– The day after the scandal, 8:00 AM – Han Residence
A soft knock came at the door.
Already awake, Han Yuri was sitting in front of her vanity, still wrapped in a towel. She stood up to open it and found her father's young secretary, looking visibly uncomfortable.
Han Yuri – What brings you to my room so early?
Secretary – I'm sorry, Miss… but your father is asking for you.
Yuri let out a small sigh, annoyed by this abrupt wake-up.
Han Yuri – Alright.
Yet, the secretary didn't move. Frozen like a statue, he seemed hesitant.
Han Yuri – Are you planning to stay there much longer? I said I'm coming.
Secretary – I… I'm sorry, Miss.
He bowed quickly and almost ran out.
A few minutes later, Yuri walked down the long corridor toward her father's office. The door, slightly ajar, let out a faint sound of television.
As she entered, she heard the voice of a TV host resonating in the plush room.
TV Host (voice-over) – The famous actress Han Yuri has recently been involved in a murder case. Anonymous messages have gone viral: someone claimed that Han Yuri killed someone, then posted a photo of her in front of her car, with a body on the ground. To this day, no statement from the actress. However, her agency announced that she would file complaints against any dissemination of unverified information.
So… is Han Yuri guilty or the victim of a conspiracy? Meanwhile, silence continues.
Her father was sitting in his leather chair, eyes fixed on the screen. He didn't turn around. Yuri remained standing behind him, back straight, fists clenched.
Han Yuri's Father (calm voice, still focused on the screen) – A murder scandal… Han Yuri. South Korea's most popular actress. Han Ki Tak's daughter… involved in a murder case.
Han Yuri (calm but tense) – It's just a rumor. My agency is already handling the situation. As usual.
Han Yuri's Father (cold, sharp) – Really? You think your agency can cover up this kind of case? We're talking about a murder accusation. This kind of rumor doesn't die out that easily.
Yuri rolled her eyes, saying nothing.
Han Yuri's Father (clenching his jaw) – If you had listened to me… If you had given up this madness of becoming an actress to manage your position in the family business… we wouldn't be here. You wouldn't be in this disgraceful position, and I wouldn't have to clean up your messes, again and again, to protect the company.
Han Yuri (firm voice, eyes fixed on her father) – My dream has nothing to do with this. Even if I had chosen the company, it wouldn't have changed anything. If there had been a scandal about me, the situation would be exactly the same as today. Because I would still have been in the spotlight… maybe not as an actress, but as a company executive.
Her father didn't answer immediately. He leaned over to pour some tea, took a slow sip, then carefully set the cup down.
Han Yuri (slightly bitter smile) – Ah, I almost forgot… I never needed you. You always fix everything, without me even knowing, only because you fear your reputation might crumble.
He turned off the television in heavy silence. Then, he stood up slowly and looked her straight in the eyes.
Han Yuri's Father (cold) – Really? Without me? You think you'd be where you are today? You think without the Han name you'd be anything but an extra? Never forget, Yuri, without me, you'd be nothing. No career, no success. Just another ordinary girl dreaming under the spotlight.
Han Yuri (clutching her wrist, calm but slightly trembling) – I succeeded because of my talent… and because I worked hard.
Han Yuri's Father (raising his voice slightly) – Maybe. But you mostly succeeded because you are my daughter. Because you carry the Han name.
Then, in a low, almost chilling voice:
Han Yuri's Father – How dare you talk back to me, after what you've done to our family? And even if this rumor were true… you could at least have been smart enough not to get caught.
Yuri said nothing. She simply stared at her father, lips pressed together, when suddenly her phone vibrated. She lowered her eyes, hesitated for a second, then stepped back slightly to answer it.
Han Yuri (calmly)
– Hello? Min Hee? What is it?
Kim Min Hee (on the phone, hesitant, unsure voice)
– … It's… it's about your new drama.
Han Yuri (sighing, impatient)
– Oh? What about it? Is there a schedule change?
A heavy silence. Only Min Hee's nervous breathing could be heard.
Han Yuri (with a hint of concern)
– Min Hee?
Kim Min Hee (trembling voice, almost whispering)
– Yuri… the production… they've decided to remove you from the project.
Yuri's face froze, as if struck by lightning. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Han Yuri (stammering, in shock)
– What… but… how…
She abruptly stopped as she caught her father's cold gaze. Taking a quiet breath, she straightened up, trying to appear composed.
Han Yuri (calmer voice, on the phone)
– I… I'll call you back in a few minutes, Min Hee.
Without waiting for a response, she slowly hung up, her phone still trembling in her hand.
She turned on her heels immediately, under her father's watchful eyes. But just as her hand touched the doorknob, his calm, almost icy voice echoed behind her.
Han Yuri's Father (calm voice)
– Announce your marriage.
Yuri froze. Her fingers tightened on the handle before she slowly turned, her gaze dark.
Han Yuri
– What? Even now, you're still thinking about that? How many times have I told you I won't get married? Especially not in the middle of a scandal like this!
Han Yuri's Father (impassive)
– It's precisely because of this scandal that I'm telling you.
Han Yuri (tight, incredulous)
– What?
Han Yuri's Father (calm, sharp)
– Announce your marriage. People will forget this rumor. No one pays attention to an accusation without proof. But a marriage… that grabs attention. Especially if your future husband is as influential as we are.
Han Yuri (shaking her head)
– But you know very well a marriage won't erase anything.
Han Yuri's Father (calm but sharp)
– I know. But if you announce it now, we'll buy time to handle the rest. I've always told you, haven't I? One scandal must always be diverted with another.
Han Yuri said nothing. She just stared at him in silence, her breath short.
A few minutes later, in her room, Yuri nervously dialed Min Hee's number. The line clicked, and Min Hee answered immediately.
Han Yuri (tense, almost cutting)
– Min Hee, how could this happen? They can't just remove me like that! And nobody's confirmed anything yet!
Kim Min Hee (hesitant, uneasy)
– I know… but this scandal is far more delicate than the others. It's not just some love affair or jealousy. This time… it's about murder, Yuri. The producers panicked; they want to avoid any association with you.
Yuri clenched her fists. Her gaze turned icy, but her voice, despite the anger simmering inside, remained strangely controlled.
The call abruptly ended, without a single word.
Yuri froze, phone still trembling in her hand. Her eyes, normally sharp, seemed on the verge of breaking. Her breathing was short, shallow, as if the air itself had been stolen from her. The fear of losing everything pressed on her throat, yet behind that wavering look, a stubborn spark still burned—a fragile mix of contained rage and desperate determination.
She slowly approached the display cabinet where several trophies glittered behind the glass. Hesitantly, she opened the door and picked one up—the one engraved "Best Actress."
Her fingers trembled around the cold metal. She held it close, as if her life depended on it.
Han Yuri (whisper, trembling voice)
– What should I do…? I'm losing everything. If this keeps going, everything I've built… will vanish into nothingness.
A discreet tear slid down her cheek, almost invisible.
Then, abruptly, she straightened. Her gaze, still wet, ignited with fierce determination.
Han Yuri (firm, panting voice)
– No… absolutely not. I won't allow it.
I am Han Yuri. The most popular, and most loved actress in Korea.
She hugged the trophy tighter to her chest, her fingers whitening from the pressure. Her lips trembled, but her words, repeated like an incantation, shattered the silence of the room.
Han Yuri (panting, almost feverish whisper)
– I won't allow it… no… no… I won't allow it…
With each repetition, her voice grew stronger, as if convincing herself, crushing the fear threatening to consume her.
Han Residence – Father's Office
Han Yuri stood upright, behind her father. A long silence fell, broken only by the distant hum of the city that Han Ki Tak observed from the window.
With a calm, almost icy voice, she finally spoke:
Han Yuri
– I will go to that arranged meeting.
She stepped forward, her gaze fixed on her father's back.
Han Yuri
– And I will announce my marriage… as soon as possible.
A heavy silence followed. Her father slowly turned to face her. His expression remained impassive for a moment, then a subtle, sharp, satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
To be continued