Chapter 174
Chapter 174
Departure
‘This is so unfair…’
First of all, they didn’t even know my soul was affecting my body, and now their solution is for me to just unconditionally adapt?
‘If they’re acknowledging my contributions, they shouldn’t be treating me like this. Isn’t it a good thing for them to collect a case study like me?’
Did I work like a dog for this? In response to my protest, Beta replied that it was a reasonable demand. Then, after a few mechanical beeps, it reached a conclusion.
<…Regarding your thoughts, we will continue to coordinate with the server and provide updates.>
‘Whatever.’
Anyway, after all that suffering, I only managed to adjust it by 1.48%... Yu Yeon-seo felt his world go dark. Honestly, he had no expectations for Beta’s “coordination” either. At best, it would probably just reduce the pain from the soul adjustments.
“…What’s wrong?”
Seeing his younger brother suddenly shoot up, Yu Eun-ho flinched. He had just woken up after collapsing like that, but his movements were anything but ordinary.
“I’ll go to the U.S. for now.”
“Good, that’s the right choice.”
“There’s a film festival anyway, so I should go and attend everything.”
“Haa… Do whatever you want.”
Knowing it was useless to try and stop him, Yu Eun-ho shook his head slightly. In truth, after witnessing his brother in so much pain that he coughed up blood, he thought there wouldn’t be a next time. But to think it would happen again… It was a miracle that he was awake and perfectly fine right now.
‘Still, is it a relief that his mind is sound?’
At least he wasn’t staring into space and begging for help like before… Feeling resentful for being made to worry so suddenly, Yu Eun-ho pressed down on Yu Yeon-seo’s head and repeatedly ruffled his hair roughly.
“Ack! Stop it!”
“Next time, at least give me some warning.”
“Well, it was sudden for me too.”
“…Doesn’t it hurt? It just happens suddenly without any warning signs?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Yu Eun-ho sighed again. He desperately hoped a different hospital would provide an accurate diagnosis. Only then could they figure out a plan.
“What about Seo-jun?”
“He’ll be here tomorrow. Seems like he’s still keeping an eye on that side.”
“Really? I should assign someone to him quickly.”
“I already took care of that.”
I figured. Still, I feel like I should assign someone I trust too… Im Seung-hyeon will probably follow me to the U.S., and Lee Tae-gyeom, frankly, isn’t very reliable. Besides, his job is to be my manager, not a detective.
After confirming his brother was awake, Yu Eun-ho left to handle company matters, and Yu Yeon-seo answered the phone that had been vibrating noisily for a while.
“Hello, CEO Han.”
Yu Yeon-seo held the phone away from his ear. The man was shouting something unintelligibly, the only discernible words being, “Are you okay?”
“Calm down.”
(…Hoo, I saw you posted on Instar. Shouldn’t you have contacted me first before you had time to write that?)
Resentment dripped from CEO Han’s voice. He should have been the first to grasp his actor’s situation and issue a statement, but he couldn’t even figure out what was going on, leaving him frustrated and unable to resolve anything.
“What about Lee Tae-gyeom?”
(He just said you were hospitalized but wouldn’t give me any details….)
“He probably didn’t know either.”
(Yeah, no wonder. He said someone was holding him.)
So Grandfather tied Lee Tae-gyeom’s hands. Does he really think I’m three years old… He swept his hair back.
(How are you feeling?)
“I’m fine.”
(Good, that’s how it should be… You’re really driving me crazy….)
“Sounds like something happened. What was it?”
You even have to ask? CEO Han had been getting calls from various media outlets ever since eyewitness accounts of his actor in the emergency room surfaced. But while he was anxiously pacing, not knowing anything himself, men in black suits had stormed into his office.
(Your grandfather’s secretary paid a visit.)
“So that’s why you released the article about me going to the U.S.”
(I had no choice. He said ‘our young master needs to recuperate’ and demanded I immediately post an article about you halting your activities. How could I refuse…? And you were out of touch the whole time. Why didn’t you answer your phone?)
“Because I was lying in bed the whole time.”
No matter how strange Yu Yeon-seo’s personality was, he wasn’t the type to ignore a constantly ringing phone. So, if he was lying in bed the whole time, that means for several days… As CEO Han shrieked, Yu Yeon-seo frowned and once again pulled the phone away from his ear.
“Ah, stop screaming.”
(You said you were fine!)
“I am fine.”
(Sigh… Forget it.)
In truth, CEO Han wanted to know the details of how serious Yu Yeon-seo’s condition was. It had been seven years since he recruited Yu Yeon-seo as an actor for his agency.
Although there had been many days spent cleaning up after Yu Yeon-seo’s incidents, they had developed a love-hate bond over the years. He felt he deserved to know at least something.
‘Whatever, he’ll handle it himself.’
But now that he heard his voice, he just gave up thinking about it. It was better for him to be overprotected by his family now than to live with a wall between them like before. Getting criticized for the agency’s poor management was a small price to pay….
(So, are you going to the U.S.?)
“I’m going to get some tests and rest. I’ll call you when I’m back in Korea.”
(Is it that serious?)
“Not really, but my family is being overprotective.”
Yu Yeon-seo spoke as if it were no big deal, but CEO Han didn’t believe him. Chairman Yu’s secretary had come to the office in person. It definitely wasn’t a trivial matter.
(So, even if we pull you out of everything related to ‘Snake’ and the year-end events, what about next year? There’s the film festival right away….)
“I have to go. I said I’m taking a break from my acting activities, not from my activities as a producer.”
(Wordplay… So you’re not taking a complete break, is that it?)
“Yep.”
(Take care of yourself… I’m about to go bald from all the hair I’ve pulled out because of you….)
“I’ll bring you back a souvenir.”
After ending the call with CEO Han, Yu Yeon-seo saw someone opening the door and walking in, and the corners of his mouth lifted.
“Son….”
Seeing his second son awake, Yu Geon-min whimpered in a dying voice. Anyone watching would think his father was the sick one, not him. Yu Yeon-seo pushed aside a slight pang of guilt and smiled.
“You’re here?”
Park Jeong-ho, one of Director Park Geum-ju’s secretaries, visited Chairman Yu and his wife’s mansion regarding an exhibition.
‘It’s been a long time since then.’
The last time he had visited this mansion was the day of the daughter-in-law’s death. Park Jeong-ho crossed the mansion’s garden and headed toward Park Geum-ju’s office.
Just as he was about to knock, the door opened from the inside. A young boy in a school uniform saw him and paused.
‘Is this the infamous young master?’
The corners of his eyes were red, as if he had been arguing with Park Geum-ju. Park Jeong-ho decided to speak first.
“Good after….”
Park Jeong-ho couldn’t finish his sentence. Huffing, Yu Yeon-seo had already run to the end of the hallway. He glanced at Park Geum-ju, who was sighing with her hand on her forehead.
“Did something happen?”
“…It’s nothing. Just leave the documents there and go home.”
“Understood.”
One thing he had learned from this job was not to ask questions, even if he was curious. As Park Jeong-ho left the mansion, he observed Yu Yeon-seo sitting in the garden, staring at something. Was he looking at the sky? No, his gaze was lower than that. What on earth was he looking at?
Snapping out of his brief reminiscence, Park Jeong-ho returned to the present. He knocked on the hospital room door, waited a moment, and then opened it.
“You called for me?”
“Hello. Sorry for making you come all the way here.”
“You’re unwell; of course, I should come. Are you feeling better now?”
“Well, as you can see.”
Yu Yeon-seo had changed out of his hospital gown and into street clothes. He was scheduled to head straight to the airport. Starting with Yu Geon-min, a constant stream of visitors, including Choi Yu-jin, his aunts, and cousins, had been coming. It was better to just get discharged quickly. Their overprotectiveness was getting worse by the day.
“Mr. Park Jeong-ho, you’re supposed to be helping me, not my grandmother, until I’m satisfied, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“You know what I’m investigating, don’t you?”
The sudden question made Park Jeong-ho wonder if he should answer honestly.
It was impossible not to know. He was collecting information related to the sudden death of Lee Hui-seo and had requested a list of the servants present that day. He was clearly digging into the events of that day, suspecting murder, not suicide.
“…Yes. I have a vague idea.”
“I have something to ask of you while I’m out of the country.”
It was a request, not an order. Park Jeong-ho gazed into Yu Yeon-seo’s unreadable eyes. They were not the wounded eyes he had encountered before. They were now firm and resolute.
“There’s someone helping us. Baek Seo-jun.”
“I’m aware he is the Senior Managing Director’s friend.”
“Then this should be easy.”
Yu Yeon-seo handed him Park Gyeong-won’s file.
“I’d like you to help him protect and monitor someone.”
“Monitor… you say?”
Park Jeong-ho scanned Park Gyeong-won’s file. The name was familiar. He was probably one of the people Yu Yeon-seo had asked him to investigate.
“If something unexpected happens, bring that person to this address.”
It was clear from the bank statements that Park Gyeong-won was an accomplice on that day. Choi Nam-yun was similar.
But he still didn’t know the mastermind. In case of an unforeseen situation, Yu Yeon-seo had cleared out a floor in one of his buildings to create a space to confine them. He planned to secure them and then dig for information about the ‘head’.
Seeing that Park Jeong-ho seemed to have a lot to say, Yu Yeon-seo added.
“…It’s alright to tell my grandmother.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes. I think she needs to know as well.”
He couldn’t just ignore Park Geum-ju. Although old feelings remained, it was also true that she had helped him, so she deserved to know what he was pursuing. Besides, his grandmother wasn’t the type to gossip. She might even unexpectedly provide a clue.
“…I will be careful not to let any word slip out unnecessarily.”
“Yes, I’m counting on you.”
After sending Park Jeong-ho off, Im Seung-hyeon came in.
“Young Master, it’s time to go.”
“Let’s go.”
As he stepped out of the hospital room, the bodyguards waiting outside saw him and bowed their heads.
“…What’s this?”
“It’s a special order from the Chairman. He said to prioritize the Young Master’s safety above all else.”
“Hah, surely all these people won’t be following me around while I’m in the U.S.?”
“We are scheduled to cooperate with the local security team.”
What a commotion. Yu Yeon-seo simply nodded and headed out of the hospital. Im Seung-hyeon and seven bodyguards followed behind him.
“Huh?”
“He’s out!”
Spotting the luxury sedan parked at the hospital’s main entrance, reporters who had guessed Yu Yeon-seo would be coming out raised their cameras.
[Photo] Yu Yeon-seo, seen leaving Juseong Hospital
‘Activities Temporarily Halted’ Yu Yeon-seo, Leaves for the U.S. After Discharge
It was more profitable to chase after Yu Yeon-seo than to sit at a desk and repost articles from online communities. The security team used their bodies and hands to shield him from the cameras. He could hear the reporters’ annoyed grumbles.
└Ahㅠㅠ I hope he comes back healthyㅠㅠ
└Always cheering for you
└Yeon-seo, get plenty of rest, I love you
└Considering his environment, the panic disorder is understandableㅠㅠ Even if it takes time, come back healthyㅜㅜ
└I’ll wait for you, whenever!
His departure gave weight to the rumors of psychological trauma, but if he was seen acting perfectly fine over there, such theories would quickly disappear. What, didn’t he halt his activities? I was worried, but I guess he’s just seeking attention again—that’s what they might say….
After being seen off by his family who had gathered at the airport, Yu Yeon-seo boarded the private jet.