Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 754: The Unsolved Issue

Choi Eun-Tae's urgent voice came through the phone.

"Did something happen?"

-Man-Sik's coming back to Korea soon.

"But he's detained in Japan. How?"

President Suzuki, the head of the Japanese subsidiary, had been doing everything to keep President Choi Man-Sik confined there. And Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill in Korea hadn't even issued a subpoena for him, despite the murder-for-hire charges. The plan was to keep him off Korean soil until Hoop Entertainment's IPO was complete.

And yet now, Choi Man-Sik was returning.

-The higher-ups over Prosecutor Seo cut a deal with Japan to bring him back. It's likely on Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon's orders.

Park Sang-Gon must have acted to keep the news that his son-in-law was in a Japanese detention center from leaking and hurting his election.

"Still, even if he's returned, wouldn't he just be transferred from a Japanese prison to a Korean one? What's the problem?"

Being extradited didn't erase a crime. It just moved the prisoner from one jail to another. After all, Choi Man-Sik was a brutal criminal who had ordered a hit on Kang Eun-Gi.

However, Choi Eun-Tae's voice was laced with irritation as he answered this time.

-Half the men who attacked Eun-Gi have already recanted. The rest have clammed up, probably under threat. There's a good chance Man-Sik will be released and investigated without detention. Anyway, let's talk more when you get here.

Right now, the ruling party led by Park Sang-Gon had a strong edge in the by-election. That gave them sway over the prosecution and meant Choi Man-Sik, soon to be Park Sang-Gon's son-in-law, likely wouldn't face serious consequences. If Choi Man-Sik walked free, it would be a disaster.

"I understand. I'll head over now."

I was about to hang up when Choi Eun-Tae asked a question.

-By the way... is nothing unusual around Eun-Gi lately?

I glanced over. Kang Eun-Gi nodded silently, lips pressed tight. From the voice on the phone, he clearly knew who I was talking to. However, he didn't seem ready to speak with Choi Eun-Tae directly.

"He's fine. There's no issues."

-Good. Let him know I've added more bodyguards to his side just in case.

"Yes, sir."

After I hung up, I relayed the news to Kang Eun-Gi.

"Choi Man-Sik's coming back to Korea. And it looks like he won't even be jailed. He'll just be let out under investigation."

Kang Eun-Gi answered, "Well, it's no surprise. Chairman Choi's old now, and President Choi Man-Sik's younger—and his future father-in-law might be the next president. The prosecutors are all lining up on that side. Looks like Prosecutor Seo is in for a rough ride."

"Yeah. Prosecutor Seo doesn't compromise easily."

Choi Eun-Tae's influence was still formidable, but power was always relative. With Park Sang-Gon eyeing the presidency, that influence had begun to tip toward his future son-in-law, Choi Man-Sik.

Worse still, Choi Man-Sik was Choi Eun-Tae's adopted son. With Choi Eun-Tae growing older, many were already shifting their allegiance to Choi Man-Sik. He was the sole heir to Korea's wealthiest cash fortune and the soon-to-be son-in-law of its most powerful politician.

In the end, there was only one way to turn this around. Kang Eun-Gi had to be publicly acknowledged as Choi Eun-Tae's son.

So I returned to the topic I had meant to raise earlier.

"Eun-Gi."

"Yeah?"

"Mr. Chairman... probably doesn't have much time left."

According to Everyday, that prediction still held that Choi Eun-Tae would pass in less than two years.

"You mean... what, you had another one of your dreams?"

"Something like that. But even if I didn't, Mr. Choi Eun-Tae is seventy-six. It wouldn't be strange to hear he passed away any day now."

Kang Eun-Gi's expression faltered. Because of his long-held resentment, he hadn't fully processed just how old his father was.

"To be honest, I don't even know who my parents are. But you do, Eun-Gi. And now you've got Yoon-Soo and Eun-Soo too. So acknowledge Mr. Chairman as your father already. If you do that, he won't have to stress himself sick every time Choi Man-Sik stirs something up."

"Well..."

Kang Eun-Gi looked like something was caught in his throat. He couldn't respond. But then, with a clenched jaw, he made a hard decision.

"I get that time's running out. Just... give me a little more."

The day Yoon-Soo and Eun-Soo were born—when he saw his father for the first time in the operating room—must have changed something in him. If someone as stubborn as Kang Eun-Gi was saying this much, it meant the change wasn't far off. And I had a feeling the outcome would be just what I had hoped for.

"Alright. But don't take too long. I hope you don't leave any regrets, okay?"

"Yeah. I won't."

Kang Eun-Gi's expression softened slightly as he nodded.

***

Crash.

"You bastard! You said you had it under control! You told us to trust you!"

In the VIP room of Tokyo, a Japanese restaurant in Yeouido, seafood and dishes were flying toward the entrance as Jin Myung-Gyu, former vice chairman of Jinseong Inc., shouted in rage.

Thud. Smack.

Seafood and ceramic clattered across the table, hitting the man kneeling on the floor in the body and head.

"If you've got a damn mouth, say something!"

Finally, the man on his knees slowly spoke. "I'm... sorry."

A halved sea cucumber[1] and some sea squirt[2] lay on his head, next to him a sticky soy-braised sea bream[3] sliding down his shoulder. That man was Bang Sang-Yung, the soon-to-be-appointed president of TNT Entertainment.

Bang Sang-Yung had just managed to attend a Faithful gathering after days of being tied up in prosecution questioning.

"Huff, huff... You think saying you're sorry cuts it? Do you know how much money we poured into you?!" Still furious, Jin Myung-Gyu picked up a bowl of udon. "You're dead to me today."

Just then, former Daechon Inc. Chairman Sung Hak-Soo stepped in. "That's enough. Don't you see Mr. Hong and the others watching?"

Around the VIP table sat Park Sang-Ah; daughter of Park Sang-Gon, HK Inc.'s chairman Hong Moon-Gyu, former Daechon Inc.'s chairman Sung Hak-Soo, Jinseong Inc.'s Jin Myung-Gyu and Jin Myung-Hee, and LSP Inc.'s chairman Lee Sang-Pil—all witnessing the scene unfold.

Jin Myung-Gyu turned his head sharply. "What, aren't you even mad, Mr. Sung?"

Sung Hak-Soo shrugged. "Honestly, I'm less angry and more impressed by how capable this Jung Yoon-Ho guy is."

"Excuse me?"

Sung Hak-Soo looked at Bang Sang-Yung and asked, "You're the one who sent Assemblyman Go Joon-Taek, Go Eun-Seo's father, to the broadcasting station, right?"

Still dripping with soy sauce, Bang Sang-Yung nodded. "Yes. It didn't work out, but I did ask him. He's an assemblyman from Incheon and I had a connection."

"So it made sense for him to grant your favor while also sabotaging the broadcast since he's Go Eun-Seo's dad."

"It failed in the end, but that was the idea. If it had worked, we could've exposed the team manipulation scandal. It's a shame."

"I see. Then you're also the one who tried to cripple Chief Jung's network using Director Han Tae-San at SBC?"

Bang Sang-Yung's eyes widened. "How did you..."

"Just answer yes or no."

Bang Sang-Yung nodded. "Yes."

"And you provoked Writer Choi Eun-Se from Talk Show! Entertainment World today, hoping she'd blow up and ruin the celebrities?"

Bang Sang-Yung couldn't hide his surprise. Sung Hak-Soo had long been dismissed as nothing more than a figurehead chairman of Daechon Inc. Yet today, he was showing off the information-gathering skills of someone who had once run the 17th largest company in Korea.

'So this is what it means to be a real chairman?'

Gulp.

He realized it had been Sung Hak-Soo who invited him here, knowing full well about his grudge against Jung Yoon-Ho. More than Jin Myung-Gyu's rage, it was Sung Hak-Soo's calm precision that scared Bang Sang-Yung now.

Reading the shift in Bang Sang-Yung's expression, Sung Hak-Soo spoke matter-of-factly. "There's no need to overthink it. I just have a decent informant working with me."

"Yes... yes..."

Sung Hak-Soo turned to the others at the table. "As you've just heard, this man's multilayered strategy was something that'd be hard for anyone to escape from."

Hong Moon-Gyu, the most powerful man in the room, gave a nod. "Sounds about right."

"That being the case, what if we gave him one last chance?"

It had been Sung Hak-Soo who brought Bang Sang-Yung to this gathering. This meant he now had to defend the man he vouched for. Any mistake Bang Sang-Yung made would reflect directly on Sung Hak-Soo. And since everything happening here would undoubtedly reach Park Sang-Gon through Park Sang-Ah, failure wasn't an option.

He couldn't afford to look like a poor judge of character in front of the man who might soon be president. That would ruin his chances of reclaiming his place as chairman of Daechon Inc. For this reason, he sought Hong Moon-Gyu's approval first.

However, an unexpected voice cut in.

"Giving someone who's already failed another job... isn't that a bit reckless, Mr. Sung?" Park Sang-Ah glared at him, her expression sharp as a blade.

It was clear she didn't trust the former son-in-law of Daechon Inc. one bit.

Knowing he couldn't back down now, Sung Hak-Soo made a firm decision. "Then this time, I'll personally assist him."

"You will?"

"If we combine my information network with his design, we can take down anyone without fail."

The room stirred at the idea of Sung Hak-Soo taking direct action.

Then Hong Moon-Gyu gave a slow nod with his arms crossed. "Honestly, the plan itself wasn't bad. I'll give you that. But... this is the last time. Do you understand?"

Sung Hak-Soo nodded. "If he can't pull it off even with my intel, then that'll prove he's not up to it."

"And in that case, you'll take responsibility too."

It wasn't what he wanted to hear, but he had no room to retreat.

"Of course."

Hong Moon-Gyu turned his gaze to Bang Sang-Yung. "Hoop Entertainment's institutional demand forecast is happening this week. That makes now the best time to drop a bomb. Got it?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Then get it ready. It needs to shock the investment firms. Understood?"

Hong Moon-Gyu's anger toward Jung Yoon-Ho, the man who had sent his third and fourth sons to prison, was still fresh. Stopping Hoop Entertainment's IPO was, which Jung Yoon-Ho is pouring his heart into, was what this was all about.

Bang Sang-Yung said, "I'll finish the setup by tonight and report to Mr. Sung. I'll stop that IPO no matter what."

"Good. You better. Because if Hoop Entertainment gets through this month and lists successfully, you'd better be ready for the consequences."

"Understood."

"Then get lost."

With a flick of his hand, Hong Moon-Gyu waved Bang Sang-Yung off like he couldn't stand the sight of him.

Bang Sang-Yung bowed. "Yes, sir. I'll take my leave."

Flop.

The head of the soy-braised sea bream that had been on his head finally slid off and hit the floor.

'Jung Yoon-Ho... I'll pay you back for this humiliation.'

Dripping in seafood and soy sauce, Bang Sang-Yung left the room seething with vengeance.

***

After the Unfaithful meeting ended, Park Sang-Ah climbed into her black luxury sedan. Just then, a call came through.

[Caller ID: ❤Dad❤]

Park Sang-Ah answered brightly. "Hi, Dad. The meeting's over. Chairman Hong agreed to support the Busan shipyard project, so we'll have fifty billion in political funds if—"

-Sang-Ah. That's not the important part. The plan with Man-Sik has changed. Come home now.

They had originally planned to eliminate Kang Eun-Gi the moment Choi Man-Sik returned that weekend. Now, the plan had changed.

"Huh? What do you mean it changed? Mr. Man-Sik didn't say anything to me."

-It's enough that he told me. Anyway, he's already laid everything out. We just sit back and enjoy the show.

"Sigh... seriously, everyone just does whatever they want. Fine, I'm on my way. But how much has the plan changed?"

-Well...

'T-That's crazy.'

Park Sang-Ah froze. What she heard next was staggering, but if it worked, it would wipe out all their worries in one stroke.

"Got it! I'll head home right now."

As Park Sang-Ah turned toward home, her heart began to race.

***

At the Myeongdong house, Choi Eun-Tae, Bank President Choi Yung-Ho of Daheung Savings Bank, and Kang Gam-Chan gathered to prepare countermeasures for Choi Man-Sik's return.

Once Choi Man-Sik arrived, his first target would undoubtedly be Kang Eun-Gi. So the first thing we did was plan to reinforce Kang Eun-Gi's personal security.

"Then I'll consult with the Reverse Entertainment boys and reinforce his bodyguard detail, sir," Choi Yung-Ho offered to relay the new plans to the security team

Choi Eun-Tae nodded. "Alright. Thanks."

Choi Yung-Ho bowed and stepped out.

Click.

Choi Eun-Tae let out a long sigh. "Chief Jung, I'm sorry for calling you in when you're already so busy."

At seventy-six, the lines in Choi Eun-Tae's forehead looked deeper than ever. The fight against Park Sang-Gon wasn't an easy one, and it had clearly aged him.

At that moment, I shared something that might offer him some strength. "Mr. Chairman, I do have one piece of good news."

"Oh? What is it?"

"I believe Eun-Gi will soon accept you."

"I-Is that really true...?"

"Yes. Eun-Gi might be stubborn, but he's not one to lie. And today, he started to open up."

Choi Eun-Tae chuckled quietly. "Only you, Chief Jung, could give this old man such a gift."

Kang Gam-Chan also smiled beside him. "Same here, Mr. Chairman. Without Chief Jung, Hoop Entertainment's IPO wouldn't have been possible."

I scratched my head, too shy to look up after their praise.

Then Kang Gam-Chan's smile slowly faded as he spoke carefully. "But sir... shouldn't you now tell Chief Jung the real reason you called him here?"

From the look on their faces, there was clearly more than just posturing for Choi Man-Sik's return.

Choi Eun-Tae cleared his throat and looked me straight in the eye. "The truth is... I called you here today because protecting you has become our most urgent concern."

'What? Why protect me?'

"Think about it. Who do you think Man-Sik hates most right now?"

"Well..."

I hesitated. I had always assumed Kang Eun-Gi would be his primary target, since he was the one who could destroy Choi Man-Sik's ambitions. But the more I thought about it, the clearer it became that the primary target was none other than me. I was the one who had him detained in Japan, and I had been the one to stop his best chance at killing Kang Eun-Gi.

"...Me," I answered.

"Exactly. So you need to get out of sight." Choi Eun-Tae placed a white envelope on the desk. "This is a first-class ticket to Hawaii. My man will meet you at the airport. He'll accompany you to my villa and handle everything as your assistant while you're there."

This weekend would pass, and next week was the final push for Hoop Entertainment's IPO procedures. Yet here they were, asking me to leave the country.

Choi Eun-Tae continued, "Eun-Gi is precious to me, yes. But so are you. I can't let that beast Man-Sik harm you. Just stay in Hawaii until we've dealt with him. I'll use everything I have to make sure he falls."

Kang Gam-Chan nodded as well. "Think of it as a short break. I'll make sure the IPO wraps up without a hitch. Ji-Yung is running like mad to cover everything, so don't worry."

Of course, me staying in Korea would be helpful to both of them. For Choi Eun-Tae, I was the shield protecting his son. For Kang Gam-Chan, I was the shield guarding Hoop Entertainment. Nevertheless, neither of them was trying to use me as a shield. They were offering to become mine.

After my mother died before the regression, no one had ever gone this far for me. Suddenly, I found my chest tightening and I was unable to respond right away.

'Mr. Chairman... Mr. Kang...'

Their concern reached deep into my chest. However, I clenched my jaw with determination. Running from Choi Man-Sik was never an option. And I was the one who pushed forward with Hoop Entertainment's IPO. I had to see this through.

"I won't go."

The moment I answered firmly, Choi Eun-Tae and Kang Gam-Chan raised their voices.

"Chief Jung! Listen to me. Man-Sik is coming for blood!"

"Yoon-Ho, listen to Mr. Chairman. If anything happens, it might be irreversible."

However, I shook my head. I had Everiday, the tool that showed me my fate and the futures of my celebrities.

"No. If I was going to run just because the enemy is scary, I wouldn't have started any of this. I'd rather use this as a chance to end it for good."

"Chief Jung!"

"And I'm going to finish this IPO and build a foundation where my celebrities can live without fear. I'm going to finish this with my own hands."

When I worked at Top Entertainment before the regression, everything revolved around money. In a chaotic mess of a company, so many people bled because of choices I made. There were so many I could have helped but didn't.

Then came my miserable death and the regression—a second chance to fix it all. Now the payoff was right in front of me.

'And they want me to run?'

I closed my eyes.

'No. Not this time. I'm ending this, right here.'

At that moment, Choi Eun-Tae seemed to consider something after hearing the unwavering tone in my voice.

Then he spoke with difficulty. "I understand your resolve. But if you're going to stay in Korea, there will be conditions."

1. Sea Cucumber ☜

2. Sea Squirt ☜

3. Soy-braised sea bream ☜