Chapter 14
[Iâll wait.]
What did she think his words were worth?
Irritated, Yoon Jinwoo shut off his smartphone screen.
Because of Jinwooâs stubborn stance, his lead role in The Fifth Testimony was confirmed. He had dinner with Writer Kim, who had long claimed to be his fan, and the CEO of BiYoon Film.
Since it was his first attempt, many negative news articles popped up, but Jinwoo didnât care. When had he ever acted while worrying about the worldâs eyes?
As usual, he had lunch near the company with Jung Hana, who came when she had time.
âJinwoo, do you really have to do this project?â
âWhy?â
âWell, from what I saw, there are a lot of action scenes⊠The filming looks rough too. And that writer, honestly, both of his previous works succeeded by luck, didnât they? This is his first time trying an action thriller. Wouldnât it be better to just pick something safe?â
âIâve already decided.â
âBut even our company says itâs not a good choice, and investments are tough to come by. Hmm?â
The only reason Jinwoo could continue his acting career despite his familyâs opposition and constant sabotage was thanks to Hanaâs familyâTK E&M.
TK was the number-one company in Korea when it came to investing in films and dramas.
âThereâs no issue with funding, so donât worry.â
Normally, he might have listened to Hana. But this time, he wouldnât.
Even aside from the fact that Kang Dasom had been the one to tell him about BiYoon Film, Jinwoo felt this project truly suited him.
âBut itâs a small production company. Itâll cost at least 10 billion won.â
âI heard there was a company willing to invest even before I was cast.â
Of course, Jinwoo had worried about finances too. He knew it wouldnât be easy to find investors, especially with Hanaâs family against the project.
âAh! If thatâs the issue, you donât need to worry. Thereâs an investment company that decided to fund us after seeing only Writer Kimâs script.â
The company was called Night Investmentâa name he had never once heard before. They were considering covering 80% or more of the production costs.
With Jinwooâs firm insistence, Hana had no choice but to raise the white flag.
âWhy are you suddenly being stubborn when youâve never been beforeâŠâ
Her cheeks puffed in frustration, and Jinwoo spent the rest of the day coaxing her mood back.
Warm sunlight spilled over a neatly kept garden beyond the high walls. On one side of the garden, clothes, bags, and jewelry were neatly displayed.
âHow about this color? Itâs a new release, perfect for spring, and I think it suits you well.â
âAlright, Iâll take it. And that necklace over there too.â
âYes, Miss.â
Even if she had once been a fool, she had still been the daughter-in-law of the Cheonmyeong Group before her regression.
This time, I wonât be caught off guard so easily.
Kang Dasom had quickly become one of the mere 5,000 people nationwide chosen as MVVIPs at the department store. She called Manager Min, her personal seller, and a coordinator to her home and enjoyed a personalized shopping experience. Over half of what she bought was charged to Yoon Seonghoonâs cardâdeliberately, almost as if to show off.
âYoung Lady, you have a guest,â Manager Min whispered. Dasom turned her head and saw Baek Seongtae, Vice Chairman Kang Youngjunâs secretary.
âYouâre here.â
âThe Vice Chairman is waiting in his study upstairs.â
âIâll be right there.â
âHe said you can take your time.â
âAlright.â
Dasom smiled faintly and turned.
âLooks like weâll need to end todayâs shopping early. Sorry for making you work for nothing.â
âNot at all, Miss. Please attend to your matters.â
Manager Min glanced at the purchase list written by her assistant. What Dasom had already agreed to buy was enough to smash through their monthly sales quota.
âThank you, Manager Min. You always work so hard.â
Dasom lightly patted her shoulder, then went upstairs to the study.
â…A birthday party?â
âYes. I want to hold it at home. Will you allow it?â
âIâll book a hotel. Have it there.â
Though Seo Miyoung had become more cautious since Dasom started dating Seonghoon, she still disliked her. If Dasom suggested holding a birthday party at home, Miyoung would surely foam at the mouth in objection.
âIâm having dinner with Madam Jang next week. With Seonghoon too. Would you like to come along?â
Jang Jubin. Everyone who knew anything knew she was the real power of the Cheonmyeong Group.
Before any major decision, Chairman Yoon Hyuktae always sought her counsel. Her word heavily influenced his choices.
For Kang Youngjun, who wanted to expand his business and solidify his position, it was an opportunity he couldnât miss.
He fiddled with the cigarette he had been about to light.
âImpressive.â
He had thought her only asset was her pretty face.
âIâve received help until now. Itâs time for me to be of use.â
âAnd you know your place.â
ââŠâ
âIâll lend you the annex. Hold it there. Iâll handle your mother, so donât worry.â
Dasom clasped her hands politely and bowed before leaving the study.
On her way back to her room, she ran into Sang-andaek, the head housekeeper. NoâSang-andaek had purposely timed it.
âYoung Lady, did your shopping go well?â
âYes, thanks to you. Ah, could you clear my desk later this evening? I donât need anything thatâs on it.â
âOf course.â
The womanâs face lit up. She was greedy, and since that day, Dasom always made sure to buy her a gift whenever she shopped.
Though she didnât trust the womanâs dark heart, the fact remained: the household trusted Sang-andaek most of all.
Seo Miyoung refused to allow Dasomâs party at home. She yelled in the living room that Dasom didnât even know her place, and Dasom could hear every word. She had expected it.
âTch.â
In the garden, Youngjun clicked his tongue, cigarette between his lips.
âDisappointed?â
âItâs fine.â
âThen just tell me which hotel you want. Iâll arrange it.â
âSeo-yeong Hotel, please.â
âYou donât want something bigger?â
âI didnât expect Mother to oppose it so strongly. If I pick somewhere too extravagant, sheâll just get more upset.â
She spun a convincing excuse, and Youngjun ordered his secretary to book a hall at Seo-yeong Hotel.
âBut do you even have enough friends for a birthday party?â
âIâll make them.â
âAlright. Iâll call some girls I know. Get close with them.â
âI will.â
The preparations didnât take long. The hotel handled almost everything.
â A birthday party? Sorry, Iâll be overseas that evening on a business tripâŠ
âNo, itâs my fault for not telling you earlier.â
Though she no longer slept with him, Min Yurim sometimes asked about Seonghoon. She had many connections among department store VIPs and sellers, and through them Dasom learned about the women Seonghoon fooled around withâand the words he whispered to them.
She already knew in advance that heâd âforgetâ her birthday and be away on a trip. That was why she planned a big partyânot for him, but to put on a show. To show the elite families that her relationship with Seonghoon was going strong.
â Still, Iâll be with you before I leave. You can look forward to my gift.
âThanks.â
After hanging up with Yurim, Dasom texted Jinwoo.
[Iâm not going.]
She hadnât expected a reply. Yet surprisingly, one came right away:
âYouâll come.â
Whenever she saw Jinwoo, she thought he resembled her. Maybe that was why she was almost certainâhe wouldnât stay away.
Time passed quickly, and the day of Kang Dasomâs birthday party arrived.