It was a major scandal involving Seo Chae-eun.
It sounded absurd. Completely unexpected.
Even so, Director Kwon Gitaek, whose expression had turned serious, remained calmer than expected.
"Seo Chae-eun is involved in a major scandal."
Choi Sunggeon's voice came through the speaker immediately.
"Yes. It looks highly likely."
"Is that confirmed, or just speculation?"
"At the moment, it's about fifty-fifty."
"Hmm…"
Kwon Gitaek let out a low hum as he pressed down on the accelerator, his thoughts deepening.
What concerned him most was Choi Sunggeon.
If that man wasn't in his right mind, there was no way he would joke about something like this so early in the morning.
Kwon Gitaek had always held him in high regard. In the entertainment industry, there were few who didn't know Choi Sunggeon. His network was vast, yet he had maintained it without major issues, which alone was no small feat in such a ruthless environment.
On top of that, he was capable. Sharp in business, precise in judgment.
Even after managing top actors in his prime, he had boldly gone independent, taking only Hong Hyeyeon with him. It had been a calculated gamble for the future.
And recently, he had secured Kang Woojin, who was now dominating the spotlight.
All of it, achieved in the middle of fierce competition.
A man like that would not speak carelessly.
'He must have picked something up through his network.'
Delaying promotions for a few hours wasn't difficult. The real question was whether to trust him.
But what mattered more was cutting off a possible problem before it grew.
Kwon Gitaek made his decision.
"Alright. Let's do that. I'll temporarily stop all promotions scheduled for today."
"Yes, Director."
"I'm heading to the distributor now. Can you come?"
"Of course. I just turned the car around. I'll explain everything in person."
"How long?"
There was a brief pause.
"Less than an hour. And Director… it would be best to keep this between us for now."
Kwon's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…You've already started moving?"
"Yes. I have."
"Understood. I need to call the distributor, so let's end the call here."
"Yes."
Click.
The call ended.
As he turned left, Kwon Gitaek immediately contacted the distributor for Island of the Missing.
"Let's stop all the promotions we were planning to launch today."
──────────
Inside his own car, Choi Sunggeon let out a long breath.
"Whew…"
He had bluffed.
A major scandal.
'Was that too much?'
But the fire had already been lit.
Whether there was proof or not, whether Kang Woojin's instincts were right or wrong, there was no turning back now.
Still, Choi Sunggeon smirked faintly and pressed harder on the accelerator.
'It's already done. I'll think about the rest later.'
If necessary, he would bear the consequences himself.
──────────
At the distributor's office.
Director Kwon Gitaek sat alone in a mid-sized meeting room, deep in thought.
The atmosphere was heavy, and the sound of his fingers tapping the desk echoed sharply.
Tap. Tap.
His expression was filled with concern.
Then—
Knock knock.
The glass door opened, and Choi Sunggeon stepped inside, his face serious.
"Good morning, Director."
"You came quickly. Sit."
Choi pulled out the chair and sat across from him.
Kwon spoke first.
"Then explain this 'major scandal' involving Seo Chae-eun."
Choi remained composed.
"I don't have time to go into every detail right now."
"But I obtained information that can't be ignored."
"Once this is handled, I'll explain everything properly."
"What kind of information?"
Choi deliberately kept it vague.
"It seems media outlets, including Power Patch, have already sensed something."
"We just don't know if they're holding it or waiting."
"How reliable?"
"Fifty-fifty."
"Even that level is too risky to ignore."
Silence followed.
Kwon exhaled slowly.
"This is troublesome."
"Yes."
"You don't have to trust me. But I will move regardless."
Kwon tapped the desk once.
"How long?"
"If we're fast, today. At most, three days."
It was a confident answer.
Kwon Gitaek gave a faint smile.
"Three days? Can you handle it alone?"
"I have to."
Another brief silence.
"Fine. Three days. I can delay things that long."
"Thank you. Then I'll get going."
Thud.
Choi stood immediately, as if he had no time to waste.
Kwon stopped him.
"CEO Choi."
"You said it's fifty-fifty."
"What if you're wrong?"
Choi paused, then smiled faintly.
"Then I'll just be grateful it ended there."
"I'll take responsibility for the delay."
Kwon let out a tired breath.
"You really are something… Your acting is impressive."
──────────
That afternoon, around lunchtime.
Inside Kang Woojin's van, moving between schedules, the usual three-person team was missing Choi Sunggeon.
Woojin stared quietly at the empty passenger seat, finding it strangely unsettling.
'Did he figure something out?'
His curiosity had only grown because of the short message he received that morning.
— CEO: It's started.
That was all.
He had no idea what it meant.
He didn't know enough about the industry to guess.
'Then I should just focus on my part.'
That was all he could do.
Work harder.
Push forward.
The thought of himself worrying about someone like Choi Sunggeon felt oddly ridiculous.
──────────
At that same moment, Choi Sunggeon was moving quickly.
"That part is set. Next is the editor-in-chief of Power Patch."
He had already been contacting key figures in the media world.
Dropping hints where needed.
Setting meetings where necessary.
Kim Hak-hyun, whom he had met the day before, was one of them.
"Once I meet the editor at Power Patch and a few others, it will break somewhere."
Power Patch was the most likely.
But others could not be ignored.
His plan moved forward with precision.
Soon, his car arrived near Gangnam Station.
A high-end sushi restaurant.
Click.
He checked the time and stepped inside.
"Reservation under Choi Sunggeon."
He was guided to a private room.
Inside, a large man was already seated.
Broad shoulders. Wide face.
Editor-in-chief of Power Patch.
Choi Sunggeon smiled professionally.
"Editor Kim, you're already here?"
The man lowered his phone and gave a faint smile.
"CEO Choi, come in. I'm starving."
They sat down and ordered.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
Choi observed him carefully.
'He doesn't seem to be in a bad mood.'
Then he began casually.
"Things have been quiet around Power Patch lately."
"Nothing interesting going on?"
Editor Kim snorted.
"You start fishing the moment you see me?"
"We had a big exclusive last week."
"Idol dating isn't exactly rare these days."
"Then give me something. Kang Woojin really doesn't have anyone?"
Choi let out a long sigh.
"I'm not insane. Our Woojin is too busy acting."
They talked for a while.
Then—
Choi shifted the topic smoothly.
"By the way… how's Seo Chae-eun these days?"
Editor Kim's brows lifted.
"All of a sudden?"
"Just something I heard here and there."
"Probably nothing, but it keeps coming up."
A pause.
"You heard something too?"
"Not clearly. Just bits and pieces."
Choi smiled lightly.
"Probably just rumors."
He nudged.
Then pulled back.
Just enough.
Editor Kim's expression stiffened slightly.
'So there really are rumors.'
──────────
About an hour later.
Inside the Power Patch office near Gangnam Station.
The place was bustling, especially the entertainment department.
Slide.
Editor Kim entered briskly.
He looked hurried.
"Hey, Im Sang-moon!"
A tired man with dark circles turned around.
He was one of the reporters following Seo Chae-eun.
"Chief, had another good meal, I see."
Editor Kim walked over and lightly smacked the back of his head.
"Office."
Moments later, the door shut.
Editor Kim leaned in, his expression sharp.
"The story you're digging into. How far along is it?"
Im Sang-moon stiffened.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't lie. I know everything."
Silence.
"Seo Chae-eun. Propofol use, right?"
A long sigh escaped him.
"…Damn it."
"How far?"
"Almost done. Just gathering more material."
Editor Kim's voice turned cold.
"Release it."
"No. I need more time."
"Now."
"I planned this carefully."
"Doesn't matter."
He leaned closer.
"Choi Sunggeon knows."
Im Sang-moon froze.
"If he knows, it's already spreading."
Silence.
"Release it before it spreads further."
A beat.
"You're a reporter. Not an artist."
Then—
Bang!
Im Sang-moon kicked the door open and ran out.
"Shit!"
He rushed to his desk.
The exclusive he had been preparing—
Was about to explode.