IWDAR Chapter 13

“Soohee, what on earth is going on?” 

 

Ji-won, the one who stopped the commotion in the CEO’s office by knocking, couldn’t contain her curiosity and spoke to Soohee. 

 

Even though Wooyoung, who had clearly been injured by the President, was right next to Soohee, her curiosity seemed to take precedence. 

 

‘Or maybe this isn’t the first time he’s been hit like this, so she’s not particularly surprised.’

 

Wooyoung had taken refuge in the break room located inside the office. Hyun-jong, whose mood had brightened instantly at the news that someone from ON Entertainment was coming, had kicked the two of them out, telling them to stay out of sight and wait. 

 

It seemed he wasn’t bothered at all that they barged in without any prior appointment. 

 

Wooyoung cooled his cheek with the cold can of drink Soo-hee had given him and glanced around. 

 

Lilac Entertainment was much smaller than he had expected. 

The cramped office didn’t have many employees. There were only three people, including Ji-won, sitting in the office that could be seen at a glance.

 

“Surely ON Entertainment isn’t crazy enough to merge with us. Did the President cause some kind of accident or something…?”

 

“Ji-won.” 

 

Soohee, who had been listening silently, coldly interrupted Ji-won. 

 

It had only been 20 minutes ago that Ji-won had come into the break room, chattering on and on as if reporting every detail, about how someone from ON Entertainment had actually arrived. 

 

Soohee wasn’t usually the warmest person, but this was the first time she had interrupted someone like this, so Ji-won closed her mouth. 

 

“…What are you talking about? People came a while ago, but after that, you haven’t moved an inch, I have no idea what you’re talking about inside. I think I heard some loud voices for a moment…”

 

Of course, she couldn’t stand the short silence and started chattering again.

 

“Are you okay?” 

 

Ignoring her, Soohee asked about Wooyoung’s condition. Only then did Ji-won start to look at Wooyoung cautiously. 

 

According to Soohee, only a few people in the office knew about Wooyoung’s suicide attempt. Wooyoung guessed that this woman, who couldn’t even make proper eye contact with him, was also one of those few people. 

 

Wooyoung forced a smile, pretending to be fine.

 

“It doesn’t hurt that much.”

 

“You’re acting tough after being flung around like a piece of paper.” 

 

Soohee sighed, frowning deeply.

 

Ji-won, who had been gauging the atmosphere, soon left, thinking that there was no one here who would satisfy her curiosity. Only then did Soohee breathe a deep sigh.

 

“He beats the kid up and then tells him to wait around.”

 

“Maybe he wants you ready when he needs you.”

 

Wooyoung replied thoughtlessly. Seeing him like that made Soohee feel frustrated, so she gulped down plain water one after another.

 

How much time had passed? Ji-won, who had been out of sight for a while, stealthily peeked her head through the break room door again.

 

“Um, Wooyoung. Please come inside. The guest is looking for you.”

 

“…Only him?” 

 

When Soohee glared again, Ji-won’s eyes widened.

 

“Uh, I didn’t hear them say Soohee could come in… Should I go back and ask?”

 

Wooyoung quickly got up. Before Soohee got really angry. 

 

The President’s office was inside a partitioned area on the right side of the office. Even though he approached close by, no sound came from inside.

 

“President, it’s Wooyoung. I’m coming in.”

 

As he entered after giving a short notice, he saw two men sitting facing each other in the small office. 

 

The man sitting in front of Hyun-jong was so large that the small office seemed full. 

 

Was it his imagination? 

 

The mere presence of the unfamiliar man made the space feel different from where Wooyoung had been hit just moments ago.

 

Wooyoung, who was quietly observing the situation, tilted his head without realizing it. Hyun-jong, who had been ecstatic after hearing that someone from ON Entertainment was coming, was sitting there with a completely different demeanor. 

 

Hyun-jong didn’t even glance at Wooyoung as he entered, as if he was guilty of something. 

 

‘What happened in less than an hour?’ 

 

The middle-aged man, his face pale, biting his lips, looked extremely pathetic. 

 

It seemed even more so because the man from ON Entertainment was so upright. Wooyoung was bewildered by Hyun-jong’s unexpected appearance.

 

The door closed, and the man who had been sitting across from Hyun-jong stood up. 

 

The man, who had seemed large because he was next to Hyun-jong, appeared even more gigantic when he stood up. 

 

The man’s eyes briefly landed on Wooyoung’s cheek. The gaze was so blatant that he couldn’t miss it. Since it was too late to cover his cheek now, Wooyoung just lowered his head slightly.

 

“Nice to meet you, Han Wooyoung. Do you remember me?” 

 

The man, who was dressed in a sleek black suit with a physique like an athlete, handed Wooyoung a business card. Naturally, he didn’t ask anything about the injury.

 

Choi Do-hoon

O.N Ent | Chief Secretary

Seeing the business card, Wooyoung remembered that the man had been standing next to CEO Mo Tae-uk at the event. 

 

As he had felt at the event, Choi Do-hoon exuded a weighty aura that made him seem untouchable, almost like a bodyguard. How great a man must Mo Tae-uk be to casually have such a man as his right-hand man?

 

“Uh, yes, a little…”

 

“I think you must be quite surprised, so CEO Mo wanted to contact you directly, but we couldn’t find a way to reach you personally. I apologize for the intrusion by suddenly coming to your agency like this.”

 

Wooyoung found it strange every time Do-hoon spoke. 

 

What was the reason for him to be so respectful to him, a mere trainee, not even the President, Hyun-jong? As if reading Wooyoung’s bewilderment, Choi Do-hoon offered him an empty seat.

 

“Please have a seat.”

 

Wooyoung wondered if the President, who had his lips tightly shut, would open his mouth and explain anything, but Hyun-jong remained silent. 

 

What on earth did they talk about that made Park Hyun-jong, of all people, so deep in thought? 

 

Even though he was the same man who had been making all sorts of threats just an hour or two ago.

 

As Wooyoung sat on the sofa in the unusual atmosphere, Do-hoon handed him some documents.

 

“I heard you’ve already finished talking with our CEO. Is that correct?”

 

“Yes, I think so…” 

 

Since their conversation had only been about requesting an audition, Wooyoung’s answer was quite subdued.

 

“This is a copy of the contract. We had a smooth conversation with Lilac just now, so please take your time and review it.”

 

A copy of the contract? 

 

Wooyoung, holding the heavy documents from Do-hoon, was startled as soon as he saw the words written at the top.

 

[Trainee Termination and Transfer Agreement]

 

When Han Wooyoung handed over the USB with his delicate hands, Mo Tae-uk was a little disappointed. 

 

Perhaps it was because the meaning of Han Wooyoung’s strange behaviors, which had been difficult to understand, now seemed clear. 

 

To be honest, Mo Tae-uk wasn’t particularly curious about what was inside this crude USB. Even with the problems in his debut team and a key trainee on the verge of expulsion, he wasn’t interested. Mo Tae-uk always insisted on the best. 

 

And in times like these, it was impossible for something brilliant and valuable to be hidden where no one knew. 

 

A dramatic coincidence, a fateful encounter with a genius talent? 

 

He had long passed the age where he could rely on such a cheesy, cinematic stroke of luck. If it wasn’t noticeable, there was a reason.

 

‘Talking about an audition was quite amusing, though.’

 

Even in Mo Tae-uk’s eyes, Han Wooyoung had a remarkably good-looking face. He wasn’t out of place compared to current idols and actors.

 

He admitted that his gaze was drawn to Han Wooyoung’s unique atmosphere, which seemed to be somewhere between a boy and a young man. 

 

Considering the expectations placed on those associated with ON Entertainment, both inside and outside the industry, Han Wooyoung was certainly attractive.

 

But that alone wasn’t enough to pique Tae-uk’s interest. Since entering this business, Mo Tae-uk has seen more than enough young, beautiful, and shining things. 

 

He didn’t care whether it was innate or something that didn’t exist and had been painstakingly created and adorned. Tae-uk’s job was to choose the most useful and most eye-catching among them.

 

Tap, tap—

 

Tae-uk tapped the table with the piece of plastic Wooyoung had left behind in his hand. 

 

Wooyoung, who had given this plastic to Tae-uk, left the room with his uncomfortable body as if he had finished everything he needed to do. Until the very end, he only imprinted his politely bowed head and clean nape of his neck in Tae-uk’s eyes.