Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 572: One Sip Milk (2)

Han Woo-Hyuk explained the situation he had heard from his mother. "The manager of the One Sip Milk authorized dealer in our neighborhood sent several boxes of milk and bifidus probiotic drinks to our house as gifts. He said he's looking forward to working with us."

The manager's name was Yang Ah-Jin, a man notorious in the neighborhood for his bad character. Apparently, he suddenly showed up at their house and said he was looking forward to their relationship.

At that moment, one of the worst schemes Yoo Moon-Ho had pulled before the regression came to my mind.

'They're trying to frame Han Woo-Hyuk as a power-abusing actor.'

To confirm my memory, I wasted no time pulling up Everyday.

[Everyday V12.2]

[Date: July 14, 2021]

-10:00 p.m.: <Entertainment Everywhere> "Veteran actor Mr. P accused of excessive demands on authorized dealer in exchange for a milk ad. Emergence of a power-abusing actor." (Meeting Agenda: Fake news. Suspected setup by One Sip Milk's Director Yoo Moon-Ho. Investigate similar cases involving other company celebrities.)

Before the regression, Yoo Moon-Ho had once falsely branded TK Entertainment's Park Joon-Sik as a power-abusing actor.

At the time, Park Joon-Sik, a veteran actor, had delayed signing an ad contract while demanding a 30% higher model fee. In retaliation, Yoo Moon-Ho started sending all kinds of One Sip Milk products to Park Joon-Sik's house via a local manager.

Thinking the company was trying to win him over, Park Joon-Sik accepted the deliveries without suspicion. However, when Park Joon-Sik finally refused the ad contract because his pay demand wasn't met, Yoo Moon-Ho staged a false interview with the authorized dealer's owner.

-Park Joon-Sik demanded daily sponsorship of all our company's products. When I refused, he threatened to cancel the main ad contract...

-I've never seen a celebrity behave so disgracefully. Because of the sponsorship, I was losing a hundred twenty thousand won a day. If the head office hadn't intervened, who knows what would've happened to me...

-Especially his mother was worse. She demanded four extra packs of the most expensive products to give to her friends...

Because of that incident, Park Joon-Sik's skyrocketing career came to a halt and he suffered from the stigma of being a power-abusing actor for quite some time.

Since something similar could happen to Han Woo-Hyuk, I asked him during his call, "Mr. Woo-Hyuk, could you ask your mother if she drank any of the products or brought them inside?"

"Ah, yes."

Han Woo-Hyuk asked into the phone, "Mom, did you drink or bring inside any of the boxes?"

He turned to me and shook his head.

"She said no. The boxes were too heavy and she thought it was suspicious, so she just left them outside. She hasn't drunk anything."

"Good. Then call them back with the call recording turned on, and tell them to come pick it up because you don't need it. If they don't retrieve it, just leave it outside."

"Just tell them?"

"Yes. They're doing this on purpose. Make sure nothing gets brought inside the house. Once you bring it in, it legally counts as accepting a bribe."

"Bribe? Over milk...?"

"If the media gets hold of it, that's exactly how it'll be framed. They could say you demanded sponsorship using the milk ad as an excuse."

"But didn't the milk ad already go to Han Sang-Hee?"

"It's not officially finalized yet, right? If the authorized dealer gives an interview before the model is confirmed, it could blow up into an article claiming you demanded sponsorship through the ad."

At that moment, Han Woo-Hyuk's face turned pale. He too had been tormented by rumors early in his career.

I quickly reassured him and told him to calm his mother down. Han Woo-Hyuk nodded and began following my instructions exactly.

"Mom, just leave the milk and everything else outside. If anything else happens, call me right away. And please don't worry too much."

After ending the call with his mother, Han Woo-Hyuk asked me, "Would they really go that far just because we refused the ad?"

"They absolutely would. In Yoo Moon-Ho's eyes, we already look like rude, shameless people."

Han Woo-Hyuk made a face like he couldn't believe it. "That's ridiculous..."

Nevertheless, I had seen it too many times. Those used to power trips feel extreme humiliation when rejected. And since these weren't reasonable people, they often did insane things.

"So what do we do now?"

The solution wasn't that complicated: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If they were declaring war, we could simply respond in kind.

While thinking about where to start my counterattack, I chose the manager of Itaewon's authorized dealer first. If he was known for his bad character, he would definitely have vulnerabilities. If we could take him down, the rest would follow naturally.

"Mr. Woo-Hyuk, could you tell me more details about the manager? in Itaewon"

Seething with anger, Han Woo-Hyuk explained, "That guy is a complete thug."

"A thug?"

Han Woo-Hyuk continued, huffing as he recalled an incident from a few days ago. "About a week ago, a nine-year-old orphan from the nearby Taewon Orphanage drank some expired milk. That scumbag tried to frame the kid as a thief and extort money. I happened to see it and paid the money myself, or else the kid would've ended up at the police station."

The moment I heard that, a plan flashed through my mind. "If he's that much of a trash human being... it'll actually be easier to deal with him."

I told Han Woo-Hyuk to leave it to me and sent him to the waiting tent with Lee Yung-Jin. Then I called Reporter Han Yeon-Hong from Star Patch.

Han Yeon-Hong had once tried to dig up dirt on Lee Tae-Poong at the Hwangryong Film Association but had ended up indebted to me. Since then, she had been working as my inside source. I asked her to find out if Director Park Joon-Seo in the company was meeting anyone from One Sip Milk.

Yoo Moon-Ho of One Sip Milk was quite close to Star Patch's Deputy Director Park Joon-Seo. So if Yoo Moon-Ho planned a fake news attack, he would likely approach Star Patch first.

If I could catch the timing when Park Joon-Seo was preparing an article, we could tip off our own news and seize control of public opinion.

-Got it. But what's going on with One Sip Milk?

"I'll explain later. And in return, I'll pass along a few scoops to your outlet."

-That's more than enough. Thanks!

After promising her help, Han Yeon-Hong hung up. Next, to secure a more solid countermeasure, I called Han Yoo-Sik.

"Mr. Han, this is Chief Jung."

Immediately, Han Yoo-Sik's deep voice answered.

-Ah, Chief Jung. If it's about the Sung Gyu-Hwan contract, it's still under negotiation. It's taking longer than expected.

TNT, the agency managing Haze's male lead, was still hesitating to finalize Sung Gyu-Hwan's move.

"They'll drag it out for a few more days. Sung Gyu-Hwan is doing pretty well right now, after all."

-True enough.

"So actually, could I ask you for another favor until we get the final word?"

-If it's a favor from you, I'll do anything.

Taking a deep breath, I asked Han Yoo-Sik.

"Could you donate some milk to an orphanage tomorrow? I'll transfer the money right now."

-Huh? Donate milk?

I explained the situation Han Woo-Hyuk was facing. After quietly listening, Han Yoo-Sik responded in a chilling tone.

-If it's something like that, don't hesitate to ask whenever! I'll help however I can.

"Thank you."

Everything was starting to move smoothly to stop Yoo Moon-Ho's scheme.

***

At One Sip Milk's Itaewon Branch 2, Branch Manager Yang Ah-Jin was answering a call from One Sip Milk's Director Yoo Moon-Ho.

-Manager Yang, you made sure to send the milk to Han Woo-Hyuk's house, right?

"Of course! Those two old folks were flustered, but I just dumped it all in front of their house and left."

-Good job. Now go back again today. Don't worry about the cost.

"Um... but what if they still don't accept the milk like yesterday?"

-Don't worry. Old folks can't stand waste. They'll eventually take it. Just drop it off and leave. Oh, and today, a few reporters will be following you, so be careful.

"Understood. I'll handle interviews with the reporters once it's done."

-Good. Once this is over, I'll hand you the Itaewon Branch 1 you've been wanting.

Nowadays, people rarely ordered milk deliveries anymore. As a result, Yang Ah-Jin's Itaewon Branch 2 was making less than half of what it used to. But if he helped stage this fake story, Yoo Moon-Ho promised to give him the most profitable direct branch in Itaewon.

"Got it. If you're offering a chance to make money, how could I refuse?"

-Haha. That's what I like about you, Manager Yang. Just do it like we discussed.

Click.

As soon as the call ended, Yang Ah-Jin grinned widely.

"I'll be making at least fifty million won more a year. Hehehe."

Yang Ah-Jin had no qualms about spreading lies for money.

Knock knock.

Just then, the door to the store opened, and a poorly dressed boy, about nine years old, appeared. It was the orphan who had eaten discarded milk left outside his store a week ago.

Yang Ah-Jin frowned and glared at him. "What do you want, kid? Are you here to pick a fight again?"

The boy trembled but stared back at him defiantly.

Snorting, Yang Ah-Jin jabbed a finger at him. "Where do you think you're looking, brat? You don't know how to fear adults!"

At that moment, a couple in expensive suits appeared behind the boy. It was Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun.

The boy turned to them and said, "Here... it's here."

After saying that, the boy quickly hid behind Lee Ah-Eun, who wore a brown two-piece suit. Lee Ah-Eun gently hugged the boy and patted his back.

Yang Ah-Jin scowled at the couple and asked, "And who are you supposed to be?"

Han Yoo-Sik stepped inside and replied, "Hmm. We came to donate to the nearby orphanage. Do I need to tell you who I am?"

Han Yoo-Sik wore expensive clothes and carried an air of boredom.

Yang Ah-Jin smelled money on him instantly. "You're here... to donate milk?"

"Yes. But if you're not interested, we'll leave."

"No, no! Of course we'll help! Whatever you need, sir. Just cover the cost, and we can deliver daily if you want!"

Yang Ah-Jin lifted the corners of his mouth, plotting to milk this rich-looking fool for all he was worth.

'What a lucky day!'

Pretending to be eager, Yang Ah-Jin promised he would meet any condition.

Then Han Yoo-Sik pointed to the boy and said, "Then could you send about five million won worth of milk to Taewon Orphanage, where this child lives? Fifty packs a day until the amount is used up."

Yang Ah-Jin's face lit up with joy. "Of course! Although, if it's daily delivery... the price per pack would be a little higher. Good quality milk at a thousand won per 200ml."

Han Yoo-Sik nodded indifferently. "That's fine."

Inside, Yang Ah-Jin was shouting with glee. With business down, he could finally clear out the stock piled up in his store.

Just then, Han Yoo-Sik added, "By the way, could you also issue a receipt? I'd like a record of the donation."

Yang Ah-Jin nodded without hesitation. He figured an old man like that would never show up again once he had the receipt.

"Of course, sir!"

"Then please sign the document I brought."

"Yes, sir!"

Han Yoo-Sik pulled out five checks and a receipt form from his pocket. Holding the edge of the paper, he handed over the donation receipt to Yang Ah-Jin.

"Here. Put your seal and write down the donation amount on this paper."

"Understood."

Yang Ah-Jin signed the document that Han Yoo-Sik handed over without a second thought. The moment the signing was done, Han Yoo-Sik turned around.

Watching his back, Yang Ah-Jin smirked mockingly. "Take care now~~"

Without even responding, Han Yoo-Sik left the store with Lee Ah-Eun and the boy. Once they were a fair distance away, Han Yoo-Sik called Jung Yoon-Ho.

"Chief Jung, the trap is set."

-Thank you so much. I'll leave the rest to you, just as planned.

"Alright. I'll make the preparations."

After ending the call, Han Yoo-Sik looked at the boy beside him. The boy's name was Woo Jin-Han.

Han Yoo-Sik had taken a strong liking to this boy. "Jin-Han, could you take us to meet the orphanage director?"

"Yes, mister."

Holding the one million won check that Jung Yoon-Ho had provided, Han Yoo-Sik and his wife followed Woo Jin-Han to the orphanage.

They would also need the orphanage's cooperation to complete this plan.

***

Leaving Han Woo-Hyuk at the filming site of Hwaranjeon, I rushed back up to Seoul.

After parking in the yard and entering the first-floor living room, I found Han Yoo-Sik and his wife waiting for me.

"Where's the landlady?"

"Oh, she took Injeolmi and Baekseolgi for a walk. They left about ten minutes ago."

Lately, as Injeolmi and Baekseolgi were growing bigger, they were going out for walks more often. While it made sense for Baekseolgi, being a dog, to enjoy walks, I still couldn't understand why Injeolmi, a cat, loved going on walks just like a dog. They even wore matching harnesses for walks.

"Anyway, sir, about the milk delivery to the orphanage—did it go well? Did they send proper products?"

Han Yoo-Sik shook his head. "No. Just as you predicted, they sent near-expired milk."

It was exactly as I expected.

"I thought so."

"But tell me, did you foresee it unfolding exactly like this?"

I gave a bitter smile. "Yes. I experienced things like this a lot when I was at the orphanage."

During my time at the orphanage, many companies would exploit donors' goodwill by skimming off money or sending near-expired goods. Those bad practices were still happening even now.

Just then, a Kk Talk notification popped up.

[Reporter Han Yeon-Hong: Mr. Jung! Our company's Director Park has scheduled a lunch meeting with Director Yoo from One Sip Milk!!]

Since Yoo Moon-Ho was close to Star Patch's Park Joon-Seo, I had planted Han Yeon-Hong as an internal spy to predict when an article might break. Thanks to her, I now knew the article would be published later today.

That meant we had to move immediately.

'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'

They touched my actor, so I had no intention of letting any of them off lightly.

I turned to Han Yoo-Sik and said, "Mr. Han, shall we begin?"

Being a former executive at KBC, Han Yoo-Sik still had considerable influence at the network. I planned to borrow that power to drag everyone involved in this mess down into ruin.

The first target would be Yang Ah-Jin.

'Manager Yang Ah-Jin, this time I'll make sure you change your ways for good.'

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