Chapter 437: Ahn Jung-Hae (2)

As I observed the two people offering each other a cigarette in the parking lot, I handed over a pack of Mallboro Red. "Here you go, Mr. Ahn."

Ahn Jung-Hae looked at me with surprised eyes. "Oh... Mr. Jung from Hoop Entertainment?"

"Do you know me?"

"Of course I do. You're managing several rising stars lately."

"

Haha,

thank you for recognizing me. By the way, I really enjoyed your previous movie

Hit and Run

. It was beautifully shot from the victim's perspective."

Ahn Jung-Hae let out a deep sigh. "How do you even know about that flop of a movie..."

"It was incredibly realistic and full of tension. I think it struggled commercially due to insufficient promotion, but the direction was outstanding. It's rarely seen these days."

Ahn Jung-Hae gave a faint laugh. "

Haha...

Well, thank you for the compliment. But a flop is a flop."

When he sighed again, I took the chance to peel off the foil from the Mallboro Red pack and offered him a cigarette. "Here you go."

Ahn Jung-Hae looked at the cigarette and sighed once more. "I hate to admit it, but I can't get through this without one right now. Thank you so much."

Ahn Jung-Hae took a cigarette and I lit it for him with my lighter. When he tried to offer me one in return, I shook my head. "Sorry, I don't smoke."

"What? Then why do you carry cigarettes?"

"Well, it's part of the job..."

Although I didn't smoke, many directors and staff members did as the pressure of potentially failing a project with massive investments weighed heavily on them. That was the reason I kept a variety of cigarette packs on hand.

I chose Mallboro Red today because I knew it was Ahn Jung-Hae's preferred brand.

"That's impressive. You even know my favorite cigarettes..."

I grinned and discreetly slipped the remaining pack into Park Hyun-Soo's pocket. It was just a gesture to ensure they didn't feel diminished over something as small as a pack of cigarettes.

The thirty-year-old Park Hyun-Soo had been by Ahn Jung-Hae's side ever since he joined three years ago. His title of chief came about naturally as senior colleagues left the company.

"Thank you, Mr. Jung."

The two, who had been mistreated by Lee Tae-Yeon, silently smoked their cigarettes. While a puff couldn't restore their pride, it nevertheless offered some solace. After finishing their cigarettes, they discarded the butts in a nearby trash can.

"Thank you. I won't forget this kindness."

"Oh, don't mention it."

Ahn Jung-Hae gave a bittersweet smile and nodded. "Well, I'll take my leave now. See you next time."

As Ahn Jung-Hae turned to leave, I stopped him. "Mr, Ahn, are you looking for investors right now?"

Ahn Jung-Hae paused. "Yes..."

"In that case, why don't we have a chat?"

"Are you serious...? Are you going to introduce investors to my project?"

"Yes. I know a few people who are interested in your next screenplay and would like to introduce them to you."

Ahn Jung-Hae's face lit up as he looked at Park Hyun-Soo who appeared equally excited. "Mr. Ahn, why not hear him out?"

"But I need to review Yi-Ji's acting..."

I assured the two, "It'll just take a moment."

After some deliberation, Ahn Jung-Hae made a decision. "Alright, let's talk for a moment."

"First, let's head to my car."

We avoided prying eyes and walked over to the nearby Bends Springer.

***

Yoo-Jin was no longer inside the Bends Springer as she left to find Miso.

As soon as we sat in the back seat, Ahn Jung-Hae asked, "Do you really know someone willing to invest in my film?"

I nodded. "Yes. But before that, could you tell me how many investors you currently have?"

When a movie involved multiple investors, the division of profits and equity could create complications. It was essential to first grasp the current situation before facilitating an investment.

Ahn Jung-Hae sighed deeply before replying, "So far, there's only one investor."

"Who is it?"

"I received funding from Ms. Lee Tae-Yeon."

"You mean...a private investment?"

Ahn Jung-Hae explained that he had circulated the script to various production companies and investment firms and the first to respond back was Lee Tae-Yeon.

"After reading the script, Ms. Tae-Yeon immediately offered fifty million won to invest," Ahn Jung-Hae explained.

Desperate for operational funds, Ahn Jung-Hae quickly accepted the offer. As a result, the film rights to

Missing: The Lost Ones

now belonged to Lee Tae-Yeon.

My eyes widened. "What? You handed over the rights...?"

"I needed the money to keep things running."

If my memory served me well,

Missing: The Lost Ones

had a total production budget of approximately 3 billion won and grossed around 47 billion won in revenue.

Lee Tae-Yeon had essentially secured the rights to a film with such enormous potential for a mere 50 million won.

To make matters worse, she was now leveraging this position to have YH Venture Capital invest additional funds in exchange for casting her daughter, Yang Yi-Ji, in the role of Lee Soo-Yeon. Although Ahn Jung-Hae had no desire to cast Yang Yi-Ji for the role, his hands were tied.

I finally understood why Ahn Jung-Hae had struggled to make money in my past life. Having lost the script rights, any deal with YH Venture Capital must have been far from favorable, leaving him with only the bare minimum profits.

The best solution would be to pay the cancellation penalty and terminate the contract. Typically, penalties were three times the original contract amount, which in this case would mean 150 million won.

However, this situation was different.

"Huh!? The penalty is ten times?" I replied in shock.

"Yes. I was desperate," Ahn Jung-Hae replied with his head down.

The penalty was staggering tenfold. No matter how urgent the situation, signing such a contract was reckless.

"With both the penalty and Ms. Lee Tae-Yeon involved, I imagine potential investors must have been scared off," I remarked.

"Exactly. A few showed interest after reading the script but backed out once they learned the terms. Nobody wanted to risk paying the penalty or antagonizing Ms. Tae-Yeon."

Fortunately, the investors I knew were not the type to be intimidated by someone like Lee Tae-Yeon. Whether it was Choi Eun-Tae from Daeheung Savings Bank, Lee Soo-Chan from Reverse Entertainment, or the heads of CK Entertainment and LT Entertainment, they were formidable players.

"Don't worry. I'll connect you with investors who won't be deterred by Ms. Lee Tae-Yeon."

"R-really?"

"I'll make some calls, so let's discuss further after that."

The real challenge for me now was deciding which investor to introduce to him.

The weary faces of the two men now carried a glimmer of hope. "Alright!"

I suggested, "While we're here, would you like to check out Miso's acting?"

At that moment, Ahn Jung-Hae's expression turned cautious as he asked, "Are you suggesting I cast Miso as a condition for investment, Mr. Jung?"

"No. If you find her performance lacking or don't feel she's right for the role, you're free to choose another actor. It won't affect the investment in any way."

Unlike Lee Tae-Yeon, I had no intention of using roles as leverage for investments. However, I was confident that he wouldn't consider anyone else once he saw Miso act.

"Alright. I was planning to review Yi-Ji's acting anyway... I might as well check Miso's while I'm at it."

We got out of the car and headed straight to the set.

***

Scene 44 from Episode 4 was where Princess Jeong-Hwa fed the poisonous mushroom she received from the First Queen to Princess Yu-Hwa.

Oh Bok-Hee surveyed the set with a serious expression. "Alright! Everyone, take your positions. The guards and maidservants should stay at the base of the hill, and run up as soon as you hear the call. Let's do this in one take without wasting energy going back and forth!"

The hill on one side of the set stood beneath a large pine tree. In its shade, the three child actresses, Yang Yi-Ji, Jin Gong-Ju, and Miso, waited in a beautiful hanbok.

Meanwhile, the supporting actors were positioned at the bottom of the hill getting ready to rush up at any moment.

After checking on the staff, Oh Bok-Hee approached Yang Yi-Ji. "Yi-Ji, how are you feeling today?"

Yang Yi-Ji answered, "I'm fine! I'll do my best."

Oh Bok-Hee looked reassured as she nodded slightly. "Alright then, let's get started."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Oh Bok-Hee called out. "Okay, everyone ready? Episode 4, Scene 44. Ready... action!"

At that moment, the child actors began their performance.

Playing Princess Jeong-Hwa, Yang Yi-Ji hid a white poisonous mushroom behind her back and approached Miso who was crouching and admiring flowers.

『Yu-Hwa, I heard you enjoy mushrooms, so I picked some on the way here. Here, I chose the best one for you.』

Yang Yi-Ji handed over the white mushroom she had hidden while trying her best to hide her trembling hands from nervousness.

Miso tilted her head and looked curiously at Yang Yi-Ji.

『Jeong-Hwa unnie, where did you find such a rare mushroom?』

『At the base of the mountain. I felt bad about our recent quarrel, so I brought this especially for you.』

Miso took the mushroom with an innocent expression, not suspecting that it was poisonous despite the slight tension in their relationship in the story.

『I heard mushrooms are best eaten fresh. I was worried you might find it hard to eat, so I brought a little sesame oil for you.』

Yang Yi-Ji revealed a small dish filled with fragrant sesame oil.

『Go on, eat it. The mushroom gatherers told me this white mushroom tastes best with sesame oil when fresh.』

『You even brought sesame oil... how generous of you.』

In the Silla era, sesame oil was a luxury. Holding the fresh mushroom and sesame oil, Miso's mouth watered. However, instead of eating it alone, she turned to Jin Gong-Ju beside her.

『Do-Hwa, there's only one mushroom, but it's quite large. Let's share it.』

At that moment, Jin Gong-Ju hastily shook her head.

『No! I'm okay, unnie. I ate plenty before coming up and I'm quite full.』

Youngest Princess Do-Hwa immediately recognized the mushroom was poisonous. However, seeing it as a perfect opportunity to eliminate a competitor without getting her hands dirty, she kept quiet.

『Is that so? Then I suppose I'll eat it myself.』

With her mouth watering, Miso dipped the poisonous mushroom generously in sesame oil before taking a big bite.

Chewing thoughtfully, Miso's face lit up with delight.

『It has such a unique flavor, Jeong-Hwa unnie.』

Yang Yi-Ji replied with a trembling voice.

『Does it? Since it's such a rare mushroom, why not have a little more...』

Yang Yi-Ji responded with a trembling voice, but Miso continued eating the poisonous mushroom without the slightest suspicion.

That's when Miso's movements slowed and she began an exaggerated display of agony.

『

Keuk! Keuk!

』

Clutching her throat with both hands, Miso appeared to gag and struggle to expel what she had eaten. Her body shook violently as if it were impossible, her face turned red, tears welled in her eyes, and saliva dripped from the corners of her mouth.

Miso scratched her body frantically, so convincingly that her performance bordered on disturbing.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin next to me spoke in a trembling voice. "Oppa, are you sure Miso didn't actually eat a poisonous mushroom?"

"Don't worry, she'll be fine. The props team lead tasted it himself before handing it over."

"Oh, right."

The mushrooms had been thoroughly tested by the props team lead for safety. Yet Miso's performance was so realistic that even Yoo-Jin and I couldn't help but doubt ourselves.

Miso extended her trembling right hand toward Yang Yi-Ji.

『

Ugh

... Jeong-Hwa... unnie... what have you... done to me...』

Seemingly frightened by Miso's eerily convincing acting, Yang Yi-Ji stumbled backward.

『Why... why did you covet my position? If only... if only you weren't here... I could be queen!』

Tears rolled down Miso's cheeks.

『A queen's fate... is determined by the heavens... Do you think...

ugh.

.. doing this... will make you queen?』

When Miso forced herself forward with difficulty, the startled Yang Yi-Ji retreated rapidly until her back hit the tree on the hill.

Thud.

As Miso drew closer despite trembling, Yang Yi-Ji froze in place. Step by step, Miso approached and finally grabbed the hem of Yang Yi-Ji's hanbok.

Yang Yi-Ji screamed.

『Let go of me! The queen of Gyerim is meant to be me!』

Yang Yi-Ji shoved Miso away with all her might and the exhausted Miso helplessly collapsed to the side. Lying on the ground, Miso convulsed with her body curling inwards.

Yang Yi-Ji who was standing frozen with unfocused eyes finally came to her senses when Jin Gong-Ju snapped out of it first.

『Get a hold of yourself, Jeong-Hwa unnie! You're the one who gave her a poisonous mushroom, and now you're showing weakness?』

『P-poisonous mushroom? You already knew?』

『Looks like you and I now share a little secret, Jeong-Hwa unnie.』

Realizing her weakness had been exposed, Yang Yi-Ji shook with anger and glared at Jin Gong-Ju.

『You...! If you dare speak a word of this, I won't let you go!』

『You better watch your own mouth, Jeong-Hwa unnie.』

The tension between the two exploded in a silent clash of fiery stares. Then their gazes dropped to the motionless Miso lying on the ground. Only then did the two belatedly call out toward the bottom of the hill.

『Noooo! Yu-Hwa! 』

『Yu-Hwa unnie!!!』

When the two young villains shouted with all their might, the supporting actors waiting below sprang into action and rushed up the hill.

『Princess Yu-Hwa!』

『Oh my goodness! What a disaster!』

As the supporting cast shouted, Scene 44 concluded.

"Cut! Okay!"

Startled by Miso's incredibly realistic performance, the staff shouted, "Miso, are you okay?"

Even Oh Bok-Hee was flustered as she yelled for someone to call 911.

Just then, Miso jumped up from where she lay. "I'm fine!"

The staff frozen for a moment exhaled a collective sigh of relief upon watching Miso waving energetically with a bright smile on her face.

"Wow, I really thought something bad happened!"

"What kind of kid acts like that...?"

As always, Miso's acting didn't disappoint. I glanced sideways with a proud expression. Unlike the staff who were somewhat accustomed to Miso's talent, Ahn Jung-Hae appeared completely stunned.

"Mr. Ahn?"

When I called out to him, Ahn Jung-Hae snapped out of his daze and grabbed my hand firmly. "Mr. Jung, is your earlier proposal still valid? About the investment and casting of Miso for the role?"

"Of course."

It was done. Miso's acting had completely captivated Ahn Jung-Hae.

At that moment, Lee Tae-Yeon stormed toward us with a sharp glare.