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Chapter 20
“You only ever think about what you’ve done for me, hyung.”
“…What did you just say?”
“I saw the offers. Every CF, every event that came my way—you turned them all down.”
For the longest time, Yoon Jin-woo had left almost all company matters in Lee Sang-tae’s hands. Not because he was stupid, but because Sang-tae always told him to. And Jin-woo had wanted to believe in him.
“That was because Ha-na—”
“Are you my manager, or Ha-na’s? Why do you need her approval for my work?”
“Jin-woo, please… just think it over once more, okay?”
“There’s nothing to think about.”
With an icy tone, Jin-woo turned and walked into the conference room. Lee Min-jae, sensing the tension, quickly drew the blinds shut.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright? I mean, it’s good you’ve been moved to our team but… to be honest, Team Leader Lee doesn’t exactly have the best reputation inside the company.”
Everyone knew Sang-tae had backing from higher up. And that his ‘connection’ was none other than Jin-woo’s girlfriend, Jung Ha-na.
“It’s fine. If there’s a problem, I’ll handle it myself.”
“Ah—yes, understood. Well then, aside from the movie, I’ve整理ed a few offers that Team Leader Lee previously rejected. If you’d like, we can go over them…”
The meeting went smoothly. Compared to Sang-tae’s one-sided way of doing things, Min-jae listened, respected Jin-woo’s input, and treated him like a partner.
Yet in the quiet comfort of it all, her face kept surfacing in his mind.
The more he tried to forget, the sharper it became—so vivid, it frightened him.
“Lastly, about the movie. Two days from now, before filming starts, there’ll be a small investor gathering at the hotel. Would you like to attend?”
“Do I have to?”
“No, not at all. But if you go, people will be pleased. It’s entirely up to you.”
Jin-woo drummed his finger lightly against the pristine white table.
‘Hyung, what happened to my CF schedule that day?’
‘I canceled it. You can shoot commercials later. No matter what, you must attend the investor event!’
‘Are you serious right now?’
‘Jin-woo, you need to impress the investors if you want bigger opportunities. Ads are nothing. Ha-na worked hard to get you this spot!’
Jin-woo let out a short sigh. Without Sang-tae, meetings no longer suffocated him.
“If it’s an investor event… will the representative from the Night Investment company be there too? The one backing Byun Film?”
“Ah, you mean Daniel Miller? Yes, he should be.”
“Then I’ll go.”
“Alright. I’ll confirm that.”
The investor gathering was held at Seoyoung Hotel. That was where Jin-woo met Kang Da-som again.
“This is our film’s lead, actor Yoon Jin-woo.”
“Yoon Jin-woo. A pleasure.”
“Daniel Miller.”
“Oh, you’re foreign?”
“Yes, American.”
“Your Korean is impressive for that.”
“I immigrated young. I love Korea, so I never stopped learning the language.”
They shook hands and exchanged light words. Next to Kang Jong-woo stood Da-som, elegant in a neat semi-formal dress.
“What’s your relationship with Miss Da-som?”
“Oh, you two know each other?”
“Yes. She’s my boyfriend’s younger sister.”
“You don’t say. Would’ve been nice to know beforehand.”
Their easy banter made Jin-woo’s brow crease. Were they closer than expected?
“And the two of you…”
“Ah, we met at a ballet gala in the UK when she performed. It was a shame when she quit ballet, but after she returned to Korea, we’d meet occasionally for lunch.”
“I see.”
“I hear this is your first film, Jin-woo. I truly hope it goes well.”
“It has to.”
This was his chance.
Jin-woo wanted to succeed—not as the pampered youngest son inheriting wealth, but as a man whose own name stood tall and proud.
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
Jong-woo slipped away, leaving Jin-woo and Da-som standing in silence.
“No manager with you today?”
His new manager, Min-jae, stayed at a distance. Unlike Sang-tae, who would drag him to greet everyone, Min-jae never interfered more than necessary.
“There were… personal circumstances. So he was replaced.”
“Good for you.”
“I said it was personal. Why do you sound like you’re praising me?”
“Just felt like it. Am I not allowed?”
Of course she was. If anything, he had been the first to lie.
His eyes lingered on her. A face like porcelain, skin white as snow, limbs impossibly slender yet graceful. A voice that soothed, movements soft as a butterfly’s flutter. Nothing about her failed to capture him.
“You’re allowed.”
“I heard this film caused some trouble between you and Ha-na unni?”
“Not sure where you heard that, but it’s not that serious. And anyway—this is my work.”
My work.
He startled faintly at his own words. It was his, wasn’t it? So why had he always leaned on Ha-na or Sang-tae?
“Right. It’s yours.”
“….”
“I want you to start making your own choices.”
The moment her words fell, the lights dimmed and the stage lit up. As the crowd turned forward, Da-som stepped closer.
Her hand touched his shoulder.
Tap. Tap.
Her long, slender fingers brushed away invisible dust. Startled, Jin-woo raised his hand—and their fingertips brushed.
“On the 29th evening, I’ll be at Aria Club lounge. Practicing ballet with Ha-na unni.”
“Ballet?”
“Yes. She wanted to learn. If things go well, she may even perform at a charity gala.”
“I see.”
“See you then.”
An employee approached, and Da-som quickly left.
Jin-woo turned to the stage, but his mind was elsewhere. Almost unconsciously, he opened his phone calendar.
The 29th was empty.
“Hahaha! Did you see his face? It was priceless!”
Since that day, Jung Ha-na often met with Da-som. It had begun when Da-som timidly confided her frustrations about Joo-bin.
Ha-na, being human, sympathized. Now the two shared coffee at the Aria Club lounge café.
The café was half private rooms, half tables spread far enough that no conversations overlapped. Ha-na preferred the small rooms with a clear view of the indoor garden.
“So why don’t you like Soo-ha?”
“Hm? Oh, I didn’t dislike her at first. But do you know what she said the first time we met? ‘Mother-in-law~ Well, at least you’re not some washed-up entertainer, right?’ Can you believe that?”
“You’re kidding me.”
“I was briefly an idol trainee back then. She mocked me for it. Can you imagine? Acting like she’s the true mistress of Cheonmyeong. Please. What does she have besides interest-money games?”
Ha-na mimicked Soo-ha’s voice with a sneer, her irritation clear.
Even before her regression, family conflict had been constant. Though she was an MBA graduate and highly intelligent, she lacked the finesse to flatter or win hearts.
Or perhaps… her opponent had simply been too sharp.
