Chapter 87: Trojan Horse (3)
In a parking lot away from the filming location, Ju Yung-In sat in the backseat of the van and glared at me with frustration. She was screaming about how I was giving her a hard time.
"Stay by my side! I'll pay you more, so forget the others and take care of me only!"
Ju Yung-In's words spoken with such intensity were somewhat unfamiliar. I had seen Ju Yung-In complain many times before, but her behavior today seemed excessive.
"How many times do I have to say no?"
Ju Yung-In glared at me. "Is that so? Then I won't renew my contract."
‘Another threat, huh?’
But I had done enough at this point. I followed the company's orders and fulfilled all her whimsical requests. I had no intention of listening to her anymore.
"Then don't renew your contract."
"What did you say?"
"I said don't renew it."
"W-what are you talking about...?"
I spoke firmly as I looked directly into Ju Yung-In's eyes. "Don't you understand what I said? I'm not going to be your personal talent agent. Even if you offer me a truckload of money, I don’t want to work with you!"
I made it clear that even if she were to offer me 1 billion won or set up a one-person agency for me, I would still refuse her offer.
Ju Yung-In trembled out of anger but her face was filled with curiosity.
Despite all this, I knew that people would not change easily. After all, that was the one lesson I had learned in my past life.
Tears welled up in Ju Yung-In's eyes. Soon, teardrops began to fall one by one from her widened eyes. This time, it seemed like she was not putting on an act. I quietly observed her as she glared at me for a moment before slowly turning away.
"Take a rest for 30 minutes. We'll head back to the set after that."
Confused and overwhelmed, I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.
I could hear Ju Yung-In struggling to hold back her tears in the backseat.
***
[March 17th]
I went to work, but there was no notice of department transfer.
[March 18th]
Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung weren’t in the office, so I couldn't meet with them to discuss the transfer.
[March 19th]
There was still no update. Even though the one-month promise had ended, there was no personnel transfer order.
'Why is that?'
I went to find Gu Seong-Cheol right away. However, I was told that Kang Gam-Chan hadn't signed the documents yet, making the transfer difficult at the moment.
"Mr. Gu! You promised I could return after a month!"
"This isn't the place to talk. Follow me."
I followed Gu Seong-Cheol up to the rooftop as employees of Actor Division 2 were starting to come into the office one by one. We walked to the corner of the rooftop with a blue urethane floor.
Then, Gu Seong-Cheol let out a sigh and opened his mouth. "Yoon-Ho, can you stay in the Actor Division 3 for another month?"
"Pardon? Is that what Mr. Kang told you?"
"I just can’t hide anything from you, huh? Yes, that was his order. Ever since you've been there, the incidents caused by Kim Dong-Soo's line on set have halved."
But I couldn't continue doing the same now even if I had wanted to, because Kim Dong-Soo had already begun to be extremely wary of me.
"I understand what you're saying, but it will be difficult for me to continue what I’ve been doing. I'm almost on standby now."
"Standby?"
"Yes. All I do there is just sit and hold my place. Mr. Kim told me not to make any more moves. I even got a word from Mr. Lee as well."
"Ugh... Is that so?"
Gu Seong-Cheol scratched his head upon hearing that I was just idly sitting around and zoning out most of the time in Actor Division 3.
"Well, if that's the case, I guess we can't help it. Let's talk to Ms. Kang after the executive meeting is over."
The air was clear for the first time in a long while with no fine dust.
Gu Seong-Cheol looked up at the clear sky after letting out a sigh.
"The air is really clear today. If I knew this, I would have brought a canned coffee or something..."
"Shall I go get one?"
Gu Seong-Cheol smiled and shook his head. "There’s no need now. Next time, let’s bring one before coming up. By the way, how's Yung-In's contract renewal going?"
I told Gu Seong-Cheol about the recent difficulties Kim Dong-Soo was facing because of Ju Yung-In.
At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol burst into a hearty laughter.
***
In Actor Division 3’s meeting room, Ju Yung-In frowned after taking a sip of the coffee Kim Dong-Soo offered her.
"Do you not have the coffee I always drink?"
"No."
Ju Yung-In's brow furrowed even more. She put her coffee down and turned to Kim Dong-Soo. "Mr. Kim. You know I've been quite disappointed with you lately, right?"
Ever since Kim Dong-Soo talked about sending Jung Yoon-Ho back to Actor Division 3, she had been on edge.
Kim Dong-Soo was frustrated. His offers, including reducing her contract period from five to three years and providing the most favorable profit-sharing ratio, had been unsuccessful. He even offered her the best terms in the industry, better than those given to the recently recruited top actress Yeo Eun-Sil. However, Ju Yung-In was insistent on one condition—to have Jung Yoon-Ho continue working with her.
The conversation was going nowhere. Then suddenly, a surge of envy, jealousy, and anger welled up in Kim Dong-Soo. He had been romantically interested in Ju Yung-In, and hearing Jung Yoon-Ho's name come out of her mouth was unbearably irritating.
"That’s enough! I said that’s not going to happen! If someone tells you something, at least pretend to listen!"
A moment of silence followed, and Ju Yung-In unfolded her legs and stood up. "Alright."
Hopeful that she had changed her mind, Kim Dong-Soo quickly asked, "You'll sign the contract, right? The terms are as I said—it’s the best in the industry and..."
But Ju Yung-In cut him off. "Just so you know, I'm going to meet with Chief Lee Chan-Dong from Ace Entertainment."
"W-what?"
"He told me that he'd assign me any talent agent I wanted if I joined Ace Entertainment. I’m planning to ask him to scout Assistant Manager Jung."
Kim Dong-Soo was so flustered that he was left speechless. Ace Entertainment was the undisputed leader in the industry, and Lee Chan-Dong was a key figure in Ace Entertainment. With his financial power and capabilities, recruiting Jung Yoon-Ho would be a piece of cake.
Kim Dong-Soo's back was drenched in cold sweat. Losing Ju Yung-In was a daunting prospect, not only because of personal reasons but also due to the lucrative kickbacks he had been receiving from advertisers who wanted her.
"Y-Yung-In. Just wait a moment! I take back everything I said earlier! I’ll make sure to keep Jung Yoon-Ho by your side!"
Kim Dong-Soo's words halted Ju Yung-In's steps. "Can you promise that?"
It was a brief utterance, but its implication was clear—this was the last opportunity she was giving Kim Dong-Soo.
"Y-Yes. I'll even break Jung Yoon-Ho's legs if I have to just to keep him by your side."
Kim Dong-Soo decided to delay his plan to transfer Jung Yoon-Ho back to Actor Division 2 just for a little while.
'First, let's get the contract renewal done. She won’t be able to do anything after she signs a five-year contract anyway.’
Kim Dong-Soo forced a smile as he suppressed his anger. But then, a thought suddenly passed his mind.
'Wait. Once the contract is signed, I can just find any reason to kick Jung Yoon-Ho out of the company. That’s a better idea.'
Kim Dong-Soo smiled and nodded at Ju Yung-In.
Completely unaware of Kim Dong-Soo’s plan, Ju Yung-In smirked at him. "Why would you break the legs of an innocent man? Just bring me Jung Yoon-Ho, intact and by my side."
Kim Dong-Soo readily nodded and agreed to her demand.
After Ju Yung-In left the meeting room, Kim Dong-Soo headed to the executive meeting room. He had to report Ju Yung-In's contact with Ace Entertainment, the industry leader.
***
Jung Yoo-Jin and Talent Agent Lee Yeong-Jin from Actor Division 2 arrived at Hoop Entertainment's underground parking lot.
After a month had passed, Jung Yoo-Jin was eagerly waiting for Jung Yoon-Ho to return as her talent agent. But when there was still no news of his return, she came to the company to check on the situation.
Miso and the landlord were preparing a welcome cake for Jung Yoon-Ho back home.
'Why hasn’t the company issued the transfer order yet!?'
Jung Yoo-Jin tried to hide her dissatisfaction and stood in front of the elevator.
That's when Ju Yung-In appeared in the parking lot.
Even though Ju Yung-In had stolen her talent agent by force, Ju Yung-In was still her sunbae, leaving Jung Yoo-Jin with no choice but to reluctantly bow her head as a form of respect.
"Hello, sunbae."
"You don’t have any schedule today, do you? What are you doing at the company?"
Jung Yoo-Jin replied with as much patience as she could muster.
"I came to find out about Yoon-Ho oppa’s transfer order."
Hearing this, Ju Yung-In snorted dismissively. "What right do you have to talk about my talent agent's transfer?"
Jung Yoo-Jin furrowed her brows and responded. "Did you just say 'my talent agent'?”
“Yes, my talent agent. Why? Does that bother you?”
Jung Yoo-Jin shivered slightly before continuing in a calm tone. “Why is Yoon-Ho oppa your talent agent? He was only temporarily assigned to you!"
"Temporary? That’s just your personal opinion.”
"Why would Jung Yoon-Ho be your manager? He was only sent there temporarily!"
"Temporary? That’s what you think."
The distance between them shrank to less than 30cm and sparks flew from their eyes.
Fearing a confrontation, Kang Myung-Gil and Lee Yeong-Jin intervened.
"Yung-In, we have to go to your next appointment."
"No, let go of me. I said let go!"
"Yoo-Jin, let’s head upstairs, okay?"
"Yeong-Jin oppa, don’t worry about me and head upstairs first."
Jung Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In shook away their talent agent’s hands and glared fiercely at each other.
"Hey, Jung Yoo-Jin. How dare you confront your sunbae like this? Do you think the chiefs will just stand by and do nothing if they hear about this? Even if you have feelings for Assistant Manager Jung...”
When Ju Yung-In crossed the line with her remarks, a fuse blew in Jung Yoo-Jin's head.
"Look who's talking. Who was it hitting on Yoon-Ho oppa just now?"
"Hitting on him? Hey, you! How dare you!"
The furious Ju Yung-In reached out her right hand to grab Jung Yoo-Jin’s hair. But Jung Yoo-Jin quickly stepped back, causing Ju Yung-In's right hand to slice through empty air.
Jung Yoo-Jin shouted with a scowl on her face. "I'm warning you... If you lay a hand on me one more time, I won't stay silent either. Watch yourself if you don't want to be embarrassed by your hoobae."
"H-have you gone mad?"
A big fight was about to break out at any moment. It wasn't just a verbal fight anymore but hands were about to be thrown which alarmed the talent agents who intervened between them.
"Both of you, stop it! Today's shoot is over if you get a wound on your face! And Jung Yoo-Jin! How could you talk to your sunbae like that?"
"Yoo-Jin! You stop it too."
Blocked by two talent agents, Ju Yung-In yelled out. "Hey, why are you obsessed with Jung Yoon-Ho when you have a daughter? Just make decent money enough for a living and piss off!"
At that moment, Jung Yoo-Jin's expression hardened.
‘What's wrong with having a daughter? Adopting Miso was the best thing I did in my life. And my interest in Yoon-Ho oppa? So what if I’m interested in him?’
Memories of conversations with Jung Yoon-Ho began flooding Jung Yoo-Jin's mind. And as her thoughts ended, she snapped at Ju Yung-In. "Because Yoon-Ho oppa is the one who can help me become a star!"
"What?"
"Didn't you hear me? Yoon-Ho oppa is someone who can take me to a place higher than yours."
Jung Yoo-Jin's glaring expression was different from usual. Even Kang Myung-Gil flinched at her daunting aura.
Ju Yung-In couldn't believe she was being overpowered by her hoobae, Jung Yoo-Jin. "Y-you think you can surpass me?"
"Yoon-Ho oppa said so. He said I have much more talent than you."
‘Jung Yoon-Ho thinks that?’
Ju Yung-In's face hardened like stone. If that were true, she had even more reason not to let him go.
"Hey! You think I'm just going to sit back and watch?"
"Do whatever you want. But you won’t be able to stop me!"
Ju Yung-In and Jung Yoo-Jin glared at each other for a long time. Eventually, the talent agents intervened and they went their separate ways—Ju Yung-In to the filming site and Jung Yoo-Jin to the president’s office with a change in plans.
With the fear that Jung Yoon-Ho might never return to her, there was nothing to stop Jung Yoo-Jin at the moment.
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