Kiyonari sprinted toward the elevator, breath uneven, heart pounding against his ribs. His mind was a mess of panic.
Earlier, he had knocked on the Director's office door twice—no answer. The room had been empty when he pushed it open. And the silence inside made dread crawl up his spine. He had come to explain the article, to be the one to deliver the news before it reached Soo-hyun through someone else. But he was too late.
The elevator doors slid open on the first floor with a soft chime. Kiyonari felt his stomach drop. Just a few steps away stood familiar figure.
Siwon.
And opposite him, expression unreadable, eyes sharp and calm in the worst way—was Soo-hyun.
No... no, no, no. They shouldn't talk right now.
Kiyonari instinctively stepped forward, ready to intervene—
But before he could even call out, Siwon bowed deeply, his voice firm yet trembling at the edges.
"I'm here on behalf of the Wang household to offer an apology to you, Mr. Je."
Soo-hyun slowly raised an eyebrow. "An apology... for what exactly?"
Siwon's throat bobbed. "W-Well... about what happened last night, sir. You were with the young master at the—"
"I don't recall anything about last night." Soo-hyun cut in sharply, his tone as cold as steel.
Siwon blinked. "Pardon?"
"So I'm confused why you should be apologizing when you weren't the one at fault," Soo-hyun continued, gaze unflinching. "If something did happen last night... I'd expect the young master to be the one kneeling in front of me right now. Not you."
Siwon's fingers curled into a fist at his side—tight enough that knuckles whitened.
He swallowed hard. "The young master cannot be out in public for the time being... there are already multiple articles circulating about the incident last hight.
Soo-hyun's eyes narrowed. This first sign of genuine confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Oh?" Siwon blinked. "Have you... not heard, sir?"
"..."
"There have been articles released by the same journalists who have been following you and the young master since the beginning of your trial." Siwon bowed his head slightly. "They managed to capture you both last night."
Soo-hyun didn't react—no visible anger, no irritation. Just stillness.
"I called your secretary—Mr. Soo," Siwon continued carefully. "I requested an appointment to speak with you. But... I couldn't wait. I felt it necessary to come in person and apologize immediately."
"You called my secretary...?" Soo-hyun murmured, voice quiet but not soft.
Kiyonari stepped forward, forcing his voice to remain steady. "I received Mr. Lee's call earlier, sir. I intended to inform you as soon as possible, but your schedule was full from the moment the meeting ended—"
Soo-hyun's gaze slid to him. Sharp and heavy.
Kiyonari lowered his head. "I apologize for the delay, sir."
"It's fine," Soo-hyun replied, though his tone held no warmth. He turned back to Siwon.
"I don't think this is the right place to discuss this."
Then he pivoted, coat swaying with the movement.
"Let's to somewhere private," he said calmly, already walking away.
"Sir..." Siwon muttered, following after him.
Soo-hyun spoke without looking back. "Prepare something for Mr. Lee, Mr. Soo."
Kiyonari felt his chest tighten. But he bowed anyway.
"Yes, sir..."
*****
Soo-hyun walked with long, controlled strides through the quiet hallway, Siwon following a respectful distance behind him. Kiyonari trailed them, heart thrumming, trying to steady his breathing as he mentally prepared for whatever storm about to unfold.
The private meeting room was small, soundproofed, and tucked away from the usual busy areas of the building. Soo-hyun entered first without hesitation.
The door clicked shut behind them. Inside, the atmosphere felt heavier—thicker like the air itself was waiting.
Soo-hyun sat down, he rested his hands on the armrest of the sofa, gaze fixed on Siwon. Cold, sharp enough to cut.
"... Speak," he said.
Siwon straightened, drawing in a breath.
"I deeply apologize once again on behalf of the Wang family, Mr. Je."
"You already apologized," Soo-hyun replied. "I'm asking for an explanation."
Siwon hesitated.
A small crack in his composure.
He clenched his jaw. "The young master... has been unstable recently."
"Unstable?" Soo-hyun repeated, voice flat.
"Yes..." Siwon lowered his head. "And with the family's pressure increasing, he has been acting out more than usual. Last night was one of those... incidents."
Soo-hyun didn't move. Nor did he blink.
Just listened.
"And regarding the journalist," Siwon continued, "we were too late to intervene. They followed the young master ever since the inheritance dispute began. They've been desperate to catch him making a mistakes."
Kiyonari, standing by the wall, felt his throat tighten.
"So they used me," Soo-hyun finally said.
"Is that what you're implying?"
Siwon's head snapped up. "No! That was not the intention. The young master did not mean for you to get dragged into his issues."
"Yet I still got dragged." Soo-hyun replied, calmly.
Kiyonari recognized that tone. It meant Soo-hyun was angry—just not visibly.
"The Wang family believed you may become entangled in the young master's scandal," Siwon said. "So... we wish to handle this discreetly, before it spreads further.
"... Too late," Soo-hyun murmured. The article is already out."
Siwon's expression cracked. "We'll deal with it. We'll have our team suppress the news, and we will make sure your name is cleared. We only ask for your cooperation until the matter is resolved."
Soo-hyun scoffed. A long silence followed. He finally straightened and took a slow breath, then—
"Secretary Soo."
"Yes, sir," Kiyonari responded instantly.
"Bring me the full article list. Every single one published in the last twelve hours. And contact our legal team."
Kiyonari's eyes widened. "... Understood."
"It seems," Soo-hyun said, turning toward the window, "that certain journalists need to be reminded of the consequences of persistence."
Siwon's breath hitched.
"Sir, the Wang family can take responsibility—"
"No," Soo-hyun interrupted firmly. "This is my problem now. I will handle it."
The man froze. Whilst Kiyonari swallowed hard. The Director's calm demeanor was terrifying.
Siwon felt a chill shiver ran down his spine.
"Once the articles are reviewed," Soo-hyun added, "I'll decide whether I need to speak to the young master myself."
Siwon's shoulders stiffened. "Y-You will...?"
"Yes." Soo-hyun's tone turned slightly soft. "If he wants to make trouble with my name attached to it... then he should be prepared to face me properly."
Siwon swallowed hard. He bowed deeply. "Understood..."
Kiyonari stepped backward toward the door. "I'll get everything, sir."
Soo-hyun's expression hardened, his voice dropping into a colder, far more serious register.
"Besides," he said, "if the Wang Group truly wanted to dissolve the issue as soon as possible, your legal team would've already taken action right then. Yet you let the article spread even more before anything."
Siwon stiffened. "No, it's not like that—"
"Really?" Soo-hyun cut in. "It's obvious the Wang family doesn't care if it's just Taehan at fault. But once the family name got dragged into it? Suddenly they need someone else to take the blame. That way, it would look as if I was the one who started it."
"What? No..." Siwon's brows knitted tightly. "That's not it, sir...!"
Soo-hyun raised an eyebrow. "Have you even read the whole article, Mr. Lee?"
Siwon hesitated, gaze flickering away.
It was clear that he didn't.
"You haven't, right?"
Without another word, Soo-hyun grabbed his tablet and tossed it onto the table between them. The screen faced Siwon.
The bold headline glared back at him.
"I suggest you read the whole thing," Soo-hyun said, voice sharp with disdain. "Then tell me what you think."
Siwon swallowed hard, picked up the tablet, and began scrolling through the article. At first, it seemed balanced—like it referred to two parties equally. But just a few paragraphs in, he realized how wrong he was. The writing twisted every detail, implying fault on only one side. And that side was Soo-hyun.
His eyes widened.
In all actuality, the entire article painted Soo-hyun as the instigator, the problematic figure, the one who dragged a famous celebrity into a scandal. Siwon froze, staring at the screen, unable to hide the horror dawning on his face. Soo-hyun saw it—and the corner of his mouth curled upward.
"I think we're done here," he said.
"What?" Siwon's voice cracked slightly.
"My legal team will take care of the rest. I don't need your assistance. I'm confident we can shut that nonsense down faster than yours."
"Director Je...!" Siwon leaned forward, desperate.
But Soo-hyun rose from his seat and walked slowly toward his desk.
"To be completely honest, Mr. Lee," he said, "I don't think you truly understand what this has caused me. The damage—not just to my name—but to my family's name, our business, and everything attached to it."
Siwon's breath caught.
"I hope you realize delaying this any further will not help either of us. Not me nor your beloved young master."
His gaze was ice-cold.
"So leave nicely. Before I change my mind and have my guards drag you out of my company."
Siwon tightened his fists. He didn't move.
"Please, Mr. Je..." He said softly, desperately. "Let me help clear the young master's name... and your as well. I only want to prevent both reputations from being destroyed. Please—!"
But before he could finish, Soo-hyun's hand snapped upward.
And with a full, unrestrained swing—
Slap!
The sound cracked through the room, echoing against the walls.
Siwon staggered a half-step back, stunned, eyes wide, a red mark already blooming across his cheek.
Kiyonari gasped loudly from the side. "Director Je...!"
Soo-hyun didn't even look away.
"You were being persistent," he said calmly, "I lost my cool."
Siwon stood frozen, chest rising and falling shakily, eyes lowering in humiliation.
Soo-hyun stepped closer, gaze unflinching.
"You came here to apologize on his behalf, didn't you?" He murmured.
Siwon flinched, then slowly looked up.
"I wasn't able to defend myself," Soo-hyun continued, "because he drugged me."
Siwon's breath hitched. Dragged...?
"So you take the hit on his behalf too," Soo-hyun finished, voice dreadfully soft. "I'm sure you know that's how our world works... right?"
Siwon said nothing. His throat worked, but no words came out.
He bowed his head instead—low, respectful and defeated.Then, without another attempt, he turned and walked out quickly. Leaving the room heavy with tension. And Kiyonari staring at his boss—both shocked and frightened of what this might turn into.
*****
Siwon stood outside the heavy double doors of the Wang family's private office. His cheek still throbbed faintly from the slap, the red mark having cooled but never fully disappeared. He inhaled, straightened his posture, and knocked twice.
"Enter," came a deep, authoritative voice from inside.
Siwon stepped in.
The office was quiet, large, and oppressive in its stillness. At the far end, behind an enormous dark-wood desk, sat President Wang Hojin—Taehan's father. His presence alone carried weight; his gaze sharp enough to catch even the smallest tremor in a person.
He didn't look up immediately. Only when he finished signing a document did he raise his eyes.
"You're late," President Wang said coldly.
"I assume you have something worthwhile to report."
Siwon bowed deeply. "Yes, President."
"Well?" His voice was clipped, impatient. "What did he he say? Did he accept our assistance to the matter?"
"... No, sir."
The President's pen stopped mid-motion.
"Explain."
Siwon forced himself to look up. "Director Je declined the apology. He stated he will handle the scandal with his own legal team. He... didn't want our involvement."
A faint, displeased frown touched the President's lips. "He refused?"
Siwon nodded. "Yes, sir."
"And Taehan? He said nothing about him?",
"... No. It was clear that Director Je does not wish to deal with the young master any further."
President Wang leaned back, tapping his finger slowly on the desk. "I see." He exhaled slowly through his nose.
"Siwon," he said, voice heavy with authority. "You did well to report everything. Leave the rest to us."
Siwon bowed.
There was a brief pause before the President spoke again—this time in a colder, more calculated tone.
"This only confirms what I already suspected," President Wang said. He turned his chair slightly, facing the panoramic window overlooking the city. "We will proceed with the plan."
He rose to his feet, clasped his hands behind his back. "We will handle the scandal—and clear Taehan's name."
Siwon swallowed. "But sir, shouldn't we coordinate with Director Je's team at least once? It's going be hard to—"
"No." The President cut him off immediately. "He is no longer our concern. If he wanted to take care of it then, let it be his own issue to deal with."
Siwon lowered his gaze. "Understood."
The only priority us ensuring that Taehan's record remains spotless.
President Wang continued. "If ghe article suggests my son was involved in anything questionable, it would damage the family's name and reputation. It must be erased entirely."
"..."
"Redirect the narrative, divert the attention, and remove all connections tying the story to him."
"But sir... the article might still implicate both sides. The public may get suspicious and—"
President Wang slowly turned back, eyes flashing with quiet, brutal resolve.
"Then they will believe what we tell them to believe."
Siwon felt his breath catch. He knew what that meant. The President leaned forward, his voice lowering to a chilling calm.
"Prepare a statement. Contact our press team. Tighten our grip on all journalists close to the story. If necessary, silence every trace of the incident."
"... Yes, sir."
"And Siwon," he added, gaze hardening as he looked at the red mark still faintly visible on the man's cheek. "Do not engage with Director Je again. We no longer need his cooperation."
Siwon bowed deeper, the weight pressing on him. "I understand."
Yet he felt a chill crawl up his spine. Because beneath those words, he heard the unspoken implication: The family would save Taehan—even if it meant letting Soo-hyun burn alone.