I was currently in Hoop Entertainment's executive meeting room. On the table, my phone played back the recording captured by Lackey at Club JJ. Yoon Dong-Gu's voice was clear and damning.

-I brought the hundred million.

-As long as I stay at Hoop, I'll keep handing over two to five million every time a small tabloid piece comes up. You know Bok Seon-Ill's hot right now.

-Just think of it as alimony you should've gotten twenty years ago. Take it easy and enjoy the money.

...

It was undeniable evidence proving Yoon Dong-Gu had colluded with Bok Seon-Ill's ex-wife to leak the tabloid article through Entertainment All Times.

Worse, Yoon Dong-Gu had only paid her one hundred million while asking the company for two hundred. It was a blatant lie meant to pocket the rest. He never imagined that conversation had been recorded.

Yoon Dong-Gu's face went deathly pale. "H-How did you...?"

At that moment, Bok Seon-Ill shot up from his chair, his face bright red. "You son of a bitch!"

"S-Seon-Ill hyung, wait! It's not what—"

Before anyone could stop him, Bok Seon-Ill's fist flew across the table and struck Yoon Dong-Gu square in the face.

Wham!

The blow landed flush. Yoon Dong-Gu toppled off his chair and hit the ground hard.

Thud.

Yoon Dong-Gu didn't move. He was out cold. It all happened so fast that no one had time to react.

Then, Bok Seon-Ill fell to his knees, clutching his right hand with his left. "Ugh..."

To preserve the delicate control needed for playing guitar, Bok Seon-Ill had always avoided strenuous activity. But today, as a father and a man, he had put everything into that one punch and knocked Yoon Dong-Gu clean out.

It was not the ideal course of action, but completely understandable. And now, as his talent agent, it was my job to handle the fallout.

I quickly checked on the unconscious Yoon Dong-Gu. Thankfully, he had taken a direct shot to the jaw and passed out, but he wasn't seriously injured.

'I'll deal with you later.'

Leaving Yoon Dong-Gu where he lay, I turned to Bok Seon-Ill. His knuckles were flushed and swelling quickly. Judging by the pain on his face, there was a chance of a fracture.

"Let me take a look."

Years of boxing had taught me how to assess hand injuries, almost to a doctor's level.

"How about here?"

"Huh? N-No, that part's fine."

"And here?"

"Ah—damn, that hurts."

Thankfully, it wasn't a full break but just a hairline fracture near the pinky.

"We'll need X-rays to be sure, but it's probably a small fracture. Before we go to the hospital, I'll do some emergency first aid." I raised Bok Seon-Ill's hand onto my knee for support and looked up at the executives. "Could someone bring a bandage from the break room?"

Director Kang Ji-Yung rushed out of the room as she shouted, "I'll get it!"

Clack.

The door shut, and Bok Seon-Ill winced as he spoke. "I'm fine, Chief Jung. I can go to the hospital later."

"You can't. What if your hand gets worse? You're a guitarist!"

Bok Seon-Ill's recent hit, 'The Hundredth Ballad,' had been surging in popularity thanks to its acoustic charm, often performed with his own guitar accompaniment. He surely could sing with a session player, but no one could replicate the emotion he conveyed when playing himself. That was why I insisted he get to a hospital immediately, to protect that delicate touch.

However, Bok Seon-Ill refused flat-out. "What does my hand matter right now? Compared to the pain this caused Ah-Yung and Seo-Hyun, this is nothing!"

Bok Seon-Ill gritted his teeth, saying he wouldn't go to the hospital until the tabloid article from his ex-wife had been taken down.

"I've already met with her and got her to agree to follow our instructions. A counter-article will be up soon. You can relax."

"Really?"

"Yes. I didn't want to cause a scene, so I only told Mr. Kang while you were with Chief Yoon."

"Th-Then where is she now?"

Bok Seon-Ill's voice rose like he was ready to go confront her himself. I quickly shook my head.

"I made sure she was put in her place. She promised never to show her face again. There's no reason for you to be tied to the past anymore."

There was nothing to gain from seeing someone who was now out of their lives for good, unless Bok Ah-Yung herself ever wanted it.

"So it won't interfere with Ah-Yung's future, right?"

"No. If it does, I made it clear she won't walk away in one piece. I can explain it all in detail later if you'd like."

Only then did Bok Seon-Ill breathe a sigh of relief. "There's no need. As long as she doesn't mess with us anymore, that's enough. I'll see the counter-article first, check on Ah-Yung and Seo-Hyun, and then head to the hospital."

I hesitated, but Kang Gam-Chan gently stepped in to persuade me. "It's okay, Chief Jung. As long as it's not a serious fracture, just patch Mr. Bok Seon-Ill up for now and let him do what he wants."

A talent agent had to care for a celebrity's body and mind alike. Kang Gam-Chan understood calming Bok Seon-Ill down was the real priority. And fair enough—if it wasn't a full break, a good bandage should be enough for the moment.

I nodded. "Understood. Then I think it's best to have Bok Ah-Yung and Mrs. Oh Seo-Hyun come to the office."

"Got it. I'll call them myself."

Kang Gam-Chan pulled out his phone and made the call personally.

Just then, Kang Ji-Yung returned, carrying an entire first-aid kit. "I got it."

"Please hand me a bandage."

Kang Ji-Yung placed the kit in front of me and pulled out a roll of bandage and a pair of scissors. "Here."

I took the end of the bandage and began carefully wrapping Bok Seon-Ill's right hand. The goal was to stabilize it and prevent further injury until we could get him to a hospital.

As I worked, Kang Gam-Chan finished his call and turned to me. "They're on their way now. They should be here in ten minutes."

"Understood."

"And..."

Kang Gam-Chan slowly turned his head. The worry in his eyes for Bok Seon-Ill vanished in an instant, then was replaced by cold, sharp fury. He glared at Vice President Kim Gwan-Woo, who sat frozen in place.

"Vice President. That piece of shit—we're firing him in Monday's disciplinary hearing. If you have any objections, speak now!" Kang Gam-Chan growled.

His tone made it clear that if Kim Gwan-Woo opposed him, he might end up laid out next to Yoon Dong-Gu.

Startled, Kim Gwan-Woo swallowed hard and rushed out a reply. "N-No, sir! Why would I object? I completely agree. I had no idea he was that kind of person. We have to fire him!"

Kim Gwan-Woo clearly hadn't wanted to lose Yoon Dong-Gu, because he was one of his key people from his old company, Gwanwoo Entertainment. Yet, this time, there was no defending him. Yoon Dong-Gu had masterminded the whole thing, tried to embezzle company funds, and even used a celebrity's family as leverage. There was nothing left to say.

Just then, Yoon Dong-Gu finally began to regain consciousness.

"Ugh..."

As I taped the final wrap on Bok Seon-Ill's bandage, he instinctively started to move. "Chief Jung, let me go for a second."

I shook my head. "Mr. Bok. No, Seon-Ill hyung. You asked me to help, didn't you? But if you keep stepping in like this, what does that make me as your talent agent?"

The moment I changed my tone and called him hyung, Bok Seon-Ill responded in kind. "Chief Jung. No—Yoon-Ho. So you're saying we just let that bastard go?"

I let out a small laugh. "As if."

"Then what are you gonna do?"

I checked the finished bandage, gave it one last press, then smiled calmly. "I'm going to take care of it."

"Take care of it?"

"Yeah. It's my turn now, so just sit back and watch."

As I stood, Yoon Dong-Gu, still groggy, grabbed his swollen jaw and began pointing at us. "Y-You think I'm just gonna let this go? I'm filing assault charges, and I'll contact your ex-wife and make sure your life is ruined, Bok Seon-Ill!"

"Mr. Yoon. Or rather, Yoon Dong-Gu, since you're no longer with our company. How about we have a little talk?"

Yoon Dong-Gu froze as I gave him a cold, unblinking stare. He immediately started scooting back in his chair. Unlike Bok Seon-Ill's emotional punch, he knew I was a trained boxer. If I hit him, it could be fatal. And he knew it.

"D-Don't come near me!"

However, I wasn't planning on using my fists. Instead, I seized Yoon Dong-Gu by the collar and leaned in close to whisper directly into his ear.

Grab.

"You know who Park So-Jung's husband is, right? The underboss of the Reconstruction Crew."

"Guh... W-Why are you bringing him up...?"

"I wrecked that guy today. And after I did, he told me that he'll never forget how you manipulated Park So-Jung into pulling this stunt. How you humiliated him."

"W-What...?"

"He said if you want to stay alive, you better live like a ghost. And if you ever show your face in the entertainment world again, he won't stop with you. He'll make sure every artist you work with goes down too."

As I relayed the underboss's chilling words, Yoon Dong-Gu began trembling uncontrollably, like a tree in a storm.

"So leave this business. Never speak of what happened today. Don't even think about lawsuits. Got it?"

I had considered going to the police, but that would have only dragged Bok Seon-Ill's pain into the public and humiliated him further. Besides, Yoon Dong-Gu had worked with plenty of artists inside Hoop Entertainment. A public scandal would only harm the company more. So I decided erasing him from the industry would be enough.

Yoon Dong-Gu, wheezing and choking, finally nodded. Then he answered in a slow, defeated voice. "O-Okay... I... I'll leave... Korea..."

"You're leaving Korea?"

"Y-Yeah..."

Yoon Dong-Gu's words slurred as he spoke. Looking closer, I noticed his jaw was swelling fast—his left side especially.

I nodded. "Good. That's a smart move. But hey, doesn't your jaw hurt? Looks fractured. You might want to get to a hospital."

Yoon Dong-Gu gingerly touched his jaw, only to groan in agony. "Ugh... uhhnn..."

Tears, snot, and drool all ran down his face as Yoon Dong-Gu's whole body began to tremble.

At this point, it was safe to say that Bok Seon-Ill had scored a perfect KO.

***

Yoon Dong-Gu agreed to leave Korea and promised to sell off his remaining 2% stake in Hoop Entertainment on the stock market next Monday. We told him to do exactly that. Taking the shares directly would have given him leverage to claim he had been coerced later, so it was better to let the sale happen on the open market.

After that, jaw grotesquely swollen, Yoon Dong-Gu staggered out of the office with the help of Kim Gwan-Woo.

As soon as he was gone, I checked Everyday. Just as expected, the schedule entry was wiped clean.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: April 12, 2021]

-9:30 p.m. <Schedule Entry Deleted>

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [NEW. Bok Ah-Yung]

[Baro Star] Famous singer Mr. B secretly raised his biological daughter as his younger sister, hiding her identity. A shocking exposé from his ex-wife reveals his scandalous family drama.

[Star Big News] Mr. B's shocking private life. The ex-wife, who left behind their young daughter, is said to have walked away due to Mr. B's affair with his current wife.

[Entertainment All Times] Mr. B's ex-wife speaks out—she left because of his infidelity and drunken violence!

(Emergency meeting: Respond to advertisers under contract with Bok Seon-Ill. Confirm preparations for follow-up coverage and interviews.))

I looked up from my phone, and Kang Gam-Chan asked carefully, "What did you say to make that bastard fold so easily?"

I smiled and answered, "Mrs. Park So-Jung's new husband is a gangster who basically runs Gangnam. Big name in the underworld. This whole thing blew up without his consent, and he got dragged into a huge mess. Once I told Yoon Dong-Gu that the guy was pissed and swore revenge... Well, that's all it took."

"Hahaha. I see."

"So there's no need to worry about lawsuits. In fact, I doubt we'll ever see him in this industry again."

Kang Gam-Chan chuckled with a sigh. "Good grief. You really do go above and beyond."

"I'm Hoop Entertainment's second-largest shareholder. It's the least I can do."

Even Bok Seon-Ill looked somewhat relieved.

"I guess we'll need a new chief for Singer Division 4."

"Absolutely. But before that, we've still got one last thing to do."

"Right. We need to wrap up today."

Just then, the executive meeting room door burst opened.

Bang.

Bok Ah-Yung and Oh Seo-Hyun ran in, holding hands.

"Oppa!"

"Sweetheart!"

The moment they saw Bok Seon-Ill's bandaged hand, both of them cried out like they had been stabbed.

"Oppa! What happened?! Who did this to you?"

"Oh my goodness, honey. Are you okay?"

Trying to downplay it, Bok Seon-Ill tucked his wrapped hand behind his back and gave an awkward smile. "Ah, it's nothing. I just fell and landed wrong. No big deal, don't worry."

This was what it meant to be a father and to be the pillar of a family. Even now, Bok Seon-Ill was lying to protect them.

Both Bok Ah-Yung and Oh Seo-Hyun instantly knew it was a lie, but chose to go along anyway.

"Fine. But we're going to the hospital. Now."

"Yeah, yeah. We'll go. But let's wait until the article goes up."

As if on cue, my phone buzzed with a message from Reporter Choi So-Hye.

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: Hey, can I post the article now?]

[(Link: Interview with Bok Seon-Ill's Ex-Wife)] 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Choi So-Hye had sent over the pre-written article for review.

I opened the link to check the contents, then turned to Bok Seon-Ill. "Mr. Bok Seon-Ill. May we go public with your relationship with Ah-Yung now?"

"Calling me 'Mr. Bok' all of a sudden? That's cold. Just stick with Seon-Ill hyung. And I'll stop calling you Chief Jung—Yoon-Ho, okay?"

"Got it, hyung. So, is it okay to reveal the father-daughter relationship now?"

The interview with Park So-Jung did mention that she had a child with Bok Seon-Ill.

Bok Seon-Ill paused, then looked to his wife, Oh Seo-Hyun. "Honey, are you okay with this?"

With a warm and gentle smile, Seo-Hyun answered, "It's not like it's a secret, you know? I'm fine with it, so don't worry. I already talked to Sung-Jin and Sung-Min too."

"What did our kids say?"

"They asked what there was to even think about. It's not like you did anything wrong. And Ah-Yung's always been a big sister to them, not some aunt. So nothing's really changing."

Bok Seon-Ill let out an awkward laugh. "Y-Yeah?"

"Yup. So stop worrying and just ask Ah-Yung."

Bok Seon-Ill turned to Bok Ah-Yung. "Ah-Yung, is it really okay if the article goes up?"

Bok Ah-Yung nodded confidently. "Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?"

Bok Seon-Ill hesitated, then spoke with a pained smile. "I kept avoiding this because I was afraid you'd get hurt. But I guess I was the coward all along. I'm... sorry, sweetie."

Tears welled up in Bok Ah-Yung's eyes. And then, without warning, she threw herself into Bok Seon-Ill's arms and began to sob. "Dad, no. I'm the one who's sorry."

Ignoring the pain in his bandaged right hand, Bok Seon-Ill reached out with both arms and held Bok Ah-Yung tightly.

"What do you have to be sorry for, my girl? I'm the one who should be apologizing."

They were father and daughter who had lived like siblings. But now, that twisted bond was finally being set right.

Then Oh Seo-Hyun, who had loved and cared for Bok Ah-Yung like a real daughter, joined them with tears in her eyes and gently embraced them both. And so, the three of them clung to one another, crying openly.

Watching them, I instinctively folded my hands in prayer, just as Mother Michaela always used to.

'SALVA NOS. Save us.'

***

With Bok Seon-Ill's permission, I sent the green light to Choi So-Hye. Moments later, her article hit the web.

[(Exclusive) Bok Seon-Ill's Real Story—There's No One More Devoted Than Him (Star Exclusive – Reporter Choi So-Hye)]

-Bok Seon-Ill's ex-wife confessed that she left over twenty years ago, believing he would never succeed as a singer.

-She confirmed they were never legally married.

-Despite that, Bok Seon-Ill took full responsibility for the child she left behind and raised her alone.

-She said she no longer had the right to face him or his daughter and would never appear before them again.

-She concluded by saying she wishes them nothing but happiness, forever.

(Comments)

-See? I told you that the other article was tabloid trash. Y'all clowns fell for it.

-I saved all your hate comments as PDFs.

-Bok Seon-Ill is the real deal. The man's a romantic and never said a word to defend himself.

-Wait, so he has a grown daughter?

-Who is it?

(Views: 57,392)

Once the article came from Bok Seon-Ill's ex-wife herself, public interest skyrocketed. And the fact that Bok Seon-Ill hadn't made a single excuse only strengthened his image as a sincere, romantic artist.

Everything was going exactly as I had hoped. I couldn't help but smile. However, not everyone was smiling.

Bang!

Bursting into the boardroom, PR chief Sung Min-Suk looked panicked, clutching his constantly buzzing phone.

"Chief Jung! How are we going to wrap this up? If we stay quiet, the tabloids will just keep pumping out more garbage. We need a strategy. Fast!"

Seeing Sung Min-Suk's flustered expression, Kang Gam-Chan chuckled and patted his shoulder. "Calm down, Chief Sung. Look at Chief Jung smiling like that. Doesn't that just scream he's got a plan?"

I gave a slow nod and a confident grin.

Because just like Kang Gam-Chan said, I had planned SALVA NOS, the reveal of Bok Seon-Ill and Bok Ah-Yung's father-daughter bond, from the very beginning.

'Now then... time to finish this with style.'