the most shocked to hear it escape his lips.

Desperate to recover, Hwang flailed wildly. But to Jinho, every move was like floundering in water—pathetically slow. He sidestepped and slammed a second fist into Hwang's left side.

—Kyaang!

A few employees finally burst out laughing. Hwang clutched his side, collapsing as wetness spread around his crotch. The bastard pissed himself.

He struggled up on wobbly legs, eyes half-lidded in a daze. No point dragging it out—Jinho called the ref, but Hwang made one last desperate lunge.

"Hiiing, not... over yeeet!"

Chicken skin prickled all over Jinho—he couldn't hold back the laughter. He stepped close and tapped Hwang's gut lightly. An unearthly shriek erupted as foam bubbled from his mouth, and he crumpled. Not getting up ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now.

Looking down, Jinho saw Hyungpil's face twisted in rage, barking orders at his goons. He glared daggers before storming out without a word.

'This glove's no joke.'

Hwang, still out of it, got carried off by one of the goons. The guy's expression was weird, but Jinho chalked it up to the piss.

The next day, a bizarre rumor spread through the company: Hwang Sanggu had turned into a woman.