Chapter 926: Standing Alone (4)
[SBC Trending News (LIVE)]
[Seven Star Hospital 1st Floor Meeting Room: Singer Yoo Se-Na at the Center of Attention – Emergency Press Conference (with Ju Yung-In)]
On the phone placed on the table, a video began playing of Yoo Se-Na sitting in a wheelchair as she was brought up onto the stage. Standing beside her was Ju Yung-In, along with Doctor Lee Han-Hwi, who had diagnosed her with Ménière's disease. Below the stage, only a very small number of reporters including Jang Moon-Ki had been invited, and they couldn't hide their excitement at the thought of landing an exclusive story.
I pointed at the video and began my threat in earnest. "A live interview will begin in ten minutes. Sign the liability waiver within that time. Otherwise, Ms. Yoo Se-Na will personally reveal the details of the side contract between you and her mother on that stage."
Director Hong Ah-Yoon had signed Yoo Se-Na onto Once Again, Idol! under a side agreement requiring her to appear in 10 out of the 12 episodes. That clause guaranteeing ten appearances was essentially indirect evidence of vote manipulation. In an audition program decided by viewer votes, no one could be guaranteed a fixed number of appearances.
Caught off guard by this unexpected move, Hong Ah-Yoon shouted in panic. "Hey! Don't you know there's a confidentiality clause in that contract? If that gets out, it won't just be me. Yoo Se-Na's finished too!"
Yoo Se-Na had personally stamped the main contract, but the side contract had been stamped by her mother without her knowledge.
I shrugged. "After ten minutes, we'll also reveal that the side contract was signed without Ms. Yoo Se-Na's consent. Then she won't be the one who ends up finished."
Hong Ah-Yoon immediately pointed at Yoo Se-Na's mother. "Then her mother will be the one held responsible!"
I let out a scoff. "Ms. Yoo Se-Na came to the hospital today without her parents and is even doing this interview. Do you still not understand? She's already decided to leave them behind and stand on her own!"
The color drained from Yoo Se-Na's parents' faces.
"That can't be true!"
"Jung Yoon-Ho! What did you do to Se-Na?!"
I looked straight at the two of them as they shouted at the top of their lungs. "I simply made it possible for Ms. Yoo Se-Na to live a normal life. The very thing the two of you failed to do for five years."
Their words died in their throats.
At that moment, Hong Ah-Yoon abruptly turned to Kim Dong-Gyun, the head of legal affairs. "Director Kim. Any good ideas?"
Kim Dong-Gyun shook his head. "If the side contract is made public, the damage on our end will be greater. They can shift the blame onto Yoo Se-Na's parents and get away with minimal fallout, but you could end up under prosecution."
"So you're saying I won't get back the 3 billion won signing bonus, and even if the flagship of a 30 billion won production collapses, I can't say a word? Is that right?"
Kim Dong-Gyun let out a deep sigh and nodded. "Exactly."
At that moment, Hong Ah-Yoon's face turned bright red, and she screamed. "Fuck! God damn it! You—!"
Hong Ah-Yoon's screeching voice echoed through the VIP ward lounge.
Having secured the upper hand, I smiled broadly as I spoke. "There's less than seven minutes left now. So? What will you do? Sign the liability waiver and terminate the contract? Or shall we reveal the side contract during the live broadcast?"
Hong Ah-Yoon trembled before shouting, "Fine! I'll do it!"
She had finally raised the white flag.
At that moment, Legal Division Chief Kwak Moo-Hyuk smoothly held out a tablet containing the electronic contract. On the screen, the document was displayed.
[Liability Waiver and Side Contract Termination Agreement]
I tapped the signature line at the bottom of the tablet screen with the middle finger of my right hand. "You can sign right here~"
"Hey! Move your middle finger."
"Oh, sorry about that."
Swipe!
Hong Ah-Yoon snatched the tablet pen and began signing with force.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
Watching the signature go through, I finally let a grin spread across my face.
'Three billion won. Much appreciated.'
***
After finishing the signature, Hong Ah-Yoon glared at me as if she wanted to kill me. "That's enough, right?"
Kwak Moo-Hyuk checked the tablet, then nodded at me.
"Just a moment."
I immediately sent a Kk Talk message to Ju Yung-In.
[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Liability waiver confirmed.]
On the live broadcast playing on the phone, Ju Yung-In was shown checking her phone. She smiled faintly and tapped the screen with one hand.
Buzz.
[Ju Yung-In: OK]
I responded to Hong Ah-Yoon right away. "We'll also forget everything about the side contract."
"...We'll see."
With that, Hong Ah-Yoon turned and walked straight out of the lounge.
Kim Dong-Gyun braced his hands on his knees and rose to his feet. "Chief Kwak. No, Moo-Hyuk. You know this kind of continued conflict won't be good for your company either, right?"
Kwak Moo-Hyuk replied with a blunt expression. "Sunbae-nim, Hoop Entertainment isn't the kind of company you can push around anymore."
"Oh yeah? Then let's see how that plays out."
Kim Dong-Gyun scoffed and slammed the lounge door behind him.
Bang.
Kwak Moo-Hyuk let out a short laugh. "It's always the incompetent ones who say 'we'll see' later. Don't you think so?"
I nodded. "Exactly."
"Still, thanks to you, I got to talk back to a sunbae who used to be a chief judge."
"Next time, you should try pointing your finger too."
"Maybe I will. Hahaha." After laughing cheerfully, Kwak Moo-Hyuk asked me, "By the way, I'm heading back to the office. What about you, Chief Jung?"
"Give me a moment. There's still something I need to take care of."
Now it was time to deal with Yoo Se-Na's parents. I took a brief breath, then stared at her father and mother sitting across from me. "What are the two of you planning to do now?"
Yoo Se-Na's mother snapped back. "What do you mean what? If it's that Ménière's or whatever, she'll be much better off being treated at Yanghanbang Hospital connected to Mr. Chairman Lee Cheol-Joong than here. So when Se-Na comes, we're taking her."
Her father stubbornly added, "That's right. It's better than being managed by some random doctor. Mr. Chairman will personally look after her. We're taking her out immediately, so stay out of this."
They still didn't understand that their daughter had already chosen to leave them. At this point, there was no choice but to use a shock tactic.
"Do you know that the con artist you call 'Chairman' knew about Ms. Se-Na's condition and deliberately withheld treatment to squeeze more money out of her?"
Yoo Se-Na's parents scoffed. "Don't talk nonsense! He might not have known the exact diagnosis, but Mr. Chairman would never do something like that!"
"There is a witness who can testify that Lee Chul-Joong knew about the illness."
"A witness?!"
"Just a moment."
I immediately placed a call to a talent agent currently working at Reverse Entertainment. The person I called was Talent Agent Hyun Sung-Min.
Before the regression, he was the one who had first told me that Chairman Lee Chul-Joong had likely known about Yoo Se-Na's illness. He was also the one who had been driven out of Ace Entertainment after being harshly berated by Yoo Se-Na's mother.
After a few rings, he picked up.
-Yes, Mr. Jung.
"Mr. Hyun. Please tell them what happened that day five years ago."
We had already gone over everything during an earlier call, but Hyun Sung-Min still sounded reluctant as he began recounting what he had heard.
-Five years ago, when Yoo Se-Na's mother came into the ER trying to pull out her IV line, I got cursed out and kicked out of the emergency room. But at that time, I overheard Chairman Lee Chul-Joong talking outside. He described Yoo Se-Na's symptoms to someone on the phone, then nodded and muttered something like Ménière... to himself. And after seeing the article about Yoo Se-Na today, I realized that what he said back then must have been Ménière's disease.
Fate could be strangely cruel at times. Someone one had thought they would never meet again had ended up crossing paths like this.
Yoo Se-Na's mother asked in a trembling voice. "You really heard Chairman Lee Chul-Joong say what our daughter's illness is? You're not lying?"
-Why would I have any reason to lie?
"Who knows? Maybe Chief Jung paid you to say this!"
-You really haven't changed, have you?
"What?"
-That personality of yours. Still insisting you're right while not even knowing whether your daughter is living or dying!
"You...!"
-And I can testify to this in court. If I lie under oath for money, I could go to prison. Do you think I'm insane enough to do that? Please, come to your senses!
At Hyun Sung-Min's sharp words, Yoo Se-Na's parents couldn't say anything. However, I had no intention of stopping there. I asked him to reveal something they didn't know.
"Mr. Hyun. Please tell them what you told me as well."
-Mr. Jung, let's just leave it. Do you really think people like them, who don't even realize they're killing their own daughter, are going to change?
"Please. I'm asking you."
Hyun Sung-Min relented with a sigh.
-Ah, seriously... If it weren't for you, I'd have kept my mouth shut. Fine.
Grumbling, he began to reveal something shocking.
-Yoo Se-Na has been paying 2 million won per month into two life insurance policies.
Her mother frowned, clearly confused. "Life insurance? What are you talking about? Why would someone that young even have life insurance?"
-She started it after her health began to decline. She said she was worried about how her parents would live if something happened to her. She's only twenty!
"What?"
-And yet while your daughter is worrying about supporting you after her death, the two of you... you're really something. I saw on TV that you bought a Ramborghini and a Rose-Rise with the money she earned. Impressive. Selling your daughter's life to buy luxury cars.
At that moment, Yoo Se-Na's mother began trembling violently as if struck. "Our... daughter... prepared... for her death?"
Her father was just as shaken. "Se-Na... had thoughts like that..."
Hyun Sung-Min spoke coldly.
-What, you don't believe this either? Fine. Don't believe it if you don't want to.
Perhaps because of their past history, the edge in his voice didn't fade. That was enough.
"Mr. Hyun, thank you for sharing this with us."
Only then did Hyun Sung-Min's tone soften slightly.
-Sorry about that, Mr. Jung. I got a bit heated for no reason.
"It's fine. Thank you for telling us."
-Yes. Then please let me know anytime you need help. Thinking about what I went through, I don't even want to lift a finger—but for you and for Se-Na, I'll help a hundred times over.
"I'll be in touch again."
After hanging up, I looked at Yoo Se-Na's parents. They sat there blankly, completely dazed. Just as President Ahn Yung-Hee had said, I had initially considered exposing how they had recklessly spent their daughter's money and crushing them with it. However, even if they had touched Yoo Se-Na's money, their desire to save her had been genuine. That was why I chose to persuade them through Hyun Sung-Min's testimony instead.
The reason they had poured enormous amounts of money into Lee Chul-Joong despite being scammed was because they truly cared about their daughter. Still, this was the last chance I was willing to give them.
'Make the right choice. Otherwise, I'll show you what hell looks like.'
With my arms crossed, I quietly waited to see what decision Yoo Se-Na's parents would make.
***
For several minutes, Yoo Se-Na's parents remained frozen in shock, unable to say a word. Then, from the live MeTube broadcast, Yoo Se-Na's closing remarks could be heard.
-I'll recover as quickly as possible and come see you again. Thank you.
Clap, clap, clap.
The sound of applause and camera flashes filled the air. Startled, Yoo Se-Na's mother snapped back to her senses. She looked at her husband and let out a long, regretful sigh.
"Honey... we should let go now, shouldn't we?"
Yoo Se-Na's father nodded. "We should. We almost became the beneficiaries of the life insurance our own daughter took out... How could we ever hold our heads up? I'd rather die than live like that."
Fortunately, they chose to take the final chance I had given them.
At that moment, Yoo Se-Na's mother looked at us, her expression drained of hostility. "Chief Jung. Yung-Hee. I'm sorry for everything. Please take good care of Se-Na. We'll... step back. And... I'm really sorry about throwing the water earlier."
Yoo Se-Na's father also let out a guilty sigh. "The two of us will go down to Jeju Island for a while. As for Se-Na... please have President Ahn tell her for us."
The way they spoke had become noticeably more respectful. It was as if they had just come back to their senses after being possessed by something.
Ahn Yung-Hee responded gently. "You've made the right decision. For now, it's best for both sides not to see each other for a while."
Yoo Se-Na's parents nodded. Just as everything was being settled, her father carefully asked me, "Chief Jung... I know I'm in no position to ask, but I want to file a lawsuit against Lee Chul-Joong. Could you help us?"
I answered, "We'll handle the lawsuit from our side, so just follow our lead."
"Sorry. I almost tried to step in again."
"I understand how you feel, so it's fine. But if you want this to succeed, you'll need to apologize to Talent Agent Hyun Sung-Min from earlier. He's a key witness."
"Right. If I have to kneel, I'll kneel. If I have to get hit, I'll take it. Forget the money. If it means catching that bastard Lee Chul-Joong who ruined my daughter's career, there's nothing I wouldn't do. And I owe that young man an apology anyway."
Yoo Se-Na's mother chimed in as well. "Honey, I'll go with you and apologize too. That young talent agent must have been humiliated so much because of us."
Seeing how much they had changed, it seemed safe to let them meet.
"In any case, we need to gather more evidence before filing the lawsuit. I'll arrange a meeting before that, so come up to Seoul when the time comes."
They nodded.
"Then... we'll disappear now."
"And please tell Se-Na how sorry we are for everything."
The two of them said they would leave before Yoo Se-Na returned to her hospital room and quickly exited the lounge.
For Yoo Se-Na, and for them as well, this was the best possible outcome.
***
I stepped out of the lounge on the VIP ward floor.
Ahn Yung-Hee clicked her tongue as she looked at me. "You wrapped everything up in one sweep—Director Hong Ah-Yoon and even Yoo Se-Na's parents? Wow, as expected of Chief Jung."
Kwak Moo-Hyuk shrugged in my place. "You think he's called Chief Jung for nothing?"
I stayed quiet, yet the two of them kept trading compliments about me. I didn't even know what to say, so I kept my mouth shut.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
Rumble.
Ju Yung-In pushed Yoo Se-Na out in her wheelchair and shouted loudly, "Oppa! This is bad! We need to get out of here!"
"Huh? Get out of what?"
Right then, the elevator next to the one Ju Yung-In had taken opened. At that moment, around twenty reporters poured out and rushed toward us.
"There they are! Ms. Yung-In! Just a moment!"
"Ms. Yoo Se-Na! It's me! Reporter Choi! Long time no see—give me an interview!"
"Huh? That's Chief Jung! Grab Chief Jung first!"
"Chief Jung! Let's talk about the Song Mi-Hee case too!"
The reporters who hadn't been invited to the first floor had finally arrived, and made it all the way up here. Among them was Reporter Lee Ji-Sung, the one I had avoided earlier that morning.
"Chief Jung! SBC said they never blocked interviews! You lied to me, didn't you? Huh?!"
'Damn. I got caught.'
At that moment, the security guards stationed outside the VIP ward stepped in to block the reporters. However, there were simply too many of them. In situations like this, the best strategy was simple—run.
I immediately turned and shouted, "Run!"
Leaving those words behind, I dashed toward the VIP room. Ju Yung-In and Kwak Moo-Hyuk quickly followed behind me. However, Ahn Yung-Hee couldn't make it.
Grab!
"Ms. Ahn! At least give us an interview!"
"Ms. Ahn, if I don't get a story, I'm dead! Please, just a quick interview!"
"Hey! You traitors!" Ahn Yung-Hee's desperate cries echoed behind us as she was swarmed by reporters like a pack of zombies.
'Well, I did tell you to run.'
After offering a silent moment of respect for Ahn Yung-Hee, I locked the VIP room door.
Click.
'My condolences, Ms. Ahn Yung-Hee.'
***
Ju Yung-In let out a deep sigh and collapsed onto the sofa.
Yoo Se-Na steadied her breathing in her wheelchair, then cautiously asked me, "Mr. Jung... what about my mom and dad?"
"They said they'll be staying in Jeju Island for a while. They thought it would be better for everyone to have some space. And they asked me to tell you they're sorry."
Yoo Se-Na paused for a moment, then nodded calmly. "Thank you... for being considerate."
"It's nothing. I know it must be hard being apart from your family, but you can see them again once you've recovered. And right now, your parents also need time to let go of their excessive attachment to you, so take it easy."
"Okay. And... thank you again. For everything today."
Now that she knew her diagnosis and had regained her freedom, Yoo Se-Na bowed her head with a bright expression. I found myself smiling and nodding back.
A moment later, we heard a bang on the door.
Bang, bang, bang.
The sacrificial offering—Ahn Yung-Hee—knocked on the locked door.
'So she survived.'
When I opened it, she stood there looking pale. "You traitors... You sold me out and ran off on your own?"
Everyone clasped their hands together apologetically.
"We're sorry."
"Ms. Ahn, sorry."
Ahn Yung-Hee glared at all of us, fuming, then gestured at me. "Chief Jung. A word."
It seemed she was finally about to ask for the favor she mentioned earlier that morning.
"Of course."
As I stepped closer, Ahn Yung-Hee spoke in a low voice. "There's an actor hitting on Yung-In. Could you get rid of him?"
At that moment, irritation rose within me before I could stop it.
'So someone dared to hit on Ju Yung-In?'
