Chapter 501: Rumor and Rumor (2)

I whispered, "I know you've been habitually getting propofol injections. Would you be okay if this got exposed to the media?"

For a moment, the color drained from Lee Dong-Ju's face. Her face turned pale and she even stuttered. "Th-that's... h-how did you know?"

"And you said you lost baby fat and became prettier? A natural beauty? I think the director of Elisha Plastic Surgery might be quite disappointed to hear that."

Having two of her secrets exposed, Lee Dong-Ju's mouth snapped shut.

At that moment, Ahn Hee-Soo suddenly shouted in anger as she hadn't heard what I said to Lee Dong-Ju. "What are you doing to Dong-Ju unnie right now? If you're threatening her, I won't let this slide!"

I smirked and took a step forward. Then, just like I did with Lee Dong-Ju, I whispered her secret. "TK Entertainment's Park Joo-Myung, Ace Entertainment's Jung Han-Soo, and SJ Entertainment's Choi Tae-Jin. You're quite busy dating three boyfriends at the same time, aren't you?"

Ahn Hee-Soo's face turned bright red. "Th-that's..."

"Not just two-timing, but three-timing? No, wait. If we count one-night stands, it's probably impossible to keep track. I wonder if your boyfriends know about this?"

Ahn Hee-Soo was left speechless.

Looking at the two frozen in place, I gave them another warning. "You two better be careful about what you say from now on. If you dare to approach Eun-Ah again and spread nonsense, I won't hesitate to expose everything!"

My warning must have worked because Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo trembled and hurried away as if escaping.

As soon as they left, I checked my planner.

[Everyday V12.1]

[Date: December 15, 2020]

-10:00 p.m: [NEW. Yoo Eun-Ah]

"Yoo Eun-Ah demands top actress treatment on set! 'I only drink Éviang!'"

"Yoo Eun-Ah: The true face behind the goddess image. Power-tripping on staff!"

(Meeting Content: Malicious rumors are spreading seriously. Entertainment news articles are flooded with them.)

'Huh? It's still not gone?'

Even after warning the two most likely sources, the schedule entry wasn't disappearing from the planner. That meant the next most probable suspects were the on-set staff.

'

I'll have to keep a close eye on the staff from now on.

'

And I also had to consider the possibility that Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo were still spreading false rumors. After sorting my thoughts, I decided to take charge of the media battle myself and sent a Kk Talk message to Reporter Choi So-Hye.

[Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Ms. Choi, I'm at the

Ballerina of Time

filming site. Would you like to do an on-site interview with Eun-Ah? I have some interesting stories to share.]

She replied almost instantly.

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: Oh~ Eun-Ah started filming that movie today? Sounds great. I'm near Nami Island right now. Is

Ballerina of Time

being shot in Namyangju?]

[Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Yes. We just started setting up for the shoot.]

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: What's the interesting story about?]

[Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: I'll tell you when you get here.]

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: Okay! I'm on my way.]

After wrapping up my conversation with Choi So-Hye, I turned to Eun-Ah. I could see a quiet fury on her face.

"Eun-Ah. If you're angry, channel it into your acting."

Na Hyung-Joon, the director of

Ballerina of Time,

wanted the actors to unleash their emotions to the extreme.

Holding back the anger she had endured from Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo, Eun-Ah nodded. "Got it... Yoon-Ho oppa."

She clenched her fists tightly and trembled slightly as if the ordeal she had just suffered had actually happened to her character, Han Ye-Rim, in

Ballerina of Time

. However, it still wasn't enough. Unlike the Eun-Ah I had seen before the regression, she had grown accustomed to success as part of Cherry Blossom.

'

I should help her a little.

'

Scene 44, which was about to be filmed, was where Han Ye-Rim, the female lead's friend, slapped and punished the villainous women tormenting the protagonist. And those villains were none other than Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo, whom we had just confronted.

To fire up Eun-Ah's determination, I said, "Eun-Ah, repeat after me: 'I'm the craziest bitch in this area.'"

Eun-Ah blinked in confusion at the sudden command. "Huh?"

Ignoring her hesitation, I pushed on. "Think of it as practice. Say it as if you're Han Ye-Rim in the upcoming scene."

After a brief moment of contemplation, Eun-Ah nodded. With clenched fists and a trembling voice, she spoke, "I-I'm the... craziest bitch... in this area..."

"That was too quiet. Do it again."

"I'm the... craziest butch... in this area."

Her voice grew slightly louder, but it wasn't enough.

"Forget about the people around you. Are you going to be like this in front of the camera? Again!"

Though other sunbae actors and cast members were nearby, I told Eun-Ah not to worry. After all, I could apologize to them later.

Taking a deep breath, Eun-Ah shouted, "I'm the craziest bitch in this area!"

Eun-Ah's voice carried more power and I could see confidence building.

"One last time! Think of it as the real thing!"

Eun-Ah squeezed her eyes shut and bellowed, "I'm the craziest bitch in this area!"

Only now did she finally resemble the award-winning actress I had seen before my regression, a regular at the Hwangryong Film Association.

"Good. From now until the shoot starts, act as if you're Han Ye-Rim."

Han Ye-Rim, the character in

Ballerina of Time

, was the only daughter of one of the country's most powerful conglomerates. For this reason, she was always bold and confident.

As if she had fully embraced the role, Eun-Ah's eyes glowed with newfound determination. "I will, oppa."

She was slowly immersing herself in her character, transforming from Cherry Blossom's Yoo Eun-Ah into actress Yoo Eun-Ah. Her usual slightly hunched posture straightened and her once-timid face now radiated energy.

Once Eun-Ah was fully prepared, I turned to the waiting room where the other actors were getting ready. "Sorry for the disturbance!"

At that moment, a gentle voice responded from inside.

-It's fine, Mr. Jung. If my co-star is this fired up, it's good for me too.

It was Jo Yoon-Jung, the lead actress of this movie from SJ Entertainment.

I said, "Thank you so much for your understanding."

Beside me, Eun-Ah chimed in, "Thank you so much, sunbae-nim."

-Of course~

Just as we finished our greetings, the entrance curtain to the waiting room shifted and Baek Hee-Yung entered carrying two bottles of ice-cold water.

Rustle.

Baek Hee-Yung's face showed clear surprise. "I'm sorry for stepping out, Mr. Jung."

I was about to ask Baek Hee-Yung to notify me next time so I could cover for her. Just then, she handed Eun-Ah a water bottle and reached into a flower basket. From inside, she pulled out her phone.

Baek Hee-Yung lowered her voice and said cautiously, "I had it recording the whole time just in case."

'

She hid her phone inside the flower basket before leaving?

'

True to her word, Baek Hee-Yung never took her eyes off the situation in a different way. With 12 years of experience, Baek Hee-Yung had seen it all and knew exactly how to respond in moments like these.

Baek Hee-Yung stopped the recording and showed me the video. And what was captured in the video was something utterly outrageous.

[

...

Working so comfortably... So rude... Éviang water... VEENX... Nepotism...]

If it weren't for Eun-Ah's patience, any other actress with a fiery temper would have already started a full-blown fight over these remarks.

I nodded and said, "This is the perfect video to report."

Baek Hee-Yung added, "Yes. They're completely out of control."

I then gave her instructions. "Oh, and from now on, please keep a close watch on the staff. Ace Entertainment's movements seem suspicious. If they're bold enough to come here and pick a fight, they won't hesitate to fabricate rumors with the staff."

"Got it. I'll subtly investigate and check if any staff members are gossiping about Eun-Ah."

With her extensive experience, Baek Hee-Yung knew exactly what to do.

From there, Baek Hee-Yung and I discussed countermeasures for the upcoming media battle.

***

Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo stormed out of the waiting area and headed straight for the parking lot, where an Ace Entertainment van was parked.

Bang!

Throwing open the van door, they shouted in alarm. "Mr. Han!"

Inside the van, the startled Chief Choi Han-Jong looked up from his newspaper. Seeing their pale faces, he frowned and asked, "What happened? Did it not go well? Don't tell me you actually got beaten by that Eun-Ah kid?"

Choi Han-Jong had received orders from Ace Entertainment's Park Chan-Hyuk to work with Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo in spreading malicious rumors. The plan was to have the on-site staff help exaggerate those rumors. Later in the afternoon, reporters from

Baro Star

and

Entertainment All Times

would be tipped off, ensuring the rumors spread like a well-scripted play.

However, Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo had already failed from the start.

The fuming Lee Dong-Ju growled, "

Ugh

, that bastard Jung Yoon-Ho! He knows about my... situation and even my plastic surgery!"

Ahn Hee-Soo, equally frustrated, snapped, "Mr. Han, that guy even knows the names of all the men I'm dating!"

Choi Han-Jong tilted his head. "How the hell does he know that?"

The two actresses shook their heads in frustration. "How would we know? If this continues, we'll be the ones getting exposed first instead of us spreading rumors!"

Choi Han-Jong scratched his head in irritation. The plan was off to a rough start, but first, he needed to calm them down.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure the company buries any rumors about you two."

Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo looked at him anxiously. "Really?"

"Of course. Losing talented actresses like you would be a huge loss for the company!"

Only then did Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo let out a sigh of relief.

"So stick to the original plan. Go around the staff and say Eun-Ah is rude and arrogant. Claim she refuses to drink anything but VEENX water. Here, take this."

Choi Han-Jong handed them an expensive water bottle, priced at thirty thousand won per bottle. It was a prop to make the act more convincing. The clear bottle bore the "VEENX" logo topped with a silver cap.

"This really costs thirty thousand won?"

"Well, at least the bottle looks fancy."

Choi Han-Jong nodded. "Yeah. So drink it up, empty it, and follow the plan. Got it?"

Click.

He unscrewed the cap, signaling them to drink. Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo took turns gulping it down.

As the cold water settled in, Lee Dong-Ju sighed with her voice a little calmer. "Alright. But make sure we get properly compensated for this, got it?"

"Of course. Now go back and get ready for filming."

Finally reassured, Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo left with their stylist to return to the waiting area.

Once they were gone, Choi Han-Jong pulled out his phone and dialed Ace Entertainment's Park Chan-Hyuk. He reported that Jung Yoon-Ho was aware of the actresses' weaknesses.

Nevertheless, Park Chan-Hyuk's response was cold and simple.

-Before Jung Yoon-Ho can expose anything, we'll expose Yoo Eun-Ah first. Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo are nobodies, so no one will care even if rumors spread about them. Focus on getting testimony from the staff! That's what matters!

Ace Entertainment was ready to throw the two actresses under the bus if it meant damaging Jung Yoon-Ho and Yoo Eun-Ah.

Choi Han-Jong let out a deep sigh and replied, "Understood. We'll proceed as planned."

After ending the call, Choi Han-Jong headed straight to the set to carry out the next phase of the plan—winning over the staff.

***

Leaving Eun-Ah in Baek Hee-Yung's care, I stepped out of the waiting area and went straight to Choi Eun-Seon because she was the one who knew the staff best on set.

"Ms. Choi."

Choi Eun-Seon, who was in the middle of giving instructions, turned her gaze toward me. "Oh, Mr. Jung. Is Eun-Ah okay? I heard she had a bit of a run-in with Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo."

As expected, she already had a rough idea of what was happening.

"You've already heard?"

"Yeah, well, nothing stays a secret on set. But then again, people say all sorts of ridiculous things here, so I take half of it with a grain of salt."

"That's actually what I wanted to talk about. It seems like Dong-Ju and Hee-Soo are jealous of Eun-Ah suddenly joining the project."

"Hmm... Even so, I wouldn't worry too much. They wouldn't do anything that could jeopardize their careers, would they?"

Since she wasn't aware of the deeper conflict between Ace Entertainment and us, Choi Eun-Seon wasn't too concerned yet. For her, minor clashes between actresses on set were just a normal occurrence.

However, I made sure to warn her clearly. "Things will be different this time. The staff are whispering a bit too much."

Choi Eun-Seon's expression finally turned serious before she nodded. "Alright. I'll make sure to keep them in check, so don't worry too much."

I wasn't thrilled about stepping back, but I had to pick my battles for now. "Thank you. I'll leave it in your hands."

After that, I checked my planner right away only to find out the schedule entry remained unchanged. It seemed the rumors wouldn't disappear until I found the real culprit.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the set as Na Hyung-Joon had arrived.

Choi Eun-Seon said, "Let's talk later. Mr. Na is here."

"Of course, Ms. Choi."

Na Hyung-Joon spotted me and approached me. "Mr. Jung~"

Na Hyung-Joon, forty-two-years-old, wore thick-rimmed glasses and held a storyboard in one hand. He preferred paper over digital devices, always using printed scripts and storyboards.

His nickname was Jekyll and Hyde.

While he was polite and composed in daily life, he transformed into an entirely different person once filming started.

"Hello, Mr. Na."

"

Hahaha

. Did you come to the set because it's the first day?"

After Eun-Ah joined

Ballerina of Time

, the production budget had doubled. Naturally, Na Hyung-Joon welcomed her involvement.

I smiled and said, "Yes. Please take good care of Eun-Ah, sir."

"Hmm. You heard about today's scene, right? Scene 44?"

"Yes. I made sure to prepare her in advance."

"You trained her, huh...? But knowing Eun-Ah's personality, that wouldn't have been easy."

I met Na Hyung-Joon's sharp gaze and answered confidently. "You'll see for yourself."

Na Hyung-Joon nodded and headed to the monitor. "Alright. If you've got some secret trick up your sleeve, I'll be watching."

Gripping his red megaphone, Na Hyung-Joon checked the set and shouted to the staff, "We're starting with Scene 44! Get ready!"

The staff moved even more busily. "Yes, sir!"

First, the film's lead actress, Jo Yoon-Jung, stepped onto the set in a white ballet outfit. Then, Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo appeared in their ballet costumes. Finally, Eun-Ah walked onto the set.

And at that moment, the entire crew couldn't help but murmur.

"W-what the hell...?"