Casting Approved
After the incident with Choi, the killing intent from his pet snakes felt way too intense.
"It's great that you're protecting me, but passing out is a problem. Choi at least collapsed when no one was around, but if it happens in a crowd, it'll be impossible to handle."
"Quit badmouthing humans and figure something out!"
"Snakes come in types too?"
It even bragged about having a nine-headed secret weapon. Thousands of snakes—its shadow was a demon realm.
Those nimble snakes proved their worth in the parking lot. Faster than Choi, they subdued him in an instant. With the weakened killing intent, no one passed out, making cleanup easy.
Mir Entertainment CEO's office—
"Bora likes the script. If you say no, she's ready to send a contract termination notice. I talked her down for now, but abandoning her for over a year? That's grounds enough. You wouldn't claim ignorance, would you?"
"……"
The parking lot chaos had worked. In any other situation, curses would have flown, but he just sat there quietly.
"But why would Bora go that far over some grudge with you? There's a way for all three of us to win."
Time to offer the carrot after the stick.
"Join forces with me this time. The executive's a chaebol third-gen with wide connections, but he won't use them for you. You know one of them? To him, you're just another easy mark in the industry."
Choi couldn't be unaware of the rumors. He was just cowed by Hyungpil's money and influence.
"But I don't have many people around me, so building a good relationship now means I'll treat you amazingly. Like, if you're planning to go public, I'd help without hesitation…."
"…What makes you think you can do that?"
Even scared, the businessman wanted to see my cards—something better than Hyungpil's line.
"Connections obviously don't help with going public. How about Oguang Group? That should more than suffice, right?"
"Why would Oguang Group…?"
"You won't believe me if I tell you, so check my ties to them yourself."
Hand-fed info versus self-discovered truth—worlds apart in credibility.
"It's at least better than clinging to Hyungpil. Not empty words—look into it. You must have some info network."
Package my brother connection nicely later, and he'd bite. Quick on the uptake, he wouldn't ditch Bora, 10 billion, a new chaebol ally over Hyungpil.
"Then Bora's casting is a go."
"Th-that's…."
"Make excuses to Hyungpil yourself. If you don't even do this…."
I leaned in with the vilest grin.
"The connections… they'll backlash even stronger than last time."
Choi shuddered, grabbing my hand pleadingly.
"Pl-please, give me some time. I'll make it work!"
"Three days. If no word by Friday, I'll come back."
Choi nodded frantically.
"Oh, and don't think of running. I can see exactly where anyone touched by the connections is."
Pure bluff, of course. But after this, reason wouldn't function. Bora's role was as good as secured.
I could see nuna's smile through her voice—a relieved one, knowing she wouldn't suffer fools like Hyungpil anymore.
"How was Soyoung's acting? Forgot to ask that day."
Praise…? Sorta.
No way she'd have her own color. Until recently, she couldn't even express emotions properly.
Ask Yoon PD about a bit part for her. Script's taking longer than thought.
* * *
Grace, Stardust's No. 3, officially started.
For reference: No. 1 is me, No. 2 Mingyu hyung, No. 4 composer Sin Aram newly recruited, No. 5 orphanage junior Na Jisung coming up after wrapping senior work in Busan.
Jisung handles Mutube, so late join's fine. Grace had no immediate tasks but insisted. Plenty of space anyway.
"Whoa, way prettier than photos. Jinho, why not show good ones?"
"Jinho…?"
Quickly cut off Mingyu hyung.
"CEO mixes up names sometimes. Has a junior named Jinho. CEO, even with few staff, stop mixing up now?"
"Ah, yeah… haha."
Embarrassed, he bolted for "errands." Knew where, but played dumb today.
"CEO's junior shares a name with the embezzler."
Swallowed the "no!" rising in my throat. Tell Grace first after Hyungpil asks.
Change topic first.
"Quit properly, right?"
"Of course. But that jerk didn't even call when I left. Thought he'd at least say bye…."
Fucked her senseless in office, now treats like trash. What kinda dick can't satisfy this woman?
"This our new nest with CEO?"
Says stuff that'd mislead if overheard.
"Title first. Not CEO here—call me manager from now."
"Manager… then alone?"
Alone?
"In bed. CEO wasn't great, but manager's weirder."
Ah….
Bed talk, and suddenly Grace looked different.
Neat half-up hair, tight white blouse hugging her body, gray suit jacket, short H-line skirt with stockings, black heels—peak sexiness. Why miss it earlier?
—Gulp—
Grace prodded with a knowing look.
"So… what… should… I… call… you?"
"Manager that awkward?"
"Y-you call me Grace, but title feels distant."
"Then call by name. Seongi-ssi."
"Hate it—sounds like dick."
Ah, cock.
"Nothing comes to mind."
"Hm… Gonna be office wife, so…."
Heard the term. Office spouse—opposite-sex coworker closer than real spouse, from spending half day at work. Woman: office wife, man: office husband. Grace aims to be office wife.
"Call you baby."
Fine for lovers, awkward for fuckbuddies.
But next suggestions—honey, sweetie, darling, etc.—landed on baby. Darling's taken anyway.
Pleased with our pet name, Grace hummed, touring the office.
"Bed in this room."
Break room had a foldable. Mingyu hyung got it for AR team overnights. He uses it most now.
"CEO for staff welfare. Looks like overtime bait to me."
"I see other uses?"
"What us—oh."
Overlapped with Hyungpil's office scene: scattered lingerie, moans filling air, heels dangling off toes, half-off stockings….
"Truth, I… came expecting. Show crotchless panties?"
Read my face, she teased.
"Fuck me in office… like this—what'd you think?"
Grace's switch was already on.