The man’s bare knee peeked out at the bottom of the photo—a small patch of skin tone.
Kang Hyeon’s heart pounded in an unpleasant rhythm. Without realizing, he clenched his jaw, then relaxed it and examined the photo more closely. His grip on the smartphone tightened with nervous tension. His mouth went dry at the sight of that familiar physique, and when he noticed the crumpled wine-colored coat shoved into the corner of the sofa, a deep sigh escaped him.
He checked the other articles. In addition to the one he’d seen earlier, the photos from yesterday were there too—pictures of men doing a love shot at a drinking party. Kang Hyeon studied the photos carefully. The rookie actor in each of the three shots was wearing different clothes. Then he opened his messaging app.
[Ji-gyeong. Want me to come be with you?]
It showed as read, but there was no reply.
***
Wearing a plain white short-sleeved shirt, Yoon Do-yeong glanced around the empty officetel and sighed when his phone rang. Just as he suspected, the caller ID read “Mom.” He answered in a voice already halfway resigned.
“Yes…”
As her nagging continued, irritation crept into his tone.
“I know, I’ll be there on time. I’ll go this time, but never again. This is the last blind date.”
While he was still speaking, the front door burst open and Writer Oh I-seul entered with a cheerful voice.
“Do-yeong!”
“Oh, Writer Oh.”
Do-yeong quickly ended the call with his mother and greeted her.
“Mpia’s office is right across the hall.”
“I know. CEO Goo said some furniture was being delivered today and told me to stay here.”
“Ah…”
“When is Hyeon coming? Should I tell him to hurry so we can have lunch together?”
“Hyeon’s coming?”
“He and I agreed to switch in the afternoon.”
“Really?”
A spark of life returned to Do-yeong’s previously blank face. His eyes lit up as he muttered under his breath, “Why didn’t he say anything?” Meanwhile, Oh I-seul pulled out a stack of papers from her bag.
“Do-yeong, here’s the section on the stock manipulation… oh, wait, not this page…”
“Writer Oh, I have a prior engagement—I have to step out for a bit. I’ll be back around lunchtime, so can we go over it then?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Don’t tell Hyeon I was here. I’ll bring something tasty.”
His tone now carried a bounce, brightened by the thought of seeing Kang Hyeon.
“Then I’ll tidy things up while you’re gone. See you!”
Writer Oh waved enthusiastically as he left. On his way to the parking lot, light on his feet, something dark suddenly lunged out and grabbed his arm. Instinctively, Do-yeong twisted his wrist downward and seized the intruder’s wrist, forcing it free. The man let out a faint groan from the pain.
“Urgh…”
Do-yeong stared coolly at the man, who wore a black shirt and a baseball cap pulled low.
“You here to see Hyeon?”
“No. I—I came to see you, hyung.”
His voice trembled. Shaking off the man’s grip, Do-yeong replied flatly.
“I have plans.”
“I…”
“This wasn’t on my official schedule. Which means you waited here just to catch me. Right?”
“…Yes.”
“That’s stalking. If you want to see me, go through the agency.”
As Do-yeong opened the car door, Lee Ji-gyeong blurted out:
“You said before… you’d help me…”
His voice trailed off into a whimper, and he dropped his head.
“Ah…”
Do-yeong gave a slight nod and closed the car door.
“Hyung, can we talk in the car?”
“No.”
“Some—someone might see…”
“We’re talking here.”
“Hyung…”
“Two minutes.”
Checking his watch, Do-yeong continued calmly.
“No handshake this time.”
Ji-gyeong flinched at those words. He remembered the day Do-yeong had chased after him, saying he’d apologize, after throwing away the bracelet he had given Kang Hyeon. Back then, Do-yeong had insisted they talk under a streetlamp where his face was clearly visible—deliberately dragging him out of the car. Ji-gyeong had lost control of his emotions and grabbed his collar. The video had been leaked too.
Ji-gyeong clenched his fists and nervously scanned the area. Only when he confirmed the parking lot was empty did he speak.
“Please help me.”
“You told me no before.”
“I need it now.”
“Help you with what exactly?”
“The modeling penalty… I heard Sungjin Group’s legal team is involved.”
“They probably are.”
“Why?”
“Because the brand and its subcontractors are part of the Sungjin Group.”
Ji-gyeong bit his lip at Do-yeong’s indifferent response.
“I’m suffering from this too.”
“Why you?”
“Because I said I’d fill in for you if anything happened. You’ve shot a ton of commercials, right? Now I have to do all of them.”
“Why are you filming those? What are you talking about?”
“What do you mean? Hyeon said you were struggling, so I pushed for you. Clothing brand ads and everything.”
“…Clothing model…?”
“Yeah. I was the main face, and you were featured in the online product pages. By now your photos are probably all taken down.”
“You pushed for me on purpose?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?!”
“Why else? You were about to blow up. Getting a rookie to shoot ads before they’re famous means a cheap rate. Then, when the drama hits, it becomes a big deal. Can’t miss a chance like that. But then… two episodes in, and the scandal hits…”
Do-yeong trailed off and looked into Ji-gyeong’s fearful eyes. Then he smiled brightly—sickeningly so.
“Got it now?”
He tilted his head and whispered softly.
“Was all that crying and begging in front of Hyeon just acting? Playing the pitiful card so he couldn’t help but bring you home? Get enough comfort out of him?”
At those words, Ji-gyeong’s face froze in horror. His breath hitched, his lips trembled. Red veins burst in his eyes as he bit down hard, struggling to hold back fury.
“Cover the penalty for me.”
“Me?”
“You’re the one who pushed me into this! You made me the model and then this scandal—!”
“How the hell did I make you the model and create the scandal?”
Do-yeong’s smile vanished. He responded coolly, checking his watch.
“You accepted the modeling deal. And you caused the scandal. I have to clean up after it by stepping in as your replacement.”
“What about the penalty!!”
“And why should I cover that? You got the signing bonus. You were the model. They say you even got paid like a top-tier actor. That’s why I’m filming for free—to minimize the damage. I’m stopping the ad company from suing for damages.”
Once exactly two minutes had passed, Do-yeong looked away from his watch and met Ji-gyeong’s eyes.
“I’ve always looked out for you.”
With that, he opened the driver’s door. Ji-gyeong grabbed his arm desperately.
“Please help me.”
Do-yeong glanced down at Ji-gyeong’s hand with visible displeasure. Ji-gyeong quickly let go and pleaded.
“I—it’s at least several billion won. I can’t even handle the drama penalty. There’s no way I can pay this back. Everyone knows my face—I won’t be able to get a job!”
“That’s showbiz. You always have to be careful. I told you—smile with a likeable face when you can.”
“Then at least get the articles deleted. Please…”
“Talk to your agency about that.”
Do-yeong shut the door and started the engine. Ji-gyeong ran to block the car. Looking at his desperate expression, Do-yeong sighed and rolled down the window just slightly.
“Can I throw your own words back at you?”
“…What?”
“You. Are you an idiot?”
Ji-gyeong stared at him, completely lost. Do-yeong spoke calmly.
“Take a good look at the articles. They don’t mention the agency’s name.”
“…”
“You really don’t get it. Wow… you really are an idiot.”
“Wh-what is it?”
“MiraeCom2 converted their offices—from floors five to seven—into private rooms for entertaining guests. Probably because the client was someone high-profile, you trusted them and went. Now that the illegal renovation was exposed, they’re paying the penalty and restoring the building. All the evidence is being erased.”
“…”
“The guest you trusted? He’s in cahoots with MiraeCom2. They’re scrambling to wipe everything.”
Do-yeong’s eyes turned cold as he continued, his voice laced with pity.
“These articles can’t be deleted. No, they won’t let them be deleted. A congressman screwed up, so now they’re using a celebrity scandal to shift the spotlight.”
“Your dad’s a congressman.”
“Ji-gyeong, are you really this dense? I just told you.”
Do-yeong paused, then said sharply:
“They need a political scapegoat. Someone to take the fall.”
Ji-gyeong stood frozen, trembling.
“Maybe you should offer up info on MiraeCom2’s CEO to a reporter. Want me to tell you what the press wants?”
“…”
“Who the VIP guests were. Which of them attended the 7th-floor hallucination party. Why the prosecutor who was investigating the case suddenly dropped it. Who the two actors were out of the three that attempted suicide.”
Ji-gyeong looked utterly lost. Do-yeong stared at him with a pitying expression and added:
“Your CEO is going to slip out of this with help from the ones he entertained. Which means…”
He leaned in and whispered:
“That fall guy they need? It’s you.”
