Chapter 840: How to Handle Assault (2)

I had been in the East Wing lounge on the second floor when I got Yang Dong-Jin's message, so I rushed straight down the emergency stairs. But as I was heading toward the first floor, I heard the sound of someone being hit. I looked down the stairwell to see what was happening.

That was when I saw Baek Hong-Gyun, who had been beating his talent agent, now turning his fists on Deok-Bae instead.

For a split second, my vision almost went red. However, it was already too late to stop him, so I clenched my teeth and pulled out my phone to start recording. I was determined to bury Baek Hong-Gyun for good.

That was when Baek Hong-Gyun's fist slammed into the back of Yang Dong-Jin's head.

Smack.

Yang Dong-Jin staggered. Suppressing the rage threatening to burst out of my chest, I finished collecting my evidence.

[Recording stopped.]

Then, Baek Hong-Gyun raised his fist again without a shred of fear.

That was when I barked out in a cold voice, "If you swing that hand again, you die by mine."

Baek Hong-Gyun froze, fist still raised, and looked up the stairs.

Yang Dong-Jin and Choi Deok-Bae turned toward me too, so I immediately spoke to Yang Dong-Jin. "Dong-Jin, take Deok-Bae and get out of here."

The shaken Yang Dong-Jin tried to pull Deok-Bae away, but Deok-Bae spoke with a pained look. "Hyung... that guy's been beaten badly. We can't just leave him here."

One look at Baek Hong-Gyun's talent agent curled up in the corner made it clear they couldn't just walk out. This meant I had no choice but to use Plan B. I didn't need to throw a single punch to take Baek Hong-Gyun down. There were plenty of ways to destroy him without that.

That was when Baek Hong-Gyun finally recognized me and shouted in rage, "Fuck. What did you just say? You little talent agent trash, threatening to kill a celebrity? Are you out of your mind?"

At thirty-five, Baek Hong-Gyun was considered an A-list star. He had been treated like royalty by his agency for so long that he saw talent agents as disposable trash.

I gave him a scornful look and strode down the stairs toward him.

When he saw me coming, Baek Hong-Gyun stuck his face out. "What, you gonna hit me? Go ahead, you bastard. Try it."

The moment he said that, I flicked my fist lightly toward his face.

Whoosh.

I only meant it as a warning, since I didn't yet know which side his talent agent would take. Yet even that was enough to make Baek Hong-Gyun stumble backward and fall on his ass.

Thud.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"

Ugh

! Y-you actually tried to hit me?"

I clicked my tongue as I looked down at Baek Hong-Gyun. "My fist didn't even touch you. And if I really meant to hit you..."

I cut off my sentence and shot my fist straight toward his face.

Whoosh.

A boxer's punch was too fast for an ordinary person's eyes to follow. Even professional fighters relied on reading shoulders and pre-movements rather than tracking the fist itself. So Baek Hong-Gyun never even saw my fist coming. It stopped just a hair's breadth from his nose.

Baek Hong-Gyun stared blankly for a moment, then screamed when he realized how close it was. "

Uuuugh

!"

I slowly lowered my fist and spoke in a voice colder than ice. "As you just saw, if I really meant to hit you, your nose would be shattered by now."

Baek Hong-Gyun instinctively clutched his nose in panic. Since it had already been cosmetically enhanced, a blow to it would require complex reconstructive surgery.

"You—you crazy bastard."

"That's rich coming from you. You're the one who's getting sued for hitting our talent agent."

Still seated on the floor, Baek Hong-Gyun shouted back. "Sue me? Don't make me laugh! I'll have you locked up first!"

I took a step closer.

Baek Hong-Gyun, now crawling backward like a cornered animal, shrieked. "D-Don't come any closer!"

I stopped walking and looked down at him. "Did I hit you? Or did I insult you?"

"You threatened me with your fist!!"

"Got any proof?"

This was the emergency stairwell with no security cameras in sight. The only witnesses here were Yang Dong-Jin, Choi Deok-Bae, and Baek Hong-Gyun's talent agent.

Baek Hong-Gyun glanced around frantically, then turned to his talent agent. "Hey, twig boy! You saw him hit me, right?"

Curled up in the corner was Choi Pil-Seop, a talent agent I had known in my past life. He was one of the hardest-working, most loyal people at Top Entertainment. Because of his thin frame, Kim Dong-Soo had mockingly called him "stick boy," and Baek Hong-Gyun now called him "twig boy."

Nevertheless, I had never once called him anything but his name. Now, just like then, I addressed him respectfully.

"Mr. Pil-Seop. You shouldn't work for a celebrity who raises his fists. We need good people at Hoop since going public. Why not join us?"

Choi Pil-Seop had endured years of abuse from stars with terrible personalities, simply to pay for his sick father's hospital bills. His resilience alone was second to none in this industry.

He stared at me, one side of his bruised face twitching in surprise. "You know my name...?"

"I've heard about you from on-site staff. They say you're polite and good at your job."

That much was true. I dropped a vague name reference to ease his disbelief.

Then, gritting his teeth, Choi Pil-Seop asked, "Do you really mean it? That you'd take me in?"

"Right now. And I promise that no one from your company will ever lay a hand on you again."

Choi Pil-Seop's face hardened with resolve. "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Jung. That you treat your team like human beings and that you teach and guide them. If you're serious, I'd like to escape this damn slav— job once and for all."

He stopped short of saying "slavery," but we both understood what he meant.

"Welcome to the family, Mr. Choi Pil-Seop."

"Th-Thank you."

With Choi Pil-Seop now on my side, the recruitment was complete.

Baek Hong-Gyun, meanwhile, began foaming at the mouth with rage. "You goddamn twig boy! You dare betray me?!"

I fulfilled my promise to Choi Pil-Seop immediately. "Baek Hong-Gyun. Watch your mouth. Talk down to my staff again and this time, the punches won't be for show."

Baek Hong-Gyun flinched, but then snarled at Choi Pil-Seop. "Fine, go! Just give me my car keys. I still have to get back to the damn company!"

Choi Pil-Seop calmly pulled the keys from his pocket and tossed them to the floor with a small

clack

.

"H-Here!"

It was a small act of defiance, but for Choi Choi Pil-Seop, it was everything.

And Baek Hong-Gyun, for all his bluster, didn't dare make a move because I was standing next to them with my fists clenched.

"Damn it!"

Baek Hong-Gyun stormed off, picking up the key and heading out through the emergency stairwell.

Bang.

The emergency stairwell door slammed shut, and Choi Pil-Seop collapsed into his seat. "

Sigh

..."

I walked over to him with Yang Dong-Jin and Choi Deok-Bae.

"Are you alright?"

"

Ah

, yes. My legs just gave out for a moment... but I'm fine."

'

Fine, my ass

.'

The left side of Choi Pil-Seop's cheekbone was already starting to swell.

"No, this isn't fine. We're going to the hospital. And from now on... don't ever get used to being hit."

Choi Pil-Seop spoke cautiously. "Yes, Mr. Jung. And please, feel free to speak more casually."

Since Choi Pil-Seop was only twenty-two this year, he found my formal tone uncomfortable.

"

Phew

~ alright." I nodded and looked over at Yang Dong-Jin. "Dong-Jin, you're coming to the hospital too."

Yang Dong-Jin rubbed the bump on the back of his head and replied. "I told you I can take a hit, didn't I? I'm totally fine, Mr. Jung."

"Just because you can take it doesn't mean you should. You're getting checked out too, so come on."

Yang Dong-Jin blinked in surprise. "Are you really going to press charges?"

"If we're going to get compensation, we need to at least make that effort. And... Thanks for holding back. I'm really sorry I couldn't stop it sooner."

Yang Dong-Jin waved it off. "Sorry for what? Not at all, Mr. Jung."

Before the regression, it was common for talent agents at Top Entertainment to get beaten. Every time, the higher-ups just told them to endure it and that it was part of the job because the assailants were celebrities. And those celebrities were the company's lifeline.

For this reason, the talent agents became human punching bags and took blows from stars with their own bodies all just to make a living.

The real problem was that once a company condoned violence against talent agents, celebrities started using it as an outlet for stress, escalating the abuse. Eventually, as with Baek Hong-Gyun just now, the twisted belief that celebrities were allowed to hit their talent agents took root.

But in this life, I had no intention of tolerating any of that. Still, what was already done couldn't be undone. The least I could do for these guys was offer a little financial justice.

So first, I called Legal Team Lead Kwak Moo-Hyuk. After the company went public, the legal team had become a full legal division, and Kwak Moo-Hyuk had been promoted to chief.

"Mr. Kwak, I need a favor."

-Yeah, what is it?

I immediately explained the assault incident that happened at LT Entertainment. I told him we would be getting medical reports shortly and asked him to prepare a complaint.

-Okay. I'll get things ready on my end. If settlement talks break down, let me know. I'll squeeze every last penny out of them.

"Got it. I'll contact you again after the hospital visit."

-Okay.

After ending the call, I dialed Reporter Choi So-Hye next. Leaving out the video footage for now to use later in negotiations, I gave today's events to the press as material for a story. After taking care of a few such measures, I informed President Shin Jong-Ki and Team Lead Yeon So-Hee of the situation.

I initially planned to take only Yang Dong-Jin and Choi Pil-Seop to the hospital, but Deok-Bae insisted on coming along out of concern.

"Hyung, let me come too."

The male audition schedule today had the role of Seong Chan-Sung up first. Deok-Bae's audition for the role of Baek Ill-Seung wasn't for another three hours.

I nodded. "Alright. But we're going and coming back quickly."

"Got it."

So in the end, I brought Deok-Bae with us to the hospital.

***

Back at TK Entertainment, Baek Hong-Gyun burst into Director Cheon Yi-Sang's office, fuming.

"Mr. Cheon!"

Director Cheon Yi-Sang, who had been monitoring Park Eun-Bin's broadcast, tilted his head.

"What brings you here at this hour? Weren't you supposed to have an audition today?"

"

Ah

, fuck. Forget the audition. Can't you do something about that bastard Jung Yoon-Ho?"

"What about Jung Yoon-Ho now?"

"God, that asshole..."

Still seething, Baek Hong-Gyun started to explain what had happened. He went for the audition, got rejected without warning, took it out on his talent agent Choi Pil-Seop, only to be interrupted by Deok-Bae and his talent agent. He had swung at them too, and of all people, Jung Yoon-Ho had been there recording the whole thing.

"Jesus. If you're gonna hit someone, at least make sure no one's watching! What were you thinking, getting caught on video?" Cheon Yi-Sang frowned.

"I don't know! Just bury the story with some money. You can do that, right?"

Cheon Yi-Sang snapped. "Do you not know who Jung Yoon-Ho is? You think you can fix this with money?"

"I'm saying just do something. Do I really have to handle petty crap like this?"

"

Ugh

! You've been in this industry long enough, and you still don't get what happens when you mess with Jung Yoon-Ho?"

"

Tch

. He's just a talent agent."

Cheon Yi-Sang wanted to slap Baek Hong-Gyun across the face. However, Baek Hong-Gyun brought in seventy billion won a year, so he held himself back.

Cheon Yi-Sang forced down the rage boiling up inside. "This time, you pay for it."

"What? You guys usually handle this kind of stuff. Why so uptight all of a sudden? Just take care of it."

"Baek Hong-Gyun. Let's not push it, yeah? Unless you want this whole thing blown wide open."

Seeing the ice-cold fury on Cheon Yi-Sang's face, Baek Hong-Gyun finally backed down. "Alright, alright. Just handle it and tell me how much. I'll wire the money."

"

Hmph.

If you plan on negotiating with Jung Yoon-Ho, it's gonna cost a fortune. Be prepared."

"I said I got it, okay?"

Just then, the door flew open and PR Chief Song Yi-Hyun barged in like a madwoman with her hair disheveled.

Bang.

"Mr. Cheon! We've got a problem! I'm seriously about to lose it!

Ugh

!"

"What is it?"

"That punk Hong-Gyun beating people up—it's in the news!"

Song Yi-Hyun, who was the same age as Baek Hong-Gyun, shoved her phone in front of him, seething.

[Actor B from TK Entertainment assaults talent agent after audition rejection]

[Gentle image shattered—Actor B's violent streak exposed behind closed doors]

[Not only did he threaten a junior trying to intervene, he also assaulted hoobae's talent agent]

Cheon Yi-Sang flared up. "The article's already out?"

"Yeah. Reporters won't take calls and the story's already spreading across online communities. At this rate, Hong-Gyun's image is headed straight for rock bottom. No, he's already on the express train down."

Baek Hong-Gyun exploded. "Hey, Song Yi-Hyun! What the hell were you doing while this article went live?"

"Didn't you hear me? No damage control to be done. Reporters won't even answer the phone! I told you to stop hitting people! Seriously, you moron!"

"What? Moron? You wanna die?"

Cheon Yi-Sang roared. "Enough, both of you!"

The two shut their mouths instantly.

Cheon Yi-Sang grabbed Song Yi-Hyun and began assessing the situation. "There's nothing about the video? Not even a clip?"

"What video?"

"

Ah,

never mind. Forget it if there's nothing."

Cheon Yi-Sang couldn't make sense of it. If the video of Baek Hong-Gyun's assault were uploaded online, it would completely bury him. But apparently, it hadn't been released.

'

No way... Is that Jung Yoon-Ho leaving room for negotiation

?'

It didn't make sense, but that was the only logical explanation.

Just then, his phone buzzed.

Buzz~

[Caller ID: Jung Yoon-Ho]

Cheon Yi-Sang answered the call in a rush. "Hey, Chief Jung."

-Hello, Mr. Cheon. Did you see the article?

"Yeah. But since the video's not out, I take it you're open to negotiation?"

-Of course you'd pick that up right away. Well, I figured it'd be a bit much to release footage among folks in the same industry. So if your company compensates our talent agent, we won't release the video.

Cheon Yi-Sang clenched his teeth. It had been a long time since he had felt this thoroughly beneath someone.

"How much do you want?"

-

Oh

, come on. You think I'm going to say a number and let you record it for media leverage?

There was no winning a verbal game against the sly Jung Yoon-Ho.

"Fifty. Let's call it 50 million won. That should be enough consolation, right? That's the max. No more negotiating."

At that, Baek Hong-Gyun suddenly shot up from his seat. "What? 50 million just for landing a few punches? That's insane!"

Cheon Yi-Sang snapped at him. "Baek Hong-Gyun, shut your damn mouth!"

Baek Hong-Gyun flinched. Then Jung Yoon-Ho's voice came through again.

-

Oh

, I was fine with that amount, but it sounds like the guy himself disagrees. I guess we can forget it, then...

Cheon Yi-Sang rushed to respond.

"No, no. I'll take care of Hong-Gyun myself. 50 it is!"

-

Hmm

...

Tick, tock, tick, tock.

The longer Jung Yoon-Ho stayed silent in thought, the drier Cheon Yi-Sang's mouth became.

-Alright. We'll use that money to persuade our talent agent.

Cheon Yi-Sang sighed in relief, feeling he had settled for cheap. However, Jung Yoon-Ho continued.

-Oh, and what about Mr. Choi Pil-Seop? His cheekbone's fractured. If he files charges, it'll be serious. Oh, and just so you know, he's transferring to Hoop Entertainment, so we'll be supporting him legally.

Cheon Yi-Sang's brain worked fast.

"Pil-Seop hasn't even submitted his resignation yet. He's still our employee. We'll handle it internally, so butt out."

-Huh? Really? Then you've got a bigger problem.

"What?"

-He's been through a lot, apparently. He said he wants to sue TK Entertainment. I was trying to cancel that and cut you a deal, but hey—do as you like. We can take him in afterward.

"Hey! Jung Yoon-Ho!! Are you seriously doing this right now?"

-If you don't like it, feel free to walk away.

Fuming, Cheon Yi-Sang shouted.

"Fine! I'll pay. Happy? Pil-Seop gets 50 too!"

-Did you not hear me? His cheekbone's cracked. And we're stopping him from filing charges against TK Entertainment. 50 million? If I were in your shoes, would I take that and let it go?

"Goddamn it. Fine. A 100 million! Satisfied?"

-Deal. Then the video won't be uploaded.

"Take the article down right now too!"

-That's your job. Why ask us? Anyway, talk to our Chief of Legal and transfer the money within the hour.

Click.

The call ended.

If the video didn't get out, the worst could still be avoided.

Cheon Yi-Sang ground his teeth and glared at Baek Hong-Gyun. But Baek Hong-Gyun, clueless about his own faults, grumbled about losing 150 million won over nothing.

'

Should I just beat the crap out of him

?'

As rage surged inside Cheon Yi-Sang, the door to the director's office flew open.

Bang!

TK Entertainment's President Kim Tae-Kwon stormed in. But the moment Kim Tae-Kwon walked in, he shot a cold glare at Baek Hong-Gyun and barked, "Clench your teeth."

"What?"

"I said clench them! Your teeth are about to go flying!"

Baek Hong-Gyun instinctively clenched his jaw. "

Mmff.

"

Smack.

Kim Tae-Kwon's thick fist landed squarely on the left side of Baek Hong-Gyun's jaw.

"

Urghh

!"

Baek Hong-Gyun screamed like he was dying and rolled across the floor.

"Quit whining, because I went easy on you! And just now, Jinseong Foods and LT Beverages both canceled your CF deals and filed for damages. If you don't want to die, pay them all back out of your own pocket. Got it?"

Rolling on the floor and covered in dust, Baek Hong-Gyun clutched his face and nodded frantically.

"

Ugh

... y-yes..."

***

Choi Pil-Seop and Yang Dong-Jin were placed in a two-person hospital room in Seven Star Hospital located in Gangnam.

Choi Pil-Seop had a fracture in his cheekbone and was diagnosed with four weeks of recovery, while Yang Dong-Jin received a two-week prognosis.

Then, both their phones suddenly rang in unison.

Ding~ Ding~

They looked at their screens, eyes going wide.

"M-Mr. Jung. T-the money..."

"It came in?"

At my question, they both answered at once. "Yes."

"Good. It won't fix everything, but let it ease your minds a little."

Their faces lit up.

"What do you mean 'won't fix everything'? It's more than enough."

As expected, financial compensation really was the cure-all for most things. Even if we couldn't lock the guy up, at least it helped soothe the injustice they had felt.

Still, my job wasn't over. Now it was time to keep my promise to the singer Jeon Tae-Mi to get Baek Hong-Gyun off her back.

'

Baek Hong-Gyun. You thought this was the end? This is where the real game begins

.'

From this moment on, I was going to make sure Baek Hong-Gyun remembered today for the rest of his life.