"Isn't this going too far?! Accusing the visiting idols of harassment, I admit it was my mistake to send the kids just trusting Kay's public image, but this isn't something we can just overlook."
Team leader Lee, with a pale face, shouted at Lynn who was sitting on the sofa. Lynn had heard the story through Clara but noticed from Team leader Lee's expression that the incident wasn't true, but rather orchestrated.
However, since there were no CCTV cameras in Geon's room, he was calculating the potential reputational damage if the victim's side unilaterally disclosed the incident.
Geon, believing the accusation to be false, naively furious, said to Team leader Lee, "Team Leader, I've never done such a thing."
"No? Look at her, her clothes are torn, and her mascara is all smeared from crying. You expect me to believe you didn't do anything after seeing her like this?"
"I'm also flabbergasted. But I really didn't touch Miss Sujeong, not even a fingertip."
"Hmph, like a criminal would admit they did it. Everyone’s denying it."
"Ah… well."
Watching the frustrated Geon, Lynn calmly said, "Mr. Geon, please step outside for a moment."
"Director, I really…"
"I know, I'll handle it, so go out without worrying. Clara? Please take him out."
As Clara nervously watched the situation, she took Geon outside. Lynn watched them leave completely before sinking deep into the sofa and then said, "You've been around the block here, so let me ask directly. What do you want?"
Team leader Lee asked naturally, "What? What do you mean? We're the victims here. You owe us an apology and corresponding compensation."
Lynn scoffed and said, "Stop acting, you've reached the point where you get what you want according to your plan, so speak up."
Team leader Lee looked around for CCTV cameras. Seeing this, Lynn smiled faintly and said, "There are no cameras in my room."
Team leader Lee put his phone on the table so the screen was visible, and Lynn did the same, placing her phone with the black screen facing up—a gesture showing they were not recording. Team leader Lee checked Lynn's phone to confirm no apps were running, then relaxed, leaning back on the sofa comfortably and smiling.
"You really are sharp, Director Lynn. But you know there’s no escaping the situation now."
Seeing the changed attitude of Team leader Lee, Lynn looked him up and down and nodded, "Yes, I understand. You've meticulously planned this. So, what do you want?"
"Kay is working on a new album, right? I've heard there's a dance track in it, and you're looking for a Korean musician to feature."
It was news to Lynn, but understanding what he wanted was her priority, so she asked, "And?"
"Just use our artists from YDN Entertainment. Not just one, of course—you'll need at least four, including Miss Sujeong."
Lynn asked with a cold expression, "Four out of the five who came today?"
"Oh, not like that. Leave out Yunjeong and Jinyeon, just the three and one more from Korea."
Lynn shook her head and said, "If you want money, I’ll give it to you, and if you need collaboration with Fantagio, I’ll arrange that. But if you aim to interfere with Kay's music, you won’t get what you want."
Despite the tough situation, the defiant Lynn caught Team leader Lee off guard.
"Director? Haven’t you grasped the situation yet?"
"I have. You’ve set a trap, and the naive Kay has fallen into it."
"Ha, let’s say that’s true. What next? Should I hold a press conference right now?"
"Do as you please, but you will face the consequences. Please, leave."
"What… what did you say?"
"I said, leave."
"Y-you’ll see!"
As Team leader Lee briskly left the room, he went to pick up Sujeong, who was still on Kay's floor. Sujeong straightened her clothes as she stood up.
"Didn’t go well, Team Leader?"
Team leader Lee grabbed Sujeong's wrist and said, "Let's go. The situation hasn’t fully dawned on him yet, but he’ll contact us first if we wait. Yunjeong, Jinyeon, come out too."
Team leader Lee entered the elevator and went down to the first floor, glaring at the security guards and spitting on the ground.
"Disgusting bastards!"
* * *
Geon, together with Clara, was at the rooftop rest area when he received a call from Lynn to come down to the fifth floor. With a look of injustice, he said, "Director, I really didn’t do anything."
Lynn looked at him quietly.
His eyes, seemingly pleading for truth, resonated with Lynn’s calm voice, "I know better than anyone that you wouldn’t do such a thing. I trust you."
"Director…"
"We’ve been trapped unjustly, but there’s no way out in the current situation. You have to choose one of two options."
"Two options?"
"Yes, one is to comply with their demands, and the other is to leave it as it is. Of course, doing nothing isn’t an option either, as that would be admitting the truth. We would have to counter legally with defamation and false information, which could severely damage our image since the public is already aware."
Geon, looking troubled, asked, "What are their demands?"
"Uh… it's an absurd demand, but it seems the information leaked that you were researching dance music in Korea. They mistook it for you looking for a Korean musician to feature in the new album and demanded you fill it with artists from YDN Entertainment."
"Hmm…"
"Did you plan to use a feature?"
"No, it’s optional. It’s not necessary."
"Then it wouldn’t be a big problem if you agreed?"
"That’s true, but... I don’t want to use it this way."
"Um… let’s think of another way then, please go back to your room. The broken pots should be cleaned up by now."
"Phew… Yes, Director, sorry."
"It’s not your fault, Mr. Geon. It’s my fault for not properly vetting their purpose before letting them into the company, so don’t apologize, just go rest."
"Yes…"
The sight of Geon walking back helplessly was pitiable. Lynn bit her lower lip and looked out the window, massaging her temples in frustration.
Lynn asked Clara to compile a detailed report on the morning’s events, and she spent the afternoon reviewing it.
In the late afternoon, as Lynn struggled with an intensifying headache and was resting on the sofa, Clara entered the office. Lynn, leaning her head back, asked with a calm expression, "What is it? Is there more to report?"
Clara, looking somewhat serious, said, "Director, Yunjeong and Jinyeon have come."
"Huh? Who are they… ah, two of the people from this morning. Why, have they suffered some harm too?"
"Well… they’ve come to reveal the truth."
Lynn bolted upright.
"What did you say?"
As Clara looked back, Yunjeong and Jinyeon hesitated before entering the office. Lynn, observing the two with a stern gaze, recalled Clara’s words and said to them, "Please, take a seat."
Relieved by Lynn’s fluent Korean, the two sat down, exchanging glances before Yunjeong spoke up first.
"Um… Director. As you know, this is a frame-up. Sujeong unnie told us everything, how she tore her own clothes and broke the flower pot. Brother Kay really did nothing wrong."
As Yunjeong opened the conversation, Jinyeon quickly agreed, "That’s right. It was all planned from the beginning when we first came to Korea, although not in this manner."
As the two poured out their story, Lynn touched the leaf of an orchid next to the sofa and said, "It’s already happened, and while your testimony will help us win the lawsuit, it can’t prevent damage to Kay’s image. It would have been nice if you had spoken up a bit earlier."
Yunjeong burst into tears and bowed deeply.
"Sniff, I couldn’t help it. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!"
As Yunjeong began crying, Jinyeon also burst into tears and bowed.
"We had no strength to resist, I’m really sorry! We didn’t know it would go this far. Sniff."
As the two repeatedly apologized, Lynn, grateful they had come to reveal the truth, nodded and looked at Clara.
"Does Team leader Lee know they’ve come?"
Clara looked uncertain, and a sobbing Yunjeong said, "He knows, we shouted that we’d reveal everything as we left… sniff."
Lynn looked at the crying Yunjeong and asked, "And what did he say?"
This time, Jinyeon spoke through tears, "That it’s already over… sniff, that it’s useless to go out, and stepping one foot out of the hotel means expulsion from YDN. Sniff, sniff."
Lynn’s expression softened. Although it was disappointing that they hadn’t warned her before the incident could happen, she guessed how much courage it took for the powerless girls to come here, knowing they faced expulsion.
"Kay mentioned he knew you, right?"
At the mention of Geon’s name, Yunjeong cried even louder and bowed deeply.
"Yes, whaaah!!! Brother Kay was always kind to us, I feel so sorry!! Whaaah!!"
Jinyeon also cried heavily, "How can we face
Brother Kay, whaaah!!!"
Lynn watched the two girls crying for a while, waiting for them to calm down, then spoke to Clara, "Kay must be worried. Send them to explain everything."
Clara looked concerned and said, "He might be angry when he sees them, are you sure, Director?"
Lynn smiled slightly at Clara, "Don’t you know him?"
After a moment of eye contact with Lynn, a smile slowly spread across Clara’s face.
"I know well."
"Then take them."
"Yes, Director."
As Clara led the two girls out, Lynn slapped her cheeks a few times to compose herself, her gaze turning sharp.
"There must be a loophole somewhere."
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