Red alert.
Fortunately, Kang Woojin reacted quickly.
"Ah!!"
He lightly pinched Kang Hyuna's side, then asked in a calm voice,
"What's wrong? Does your stomach hurt or something?"
"No, just now…"
The funny thing was, the moment Kang Hyuna's eyes met her brother's, she immediately shut her mouth.
The reason was simple.
'Wow. If I say one more word, I think I'm dead.'
She could feel the killing intent in Kang Woojin's gaze.
Fortunately, Choi Sunggeon didn't seem to notice anything and only tilted his head slightly.
"Hmm."
With his arms folded, he let out a small sigh.
"Well, it's fine. Even if your older brother's fan club president turns out to be his own sister, that's not really a problem."
"But let's keep this a secret between the three of us."
"Is there anyone else who knows?"
Kang Hyuna answered with a slightly disappointed face.
"Ah, the admins. I mean, my three friends."
"Keep that part completely secret too. Even if it leaks, it won't become a huge issue, but your family could get dragged into unnecessary trouble. The media has a lot of influence."
"Yes, yes! I'll do that!"
"And I'd appreciate it if you stay diligent with the fan club too. Just because you're family doesn't mean you can be careless, okay?"
"Understood!"
Choi Sunggeon chuckled.
"You're really energetic. Is your older brother always this cold? Compared to him, you're very bright and lively."
"…What? Huh? My brother's cold?"
The crisis resurfaced.
Thanks to that, Kang Woojin finally spoke.
"CEO, I'd like to talk to my sister alone."
"Oh? Really? Alright, ten minutes."
"Yes."
"Hyuna-ssi, I'll see you next time."
"Goodbye!"
The moment Choi Sunggeon left the waiting room with a wave, Kang Woojin immediately locked the door.
Kang Hyuna flinched and stammered.
"W-What? Why?"
…
Woojin stared at her for a moment, then let out a small sigh and rubbed his face.
"Ah, whatever. Are you really going to run a fan club?"
"Yes. I want to."
"Why?"
"Come on. It's so cool that you're an actor. I want to brag about it too."
"But you're not my fan. You're just family."
"Family can be fans too!"
"Pointless nonsense."
He flicked her forehead.
"Ow, seriously?"
Woojin pulled out his wallet and took out several fifty-thousand-won bills, handing them to her.
"Here. Pocket money. If you're going to do it, do it properly."
"And balance it with your studies. If you can't, give it to your friends."
"Wow, I'm touched."
"Shut up. If Mom hears you're slacking off, I'm cutting ties with you immediately."
"Yes, yes!"
Woojin lowered his voice.
"And."
"Remember what the CEO said. Don't go around telling people you're my sister."
"Especially don't mention anything about when we lived together or the past."
"Do you think I'm crazy? Why would I go around saying that?"
"The fact that you're here already feels crazy enough."
"Hey! That's too much! I've been promoting you a lot as the fan club manager, you know!"
"You want another one?"
"…If you're offering, I'll take it."
Woojin shook his head and pulled out one more bill.
Kang Hyuna bowed and took it.
Then she suddenly asked,
"But oppa, your cold attitude and low voice at Sports Day and here… that's all part of your image, right?"
Woojin's answer was simple.
"Do you want to keep being curious? Do you want to return all the money I just gave you?"
Financial pressure.
No.
Financial silence.
"No, I was wrong."
"Every time you get curious, remember your allowance can be cut off."
"Yes. I've already forgotten everything."
"Go. Go study."
Kang Hyuna backed away and bowed.
"I'll get going now."
Not long after—
Bang.
She quietly slipped out of the waiting room.
A moment later, Woojin let out a long sigh.
"Haah… well, at least one problem's gone."
──────────
Later that night, around eleven.
For once, Choi Sunggeon was in his personal car, heading somewhere.
Kang Woojin had finished his fan signing event and gone home around ten, but Choi Sunggeon had stopped by the office and then headed elsewhere.
"Hmm. This should be right."
It was a bar near the agency.
He hadn't come for a drink alone.
He had someone to meet.
After parking, he let out a small sigh.
"Whew. I just hope something useful comes out of this guy."
He loosened his hair, tied it back again, and walked inside.
The bar was underground, with a faint scent of wood and soft lighting. Not too dark, not too bright. Just enough to enjoy a quiet drink while music played in the background.
There were only about five tables.
Since it was a weekday, there weren't many customers.
Choi Sunggeon scanned the place.
He was looking for someone.
Eventually, he spotted a middle-aged man sitting alone and approached.
The man, who had been sipping whiskey, lifted his head.
He had short hair and a large nose.
"Wow, who do we have here? Isn't this CEO Choi, the man who just landed one hell of a rookie?"
Choi Sunggeon gave a faint smile and pulled out a chair.
"Drop the act. You got here early?"
"Heh. I suddenly felt like drinking whiskey, and if you're calling, I've got to show up right away."
The man swirled his glass.
"Can I drink as much as I want?"
"When have I ever stopped you? Drink until you pass out. I'm paying."
"Heh. This is why I became a reporter."
The man was Kim Hakhyun, head of the entertainment desk at a major media outlet.
He and Choi Sunggeon had known each other for over ten years, maintaining a relationship built on mutual benefit under the guise of friendship.
"A reporter? Don't be ridiculous. You don't even go out in the field anymore. You're just sitting in an office now."
"Hey. I still go out sometimes. I'm not that old. So what's this about? Aren't you busy managing Kang Woojin and Hong Hyeyeon?"
"Nothing special. Just maintaining relationships."
"Heh. You don't need a hole to drive in a nail. Even fresh cement works if you hit it hard enough. That's how this job goes."
"Scary."
"You act like you don't know. Anyway, since Kang Woojin came up, there's already some dirty talk going around."
They talked for a while, half casually, half professionally.
Choi Sunggeon kept pouring drinks and guiding the conversation.
"Another round."
"How've you been?"
He didn't need Kim Hakhyun drunk.
Just loosened.
That was enough.
'This needs to work.'
After hearing about Seo Chaeeun, he had quietly investigated for days.
But he couldn't be obvious, so his options were limited.
And Seo Chaeeun wasn't an easy target.
'If this fails, I'll have to expand the search.'
'Maybe even dig into agencies.'
If nothing came up, that wasn't the worst outcome.
It would just mean Woojin had overreacted.
'Even he can be wrong.'
Time passed.
Kim Hakhyun's face turned red.
Choi Sunggeon remained steady.
Then he casually dropped bait.
"By the way, this is a headache."
"Money's pouring in for you. What's the problem?"
"Because of Island of the Missing, all kinds of ridiculous rumors are spreading. Like Woojin being related to Kwon Gitaek."
"Heh. Is that all? Speaking of that film, why haven't the other actors been announced yet?"
"Of course I know."
"Just a little hint."
"If I say anything, it'll be an article in an hour."
"Is Hong Hyeyeon joining too?"
"Ridiculous."
"Then Seo Chaeeun? I heard she met the Director."
The conversation flowed.
Choi Sunggeon subtly steered it.
"It's strange, isn't it? The media digs into her every year, but nothing ever comes out."
"Heh. Is she competing with Hong Hyeyeon?"
"I've got enough to worry about. But in terms of brand value, Hyeyeon is ahead."
"Still close, though."
They talked for twenty minutes.
Nothing useful came out.
Choi Sunggeon checked the time.
'Damn. Is this pointless?'
Just as he was about to give up—
"Was it last month? Power Patch was tracking Seo Chaeeun. We checked too, but nothing came out."
"Power Patch?"
"Yeah. But you know them. They chase rumors."
"Sounds like them."
Choi Sunggeon's expression hardened slightly.
'Power Patch?'
That was suspicious.
──────────
An hour later, inside the car.
Choi Sunggeon sat in the back seat, staring out the window.
'Midnight.'
Too late to call anyone.
He loosened his hair and organized his thoughts.
"All I got was Power Patch."
Normally, he would ignore it.
But this time, it aligned too well with Woojin's instincts.
'Why were they investigating Seo Chaeeun?'
'Bluff? Or something hidden?'
Choi Sunggeon preferred certainty.
But this time, there was none.
Only intuition.
"There's no time."
Two weeks would be needed for proper confirmation.
'Too late.'
If Seo Chaeeun had no issues, everything would be fine.
But if a scandal broke at the wrong time, it could destroy everything.
The project was already gaining momentum.
Adding a top star like Seo Chaeeun would amplify it.
But a scandal—
Would ruin it.
Film production was fragile.
One mistake could collapse everything.
Still, that was the better outcome.
If it happened after filming started, it would be irreversible.
"If Woojin hadn't said anything, she would've made it to set."
That alone was dangerous.
He had to act.
Carefully.
Quickly.
Alone.
'If this fails, the responsibility is mine.'
Time was limited.
Information was scarce.
He thought.
And thought.
Then—
"There's no choice. I'll make them move separately."
He took out his phone and selected a contact.
Power Patch Editor-in-Chief Kim.
He sent a message.
Hope you've been well. Let's meet soon. Give me a call when you're free.
If there was something to bite—
They would move.
'Preventive action.'
'Better if it leaks first.'
'My credibility can handle it.'
The fight had begun.
──────────
Morning, the 27th.
Around eight.
Traffic filled Seoul's roads.
Director Kwon Gitaek's car was stuck as well.
Soft classical music played.
He sat quietly, waiting.
Then his phone rang.
The distributor.
"I'm on my way. Is it urgent?"
"No, just confirming. We'll release the cast articles within the hour."
"Start with Seo Chaeeun?"
"Yes. Then Jeon Woochang, then Kim Iwon."
"Alright."
The call ended.
Then another call came in.
"CEO Choi?"
Surprised, Director Kwon answered.
"There's something important I need to tell you."
"Go ahead."
"Please suspend all promotion related to the actors and the film."
"…What?"
"I'll explain in person."
Director Kwon remained calm.
"Can you summarize it?"
A short silence followed.
Then—
"I think a major scandal involving Seo Chaeeun is about to break."