CEO Lee paced around his office as he gnawed on his lip. This hadn’t been the plan at all! How did Yi-an manage to perform so perfectly on stage?! The doors to his office slammed open as CEO Lee flinched at the sudden intrusion. Turning his head towards the sound, his red face suddenly paled as he watched the tall silhouette strolling towards him. Why was he here?! Their world tour wasn’t even finished yet!

“What are you–!”

“Lee Hyung-suk. Just how low are you going to go?! HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO YI-AN?!” 

A loud smack rang across the office as CEO Lee tottered backward, caressing his cheek from the powerful impact of Young-woo’s punch. That little brat…! Seething angrily, CEO Lee glared at the idol who towered over him. Young-woo’s colored contacts were unusually dark as his crimson gaze burned with a murderous glint.

“Y-You! W-What do you think you’re doing?!”

“I wasn’t going to interfere, but… How could you? You should be protecting Yi-an, not throwing him under the bus!”

“Then who else should I have sacrificed? We’ll be gaining a second building in Apgujeong with Yi-an’s downfall! Who do you think will benefit from that? Your group will reach–”

“Don’t you dare use that as an excuse to ruin someone else’s life! How is money more important to you than the success of your student?”

“Of course, money is more important! How do you think SHINE got its popularity? Do you really think it was all due to your leadership and talents? No.” CEO Lee heaved himself up from the floor and smirked at his mentee’s stoic expression, “It was all to the chairman’s graces that I–”

“You must have forgotten who I am.” Young-woo stepped closer to the frozen music executive with a devilish grin, “Lee Hyung-suk, you must think you’re untouchable because Chairman Yoon has your back, but you’re worth less than shit. At least a pile of trash has some purpose in life; what purpose do you even serve?”

“Wha–!”

“Leave Yi-an alone. You understand?” 

“That depends on what the chairman desires.”

“What a load of bull. You’re the CEO, no? So why does it matter what that old geezer wants?”

“Young-woo, even if your family is a chaebol, you’re no match for Chairman Yoon! So stop acting like a child!”

Young-woo scoffed at the CEO’s words. Was this man being serious? “Are you scared that Min’s grandfather will bring this company to ruin? Min is dead– so why are you still kissing up–”

“You… You don’t know?”

Raising an eyebrow, Young-woo glanced at CEO Lee’s surprised expression. “Know what?”

“Min… He’s alive.”

~~~

~~Meanwhile…~~

The clacking of heels echoed against the empty corridor as Director Jung strutted towards the only office on the floor. Stopping, she took a deep breath before lightly knocking on the door. A muffled “come in” sounded from the other side as the door creaked open. With one last huff, she bravely ventured inside while her heart thumped with nervousness. 

Sitting behind his office desk, the charismatic businessman flashed a wry smile as he rose from his seat. “I didn’t think you’d actually come to see me, Director Jung. Thank you for coming by.”

“... It’s the least I can do.”

“Please, take a seat. Joon-woo, would you please ask Secretary Han to bring some refreshments?”

“Of course. If you’ll excuse me.” 

Suppressing a sigh, Min shifted his attention to the fidgeting woman before he leaned back into his seat. He wouldn’t have met with her if he had any other choice but… Unlike CEO Lee, Director Jung seemed to care about Yi-an’s well-being. Though, at this point, Min wasn’t sure if he should trust anyone from GOLD Entertainment. 

“... If it’s about Yi-an’s article, I had nothing to do with it–”

“I’m already aware that my grandfather ordered Reporter Kang to release it.”

“If you knew, why didn’t you stop him? Or are you trying to play the hero to Yi-an after all these years?”

“Come, now. You spent six years training me. Do you really think I’d do that?”

“Well, it’s been eight years since you left; people can change during that time.”

“Ha… People don’t change that easily. But may I ask you a question–?” Min paused as Joon-woo returned with a tray of refreshments and laid them on the coffee table. “...Did you intend to deceive Yi-an about my death from the beginning, or were you ever planning to tell him the truth?”

Director Jung hesitated as she placed her cup back on the saucer. “...Let me counter your question with mine. Why haven’t you told Yi-an that you’re Min yet?”

“I believe I asked you the question first.”

“I know, but it doesn’t make sense to me.” Director Jung clasped her hands together as she slid her light brown eyes at Min, “At first, I thought it was because you were the heir to S&H. But seeing how you’re so desperate to protect Yi-an, I’m not so sure anymore. Wouldn’t it be easier to tell him you’re Min?”

“I’ll tell him when I can actually protect him.”

“You sound like my ex-husband. You’re only hurting Yi-an even more by not coming forward with the truth.”

Standing up from his seat, Min smirked and sauntered towards his desk, “Well, you can help me with that, I suppose.”

“... Pardon?”

Picking up a folder from the pile of documents, Min flicked his contemplative eyes toward her confused expression, “How about I help you set up an entertainment agency?”

“And if I refuse?”

Min smirked as he placed a lease agreement on the table, “I didn’t call you here to negotiate. Don’t forget, you also wronged Yi-an. Either help me or be sent to jail for embezzlement and bribery. Those are your only options.”

“...”

“So….” Holding up the document in his hand, Min deviously smiled, “What’s your choice?”