The tapping of keyboards echoed within the dark, empty office of YS News as the blue glare of a computer screen illuminated against the reporter’s haggard face. It was already 2 am, but the lone man was still hesitant about what he was about to do. If only he didn’t owe a debt to Chairman Yoon, he wouldn’t be in this predicament!

Reporter Kang sighed as he stared at his computer screen. Why was he feeling guilty all of a sudden? It wasn’t like this was his first time writing a false article…! Taking a deep breath, his trembling hand moved the cursor to the ‘submit’ button, and squeezing his eyes shut, he uploaded the scandalous article onto YS News’s portal. Reporter Kang’s heart sank, realizing what he had done.

“I ruined another man’s life because of money. Shit…!”

Biting his lip, he viciously rubbed his head, his anxiety soaring through the roof as he stared at increasing view count of his article. Taking one, deep breath, the reporter hesitantly called CEO Lee. The least he could do was give them a heads up about the situation. His heart pounded against his chest as he listened to the groggy voice of the businessman ring out from the other line.

“Huh…? Reporter Kang? Why are you calling me at this late hour?”

“CEO Lee….”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I… It was the chairman’s orders and I just couldn’t refuse him…! I didn’t have a choice, okay?!”

“What… Wait, calm down and–”

“Yi-an will probably never recover from this, but I need to survive too! After today, you won’t ever hear from me again. I just wanted to let you know of the situation–”

“WHAT DID YOU WRITE?!”

“... Check our portal, and you’ll see it. I’m really sorry for doing this, CEO Lee. Just know that I never had ill intentions against Yi-an or your company. Goodbye.”

“Wait, hey! Kang Hyun-suk–!”

Turning off his phone, the middle-aged man slammed his phone onto his desk and hastily grabbed the luggage and duffel bag next to his seat. Casting one last glance at the computer screen, he clicked his tongue as he ran out of the empty office. Whatever! What was done was done! 

“...ASH, I’m sorry, but I need to survive in this god-forsaken world, too!”

~~~

The roaring crash of waves eased the heir’s mind as he blankly stared at the pitch-blackness of the ocean. After his abrupt declaration to his grandfather, Min had found himself driving all the way to Busan. No doubt, an unconscious attempt to have some time for himself to think everything through one last time. Kicking away a stray pebble, Min closed his eyes as the refreshing wind caressed his cheeks. It felt nice to be away from the constant bustle of city life. 

“Am I even doing the right thing? Ha… Why does everything have to be so complicated?”

Min wished he could go back to those happy days when he had been so carefree and happy. Yet, the heir knew it was too late to wish for something he could never have. Like his grandfather said, he was born into the wrong family to want something so ordinary and simple. But… that didn’t mean he couldn’t keep Yi-an by his side, did it? Ignoring the stuffy feeling in his chest, the heir was about to leave when he heard Joon-woo’s voice echoing behind him. 

“MIN!!!”

“... How the hell did that idiot even find me?” Min muttered under his breath as Joon-woo ran up to him, panting for breath.

“Dude– Dammit, I’m out of shape… Ha….” taking a deep breath, Joon-woo screeched, “WHY THE HELL DIDN’T YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?!”

“I needed some peace and quiet. Why? Did something happen?”

“Did something happen?! ARE YOU SERIOUSLY ASKING ME THAT?! Your grandfather fainted from shock earlier, and now…! Ugh, here, look at this!”

Shoving his phone into the heir’s hands, Joon-woo scowled as he glanced away, too scared to see Min’s reaction. Rolling his eyes, Min glanced at the article when he felt his blood run cold. At the top of the search engine sat an article with a bold title, 

“A Star’s Demise? ASH’s Shocking Past Revealed.”

“... So this is what my grandfather wanted to do… I didn’t think he’d stoop so low.”

“Min, let’s go back to Seoul and meet with the chairman–”

“No. My grandfather did this out of spite; going to him won’t solve anything.”

“So what, you’re just going to let ASH’s career go down like this?”

Min paused as he glanced at Joon-woo, “What makes you think I’ll let that happen?”

“Then… what are you going to do?”

Min ignored Joon-woo’s question as he walked towards his parked car in the distance. Blowing out an irritated sigh, Joon-woo quickly ran after his best friend. Dammit, just what was that idiot scheming now?! Hmph. He always says he’s different from the chairman, but he’s exactly like his grandfather– calculative and cunning! I guess it’s true when they say blood is thicker than water! 

“What?! Have you finally gone mad?! Why in the world would you need a wedding planner–”

Min turned, his handsome face illuminating against his radiant smile, “What do you mean why? I need to start planning a wedding.”

“WHAT…?!”