Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 543: Advertisement Cancellation Issue (2)

At Table 12 of the SOUL bar in Daegu K Hotel, as Gu Jin-Oh and Kim Cheon-Seok disappeared into the restroom, Yang Gyu-Dong smirked and said, "Such a stubborn bastard. This won't do."

Oh Joo-Hyun nodded. "Mr. Yang, shouldn't we take care of Director Kim before Chief Jung arrives?"

"Yeah. That's the way to go."

At that moment, Oh Joo-Hyun leaned toward Lee Sun-Yung and urged her to give a false confession. "Sun-Yung, when Director Kim Cheon-Seok comes back, say you're returning the extra 10% of the ad budget you received without any reason. That way, Mr. Yang can get him for embezzlement and breach of trust. Just stick to the script, alright?"

Lee Sun-Yung gave a confident smile. "That's a piece of cake. But in return for the fake testimony, I want the next A10 model's ad campaign. Deal?"

Unlike the high-end Galactica Note or Galactica S series that only top celebrities endorsed, the budget A series ads often featured rookie or supporting actors. Lee Sun-Yung had been the model for the Galactica A10 launched last winter, but after she took the role, A10's sales dropped. As a result, she was cut from the campaign and Kim Cheon-Seok was currently searching for a new model.

Apparently, Kim Cheon-Seok, feeling guilty about abruptly canceling the contract, gave her an additional 10% of the contract fee as consolation.

Normally, this might have been a heartwarming story of a big-name advertiser looking out for a struggling rookie actress. However, Yang Gyu-Dong twisted the narrative, trying to frame Kim Cheon-Seok for embezzlement and breach of trust. Since such charges could be subjective, they could stick with just a few pieces of circumstantial evidence.

'This is insane. Just because she got dropped from an ad, she's trying to trap Kim Cheon-Seok?'

If Lee Sun-Yung went through with her false testimony, as the three plotted, Kim Cheon-Seok wouldn't stand a chance. Plus, the idea that she received a consolation payment without reason left room for speculation, like suggesting Kim Cheon-Seok paid her more in exchange for a "personal meeting." And if Lee Sun-Yung claimed she was dropped for refusing that meeting, things would get even worse.

Despite everything Kim Cheon-Seok had done for her, Lee Sun-Yung was ungratefully betraying him.

Yang Gyu-Dong looked pleased with Lee Sun-Yung's confidence. "Alright. I'll hand the A10 back to you. I've already rewritten all the internal documents about the extra 10%, so just say what you're told."

Oh Joo-Hyun smiled and nodded. "Don't forget the new Galactica S model ad for me~"

"Of course! Once we get rid of Director Kim Cheon-Seok, Jung Yoo-Jin is out too. That empty spot will be yours, won't it? I'll plug you in as soon as the new drama starts."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Yang!"

Their plan to bury Kim Cheon-Seok with embezzlement charges and get rid of Yoo-Jin was proceeding step by step.

'This won't do.'

I thought about reporting their conspiracy to the prosecutors immediately. But the moment I checked EveryDay, I couldn't go through with it. Even though I had filmed the crime being plotted, the schedule entry remained unchanged.

[Everyday V12.1]

[Date: January 8, 2021]

-1:00 p.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Galactica ad main contract canceled.

Strangely, Yoo-Jin's ad contract cancellation was still scheduled. Maybe because it was still just in the plotting phase, reporting it wouldn't resolve anything yet. Then, the thought crossed my mind—I might end up on the losing end if I acted now.

'I need to show this video to President Sung Yoon-Jae of Seven Star Electronics.'

To completely wipe this schedule entry clean, I first needed to pull Kim Cheon-Seok out, then meet with Sung Yoon-Jae.

I quickly finished recording the video, gave the bartender another generous tip, and stood up. The bartender, wearing a name tag that read Park Yong-Oh, gave a polite bow.

Feigning ignorance, I bowed back and made my way toward the entrance. Once there, I took off my coat and scarf and handed them to the female staff member at the cloakroom. Just a moment ago, I had my back turned near Table 12, so they might still remember my coat.

"Please hold onto this for me," I said.

"Ah, yes."

Once I left my coat and scarf, I looked just like any other suited patron.

At that moment, Kim Cheon-Seok returned from the restroom with Gu Jin-Oh. I didn't know what the two had talked about, but Kim Cheon-Seok looked noticeably calmer than before.

As they sat down side by side, Gu Jin-Oh began coaxing him. "Director Kim, there's a reason for all this. Just hear them out."

"I'm only keeping quiet because of your position, Mr. Kim. But if I think it's not right, I'm walking out immediately."

"Alright, alright, I got it."

Gu Jin-Oh picked up his glass to make a toast.

"Come on, everyone. Let's just have a drink first."

Reluctantly, Kim Cheon-Seok reached for his whiskey glass. That was when Lee Sun-Yung stood up from the table, heading over to his side.

I quickly strode toward Table 12, calling out loudly at the same time. "Mr. Kim!"

Lee Sun-Yung halted and turned her head. Kim Cheon-Seok, who had his drink in hand, also froze.

Raising my voice just enough for everyone to hear, I said, "Were you perhaps calling me over to introduce these people?"

Startled, Kim Cheon-Seok set his glass down and began making excuses. "Uh... Mr. Jung. That is... well..."

I cut him off before he could continue. "Forgive me, but I don't think I belong at this table."

At that moment, Gu Jin-Oh shot me a glare. "Chief Jung, you know we haven't signed the contract yet, right? Don't get cocky and just sit down. Let's talk this through."

Saying it with a bit of theatrical flair, I turned and walked away. "I'm sorry. Not today."

Kim Cheon-Seok sprung to his feet in a panic, and began following in an urgent demeanor. "Mr. Jung! Please wait!"

'Perfect.'

To get Kim Cheon-Seok completely away from the others, I picked up my pace and headed for the entrance.

There, the cloakroom attendant tried to hand me my coat. "Excuse me, sir..."

Whispering softly, I made the attendant step back. "Oh, I'm not leaving. I'm just stepping out to take a call."

"Ah, alright."

Soon, I stepped outside the club.

Creak.

The door opened and I stood still in the corridor outside. I waited near the security guards, who gave me curious looks.

Moments later, the door creaked open again and Kim Cheon-Seok came rushing out and grabbed me. "Mr. Jung!"

Kim Cheon-Seok's face clearly showed confusion and panic.

Trying to explain himself, he said, "Mr. Jung, about earlier... this is what happened..."

But before he could say more, I cut in, my expression calm. "There's no need to explain. I already know Mr. Gu brought them without your consent."

"What?"

"I only pretended to be angry, so don't misunderstand. More importantly, there's something I need to show you. Come with me."

"Huh? What do you mean..."

I grabbed Kim Cheon-Seok's wrist and led him toward the emergency stairwell.

***

Clunk.

As soon as the emergency door shut behind us, I pulled out my phone.

Kim Cheon-Seok looked startled. "Why are you suddenly pulling out your phone?"

"Please, just watch this first."

I played the video I had just recorded. It clearly captured the conversation at Table 12 between Yang Gyu-Dong and the actresses while Gu Jin-Oh and Kim Cheon-Seok were away.

As he watched the video, Kim Cheon-Seok's face began to twist in rage. "Those bastards..."

He was so furious that the normally composed Kim Cheon-Seok ground his teeth and even cursed. After a moment of fuming, he finally calmed down enough to speak.

"Mr. Jung, could you possibly keep this video under wraps for now? Rather than going to the prosecutors, I think it's better to handle this internally."

Sung Yoon-Jae of Seven Star Electronics' mobile division was known to be a strict man who detested any internal company issues leaking to the press. Since the division was always under the spotlight, even a minor scandal would attract a flurry of sensationalist articles. As a result, Sung Yoon-Jae often reassigned any problematic employee to a different department for the sake of the company.

Now, the reason Yoo-Jin's ad cancellation schedule hadn't disappeared even after recording the crime made sense. If I had gone straight to the prosecutors, Kim Cheon-Seok might have been reassigned elsewhere. And if that had happened, Yoo-Jin would never have become the ad model.

"What a cold-blooded organization."

"That's how it goes in a large company."

"Then it's better if I meet the president directly."

Kim Cheon-Seok nodded. "Yes. Let's grab our things and go see the president right away. If we stay quiet, I'll end up taking the fall."

He turned to collect his belongings, but I stopped him by grabbing his arm. "It's better if we leave right now."

"Right now? But my coat and bag are still in there."

"Don't worry."

I called the SOUL bar at K Hotel. "Could you put Mr. Park Yong-Oh on the line?"

He was the bartender I tipped earlier.

-Excuse me, may I ask who's calling?

"Just tell him it's the customer who tipped him earlier. He'll know."

-Ah, understood.

A moment later, I heard the bartender's voice over the line.

-Yes, you've been transferred. How can I help you?

"I'm in a tough spot to come back inside, so I need a favor. Could you gather my coat and scarf, as well as the coat and bag of the person who left with me? I'll make sure to properly thank you tomorrow."

-Oh~ if that's all, don't worry. I'll keep them safe.

I would have to give him a nice tip, but that wasn't a problem. Then another thought struck me.

"By the way, how's the situation at Table 12?"

-The folks at Table 12... they look a bit frantic. I can't hear what they're saying from this distance. Oh, someone who had left just came back in.

"Could you possibly film their conversation for me?"

-Hmm~ alright.

Maybe thanks to the generous tip earlier, he was very accommodating.

"I'll make sure you're properly compensated."

-In that case, I'll make sure to film it well. You can count on me, sir.

Park Yong-Oh ended the call, promising to record the people at Table 12.

"Mr. Kim, let's head down quickly."

"Alright."

Instead of taking the elevator, Kim Cheon-Seok and I ran down the emergency stairs to the hotel entrance. I handed a tip to the valet, who pointed out where my car was. When the valet offered to bring the car around, I declined and headed to the underground parking lot with Kim Cheon-Seok.

Next to pillar F13 on the first basement level, I spotted my Binz sedan. We quickly got into the car, I started the engine, and we drove toward Sung Yoon-Jae's house in Pyeongchang-dong.

***

Vroom~

As soon as we exited the hotel's underground parking lot, Kim Cheon-Seok took a deep breath and made a call.

"Mr. Sung, it's Kim Cheon-Seok."

It was past midnight, and Sung Yoon-Jae's gruff voice shot through the speaker.

-What the hell are you calling at this hour for?

"It's a serious matter."

-A serious matter? What is it?

"If this information leaks, it could lead to a prosecutorial investigation."

-What? Investigation? What are you talking about?

"Vice President Gu Jin-Oh and Director Yang Gyu-Dong are trying to fabricate charges of embezzlement and breach of trust against me. I'll explain everything in person at your Pyeongchang-dong residence. I'm driving right now."

-Alright. I won't go to bed. Come up and report.

"Yes, sir. I'll be there shortly."

-Okay.

As soon as the call ended, Kim Cheon-Seok looked at me and asked, "Do you think they'll follow us?"

Almost like tempting fate, I spotted a celebrity van and two sedans in the rearview mirror.

"They're already on us."

It seemed they followed us out not long after we left.

Kim Cheon-Seok looked back and shouted, "Those bastards!"

Even though we had notified Sung Yoon-Jae and had the incriminating video, one of our enemies was Yang Gyu-Dong. If we arrived at Sung Yoon-Jae's house too late, anything could happen. We had to get there first, no matter what.

I glanced at the anxious Kim Cheon-Seok and said, "Buckle up tight."

Kim Cheon-Seok fastened his seatbelt and asked, "What are you going to do?"

"Shake them off."

"But how? Vice President Gu Jin-Oh's driver used to be in the military. He's a damn good driver."

Maybe so, but talent agents had a whole different level of driving skill. They needed to handle up to 1,000 km a day and had to be capable of speeding like maniacs, sometimes racking up speeding tickets like souvenirs.

And I was considered one of the best drivers in the talent agent world. Before I regressed, I was Vice President of Top Entertainment and used to race for fun at circuits whenever I had spare time. I had even driven purpose-built race cars called stock cars, hitting speeds close to 300 km/h, often finishing in first place like it was routine.

I asked, "Do you know Formula 1?"

Kim Cheon-Seok nodded. "Of course I do."

"To exaggerate just a bit... if I weren't a talent agent, I'd have gone for that license. So hold on tight."

"Huh?"

Gripping the wheel, I slammed my foot down on the accelerator.

Vroooom~

The Binz sedan that Jang Joon-Hyuk had gifted me finally unleashed its full power. The roaring engine filled the cabin. At the same time, the car began widening the gap between us and our pursuers.

***

In front of a luxury villa in Pyeongchang-dong, we stopped the car in front of the massive residence with a four-meter-high wall.

I had already notified them of the license plate, so the black automatic gate opened as soon as we arrived.

Zing.

I pulled into the garage and turned off the engine.

Kim Cheon-Seok stumbled out of the car and collapsed to the ground. "Huff... huff... What kind of driving... huff... was that..."

Though I sped, I managed the pace near surveillance cameras to avoid getting ticketed. Even if I was helping Kim Cheon-Seok, losing my license wasn't an option. Still, that was enough to make Kim Cheon-Seok go pale. All that acceleration and braking must have shaken up his insides.

"Let's go. The others likely ignored the speed limits and are already nearby."

Trembling, Kim Cheon-Seok slowly forced himself to his feet. "Huff, huff... okay."

While Kim Cheon-Seok steadied himself, I called Park Yong-Oh at the K Hotel bar in Daegu, switching to speakerphone.

"Did you happen to get the footage?"

-I did!

"Then could you send me the video first?"

At that moment, Park Yong-Oh hesitated before asking.

-Um, about the tip... how much would that be...?

Before I could answer, Kim Cheon-Seok spoke firmly.

"Ten million won."

-Are... are you serious?

"That amount includes the price of keeping your mouth shut, so watch what you say from this moment on. If you get any ideas, you'll be dealing with our legal team."

Park Yong-Oh, already aware of who Kim Cheon-Seok was, quickly replied without protest.

-Ah, understood. I won't say a word to anyone but the two of you. And trust me, I know my place.

"Then we'll meet you tomorrow with the payment. But send the video right now because we need it immediately."

-Yes, sir. I'll send it over right away.

Thanks to Kim Cheon-Seok's combination of carrot and stick, everything went smoothly. As soon as the call ended, a video from Park Yong-Oh came through. But the moment I checked what was being said in the footage, I felt my blood boil.

'Are these people insane?'

And at that moment, I vowed to bring down every single one of the bastards who had forced me into a midnight race.