Payback

Editor: Re

Pr: TT

Since the manager was called, it must mean that the others who gathered three days ago were also called. As if my prediction came true, Myungshin, a company employee, and Chief Park were present at the same place as three days ago. Including the madman, of course. However, the situation was the exact opposite of three days ago. 

Director Yoon pointed his chin at the manager who just entered as he threw the file in front of Myungshin.

“This is the evidence you brought from the other side last night claiming that you are innocent.”

“Evidence… ?”

Myungshin picked up the file and spoke with a firm expression. It seems that they didn’t know about Cha Jungwoo’s manager’s case yet. Maybe they were busy looking for loopholes in their evidence because of my words. So, knowing that the evidence was Cha Jungwoo’s contract, the first thing he did was put a questionable expression on his face. 

“What kind of evidence is this…”

He tried to refute, but suddenly shut up as if he had read something in the contract. He stared at the paper with a look of disbelief that said he had only just noticed the new manager’s name on the first line of the contract.

“What kind of evidence is it… explain it yourself.”

Director Yoon ordered me, not the manager. At the same time, Myungshin turned his head towards me. As soon as he saw it, his eyes narrowed and a smile formed on his lips. As if he was saying, ‘Oh, come to think of it, you said you were going to get revenge on me, right?’ mockingly.

“Right. Could you please explain, Lee Taemin?”

When he saw the manager’s name on the contract, he probably already expected what I would say, there was no bewilderment in his eyes. A different atmosphere than three days ago, no, two days ago. Maybe it’s because the mindset of the guy towards me has changed. Like he was saying he would listen to my purpose of revenge and take it seriously. It was because he realized that I was someone he could get rid of even if I made up my mind seriously. Anyway, Myungshin knows me as a poisonous species that clings to opponents even while shedding blood. So I smiled at him too.

“You’ve seen it, do you still need an explanation? How do you memorize lines with that head?”

Myungshin’s faint smile disappeared and a cold voice flowed. 

“Shut up. Can’t you tell there are things you can and cannot say to your seniors in front of other people?”

Then, he twisted his lips at the manager standing next to me.

“You did a great job educating the newcomers.”

“Really? I thought you were the one I taught the best.” 

The manager stepped forward and pointed to the file that Myungshin was still holding in his hand.

“Like you said three days ago, if I framed Cha Jungwoo, he wouldn’t have hired me as his manager.”

Myungshin tilted his head as if he had thrown away the bright image he had been camouflaging in front of Director Yoon.

“Cha Jungwoo may not know because he is a fool.” 

The manager’s expression darkened at the sarcastic remark that came out without hesitation. Rather than angry, he stared at Myungshin with a sad expression.

“… Then, are you, who is not as famous, more of a fool than Cha Jungwoo?”

In the words mixed with a low sigh, the manager still felt sorry for Myungshin. It seems that there is a part in his heart that he can’t throw away yet. Maybe that’s the memory of the good Myungshin he raised in the past. So, rather than feeling frustrated, I felt curious first. The good feelings of the past still remained in a corner of my heart, and I recalled that feeling with my memories. Maybe if you opened my chest and took out the heart, it would be bright red. Not gray like lime. I clearly had pleasant memories with Myungshin, but it’s different from my heart that doesn’t feel any emotions.

“If you made a mistake, apologize, Myungshin-ah.” 

The manager suddenly called Myungshin by his real name and took a step forward.

“No matter how big a mistake you make, if you sincerely apologize, you will be forgiven someday.”

These words were directed at Myungshin, but my breath stopped in an instant. Unknowingly, I set my eyes on the back of the manager who stepped forward. An old, faded jacket. His ensuing voice echoed around me as if it could be heard from afar.

“Tbe wjs atlcx la’r abb ijaf jcv atfgf klii yf cb obgulnfcfrr, yea cb, atfgf lr jikjsr j ijra mtjcmf. Vb jrx obg obgulnfcfrr. Pa’r cba abb ijaf cbk. jqbibulhf jcv jvwla kgbcu. Dea lo sbe wlrr atf wbwfca…” 

“Vabq la, Zjcjufg Jtbl. Tbe ralii tjnfc’a ubaafc glv bo atja mtlivlrt tjyla bo qgfjmtlcu? Qtja lo P wlrr la fnfc atlr alwf? Cgf sbe rjslcu P’w cba fnfc tewjc? Xbrt…”

Myungshin laughed and shook his head.

“I see you pretending to be nice again in front of Director Yoon, but you don’t have to be so elated just because this happened to your advantage.”

Then he turned around and set the paper down on the table. 

“I’m a bit disappointed, Director Yoon. Isn’t this just circumstantial evidence? You have real evidence and even my testimony, but are you trying to let go of the culprit just because he became Cha Jungwoo’s manager?”

“What if it’s not just that?”

“It’s not… just that?”

“What if there is substantial evidence and testimony that Manager Choi is not the culprit?” 

“There can be no such thing…”

“Are you saying I’m lying? For Manager Choi?”

Director Yoon pointed at the manager with a smile on his face.

“What is so great about him? Oh, yes.” 

His gaze turned to me. In an instant, I saw a smile spread in his eyes.

“I could be like this because I want to sleep with a trainee who has only been around for a few months.”

There was silence for a while. But soon, Myungshin gave an answer mixed with a sigh.

“Of course, I know it’s not like that. I just can’t believe there is evidence.” 

While Myungshin was talking, the manager next to me whispered to me.

“He said he wanted to sleep with you. Director Yoon is good at joking.”

“…”

“Hm? You aren’t surprised by Director Yoon’s joke?” 

Then he patted me on the back as if saying it was okay. However, I didn’t feel very okay even with the manager’s consolation. Talking nonsense in front of people, this crazy prick… But, except for me, Director Yoon’s joke eased the bloody atmosphere for a while, and Myungshin took the opportunity to speak softly.

“Please let me know. The evidence. Then I will take a step down for now.”

“One step is not enough.”

“Not enough? Are you saying that I, who has only been guilty of testifying for the company, should take responsibility for this?” 

Unlike the forced smile, Myungshin’s voice lowered. Unexpectedly, Director Yoon shook his head and relieved Myungshin’s anxiety.

“That can’t be. I’m not really interested in whether or not Song Yoohan will take responsibility for this. I’m just doing it because it’s my job. However, since it is related to me, I have no choice but to hold you accountable.”

In other words, it meant that he was not interested in the company work but it was more so because it was related to him. Aside from whether that came from the director of the company, his personal grudge in answering Myungshin’s question left everyone speechless.

“What do you mean it’s related to Director Yoon?” 

“Didn’t you tell me when we gathered here three days ago? I said I hope this information is accurate as I woke up from the most pleasant sleep in years. But if the information is wrong.”

“…”

“What about my sleep?”

What? It’s probably not just me, the same word might have popped up in the others’ minds. And thoughts such as ‘so, in the end, the reason why you tried to solve this was because you were pissed off about waking up?’ There was real irritation in his words, so no one could ask if this was a joke. 

In the meantime, Director Yoon gestured to Chief Park. Then, Chief Park took out a small recorder from his pocket and pressed the play button toward the people. While everyone was caught off guard by the atmosphere that changed in an absurd turn, a noise that appeared to be a phone call soon began to be heard from the small speaker. A man’s voice mixed with it, returning the atmosphere to its original seriousness.

“I did it. Jungwoo… I secretly recorded the corruption of actor Cha Jungwoo, and secretly passed it on to a company employee for money and leaked it on the Internet. I can show you proof if you want.”

It was the first time I’d heard that voice , but I seemed to know who it was even without an explanation. Cha Jungwoo’s manager. And among his words, there was one that was particularly audible; that he got paid. I couldn’t help but look at Director Yoon. While using Cha Jungwoo’s manager, the money to bribe him was actually given by Myungshin. In addition, he thought of catching Myungshin with it. Of course, Myungshin must have taken the opportunity to use the evidence to bring down Cha Jungwoo as a windfall. He doesn’t even know that he got involved in Director Yoon’s behind the scenes operation. Do you have to be smart to do stupid things? I let out an unwelcome admiration, but I heard Chief Park’s question on the tape recorder.

— Is it a company employee? Who did you give it to? 

In an instant, I saw the small movement of two people in my field of vision. Myungshin clenched his fists with his eyes wide open. And he and his employee close to him took a step back with pale faces. However, before he could even step back, Cha Jungwoo’s manager’s answer came.

— Assistant Kim of Team xx. I handed it over to him.”

All eyes were on the employee at once. Chief Park must have stopped the tape recorder, and the interior of the room was covered in icy silence. And at the center, the employee who was starting to tremble muttered in disbelief.

“No, that’s ridiculous… he definitely would keep it a secret…” 

Then, startled, he looked at everyone with devastated eyes and opened his mouth.

“I- It’s n- not me. D- Director Yoon, it’s not me…”

Then, the employee turned to Myungshin and raised his finger.

“So- Song Yoohan ordered me to…” 

“What nonsense!”

A sharp shout cut off the employee’s words. The employee froze with his mouth open and stared blankly at Myungshin. He looked as if he couldn’t believe what he said to him, but Myungshin added annoyance to the raised voice.

“You are lying to drag someone in. I made you do it? What? Do you have any proof?”

“Yoo- Yoohan… What are you talking about… Are you trying to betray me?” 

“Betray? I think you’re trying to drag me in because we were friendly, but don’t be mistaken. Did you do this? It was me who believed in your words and accused Manager Choi, what betrayal are you talking about.”

Clatter~ The staff couldn’t support his trembling legs and staggered with his hands on the table next to him. Contemplating and about to collapse, he kept his mouth open like an idiot as if his speech was blocked. Myungshin glared at him coldly, then took a few steps away from the employee as if to announce that he was innocent. He then looked back at Director Yoon, who smiled as if he was having fun.

“That person is the culprit. I am also very startled, Director Yoon.”

“You look pretty upset too. Did you not order it?” 

“No. I never did anything like that.”

Myungshin sighed resolutely, gritted his teeth for a moment, and lowered his eyes as if deciding something. Taking advantage of the chance, the employee who was barely breathing suddenly shouted.

“Don’t listen to that guy! It was done by Song Yoohan. Everything was done by Song Yoohan!”

“I told you to shut up!” 

Myungshin growled lowly and twisted his face in a stern manner. It was a Myunghshin I had never seen before. Perhaps it had changed to his true appearance.

“Song Yoohan… could you do this to me? For you to settle in this place, did you know how much I’ve-”

“Stop talking nonsense!”

“Nonsense? Will you say that even after hearing this? The money I gave to Cha Jungwoo’s manager, the money you gave me. Do you remember where you gave it to me? When I went to the bar room where I met you, I had put a hidden camera in my bag.” 

The employee gripped the chair so that his joints were exposed in white, his chest shaking as if he was out of breath.

“Haa… I filmed it because I was afraid this would happen… I never thought I would actually use it. Song Yoohan. Are you going to survive this alone? Don’t be ridiculous.”

The employee’s pale face felt uncanny. When Myungshin kept his mouth shut and didn’t say anything, the employee turned to Director Yoon.

“Now you know. It’s all because of Song Yoohan. He ordered it in the first place…” 

“I told you to stop talking nonsense.”

“What? Weren’t you listening? The camera-”

“What about it?”

After retorting the employee, Myungshin looked back at Director Yoon with a strangely calm face. A faint smile spread across his face. It really doesn’t suit him in this situation, which was absolutely to his disadvantage. And when everyone felt puzzled, his calm argument continued. 

“It’s not me. Rather, I’m a victim. I was tricked by that person and even testified against Manager Choi. I think Director Yoon will trust me.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“It’s…”

An inaudible whisper came out. The rest of the people didn’t seem to understand what Myungshin was saying, but the madman who met his face seemed to understand his meaning. Until he made a big smile with dimples showing. His eyes are fiercely staring at the opponent. Myungshin repeated in a clearer voice. 

“Because of Dream Planning.”

Myungshin shut his mouth as if everything had been explained with these words, but Director Yoon put the brakes on.

“What do you mean it’s because of Dream Planning?”

“…” 

“Song Yoohan. Tell me in detail. I don’t understand.”

What he said with a grin seemed like a lie not only to Myungshin, but also to my own eyes. Even though he knew at once what Myungshin meant, he deliberately tried to hear it directly. It was as if he was trying to confirm whether what he thought was correct. Myungshin added a little explanation after thinking for a while.

“Dream Planning can be taken away.”

It was an explanation I still couldn’t understand, but Director Yoon didn’t ask for more. Myungshin, assuming that he had reacted, added brightly. As if the worries from a while ago disappeared and everything became easier. 

“Of course, I am not saying this because someone interfered with Director Yoon’s personal investment in the US right now.”

The smile disappeared from Director Yoon’s face. He looked at Myungshin and spoke slowly.

“Interfere… that means the old man over there will definitely set foot in this.”

“Yes.” 

Myungshin easily answered Director Yoon’s confirmation, and he smiled.

“I was on Director Yoon’s side from the beginning. So you have to take my word for it. Otherwise, I have no choice but to turn my back on Director Yoon.”

The last sentence came out confidently. It was only then that I realized why Myungshin showed his true self in front of Director Yoon after reading the contract. He knew it was not possible to simply seduce him with a smile. The problem is from his proposal, the person named Chairman Kim must have plotted something in the background. What was it? Dream Planning was a drama production company affiliated with the company. In addition, he even interfered with Director Yoon’s work in the United States. I was trying to sort things out that I didn’t understand, but I heard Director Yoon’s slow reply.

“I see. If Song Yoohan is on my side…” 

He curled his lips again and stared at Myungshin coldly.

“Then I have no choice but to take Song Yoohan’s side.”