Big Life

Chapter 220. Laugh, Why Don’t You (8)

“We’ll have a Q&A segment later. Please listen to Ms. Chae Bo-Ra’s official statement first.” Chae Bo-Ra’s manager said into the microphone.

Chae Bo-Ra’s head was hanging low. She looked glum as she sat next to her manager.

‘Her facial expression is quite the sight.’

Hyun Sung-Beom snickered as he stood amongst the reporters gathered under the stage. Now that he had some concrete evidence on hand, Chae Bo-Ra seemed much more detestable than before.

Bzzt!

It was a call from Cha Hyung-Jin. Hyun Sung-Beom took a while to consider whether to answer but ultimately brought the phone to his ear. Cha Hyung-Jin was the type to call relentlessly until he answered the former's call.

“Yes, senior.”

— Where are you right now?

“At Chae Bo-Ra’s press conference venue.”

— Why did you go there?! The deal’s done, so come back to the office right now.

“It’s all spilled milk. I should at least see it till the end.”

— What now?! Are you really looking to get fired after just converting into a full-time reporter?!

“I'll talk to you later. Goodbye.”

— Hey, hey! Hyun Sung-Beom...!

Hyun Sung-Beom turned his phone on silent mode and kept it away in his pocket.

Chae Bo-Ra was about to speak now.

“...First of all, it wasn't my intention, and I'm extremely sorry for causing such public controversy. I am also deeply reflecting on myself for making the fans, who have been giving me all your love and support, worry so much.”

Chae Bo-Ra paused for a moment and placed a hand over her chest. She shut her eyes tightly, her face looking heartbroken.

“As all my fans and the reporters present here know, I had recently just encountered an unfortunate event. I was shocked after getting defamed for manipulating an assistant writer to delete the manuscript of a certain famous writer.”

‘What a joke. That's all you too.’ Hyun Sung-Beom scowled, and he spat quietly inside while his fingers still kept typing diligently on his laptop. He was writing the article that he would be uploading shortly.

On the podium, Chae Bo-Ra dabbed the tears off her face and continued with much difficulty, “I needed some time off to console my exhausted body and mind. That's why I rejected appearing on shows and was resting at home. My trip to Japan was a sort of healing trip for me as... Sob.”

Chae Bo-Ra could not continue on and let out a sniffled sigh. Her manager handed her a bottle of water and patted her shoulder.

“I have never met CEO Lee Dong-Myeong over work before. There were talks between the agency and Dongmyeong Networks with regards to the drama that I am in talks to be cast in, and that's it. We don't contact each other personally at all."

Her words made Hyun Sung-Beom shake his head, and his mouth went agape in shock. He even wondered how anyone could come up with such a lie and be so confident and natural with it. It was extremely questionable how her outstanding acting skills would fail to appear in her acting projects.

“It was only during my healing trip that I found out CEO Lee was staying in the same hotel as I was. I thought it was a good opportunity to introduce myself, and then we also spent some time together by the pool. Thinking back, I made a mistake. I'm still a celebrity in the end. However, I thought nothing of it since my conscience is clear.” Chae Bo-Ra sobbed as she covered her mouth with both hands.

The reporters remained silent, and the hall turned solemn in turn. The only person who found the entire situation ridiculous was Hyun Sung-Beom.

“Those photos... It’s hard for me to explain them properly, but I can only say that the person who took those photos contained malice. I want to ask the reporter who shared those photos through the article. They must have taken many more photos, but why did they choose to upload those misleading photos?”

The reporters who knew Hyun Sung-Beom turned to look at him. A few reporters who were on Chae Bo-Ra’s side threw accusing gazes at him, but Hyun Sung-Beom didn't care about them.

He let out a nonchalant yawn, indifferent about how others were looking at him now. His fingers typing away on the keyboard finally tapped on the period key of the keyboard.

- The email is sent. Upload it immediately.

Hyun Sung-Beom dropped a message to the maknae trainee reporter and closed his notebook. He had done everything he could. Now, all that was left was to see the results.

As Chae Bo-Ra finished saying her piece, her manager stepped forward. “We’ll be accepting questions now. However, we’d appreciate it if everyone could avoid any difficult or long questions, as Ms. Chae Bo-Ra is still unstable. I will also be answering any questions that I can answer on her behalf.”

Hands quickly shot up as soon as the manager opened questions to the floor. Hyun Sung-Beom, sitting at the back of the crowd, raised his hands as well. He raised his hand higher than anyone else, but the manager intentionally chose someone else.

“Sports Seonwoong, please go ahead.”

“When will Ms. Chae Bo-Ra officially return to TV shows?”

“Ms. Chae Bo-Ra’s recovery is of utmost importance and the highest priority. We’re trying to adjust her schedule so that she won’t take too long of a break to recover, considering that her fans are waiting for her return as well. Next question?”

The sea of reporters raised their hands once more. Hyun Sung-Beom raised both hands as if shouting mansae[1], but Chae Bo-Ra’s manager did not pick him this time either.

“There are rumors traveling in the broadcast industry that she was rejected at TV shows after getting on Writer Ha Jae-Gun’s bad side. Do you have anything to say about that?”

“We have answered that question a few times in other interviews. We won’t be answering this question. Next question?”

The question and answer segment continued. Hyun Sung-Beom kept raising his hand, but he still didn't get picked. He wanted to yell and vent out the frustration that was building up, as only a few questions that were posed had touched the main point of the incident.

“We’ll be taking one last question from the floor. Are there any other reporters?”

Thankfully, only one reporter raised their hand in the crowd. And that was none other than Hyun Sung-Beom. Like a predator hunting its prey, Hyun Sung-Beom’s eyes shone.

Chae Bo-Ra’s manager regretted internally, wishing that he had ended the question and answer segment with that last reporter.

“Yes, please speak.”

“I have a question for Ms. Chae Bo-Ra instead of you, Manager.”

Chae Bo-Ra slowly looked up with teary eyes, seeing Hyun Sung-Beom standing tall in her line of sight.

“I am Reporter Hyun Hyun Sung-Beom from Weekly Trends.”

“...?!” The corners of Chae Bo-Ra’s mouth twitched visibly. The reporter posing his question was the very same person who broke the entire incident. What difficult question would he be asking this time? Her manager next to her was feeling relatively nervous as well.

“Before I ask the question, I would like to confirm something. You’re sure that you went to Japan to soothe your mind and body and that your meeting with CEO Lee Dong-Myeong was purely coincidental?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“And that’s also your first time meeting him in Japan?”

Chae Bo-Ra’s manager stepped up with the microphone in hand on behalf of Chae Bo-Ra. “Reporter, what is the point of your question?”

“As I’ve mentioned, I just wanted to verify those facts. Is this really your first time meeting CEO Lee Dong-Myeong in Fukuoka?”

Chae Bo-Ra’s cheeks and her venomous eyes were shaking visibly. However, Hyun Sung-Beom did not step down and confronted her.

“Yes, that’s right.” Chae Bo-Ra then said after as she took a battered breath, “I’m not sure why you’re making me repeat myself. Let me be clear with you. That was the first time I met CEO Lee Dong-Myeong. Are we good, reporter?”

Chae Bo-Ra was biting down on her teeth so tightly they were about to break. If Hyun Sung-Beon was next to her, she might have failed to stop herself from slapping him in the cheeks.

“What’s with all the fuss? Who is he?”

“Hyun Sung-Beom from Weekly Trends. He’s the one who released the most recent scoop.”

The surrounding reporters began murmuring among themselves. Just then, Hyun Sung-Beom picked up his phone and snickered. The breaking news that he had sent to be uploaded earlier filled his phone screen, and photos of the autumn night as their background were included in the article.

“Huh? What’s this?”

“What? What’s that?”

The reporters started clamoring among themselves upon seeing the astonishing news.

‘What, why are they suddenly...?’

Chae Bo-Ra squinted her eyes. Beside her, her manager noticed the unusual atmosphere in the room and pulled out his phone. His face immediately darkened.

‘T-This...?!’ Her manager was so shocked that he couldn't control his facial expression.

They were photos of Lee Dong-Myeong and Chae Bo-Ra. The hotel was located at the end of a road decorated by yellow autumn foliage. The two people in question were seen in those photos linking arms affectionately after getting out of a car and heading toward the hotel.

‘Chae Bo-Ra, you...!’ Her manager stared intently at Chae Bo-Ra. However, Chae Bo-Ra was still unaware of the current situation and tilted her head side to side, perplexed.

The cameramen didn't miss the moment and took the chance to spam their camera shutters.

Hyun Sung-Beom raised his phone and took a step out. “Ah, Ms. Chae Bo-Ra. There are more photos uploaded in the latest breaking news article. The mosaic effect was added, but it does seem to be CEO Lee Dong-Myeong, and the photos also seemed to have been taken last autumn as well.”

“...?!" Chae Bo-Ra realized it just then. Her legs began to tremble uncontrollably, and it was a good thing that the tablecloth was hiding her legs from the reporters. Her manager grabbed her to support her, but she couldn’t help clenching her fists tightly.

“You said it earlier, right? You met him for the first time in Japan. If so, what are those photos? Is he someone who looks extremely similar to CEO Lee but a totally different person? And what did both of you enter the hotel for?”

“U-ugh....” A low groan escaped from her lips as the blood drained from her face. Her mind was completely empty; she couldn’t say a single word in her defense.

“Ms. Chae Bo-Ra, why are you so quiet? This press conference is held for you to clear your name from the defamation. Please give us an answer, Ms. Chae Bo-Ra.”

“Y-you...! As Ms. Chae Bo-Ra’s condition isn’t great today, we will be closing the press conference here!” Chae Bo-Ra’s manager gestured to the security guards behind him and quickly helped Chae Bo-Ra to the entrance.

Chae Bo-Ra’s eyes were unfocused as the guards dragged her away, and the sea of reporters swarmed the entourage with their cameras in hand.

‘I did it...!’ Hyun Sung-Beom clenched his fist tightly. Chae Bo-Ra's ship was now sinking, and there was no way she could save herself from this scandal.

Bzzt!

“Yes, senior.”

— Where did you get those photos?

“Sorry, I can’t tell you that.”

— Come back to the office first. Let’s talk over dinner.

Cha Hyung-Jin hung up the phone first. Hyun Sung-Beom kept his phone away, wondering why Cha Hyung-Jin did not kick up a fuss. Cha Hyung-Jin sounded strangely calm rather than furious.

‘Anyway, I have no regrets.’

Hyun Sung-Beom stretched his body as he stepped out of the now-empty press conference hall. He had written the article he wanted and had even got it posted. He had no regrets, even if he got fired after this.

***

- She’s so scary and dirty;;; Which means her helping the needy back then was all an act;;; This betrayal;;;;

- How could she do something like that with a man around her father’s age.... I still can’t believe it after everything was revealed.

- She can’t deny[2] it at all kekekekeke. Look at how flustered and pale Chae Bo-Ra and her manager turned at the breaking news. I burst out laughing while watching the livestream kekekekeke.

- This is just pure malice. I still believe in you, unni.

- Please, enough with the shielding already;;;; Are you a high-level anti?

- They say once you’ve seen one, you’d seen them all, and I really think that Chae Bo-Ra is the culprit of Ha Jae-Gun’s incident.

- Yeah, and it’s above 99% that she’s the culprit. Humans never change, they say.

The comments were all about Chae Bo-Ra. The public’s opinion of Chae Bo-Ra had plummeted to the abyss in just a day. The CEO of ICU Entertainment was pleading with the advertisers in front of a screen.

“No, director. I wasn’t aware of this as well. I’m the CEO of ICU Entertainment. Had I known about this, I wouldn’t have been watching all this time. What? Claim for damages? Director, please calm down and let’s talk calmly over dinner... Hello? Director? Hello? Ah, fuck!”

Slam!

He slammed the phone on the table. The department head retreated a few steps out of fear with hands.

“That darn—I was foolish for even caring for a girl like her just because she's pretty...! Darn it, who can I blame?!” He bit a stick of cigarette and lit it. As he took a deep breath, the smoke he let out filled the office. His shoulders quivered as he smoked.

“It’s over now.”

He rubbed the cigarette on the ashtray and said, “I can stop Cho Cheol-Won from See&Good on my end, but that’s the best I can do. Not only Dongah Osaka, but even YoongJin Products also sent word that they’d be claiming for damages as well.”

“Which means...” He bit a second stick of cigarette in his mouth. He then let out a puff of white smoke as he stared into space. Eventually, he regained some of his composure and said, “It’s time to abandon that pawn.”

The department head closed his eyes and nodded.

He knew the CEO would say that.

“Let’s focus on Han Yu-Na and HyeprSoda, and try contacting Writer Ha Jae-Gun and AppleT’s Lee Chae-Rin.”

“Are you talking about the collaboration single album? I understand.” The department head was about to turn around when he cautiously asked, “Then... what shall we do about Chae Bo-Ra?”

“What else can we do with a pawn we've decided to abandon? Just leave her be.”

“Yes, sir.”

The department head removed Chae Bo-Ra from his speed dial list as he left the CEO’s office. Chae Bo-Ra's contact details were replaced with Han Yu-Na’s contact details. The Internet was in chaos, but the corridor before him was extremely silent.

***

— I definitely told you to leave the apartment right away, didn’t I?

“Director...! Please, just give me a few more weeks’ time... Where else can I go now? I need to pack my stuff too—”

A firm voice from the other side of the line cut off Chae Bo-Ra’s desperate pleas.

— I have no thoughts of being considerate toward a dirty and crude woman. Leave my apartment immediately, and don’t ever think of taking my car with you. Leave it in the car park; just remove yourself from my apartment!

“Director, Director Cho...! Please...!”

Beep!

The phone call was cut off unilaterally by Cho Cheol-Won. Chae Bo-Ra buried her face in her hands. “What did I do wrong?! I was also doing my best, and things just turned out this way! This is unfair! Everyone else is trying to survive just like me, so why am I being picked on for trying to survive?!”

Chae Bo-Ra's malicious voice pervaded the house.

Just then, she heard noises coming from the door of the house behind her. Someone was keying in the password to the door behind her. Were they from her agency?

Chae Bo-Ra's face was contorted like a used tissue as she turned around to face the door.

1. Mansae means ‘YAY!’ And people would sometimes raise both hands while saying that. ?

2. The original slang used here is ????. It refers to someone who definitely/absolutely can’t do anything/is left with no other choice. ?