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Chapter 18
“We’ll adjust the filming schedule to suit you as much as possible, Ms. Seo Sara. Ah, and the most important part—the appearance fee adjustment is……”
“Writer.”
For the first time, Sara wiped the smile from her lips and looked straight at Sung Jihee.
“My schedule’s been a little tangled up lately, so I don’t think I can join the drama. I’m really sorry.”
“We won’t know until we try, but…… what?”
Writer Sung’s lips twisted slightly, as if she hadn’t expected Sara’s rejection.
“I really am sorry.”
“Wait a second, Ms. Sara.”
Letting out a short sigh, Sung pressed her temples.
“Tell me what you want. Honestly, I don’t have time to argue with you right now. Starting the day after tomorrow, we’ll have to use improvised scripts if this doesn’t get settled.”
“What I want? Nothing, really……”
Sara blinked slowly, her expression troubled.
After going back and forth several times, her sincerity must have come through, because Sung’s face grew much more desperate.
“Are you serious? You’re turning down such a good opportunity? No, Sara, think it over one more time. In the next project, I really want to work with you……”
Unfortunately, her pleading didn’t last long.
The meeting room outside suddenly grew noisy, and without warning, the door burst open.
“Writer!”
Both of them turned their heads at once.
Unsurprisingly, it was Seyeon standing there.
Through the crack of the door, CEO Park’s flustered face appeared for a moment before vanishing as the door shut.
Wearing a twisted smile, Seyeon walked toward the writer.
“What brings you all the way to the company? If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve at least reserved a restaurant nearby.”
“Ah, Ms. Seyeon. Sorry, but I’m in the middle of something important with Ms. Sara.”
Her displeasure at being interrupted was plain for all to see.
But Seyeon pretended not to notice.
“I heard you’ve been very busy lately, so what brings you here?”
“Busy, yes. That’s why I had to come in person. But do I really need to explain all of this to you? Honestly, I’m a little offended.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just so happy to hear you were here. What are you talking about……”
As she spoke, Seyeon glanced sideways at Sara, unable to hide her curiosity about their conversation.
Her face was filled with unease, impatience, even anger.
Sara quietly watched her from the side.
“Sorry, but our discussion isn’t over. Could you step out?”
After circling around the point several times with no result, Sung finally said it bluntly, her expression souring.
Seyeon’s face changed instantly.
Looking between Sara and the writer, she forced the words out.
“……Why not me?”
“What?”
“Why not me? I worked hard too! I read the script dozens, hundreds of times, analyzed the character, watched every drama of yours that had a similar role! So why is it always Seo Sara?”
“Ha.”
The writer let out a hollow laugh, clearly exhausted and annoyed.
“Seyeon. Do you really not know why I don’t cast you as the lead? I usually don’t take anyone as the main unless they’re award-winning. You must’ve heard the rumors.”
“What’s so important about awards? They’re all rigged behind the scenes anyway.”
“Oh, like how you used connections to barge into my drama? Sure, there’s some rigging. But at least I can tell when an actor can’t act.”
“That’s—!”
“Seyeon. Lower your voice.”
Sara, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
Her voice was quiet, but it had a strange pull—both Seyeon and the writer turned to her.
“Showing up like this, saying only what you want—it’s rude. Apologize to the writer and leave.”
“Leave? Who are you to tell me to leave?”
Seyeon, as if something inside her snapped, lashed out at Sara.
“If you hadn’t stolen my drama role in the first place, none of this would’ve happened! Who snatched the lead after getting dropped, using connections to steal a part?”
“……That’s harsh. I didn’t know you thought of me that way.”
“Kim Seyeon.”
The writer’s voice cut sharply, far different from before.
“Enough. I’ve tolerated plenty already. Honestly, it’s obvious who deserves the lead role here. Grab anyone off the street and ask who fits the part.”
“I know! That’s why I did my best! But no matter how hard I work, it’s always Seo Sara. Always her!”
Biting her lip to hold back tears, Seyeon’s vision blurred.
To outsiders, she might have looked pitiful. But to Sung, only fiery irritation rose up.
‘Ha, is she really crying now? Anyone watching would think I hit her. She barged in here, said everything she wanted……’
Glancing aside, her eyes brushed over Sara.
‘And yet Sara still manages her expression in all this. As expected of an actress—she hasn’t even furrowed her brow once. It’s like she knows everything……’
What Sara’s eyes reflected wasn’t anger or annoyance. Instead, the faintest smile lingered at her lips.
Noticing it, Sung felt a flicker of admiration.
Their eyes met by chance.
And in that moment, she clearly understood what Sara wanted.
Maybe even Seyeon’s intrusion had been part of Sara’s setup.
She realized she’d been used—but didn’t feel bad. If anything, she was pleased. Sara had set the stage so she could say everything she wanted without restraint.
“……The only reason I cast you as lead was to attract investors. Did you think there was some grander reason?”
“Writer!”
“I’m not done. Character analysis? Effort? So what? You want credit just for trying? What are you, a grade-schooler? Should I give you a gold star?”
“……”
“Get out before I lose all respect. Otherwise, you’ll never be in one of my dramas again.”
It was her final warning, no room left for argument.
Tears streaming down her cheeks, Seyeon turned and dragged herself out of the meeting room.
Once the door was fully shut, Sara finally spoke.
“I’m really sorry, writer.”
Her eyes downcast, she looked pitiful.
“Sorry? Wasn’t that intentional?”
“Excuse me? What do you mean……”
“You were smiling when I was putting Seyeon in her place. Don’t beat around the bush—let’s be honest.”
“Oh, you saw?”
Sara’s demeanor flipped instantly.
She smiled brightly, like a child on the eve of a spring picnic.
“So that’s why you insisted on a supporting role after losing the lead. Because of Kim Seyeon?”
“I really do want to work with you, that’s true.”
“And also to mess with Seyeon a little?”
“Two birds with one stone.”
Sara didn’t deny it.
Technically, Sung had come to the company without warning, but somehow it felt like all of this had been part of Sara’s plan.
“I’ll do it.”
“What? You mean Cha Minseo?”
“Yes. It doesn’t feel right to keep refusing when you’ve asked me so earnestly.”
Just fifteen minutes earlier she’d refused again and again. Now she agreed without a blink.
Sung thought, What on earth is this? but didn’t say it out loud.
“Tell me what you want.”
“Hmm, nothing in particular. My role will get expanded anyway, the schedule will be adjusted for me, and the pay will be renegotiated.”
“No demands, but earlier you kept refusing… Ah.”
She’d been waiting for Kim Seyeon.
Waiting until Seyeon stormed into the meeting room and caused a scene.
By now, admiration welled up instead.
She looked gentle and mild, but ten years of surviving in this industry hadn’t been wasted.
“Oh, there’s one thing. Next time, I want to be the lead in your drama.”
