Ju Yung-In's face lit up the moment she heard my voice. "Oppa!"

Gi Do-Hyuk looked like he had just bitten into something foul, but he quickly got his expression under control and let go of Ju Yung-In's wrist.

Tap.

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down. I just grabbed her because I had something to talk about with Yung-In."

Gi Do-Hyuk raised both hands and stepped back with a sly look on his face. I didn't respond at all and checked Ju Yung-In's condition first.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Ju Yung-In rubbed the wrist Gi Do-Hyuk had grabbed. "Yes. Other than my wrist throbbing a little, I'm okay."

I wanted to deck Gi Do-Hyuk right then and there, but figuring out the situation came first. If I messed with Gi Do-Hyuk carelessly, I could be the one who got hurt.

"Keep massaging it. Where's Ms. Ahn, though?"

Ju Yung-In pointed towards the restroom. "She was coming out of the restroom, but Na Soo-Hyuk sunbae blocked her, so she can't get over here."

At that moment, Ahn Yung-Hee's shrill voice rang out from behind the restroom building.

-Move. If you don't move, I'll grind you up and drink you down, got it? I mean it!

-Oh, damn! Why are you so strong? Just wait a second! I told you to hang on until Do-Hyuk finished talking!

-Cut the bullshit! Do I look like some pushover just because I'm the head of an agency? You crazy bastards! I'll call the cops right now, you hear me?

-Hey now! Let's not do this.

-You little shit! If even a speck of a scratch shows up on Yung-In, I'll skin you bastards alive! I may look like this, but back in the day they called me the Razor of Yeongdeungpo!

Only then did I understand why Ahn Yung-Hee hadn't been able to answer my call. Right now, she was being held back by Na Soo-Hyuk and going through a rough time behind the restroom.

Na Soo-Hyuk was forty, the same age as Gi Do-Hyuk, and like him, he was a former child actor who had started acting at the age of five. The difference was that unlike Gi Do-Hyuk, he had never been able to land leading roles and had built a career playing supporting parts instead. Since he always tagged along with the well-connected Gi Do-Hyuk and cleaned up after him, people called him Gi Do-Hyuk's right-hand man or just his lackey.

I was just thinking I should go with Ju Yung-In and get Ahn Yung-Hee out of there.

Thud.

Something plastic cracked, and a moment later, amid a racket of pounding footsteps, Ahn Yung-Hee came running over. In her right hand was a red plastic washbasin with nearly half of the top smashed in.

"Huh? Chief Jung?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine! Totally!"

Ahn Yung-Hee panted for breath, then nodded. Then, she spotted Gi Do-Hyuk and tightened her grip on the broken washbasin. Judging by the way she held it, the nickname Razor of Yeongdeungpo didn't seem like a joke either.

When Gi Do-Hyuk saw the washbasin in Ahn Yung-Hee's hand, he took a step back. The broken edge of it had come to a sharp point.

"Let's put the weapon down before we talk, President Ahn."

"You should've been ready for this when you dragged our Yung-In off, Mr. Gi. Don't you think so?"

"That's..."

Just then, Na Soo-Hyuk came out from behind the restroom clutching his head. "Ugh, fuck! President Ahn, get back here!"

Na Soo-Hyuk came out cursing up a storm, then froze when he saw me. "Why is Chief Jung here..."

Gi Do-Hyuk shook his head at him as if telling him to keep his mouth shut.

As if he realized his mistake, Na Soo-Hyuk clamped his mouth shut, then moved to Gi Do-Hyuk's side and said, "Seriously. We asked you to wait so those two could talk in private, so why the hell did you smack someone in the head?"

Ahn Yung-Hee glared at Na Soo-Hyuk. "Then you expect me to just sit back when something bad could happen to my actress?"

"Come on, it's broad daylight. What could possibly happen?"

Ahn Yung-Hee let out a scoff. "Why wouldn't it be a problem for them to be alone together? Do you not realize Yung-In is a top star, unlike the two of you?"

Na Soo-Hyuk and Gi Do-Hyuk's faces twisted instantly. They had both started as child actors and had decades of experience, but neither had ever enjoyed the level of popularity Ju Yung-In had, and it clearly struck a nerve.

Na Soo-Hyuk frowned. "Watch what you say."

"Watch what you do first!"

Na Soo-Hyuk stepped forward as if to intimidate Ahn Yung-Hee. "Hey, President Ahn. There's a limit to how much I can tolerate."

At that moment, I stepped in. "Stop right there. If you take one more step, I won't let it slide."

Just then, Gi Do-Hyuk grabbed Na Soo-Hyuk by the shoulder. "Soo-Hyuk, that's enough. I'll handle this."

Gi Do-Hyuk pulled Na Soo-Hyuk back and walked toward me. "Hey, Chief Jung. There seems to have been some misunderstanding... I just wanted to ask Yung-In if she'd be willing to appear in a short film I'm producing for submission to the Bucheon International Film Festival."

Recently, Gi Do-Hyuk had started dabbling in directing, producing independent films. But perhaps he didn't want to ruin his reputation as a guaranteed five-million-ticket draw, so he never appeared in the projects he directed. Instead, he used the connections he had built over the years in the industry to bring in well-known hoobae actors as leads.

He said he wanted Ju Yung-In to appear in a project that had to be filmed by the end of May.

Ju Yung-In hesitated for a moment. Then she asked in a sharp voice, "Then why did you pull me away and try to talk without Ms. Ahn?"

Gi Do-Hyuk smiled. "Your rate's gone up a lot these days. I figured if President Ahn was there, she'd set your fee too high. As you know, independent films don't have big budgets."

Perhaps the excuse sounded plausible enough, because Ju Yung-In faltered. "So that's why?"

Even Ahn Yung-Hee, still holding the washbasin, looked conflicted. "So I... misunderstood?"

"That's what I'm saying. Honestly, what do you two even take me for..."

With an uneasy expression, Ahn Yung-Hee lowered the washbasin in her hand. "Looks like there was a misunderstanding. I'm sorr—"

That was when I cut her off. "Ms. Ahn, you don't need to apologize."

"Hm? Why not?"

I answered with a faint smile. "Because everything Mr. Gi Do-Hyuk just said is a lie."

'A lie in front of a regressor, huh?'

It was almost laughable.

***

The title of the film Gi Do-Hyuk was submitting to the Bucheon International Film Festival that July was All Under Heaven, I Alone Am Supreme. It was an independent film about a protagonist named Cheon Sang-Ha, oppressed by society, who breaks free from all constraints, becomes the law himself, shatters every norm, and punishes evil.

However, the role of the female lead, Yoo In-Yeon, required significant nudity, making it a restricted 19+ film.

More importantly, the casting for the film had already been completed. I knew that fact very well, which made it obvious that Gi Do-Hyuk was lying just to get out of this situation.

So when I called him out, Gi Do-Hyuk stammered in panic. "L-Lie? What are you talking about!"

"The casting is already finished, and it's a third-rate film packed with exposure scenes. I know all about it. And you're trying to get Yung-In into something like that? Don't mess around. And if you're not joking, then you're out of your mind, and there's nothing more to say."

Realizing what kind of project she had been offered, Ju Yung-In's face twisted in anger. "Sunbae! Were you trying to make me strip just now? Huh? Wow, are you insane?!"

As Ju Yung-In's words shortened, her voice turned sharp.

At the same time, Ahn Yung-Hee thrust the broken plastic washbasin forward again. "Mr. Gi Do-Hyuk. Don't you ever show your face in front of Yung-In again. I might just stab you with this! I swear!"

Caught in his own scheme, Gi Do-Hyuk flinched and stepped back. "T-that's not it..."

Just then, Na Soo-Hyuk, Gi Do-Hyuk's right-hand man, hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. "Strip? What are you talking about? Do you really think Do-Hyuk would be stupid enough to suggest a project like that?"

As if realizing his mistake, Gi Do-Hyuk quickly changed his tune. "Right. I'm not an idiot... why would I suggest a role with exposure scenes to someone huge like Ju Yung-In?"

Once Gi Do-Hyuk regained his composure, Na Soo-Hyuk let out a sigh of relief and shouted at me. "And you, punk. Looks like you're trying to frame Do-Hyuk with some ridiculous lie... you're making a big mistake right now. Do you even know what kind of family Do-Hyuk comes from?"

Standing beside Gi Do-Hyuk, Na Soo-Hyuk showed off exactly why he existed. He was quickly spinning lies to protect Gi Do-Hyuk's polished image.

However, that so-called quick thinking didn't work on me. I already knew everything.

"I'm well aware that you've already cast Lee Jin-Cheol as Cheon Sang-Ha, and Moon Ji-Yoon as Yoo In-Yeon. I also know you held a private audition in your company's basement practice room. Want me to keep going?"

Gi Do-Hyuk and Na Soo-Hyuk froze on the spot. They just blinked as if unable to understand how I could possibly know something only a handful of people were aware of.

"H-how did you..."

'How did I know? Because I'd lived it already.'

More precisely, I had seen an interview where Moon Ji-Yoon said it was the biggest regret of her life.

At that moment, as Gi Do-Hyuk and Na Soo-Hyuk stood there in shock, Ju Yung-In realized I was telling the truth and shouted, "You disgusting bastards. Don't expect me to treat you like my sunbaes ever again!"

Right after that, Ahn Yung-Hee, now furious, glared at the two of them. "You two—if you come anywhere near Yung-In again, I'll call reporters on the spot and give an interview. I'll tell them Gi Do-Hyuk goes around stripping actresses under the excuse of making art films!"

Gi Do-Hyuk and Na Soo-Hyuk flushed red, unable to say a word.

I took that moment to drive the final nail in the coffin. "Mr. Gi Do-Hyuk. I wasn't going to say this, but even if it's an independent film, you should at least pay your hoobaes properly. What kind of appearance fee is one million won? And don't go around deceiving naive hoobaes with that nonsense about how they'll earn more once the film takes off. Oh, and that movie's going to flop anyway, so maybe don't make it at all. You'll just get cursed out and ridiculed."

It seemed they hadn't expected me to know even that, because Gi Do-Hyuk and Na Soo-Hyuk stood there dazed, unable to respond.

Just then, I heard a voice.

"Ms. Yung-In!"

"Over here! This way!"

Cha In-Seo came running over, bringing Director Ahn Jung-Hae and the staff with her. I thought she followed me, but it seemed she had gone the other way.

Ahn Jung-Hae rushed in and stood between us. "What happened here?"

At that, Ahn Yung-Hee quickly shook her head. "It's nothing. Just a small misunderstanding."

Forcing an unwilling actress and offering her a role with exposure scenes was absurd. If that kind of story got out to the staff, rumors alone could spiral out of control.

At that moment, Na Soo-Hyuk also quickly caught on and backed her up. "Yes, Mr. Ahn. There was a small misunderstanding, so things got a bit heated... but it's all resolved now."

Ahn Jung-Hae looked at me. He looked like he was asking if that was really true. Since Ahn Yung-Hee had already stepped in to smooth things over, I had no choice but to go along. I didn't like it, but to keep Ju Yung-In from becoming the subject of gossip, I matched their story for now.

"Yes. It's nothing serious," I answered.

Ahn Jung-Hae studied the situation, then let out a sigh. "Really? Then that's fine. Everyone, let's get straight into filming. We're premiering next month, so move, move!"

"Yes, Mr. Ahn!"

As Ahn Jung-Hae sent the staff ahead, Gi Do-Hyuk and Na Soo-Hyuk also followed behind them as if fleeing.

Once the two troublemakers disappeared, Ahn Yung-Hee came over to me. "Chief Jung. Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me. I said I'd help."

"Sigh... He won't mess with us again now, right?"

I calmly shook my head. "Not a chance."

"After humiliating himself like that, he'd still try something? Should I just run an article?"

"No. That would damage Yung-In's image. I'll handle it, so please wait."

Gi Do-Hyuk was too persistent for this to end here. However, so was I. This time, I intended to drag him straight into the abyss so he could never use his flimsy family background and inflated career to create more victims again.

***

"Alright, we'll start with rehearsal, so actors, please gather here."

The scene we were about to shoot covered scenes 101 through 105. It was the sequence where Oh Jung-Hyun, the victim played by Ju Yung-In, gets stabbed by a killer and runs into the hills, desperately trying to find help. Then, after collapsing unconscious in the hills, she is found by Go Ill-Joon, played by Gi Do-Hyuk.

But because of what had just happened, Ahn Yung-Hee stayed glued to Ju Yung-In's side even during rehearsal.

Meanwhile, I took the chance to approach Ahn Jung-Hae, who was sitting in front of the monitor. Then I carefully told him what had really happened earlier.

"Mr. Ahn, there were too many people earlier, so I glossed over it, but Mr. Gi Do-Hyuk was actually harassing Yung-In."

Ahn Jung-Hae's expression hardened. "I figured something was off earlier, but there were too many eyes on us, so I let it slide. What should we do? Filming started last Saturday, so we can't exactly pull Gi Do-Hyuk out now..."

"I understand. I just thought you should know."

Some of Gi Do-Hyuk's cameo scenes had already been filmed, so removing him wasn't an option. Still, just making the director aware added at least one layer of protection for the shoots continuing through tomorrow.

"Alright. I'll keep it in mind."

"Thank you."

"What do you mean, thank you? You handled it well and kept things from blowing up. I should be the one thanking you."

Just then, I heard Miso's voice.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho! Mr. Ahn!"

Miso came hopping over like a rabbit, holding Talent Agent Choi Dae-Gi's hand.

Ahn Jung-Hae spotted her and spoke in a low voice. "Chief Jung. Mr. Gi Do-Hyuk's scenes will be done the day after tomorrow anyway, so don't worry too much."

"Yes. I'd appreciate it."

After speaking with the director, I quietly fell silent. Miso, now right in front of us, gave a polite bow.

Ahn Jung-Hae smiled warmly. "You seem to be in a good mood today, Miso. How did your school quiz go?"

Miso must have talked about school with him often on set, because he seemed familiar with her routine.

At that, Miso puffed up proudly and made a peace sign with her hand. "I got a hundred on my dictation test."

Since reading scripts was a habit for her, Miso was far better at dictation than kids her age. Her nose practically rose to the sky with pride.

Then Ahn Jung-Hae asked, "Then how did your math test go? You said you had one today too, right?"

Miso flinched. She stopped speaking, her raised nose lowering as her shoulders slumped.

Caught off guard, Ahn Jung-Hae quickly changed his tone. "Hey, it's okay. Studying isn't everything in life. It's fine if you didn't do well. You still got at least fifty, right?"

Miso avoided the question. "Where's Auntie Yung-In...? I need to rehearse with her..."

'Right. Who cares about math? As long as she grows up bright and healthy, that's enough.'

I was about to tell Miso it was okay when she avoided Ahn Jung-Hae's gaze before spotting Gi Do-Hyuk and tilted her head. Then she leaned close to my ear and whispered.

-Uncle Yoon-Ho. That man is looking at Auntie Yung-In with bad eyes.

'Bad eyes. I wished she didn't notice things like that yet...'

However, there was no fooling Miso. So I mixed in a bit of truth and answered gently. After all, it was true that Gi Do-Hyuk had feelings for Ju Yung-In.

-Miso. That's because Mr. Gi Do-Hyuk thinks Yung-In is pretty as an actress. So—

At that moment, Miso shook her head firmly and said something unexpected.

-That's not it! He really has bad eyes! He's really angry at Auntie Yung-In! Can't you tell him to stop, Uncle Yoon-Ho?

'Could it be that because of what happened earlier, he's trying to take it out on Ju Yung-In? What is wrong with that pathetic guy?'