Chapter 4 : "FEW CHANGES"
Thirty minutes in the shower gave Taesoo space to sort through his thoughts — a whirl of unorganized ideas, emerging theories, and carefully laid plans. He let his mind work through every calculation and tactic before stepping out, wrapping a single towel around his waist. His bulky, muscular frame was on full display: tattoos traced across his skin, and his sharp V-line cut clean against his hips.
He clicked his tongue in irritation. His phone was missing, and it already grated on him — but he pushed the distraction aside. The Entity had warned him things might be different, so his priority was to get dressed and head to work to uncover exactly what had shifted.
Moving to the closet near his bed, he pulled open the door to reveal an immaculate collection of clothing. Every piece — from tailored luxury workwear to casual attire — was perfectly suited to his style, with deep shades dominating the racks: black, gray, maroon, and other tones that matched his commanding presence.
This was his first day living in the novel world. He needed to look flawless. Stepping inside, he scanned the options before settling on a sleek combination: a black knitted long-sleeve turtleneck and fitted leather trousers.
The turtleneck clung to his form, accentuating broad shoulders and a defined chest. His toned muscles showed through the fine fabric — proof of his strict fitness routine that radiated quiet strength and confidence. He strapped a luxury watch to his left wrist, a subtle touch that elevated his sophisticated edge. The leather trousers fit like a second skin, hugging his legs to highlight an athletic build that made it clear he was not to be underestimated. Every line of him spoke to masculinity, maturity, and unwavering dominance.
He studied his reflection in the full-length mirror. Most tattoos were covered, but a few peeked out stylishly from his wrists — especially his left, where they complemented his watch. Satisfied, he stepped back into the bedroom just as a knock sounded at the door. Taesoo paused for a moment before calling out.
"Come in....."
He made his way to the study table, where he'd already searched for his phone. Now he rummaged through a drawer for his ear piercings, only to come up empty. He moved to the main drawer where he kept accessories and personal items — Taesoo was naturally neat and disliked clutter, save for rare exceptions.
As he reached for the drawer, the door swung slowly inward. Taesoo glanced over to find his secretary, Baek Hyunjin, stepping inside.
"Good morning, sir. Did you have a good night's sleep?"
Hyunjin asked as he walked forward and stood beside him, his posture as loyal and attentive as ever. But something felt slightly off — Taesoo couldn't quite place it, so he decided to test the waters.
"Why do you ask? Did something happen last night?"
Taesoo kept searching until his fingers closed around his piercings. He picked out his usual pair and began putting them in as Hyunjin spoke.
"You were at a party last night and didn't turn in until 4 AM, sir. Did a hangover make you forget? Should I arrange for the doctor to stop by?"
Concern laced Hyunjin's voice. It was unlike Taesoo to miss a detail — even after drinking, he'd always kept a sharp memory and clear mind. The secretary was certain that had never changed.
Taesoo paused mid-movement, the piercing halfway in his ear. This had to be one of the alterations the Entity had mentioned.
"Party... Not work-related, I take it?"
He asked, steady and sure. Taesoo knew that it wasn't a business dinner party, from the way Hyunjin had brought it up. Had the Entity made him wake up after a fake scenario party in this world?
Intrigue flickered through Taesoo's mind. In most novels, characters were reborn or swapped bodies with someone from the story — but this was different. His own form remained intact, just as the Entity had promised, though small shifts had reshaped both his life and the world around him.
"Yes, sir. You specifically instructed me to bring in new people to entertain you and keep you company."
A pause fell over the room. Confusion and severity crossed his face as he locked eyes with Hyunjin.
"What? New people? Why would I want that? I have my Muses — my Bunnies. There's no need for anyone else."
Bewilderment hardened his expression. The words didn't sit right with him at all.
"Sir...? Did you hit your head last night? Should I call the family doctor right away?"
Concern sharpened the secretary's voice as he reached for his phone, fingers hovering over the screen. But Taesoo moved swiftly, snatching the device from his grasp.
"Don't you dare. Did I give you leave to call anyone? You know I can't stand it when people act without my orders."
Calm as his tone was, every word carried cold menace. This quiet intensity hit harder than the grinning, easy version Hyunjin was used to.
Breath caught in the secretary's throat, his eyes going wide. In a split second, he dropped to his knees and bowed so low his forehead pressed to the floor.
"Forgive me, boss! I-i made a terrible mistake — it will never happen again..."
He pleaded, acutely aware he'd overstepped. Taesoo ran a hand through his hair and let out a slow sigh of irritation. It wasn't Hyunjin's fault — he was the outsider here.
"Get up. I need to know everything I might have 'forgotten.' We'll head to the company for a full briefing. As for my memory... tell anyone who asks it was the alcohol. No more questions about it, and keep your mouth shut unless I speak to you — or I'll make sure you can't speak at all."
He straightened his appearance, every detail perfectly in place. Hyunjin stood rigid nearby, taking in each word like a command. The last thing he wanted was to be the cause of morning anger.
"Grab my coat. We're leaving for the office."
After a quick check of his wristwatch, he headed for the door. It was 8:00 AM — still early. Just as he reached the threshold, Hyunjin called out from behind, holding his coat and another item.
"Sir! Boss! Wait! Your phone — you left it in the car last night. I brought it inside so you wouldn't have to search for it later."
He held out the device, head bowed low. Determination to avoid conflict over small things was clear — his boss's temper was truly fearsome when roused.
"Hmm, Interesting indeed..."
Taesoo took the phone. In his original world, this device had never been in his hands when he died — yet here it was, supposedly left in his car. Another change from the Entity, no doubt.
Without delay, he made his way to the garage and toward his favorite black car — the same one he'd driven before his death. He slid into the passenger seat, and Hyunjin settled behind the wheel as always.
"Drive straight to the company building. No stops."
His voice was cold and tight, leaving no room for argument. Patience was wearing thin — this new reality needed untangling fast so he could begin his real work. Already, he was looking forward to meeting the novel's male leads and tearing apart their story.
Hyunjin followed orders to the letter, driving straight to the Aurora Consortium building without a single stop — not even for breakfast. They arrived at the location with ease. Stepping out of the vehicle, Taesoo scanned the building in front of him. It looked exactly as it had before, unchanged. But he knew the people around him would be different soon enough.
As he walked toward the entrance, his presence made itself known instantly. Workers and passersby turned their heads, recognizing their company owner. The impression he gave was intimidating and fierce — his coat swaying slightly with each step, making him all the more eye-catching despite his dark, cold aura. Even so, people were drawn to him.
They stepped into the elevator together, and Hyunjin guided things as usual, pressing the button for the executive floor. Seconds later, the doors opened, and Taesoo led the way to his office. He pushed open the door and scanned the space — everything was still the same.
Approaching his desk, vivid memories of the day before in his original world came to mind. He sat down, wondering if even his Muses had been altered. Hyunjin followed him inside, stopping in front of the desk with papers and a catalogue full of the information he'd prepared.
"Start now..."
His voice was serious and professional. Hyunjin began the briefing, starting with the event from the night before.
"About last night's party — you didn't organize it, boss. You were invited by the owner of a newly launched bar. It's already an exclusive venue, open only to select members and high-profile guests. While I initially thought it wasn't work-related, we discovered the owner used your appearance for exposure and even tried to negotiate with our executives."
Hyunjin kept his eyes on the papers, focused and dedicated to his work. Taesoo sat quietly, his presence commanding attention as he listened intently, sharp senses alert and mind working quickly.
"Does he know about the underground organization?"
He asked, raising an eyebrow, his demeanor calm and focused.
"No, sir... He likely thinks the Aurora Consortium is just an investment company — that's why you were invited. He wants a high-profile figure to sponsor his new business."
Hyunjin spoke with certainty. The organization was well-known in the underground world, but its public face was that of a major investment firm — only those who dug deep would uncover the truth. At the thought, Taesoo let out a quiet chuckle.
People were too naive. Just because a big investment company reached out didn't mean they should accept offers without doing background checks or their own research.
Not that they could actually get any information about the organization anyway. Only those who knew the dark side of business could get a tiny bit of info about the Aurora Consortium — you had to be part of the dangerous underworld to learn about it.
"Haha, fool — only hungry fools chasing money would skip vetting a big investment company. Is there anything else?"
The laughter died down as he leaned back in his chair, gesturing for Hyunjin to keep going.
"Well, as I mentioned... You were invited and said yes — strictly a social event, no business attached. But the owner got bold and tried to negotiate behind your back. He knows you don't accept deals easily, so he went straight to our executive management team instead. We turned him down flat, but agreed to keep a light eye on his operation first. If it measures up to our standards, we'll circle back to you, boss."
Every word was absorbed like a hawk tracking prey, his right arm draped across the desk as fingers tapped out a steady rhythm against the wood.
"Anything else about that idiot?"
He started sorting through his desk, stacking paperwork and filing contracts as he spoke. But Hyunjin had more to say, flipping through his files with practiced efficiency - the picture of professionalism even as he delivered news that might cause trouble.
"There's been a small issue at his bar for some time now. Nothing huge, but he's gone to great lengths to cover it up — he knows one misstep could shatter the venue's exclusive image..."
He paused to find the right page, ready to dive into specifics, but was cut off by a sharp question.
"Issues? What kind? A scandal with clients, or problems in how he's running the business?"
As he asked, he shrugged off his coat and laid it over the arm of his chair. Hyunjin was already moving forward, taking the garment gently and hanging it neatly on the rack by the door.
Hyunjin retrieved his papers from the desk and picked up where he'd left off. Taesoo settled back in his chair, dividing his focus between his work and the briefing.
"There's a rumor about a female worker causing problems at the bar — yet the owner didn't let her go. Instead, he kept her on staff, reportedly because her friends are from wealthy, well-known families. We suspect he's leveraging those connections for exposure. Details are unconfirmed, but we can launch a full investigation at your word, boss."
The news snagged Taesoo's attention, pulling him away from his tasks. Curiosity sparked — why tolerate disruption from an employee? Why allow her friends to run unchecked? His mind whirred with possibilities. Were these associates truly as influential as they claimed to be? He set down his pen, fixing Hyunjin with a stare that held sharp intensity.
"I'll give my instructions once you've finished. For now… walk me through the company's standing and the Redstring Streaming Platform."
He laced his fingers together, resting them on the desk as he waited — determined to root out any hidden issues in his organization. Hyunjin nodded and closed his catalog; though he'd brought it as a precaution, every detail was already committed to memory. A brief flicker of confusion crossed his face, but he pushed it aside. He knew better than to question his boss — his life depended on knowing his place.
"The company is thriving. Since you stepped into the role of chairman and took ownership of headquarters, we've expanded dramatically. Business runs smoothly, no one dares challenge your authority, and former rivals have been neutralized. New partners from around the world are reaching out to collaborate — everything is under your control, and operations are flawless."
Taesoo's lips curved slightly at the update, but one word lingered like a loose thread — pulling at his focus.
"Chairman? What about the old man? And the couple… what became of them?"
His voice carried a hard edge. Had he already claimed the top position in this world? And his family — most of them meant little to him, but a small part of him still cared for his mother. They'd forged him into who he was: cunning, ruthless, cold, and calculating, with a talent for manipulation that left everyone else in the dust. He even took a certain pleasure in playing with people's emotions — in Jang Taesoo's way — and no one could touch him at his game.
Hyunjin blinked, caught off guard by the question. Taesoo noted the shift in his expression instantly.
"Just answer me. No questions in return."
He said in a dominant, firm voice.
Hyunjin didn't waste any time and started talking immediately — his professional demeanor returned.
"Yes, Sir... Your grandfather passed from illness at seventy-six, two months ago. Before his death, he named you chairman and transferred every asset into your name. Your father died eight months prior, at fifty-four — killed during a raid on an enemy warehouse, after years of bitter rivalry.
As for your mother… she cut all ties with the family and organization the moment your grandfather was laid to rest. She lives in Paris now, working as a lingerie designer. She handed everything over to you, walking away from the Aurora Consortium for good."
Taesoo let the words wash over him like aged wine — no more grandfather pulling strings, no more father's lectures weighing him down. His mother had left him behind entirely, wanting nothing to do with who he'd become. But he felt no real sting of it. They'd shaped his foundation, yes — but the structure he'd built on top was all his own.
A flicker of pity crossed his mind, gone as quickly as it came. No sympathy, only a vague sense of acknowledgment. They'd turned life into a game, and he'd mastered every rule — playing to win, molding himself into something precise, something perfect.
A grin twisted across his face, sharp and familiar. Hyunjin caught sight of it and didn't flinch — this was the Jang Taesoo he'd always served: always in the game, always coming out on top.
"So I'm in full control now — no one to get in my way… Good. Exactly how I like things. Now, tell me about Redstring."
He held the smile as he settled back, arms spread across the desk. Hyunjin nodded, his demeanor shifting slightly as he moved to the next topic.
"Yes, boss. Regarding the Redstring Streaming Platform… the day you became chairman, you retired from streaming entirely. You ended all your sessions and cut ties with every collaborator — including the Muses."
The words landed like venom. Taesoo sat bolt upright, his face a mask of calm detachment, but his eyes went cold and hard.
"What…?"
His voice was low, dark as midnight — no trace of humor left. His gaze could have cut through steel.
"You disbanded the group, sir — every single one of them.
They still create content on the platform, though. And Althea… we began seeing each other after the disbandment.
All your former Muses continue their adult streaming work on Redstring. You haven't called for any sessions since stepping into leadership. Our latest report shows only Jinho, Eunbyul, and Minho have returned full-time. The other two — they vanished. No word, no trace. You never ordered us to look for them; you were focused on solidifying your position as chairman."
Silence hung heavy in the room. Taesoo could accept the disbandment, even the Muses moving forward without him. What gnawed at him was the absence of Min Hyein and Park Sun Hee — his former Muses, bright as sunflowers, obedient and devoted, so easy to guide and shape. Their disappearance was out of character. He pushed the thought aside, his attention settling back on Hyunjin with a sharp edge.
"So you and Althea are together…?
That's a surprise. I never pictured you pursuing your boss's ex-Muse, Hyunjin."
He smirked, leaning back in his chair. In his old world, Hyunjin had been married — his wife a respected professor at an academy. But his secretary met the look head-on, unflinching and calm.
"Now that I know everything, I want you to do a background check on the bar's owner, the female worker, and her small group of friends. I want this done in exactly 2 hours — no delays or excuses. I'm going to start my paperwork. Also make an appointment at that bar. I'll either visit it during lunch, or just dine in there. What do you think?"
Taesoo wanted to visit the bar and investigate the rumors about the girl. He was thinking hard: was it a coincidence, or had the plot helped him find these characters? In the novel Lost in Paradise, the female lead Cha Harin was a bar employee. The male leads pestered her almost every day after their shifts.
Looking at how things were, the guys (the male leads) had definitely known each other for some time. They always argued over who could take her home, or spend alone time with her.
Cha Harin was a shy, gentle girl — exactly the kind of person they could take advantage of. She would let them be her first romantic/sexual partner, and had no idea what they really wanted from her. But right now, at the bar, she probably realized the five men were trying to date her.
Taesoo found this whole situation really interesting.
If he confirmed that the bar employee was really the female lead, he would befriend her and set his plan in motion. First, he would become a business partner with the bar's owner, then slowly befriend Cha Harin. He would let the male leads — her five "prince charmings" — know there was another man in roaming near her
He would draw their attention, get on their bad side, all while pretending to be a good person in front of Cha Harin. Taesoo's first step was set, and just thinking about it thrilled him. The beast inside him couldn't wait to see the male leads' reactions — their jealousy, their angry faces. Taesoo laughed at his own thoughts.
"Haaa... I can't wait to meet my new sweet little preys. I need to start my game and lure them into it...."
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