Chapter 528 Unforeseen circumstances-2
While Samuel was having a meeting, Yoona's world was turning upside down. Her house was stormed by reporters, so she was living in a fancy hotel a few miles away from her home, but there was still a risk of someone leaking her address.
She would check her phone regularly, and the comment on her public media profile was getting more bizarre every minute. She honestly didn't understand why this was happening to her. She even asked her agency for help, but they were reasonably silent, only giving her empty promises without doing anything.
Everything happened so fast that she was still in shock. As soon as they landed in Seoul, a swarm of reporters encircled them, asking obscene questions. It was the strangest thing she encountered since she became an idol.
Even people she trusted stabbed her in the back and cut off all contact with her. Only her co-workers and SK boys helped her. They were the ones who took swift action and got her out of the airport safely.
But the most helpful was her manager, Kim, who stood behind her, supporting the argument that it was a coordinated attack because they got famous. At least, that's the only thing they knew until they reached out to the agency.
As soon as Kim went to report to headquarters, he was fired out of nowhere. He told everyone not to worry about it, but she and others learned about his pay cut and how much the upper management insulted him.
Ultimately, Kim couldn't take it and resigned voluntarily; everyone knew what it meant to get a corporation like SK in your bad books. The fallout would be intense, but Kim didn't care about it.
He was more worried about protecting Yoona and spoke freely under his socials, but that only resulted in the mob shifting their attention and hounding him for siding with someone like Yoona. Within a day, she was termed someone who sleeps around and uses her new fame to bully her juniors, which was invalid.
But who cares about proof when they are getting media attention? She became just another stepping stone for people beneath her to step on and advance their careers. Only today, the news spread across the whole country, and people that she didn't even know came out for interviews to bash her name.
With her agency's silence, they were scrambling to protect her reputation. It must be why they took such a passive stance even when fans asked about it. It was the most depressing day of her life; when she thought she achieved success, people came to knock her down for no reason!
After holing up in the hotel for an entire day, she received a call from Manager Kim asking her to stop by a specific place. He said that others would also be there, and they would try to find a solution for her.
It wasn't only her that got the public scrutiny; even her team members and anyone associated with her were harassed continuously. It finally showed her the fame she had been chasing since she decided to join as a trainee. It was so fickle that it vanished in thin air before she could fully grasp it.
It was midnight, but she decided to head out despite the risks. It's not like she was doing something; it would be better for her mind to meet her friends to lift her up. She pulled out her trusty hoodie and casual pants and finished it with a large mask covering her face.
It was usual for people to wear masks these days with the deteriorating air quality in Seoul. She had gone out like this before, so she was sure no one would recognize her.
She didn't have a car, so she asked the receptionist to arrange one for her. Within minutes, the hotel did as she asked because she was renting the most expensive suit despite her bank balance not being able to afford it. It will be the last place those scums would look for her.
Within half an hour, she reached where Kim told her to meet. It was a deserted street with few people walking around but not much traffic, probably because it was late. Soon, she spotted someone waving at her from afar, and she immediately recognized the familiar build.
" I am glad you can make it. Everyone is already here, so don't worry, we'll think of something." Kim consoled her, but instead of being hopeful, she only nodded in response. With how bad it had gotten, it would take a miracle for everything to disappear.
" Follow me; we can't stay here for long." He led her inside a dark alley that opened to a large area primarily for storing trash. He opened the back door with a key and took her inside.
Inside was a rustic bar with an old man making a few drinks; only a few people were sitting at the counter, but what was strange was the main gate was closed. She could see that the shutter was pulled down.
" I have been coming here since I was a teenager. It was some of the best days of my life. I know the owner for decades, so we can talk freely without anyone disturbing us."
" Oh, you are finally here! Come on, I saved a seat for you!" Soo-jin shouted; Yoona could see that she was already drunk!
" Sit down! You almost spill your glass on me!" Mi Sun yelled.
" I feel like the whole room is spinning." Siwon, who was a light drinker, was already seeing spinning stars.
" These kids, they really can't handle their drinks," Leeteuk commented with an annoyed look.
" Right! Old man, another one for me!" Ningning demanded. She was a happy drunk and behaved utterly different from her collective personality.
" Welcome, Miss, you look like someone needing a drink. I will fix one for you." The old man said with a warm smile.
" No, I am fine-"
" It wouldn't hurt; I use something with not a lot of alcohol content."
" Alright." She saw everyone in a cheerful mood, and instead of lifting her spirit, it made her more depressed. In her perspective, although they were being bashed online, the focal point was always Yoona. She wanted to leave, but the old man passed her the drink and said," They are looking after you. You don't need to suffer alone; they seemed pretty gloomy when they arrived but decided to act happy for your sake."
He could tell what Yoona felt; being a bartender all his life, he was used to reading people. He had heard countless depressed and happy stories over the years. It's not like he ever asked them; his job was to hear about their life without making any comment, but rarely would he interject when he felt like few of his words would help any strangers.
Yoona looked at them again and saw them stealing glances at her. They were definitely faking it for her sake! It almost made her tear up, but she controlled herself and proceeded with their facade. She poured the whole glass down in one go and yelled at the top of her lungs.
It was a mixture of sadness and frustration but mostly joy. She knew even if no one had her back, she could always trust the people in this room. With a rejuvenated atmosphere, everyone started drinking, accompanied by usual bar games.
Within two hours, everyone forgot why they were here in the first place until one person who had a great idea to drunk dial someone. Of course, it was Soo-jin; strangely, everyone was behind her concept under the influence of alcohol.
The call went through, and the first thing they did was cheer excessively to let the person on the other side know that they meant business!
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Around the same time, Samuel was still in his office going through some of the documents. He hadn't been to headquarters for quite sometimes which meant a pile of papers for him to approve or reject.
He had already sent everyone away, so he was alone, and his phone rang. He saw the caller ID and was surprised to get a call from Soo-jin. He knew it would already be past midnight where she was, so there was only one possibility as to why she called this late at night: she must be in trouble!
" Hello?"
" Woooooo!" He almost went deaf hearing the loud shout because of his supernatural hearing abilities!
" What's happening? Is everything alright?" He asked with a worried tone.
" Why...*hic* don't you do...something!"
" That's right, it all happened because of you!"
" We are partying! Why don't you come here?"
He was bombarded with questions, but each voice sounded different. He double-checked the caller ID, and it clearly displayed Soo-jin.
lightsΝοvel.cοm " Let me hear it. Did he say something?"
" Let's do a collab right now! I will sing; you only have to sing along with me! It's unfair that everyone gets to sing but not me!" It was definitely Siwon's voice; only his vocals were distinct, even when drunk.
" Please help me! I don't know what to do!" Yoona yelled. Samuel finally understood they were drunk, noticing the blurriness in their voice.
" I will; you don't have to worry about it. I am sending someone, and I am giving him everyone's contact details. You must stay put for a few days; everything will change." He didn't know if they would remember it, but he stated his intention thoughtfully.
That's what he was up to, forming a perfect plan with Park; sooner or later, SK Corporation had to budge because they didn't know who they messed with involuntarily!
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