Episode 47

On the evening when Han Hae-woon first met and collapsed in front of Joeng Hye-min, he woke up in the emergency room.

“Oh my, are you awake now, Sir?”

A nurse who had been attending to another patient by his side suddenly noticed that Han Hae-woon was sitting on his makeshift bed, looking dazed.

“Uh… yes.”

Still trying to collect his thoughts, Han Hae-woon absentmindedly replied, the memories from before he collapsed still fresh in his mind.

Seeing him in such a state, the nurse spoke up.

“I’ll call the doctor for you. Please lie down and wait for a moment. Don’t pull out the IV.”

Han Hae-woon hastily stopped the nurse, grabbing her by the arm.

“Um, I’m sorry. What about the lady who came with me? What happened to her?”

“The lady? If you’re referring to the one who reported the incident, she just made the report and didn’t come in with you.”

Han Hae-woon nodded in understanding.

“Yes, thank you.”

Despite the nurse’s efforts to dissuade him, Han Hae-woon insisted on having his IV removed and personally went to the billing department to settle the emergency room treatment costs.

Once he had his coat back on, he stepped outside the hospital and, finding a quiet spot, lit a cigarette, his face reflecting a perplexed expression.

“Team Leader Jeon Su-hwan, Jung Hye-min, Baek Yoo-hyun… Does this make any sense?”

Seated for a while, lost in thought, Han Hae-woon contemplated the events that had transpired.

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The next morning, Yeon-woo arrived at the filming location from early on.

“Wow, the rising star who won the Rookie Actor award is here.”

The staff members greeted him with a smile, joking about his newfound fame.

“Hahaha, what’s the big deal? Minjae-hyung.”

“Congratulations, Yeon-woo!”

These were the people who had prayed for Yeon-woo’s success while watching the TV at their homes or in various bars and restaurants. Now, they were excitedly cheering for him.

Ma Seok-do approached Yeon-woo and patted him on the shoulder.

“Seems like we have some intense scenes to shoot today, right?”

“Oh, you’re here. That’s right.”

The intense scene that Ma Seok-do referred to was the party scene they were shooting today. It was a crucial scene that would rely on Yeon-woo’s exceptional talent for intricate and versatile facial expressions.

“Let’s get ready, then.”

“Sure thing, Seok-do-hyung.”

They headed to the dressing room set up in a corner of the banquet hall, which had been rented for the filming.

When they opened the door and entered, Jung Ha-kyun was already sitting there.

“Hello, senior.”

Jung Ha-kyun looked in the mirror and greeted Yeon-woo with a smiling face.

“Hey, Yeon-woo, I’m also glad to see you. I’m in the middle of makeup, so I can’t move. Let’s catch up in a bit.”

“Yes, senior. Thank you for your time. I look forward to working with you today.”

It seems that in the movie’s storyline, Pierre Choi and Park Kang-woo, who are on opposite sides, have not met until today. After finishing their makeup, Yeon-woo and Jung Ha-kyun headed to the filming location.

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Park Kang-woo entered the party venue after opening the door.

“May I see your invitation, please?”

A man in a black suit approached politely and asked Kang-woo.

In response, a large chauffeur who had brought Park Kang-woo handed over the invitation instead.

“This guest is highly regarded by the chairman, so please treat him with special care.”

“Oh, I see. Understood.”

Feeling the special treatment, Park Kang-woo’s confidence surged.

“Hmm.”

He confidently walked up the stairs with his suit jacket draped over his shoulder.

The imposing chauffeur who followed him sent a sly smile in Park Kang-woo’s direction.

The chauffeur who had brought Park Kang-woo was none other than Gwak Ji-cheol.

Since Park Kang-woo had never seen Gwak Ji-cheol in person and had only communicated with his subordinates, he didn’t recognize him.

Afterward, throughout the party venue, laughter and conversations could be heard here and there.

Park Kang-woo wandered around the venue, looking somewhat uneasy.

“Oh my, I thought you were a golf pro, but you’re not?”

Jennifer, also known as ‘Deer’, looked at him, teasing.

“No, the lady from the golf course?”

Park Kang-woo’s expression became vague.

He was nervous because he thought he wouldn’t have known the woman he had teased on the adjacent tee well enough to be invited to this event.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yu Chae-yeon. I originally dislike these kinds of events, but my father insisted so much. Well, thanks to the pro who kindly gave me advice that day, I think my swing has improved. Nice to meet you.”

“Ahaha. I’m not a pro, I just do it for fun. I operate a construction company.”

“Oh, really? You’re the head of the same industry as our family?”

With a bright smile, she extended her hand to the fictional character Yu Chae-yeon.

Contrary to her worries, Park Kang-woo shook hands with her, thinking she was really just a golf lesson participant.

Afterward, Jennifer continued to play the role of Yu Chae-yeon, introducing Park Kang-woo to the people in the party venue and engaging in conversations as scripted.

The entire party venue was a fake set created by Pierre Choi’s skills, and all the attendees were actors and con artists who had gathered from all over the country, promised substantial rewards.

In Park Kang-woo’s eyes, everyone in this party venue seemed to be staring at Yu Chae-yeon, eager to say a word or two more.

Following Jennifer, who was playing the role of Yu Chae-yeon, and introducing Park Kang-woo to the others, he gradually felt his confidence growing.

As Park Kang-woo enjoyed one glass of champagne after another, his competitive nature made his voice gradually louder.

“Okay, cut.”

With Director Park Chan-hong’s okay sign, the crew began to quickly adjust the camera setup.

They were setting up according to the movements for the next scene, where Pierre Choi and Park Kang-woo would first collide at the party.

“Alright, if you’re ready, let’s start shooting.”

Yeon-woo, who had been waiting, came out. He looked at Jung Ha-kyun, who was playing the role of Park Kang-woo, and slightly nodded.

“Please have a good shoot today, senior.”

“Yeon-woo, you’ve worked hard.”

“Yeon-woo, fighting!”

Han So-hyeon, who was playing both Jennifer and the role of Yu Chae-yeon, cheered him on. He smiled back at Jennifer and took a step back.

At that moment, Director Park Chan-hong’s voice was heard from a distance.

“Ready, action!”

With the director’s signal, Jung Ha-kyun, in the role of Park Kang-woo, turned to face Park Kang-woo.

Park Kang-woo, who appeared to have had a bit too much to drink, was engaging in a lively conversation with Yu Chae-yeon.

Then, Pierre Choi made his entrance. He walked around the party venue with an unsteady gait, holding champagne, and collided with Park Kang-woo without looking ahead. Of course, the collision was intentional.

“Ouch! What the…?”

Looking at his now damp suit, Park Kang-woo frowned, almost swearing as his true nature would dictate, but he held back, considering Yu Chae-yeon standing next to him.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s my first time here, and I was so fascinated by everything.”

Pierre Choi continued to make an infinitely pathetic face. His deer-like large eyes, which had shrunk without him noticing, alternately darted around nervously, clearly showing that he was looking at the other person and was anxious.

Meanwhile, the crew was impressed as they watched Yeon-woo’s expression being captured by the camera in real-time on the monitor. They marveled at how his good-looking face could convey such a clear sense of slyness.

Director Park Chan-hong thought that while Ryu Yeon-woo might be a rookie actor in terms of detailed facial expressions, he might be able to compete with anyone.

The other members of the directing team around Director Park also shared the same thought.

Park Kang-woo intended to apologize and move on since it was a good day, but when he looked to the side, he noticed that it wasn’t just him whose clothes were ruined by champagne.

Yu Chae-yeon was looking at her dress with a pained expression.

Park Kang-woo’s mind raced.

‘This guy said it’s his first time in a place like this, and he doesn’t seem to be a strong guy.’

Park Kang-woo glanced at Pierre Choi, who was wearing a pathetic expression.

Seeing that his face had mixed reactions, Park Kang-woo decided to put the situation to good use. His priority was scoring points with Yu Chae-yeon, a key figure within the powerful group, rather than his relationship with Pierre Choi.

With determination, Park Kang-woo grabbed Pierre Choi by the collar.

“Hey there, young friend. It doesn’t matter to me, but you should settle things with the young lady.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll pay for the dry cleaning.”

Pierre Choi, who had been caught, frantically searched his back pocket with a slightly scared expression.

“Well, here, is there someone without money here? Let’s settle it in a different way.”

With that, Park Kang-woo continued to hold Pierre Choi by the collar and dragged him toward the restroom.

“Oops, President Park. You don’t need to do this because of me…”

Yu Chae-yeon, or rather Jennifer, didn’t act like a deer but rather like a fox, her tail deliberately muddied.

Park Kang-woo glanced at her, gesturing that it was no big deal, and continued towards the restroom with Pierre Choi.

While being dragged along, Pierre Choi gazed at Yu Chae-yeon. He responded with a sarcastic pout, and when he locked eyes with Park Kang-woo, he instantly switched to a submissive expression, showing that he was afraid.

The man was incredibly expressive and changed his facial expressions rapidly, as if he were a clown rather than Pierre.

“Okay, cut, nice.”

Director Park Chan-hong was satisfied with Yeon-woo’s versatile and flawless acting.

Although Director Park was not one to express emotions, he couldn’t help but exclaim, ‘Nice’, and clapped his hands.

“Director Park said ‘nice’. That means we’re having a company dinner tonight, everyone!”

The staff on set burst into laughter and applause in response to Director Kang In-chan’s declaration.

Director Park Chan-hong, carried away by the positive atmosphere on set, continued with the next scene.

Park Kang-woo forcibly led Pierre Choi to the restroom, but as they turned the corner, they were surrounded by men in black suits who had been waiting.

“What’s going on? Hey, do you misunderstand something? I’m a guest of Chairman No, and this guy over there…”

– Whack! –

– Thud. –

Hidden among the men in suits, Gwak Ji-cheol struck Park Kang-woo on the back of his head with a bat.

Park Kang-woo collapsed after the blow.

“How do you feel, relieved your stress?”

Pierre Choi, still holding his necktie that had become twisted, straightened it out and asked Gwak Ji-cheol.

“Yeah, I’m really relieved.”

“But you know, what do we do with this? This is just the beginning. Huh.”

Pierre Choi kicked Park Kang-woo’s rear end with his shoe while the latter was sprawled on the ground with a creepy laugh.

As Park Kang-woo regained consciousness and opened his eyes, all he saw was darkness.

“Ugh!”

He tried to scream, but due to the cloth stuffed in his mouth, all that came out was muffled groaning.

Then, a voice from beyond the wall seemed to be speaking.

It seems that the thing from earlier broke. Check it out.

– Thud. –

– Whir! –

With a crashing noise, the sound of breaking wood, and light flooding in, Park Kang-woo’s vision gradually recovered from the darkness. As he looked around, he saw scattered pieces of wood, and it appeared as though he had been tied up inside a wooden crate.