Chapter 503: Rumor and Rumor (4)

Behind the set opposite the waiting area used by Eun-Ah and the other actors, there was a small second dressing room less than half the size of the original waiting area, created for makeup when there were too many people.

When I rushed over, Baek Hee-Yung was pressing her ear against the door of the second dressing room. She was also holding up her phone under the door.

As soon as she saw me, Baek Hee-Yung put a finger to her lips. "

Shh!

"

I nodded and moved closer.

In a low voice, Baek Hee-Yung whispered, "Make up Team Lead Oh Yeon-Shin and Hair Designer Park Ui-Seon seem to be planning to spread rumors about our Eun-Ah."

Those two primarily handled hair and makeup for Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo. In two years, they would open OVO Hair & Makeup together. I recalled that OVO Hair & Makeup was a salon frequently visited by actors from Ace Entertainment. Since entertainment companies and hair salons usually have close ties, it was likely they were already familiar with each other.

'

So they're the culprits.

'

The two had signed on as contract staff for

Ballerina of Time.

That meant they were only paid daily wages without any additional compensation despite the increased production costs, while other staff members were promised a small bonus if the movie succeeded.

I came to the conclusion perhaps that's the reason they gave in to Ace Entertainment's temptations.

At that moment, faint voices leaked through the door.

-Eun-Ah... food truck... so annoying... if we take her down... the director...

-Rumor... later... Baro Star... interview...

-Speaking first... is the way... to win...

Their words aligned perfectly with the remaining items in my planner's schedule entry. That confirmed once again that Oh Yeon-Shin and Park Ui-Seon were indeed the culprits.

As I listened carefully, I realized that Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo were also supporting the false rumors, even after I had clearly warned them.

'

They still don't get it.

'

They must have thought they could beat us to the press, using the media frenzy over top idol Eun-Ah as a distraction to erase their own pasts. It seemed all four of them needed a wake-up call.

Just then, I heard the sound of a chair moving.

Scrrrape.

-Let's go eat now...

I quickly grabbed Baek Hee-Yung's hand and slipped into the waiting area on the opposite side.

Click.

After closing the door behind us, Baek Hee-Yung whispered, "A little while ago, they were bad mouthing Eun-Ah to the youngest staff, saying her acting is terrible just because she's an idol and that she only drinks expensive bottled water. I rushed here before I could warn you. Sorry for not letting you know sooner."

"There's no need to apologize. Did you record it?"

"Some of it got cut off, but I managed to record most of it."

"Send it to me."

While Baek Hee-Yung sent the file via Kk Talk, we heard voices outside the door.

-We'll go ahead. See you in a bit.

-Got it.

Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo left with Choi Han-Jong, leaving behind Oh Yeon-Shin and Park Ui-Seon.

When the three disappeared first and left only the two behind, I turned on the recording function on my phone just in case.

That's when Oh Yeon-Shin grumbled.

-Ah, seriously. If we get caught, won't we be the only ones screwed?

-No way. Ace Entertainment ordered us to do this. Do you really think they'd leave us hanging? By the way, the staff didn't seem to believe what we said earlier. What should we do?

-That's normal at first. But if we repeat it enough, it'll change. Also, the props team assistant, Eun-Yung, is really gullible. Try talking to her too. Tell her Eun-Ah is a total brat.

-Should I?

-Yeah. And say she's abusive too. You know how people like Park Eun-Bin were total tyrants, right? No, wait. Just say that Eun-Ah hit you on the head with a water bottle for not following her orders.

-Hmm, do you think that'll work?

-Yeah, go with that. Ugh, but I'm starving. When are we heading out?

-Should we go now?

-Let's wait another 30 seconds.

Left alone, Oh Yeon-Shin and Park Ui-Seon were casually confessing everything they had done. I got a useful recording without even expecting it.

After finishing the recording, I met eyes with Baek Hee-Yung and nodded. "Let's go."

"Yes, sir."

I took a deep breath and swung the door open.

The two, leaning against the hallway wall, jumped in shock. "M-Mr. Jung?"

The phrase 'A thief feels guilty first' fit perfectly.

I asked with a hardened expression, "What did you just say?"

They looked flustered for a moment, but then quickly changed their expressions and asked, "W-What do you mean?"

"I already know everything, so just stop. Did Ace Entertainment pay you to ruin Eun-Ah's image?"

"N-No, that's not true!"

"Let's see if you still say that after hearing this."

The moment they played dumb, I played the recording. As their own voices echoed through the hallway, their faces turned ghostly pale.

I glared at them and spoke in a cold voice, "Now, shall we have a little talk?"

Both of them, completely drained of color, nodded.

***

"We're sorry, Mr. Jung."

"Mr. Jung, it's just that..."

Oh Yeon-Shin and Park Ui-Seon clasped their hands together, desperately pleading. They admitted that they had agreed to do what Ace Entertainment ordered in exchange for a multi-year contract. They didn't want to, but they had no choice because they were in a weaker position.

It was complete nonsense, but I pretended to understand because I needed their help for what I was about to do.

'

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

'

I was going to return Ace Entertainment's scheme right back at them.

I asked, "If I let this slide, will you do exactly as I say from now on?"

Their faces brightened in an instant.

"A-Anything!"

"Yes, Mr. Jung!"

I nodded. "Good. In a little while, a reporter from Star Exclusive will arrive. When they do, you will testify to everything Ace Entertainment ordered you to do."

The two hesitated for a moment and exchanged glances, but soon nodded.

"A-Alright. We'll do it."

"Yes, me too!"

Even though I had just ordered them to betray Ace Entertainment, they eventually nodded. I couldn't trust them, of course. Nevertheless, I had a way to check their loyalty.

I opened today's Everyday

schedule entry. At that moment, I noticed something had disappeared from the list.

[Everyday V12.1]

[Date: December 15, 2020]

-10:00 p.m:

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [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.))

If I spread the recording, these two would be blacklisted from the industry forever. Maybe because they realized I had them cornered, they had no will left to resist.

'

There we go.

'

I put my phone away and told them, "Make sure to give a good interview with Reporter Choi So-Hye later. Then I'll pretend today never happened."

Oh Yeon-Shin and Park Ui-Seon nodded frantically.

"Yes, of course, Mr. Jung!"

"Yes! We'll do exactly as you say!"

Now that the threat against Eun-Ah was gone, all that was left was to pay Ace Entertainment back.

***

[Congratulations to Yoo Eun-Ah of Cherry Blossom on her acting debut!]

A banner hung above the food truck parked outside the set. In front of it, Sung Ji-Yeon and the rest of the girls from Hoengseong Girls High School were serving meals.

The side dishes were luxurious from grilled short rib patties, assorted seafood, to even fresh tuna sliced into thick portions you'd only see at high-end sushi restaurants.

Thanks to this, the staff erupted into loud cheers.

"Wow! Amazing!"

"Unbelievable... tuna at a food truck?"

"This is the freshest tuna I've ever had!"

"Thanks for the meal, Miss Eun-Ah."

Serving alongside the Hoengseong Girls High School girls, Eun-Ah blushed and kept repeating, "Please enjoy."

Just then, Star Exclusive's Choi So-Hye arrived with Lee Sang-Pil.

Choi So-Hye widened her eyes as she approached me. "Team Lead Jung! I'm here! Whoa, what's up with this extravagant food truck?"

"Cherry Blossom's fan club sent support meals. Let's eat first and do the interview afterward."

"

Hmm

, should I?"

Since I had things to discuss separately, I used the meal as an excuse to bring Choi So-Hye to my table.

"Okay, then. I'll say hi to the director first."

Choi So-Hye and Lee Sang-Pil greeted Na Hyung-Joon and got permission to film on-site before heading to our table.

After greeting me warmly once again, she turned to Baek Hee-Yung. "Hey, Team Lead Baek, what brings you here?"

"I transferred. As of yesterday, I'm with Hoop Entertainment."

"Oh, really? That's great!"

"And I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your opening event."

"There's no need to apologize. You even sent a flower wreath."

With her twelve years of experience, Baek Hee-Yung indeed had a solid network.

"Alright, let's eat."

"Wait a second."

I stopped Choi So-Hye and whispered about what had happened today—that Ace Entertainment, Lee Dong-Ju, and Ahn Hee-Soo had plotted to ruin Eun-Ah's reputation.

Choi So-Hye, a devoted Cherry Blossom fan like me, twitched her eyebrows as if she had a magnesium deficiency. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. I'll send you the recorded voices of the two culprits through Kk Talk. And there are staff members willing to testify that Ace Entertainment ordered them to do it."

"Ohhh, really~?"

"Yes."

Choi So-Hye's lips curled into a grin and her eyes burned with intensity. "A solo interview with Eun-Ah is already huge, but this? This is why I can't let you go, Team Lead Jung."

"Noo-nim, people are watching. Keep it down."

"

Oops

. Was my gaze too much?"

"Yes. A lot."

Choi So-Hye glanced at the food truck and let out a sigh. "

Sigh~

I guess I'll have to eat later."

Choi So-Hye then glanced at rookie reporter Lee Sang-Pil, who had been looking forward to his meal.

"Sang-Pil. Work first, then eat."

"Noo-nim... I mean, Ms. Choi. Do we really have to do this now?"

"You heard, right? Timing is everything for this!"

"

Sigh

... fine, I got it."

As Choi So-Hye stood up, she suddenly asked me, "Oh, right. Does Eun-Ah have her actor promotion file?"

I nodded, "Yes, I'll send it to you right now."

"Okay. First, I'll write an article promoting

Ballerina of Time

and Eun-Ah. Then I'll publish the second article about what we just discussed. Since I came all the way here, I should at least show some courtesy."

"I'd appreciate it. I'll also pack a few meals from the food truck for you."

Knowing Choi So-Hye's personality, she would probably head straight back to Seoul after the interview.

Choi So-Hye smirked. "I'll make sure to earn my meal."

"And by the way, there are rumors that Lee Dong-Ju is addicted to propofol and plastic surgery, and that Ahn Hee-Soo is juggling multiple relationships. Maybe you should look into that."

The corners of her lips curled up even higher. "No wonder I felt so good this morning~"

Humming, Choi So-Hye made her way toward the actors and staff who had finished eating, ready to conduct her interviews.

***

Choi So-Hye smoothly interviewed Na Hyung-Joon and various staff members. Thanks to this, she was able to speak with Oh Yeon-Shin and Park Ui-Seon without raising suspicion.

After wrapping up, Choi So-Hye approached me excitedly. Just as I had expected, both Oh Yeon-Shin and Park Ui-Seon had testified.

"Team Lead Jung, I'm heading straight to Seoul. I don't have much time if I want to get the article up."

"Please handle it well."

"Of course. Eun-Ah's article will go up first, and depending on the reaction, the Ace Entertainment article will follow. Just so you know."

When I handed her a packed meal, she thanked me and left with Lee Sang-Pil.

Baek Hee-Yung, who had been poking at her food anxiously due to her concerns for Eun-Ah, asked, "Mr. Jung, do you think this will work?"

"This alone isn't enough."

In a media battle, two things were crucial. First was to get the initial article out as the so-called first strike. According to Oh Yeon-Shin, the reporters from Baro Star that Ace Entertainment had bribed were scheduled to arrive at 3 p.m. That meant we had the advantage of striking first.

Now, it was time for the second key tactic—flooding the media.

I gathered Sung Ji-Yeon, Han Kkot-Nim, Park Han-Byul, and Yang Ji-Woo, who had just finished serving meals from the food truck.

"Thank you all for today. But I need your help a little more."

My secret weapon, the Hoengseong Girls High School girls, smiled confidently.

"With what?"

"What do we need to do?"

I quickly explained Eun-Ah's situation. "Ace Entertainment is trying to spread malicious rumors about Eun-Ah."

As I detailed the situation, the girls' expressions hardened.

"I wouldn't normally ask this of you since an actress needs to be judged fairly by the public to have a long-lasting career. But this time, I need a favor."

The furious Sung Ji-Yeon clenched her fists and answered, "Got it. Leave it to us."

Han Kkot-Nim and the others also nodded in agreement. "So that's why Ms. Choi asked us to help comment on her articles, huh?"

They exchanged glances before pulling out their phones. Their eyes gleamed with determination that seemed to say "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

Sung Ji-Yeon turned to me. "How far do you want to take this, Mr. Jung?"

"All the way to the end."

She nodded and looked at the others. "Spread the word in our group chats. But make sure no one posts anything that could get them sued."

"Got it."

"Let's do this."

Using the fan club was a last resort, but this time, I had to use everything at my disposal.

'

President

Im Sung-Hak, let's see you try to stop me this time.

'

I was about to show him what a real media battle looked like.

Thirty minutes later, Choi So-Hye's first article went live and the media war finally begun.