Chapter 47. Master Plan - Operation

Meanwhile, on the evening when Han Haewoon first met Jung Hye-min and collapsed.

Han Haewoon opened his eyes in the emergency room where he had been brought.

"Oh, the patient is regaining consciousness?"

A nurse who had been tending to another patient noticed Haewoon, who had already regained his senses and was sitting on a makeshift bed, and spoke to him.

"…Ah, yes."

Haewoon, still dazed by the memories that had surfaced before he collapsed, responded absentmindedly.

Seeing Haewoon's state, the nurse spoke up.

"I'll call the doctor, so please lie down and wait. Don't remove the IV."

Haewoon quickly grabbed the nurse who was about to call the doctor.

"Ah, I'm sorry. By the way, what happened to the woman who came with me?"

"Female? If you mean the one who reported the incident, she only reported it on the scene and didn't come with you."

Haewoon nodded.

"Yes, thank you."

Despite the nurse's objections, Haewoon removed the IV and went to the administrative office to pay for the emergency room treatment.

After picking up his coat, Haewoon went outside the hospital and went to a corner, where he lit a cigarette with a confused look on his face.

"Team Leader Jeon Su-hwan, Jung Hye-min, Baek Yu-hyun. Hah… Does this make any sense?"

It seemed Haewoon needed to sort out his thoughts, as he sat there for a long time, smoking furiously.

***

The day after the award ceremony. Yeonwoo arrived at the shooting location early in the morning.

"Wow, the rising star who won the newcomer award has arrived."

The staff members, seeing Yeonwoo, laughed and playfully shouted.

"Hahaha. What are you talking about, Minjae hyung."

"Congratulations, Yeonwoo!"

These were the people who had watched TV from their homes or local bars, praying for Yeonwoo to win.

Ma Seokdo, who had quietly approached from behind, patted Yeonwoo on the shoulder.

"Are you shooting a tough scene today?"

"Ah, you're here. Yes, that's right."

The scene that Ma Seokdo described as "tough" was today's party scene.

A scene where Yeonwoo's detailed and versatile facial expressions would determine the overall quality.

"Let's get ready then."

"Sure, Seokdo hyung."

They headed to the makeup room set up in a corner of the party hall that had been rented for the shoot.

When they entered, Jung Hagyun was already sitting there.

"Hello, senior."

Yeonwoo bowed with a smile, looking at Hagyun in the mirror.

"Ah, yes. It's good to see you, Yeonwoo. I can't move much since I'm being made up, so let's greet each other later."

"Sure, senior. I hope today's shoot goes well."

Since Pierre Choi and Park Kang-woo, who are at odds in the script, rarely meet, this was their first scene together.

After finishing his makeup, Yeonwoo headed to the set with Jung Hagyun.

***

Park Kang-woo, the boss of the Kang-woo faction, entered the party venue.

"Can you show me your invitation?"

A man in a black suit politely approached Park Kang-woo and asked.

The large driver who had brought Park Kang-woo followed and handed over the invitation.

"This is a person the chairman values, so please give special attention."

"Ah, yes, I understand."

Feeling the special treatment, Park Kang-woo's confidence grew.

"Hmm."

He adjusted his suit jacket and walked up the stairs with a confident stride.

The driver, played by Kwak Ji-cheol, smiled sardonically at Park Kang-woo.

Kwak Ji-cheol had only been approached by low-level subordinates, so Park Kang-woo didn't recognize him.

The party venue was filled with laughter.

Park Kang-woo, not recognizing anyone, looked around nervously.

"Oh, I thought you were a golf pro, but you're not?"

Hearing a woman's voice, Park Kang-woo turned to see 'Deer' Jennifer.

"Ah, that golf pro? Park Kang-woo's expression was ambiguous.

He was tense, thinking that the woman he had secretly flirted with at the adjacent tee was someone influential enough to be invited here.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Yoo Chae-yeon. I usually don't like these kinds of events, but my father insisted... Thanks to the pro's detailed instructions, my swing improved. I didn't expect to see you here."

"Ahaha. I'm not a pro, just a hobbyist. I run a construction company."

"Really? You're a representative in the same industry as my family?"

Jennifer, playing Yoo Chae-yeon, smiled brightly and extended her hand.

Park Kang-woo, thinking she was genuinely there for a golf lesson, shook her hand.

Jennifer then introduced Park Kang-woo to various people at the party, playing the role of Yoo Chae-yeon and following the script.

The entire party was a fake set by Pierre Choi. The attendees were con artists from around the country who had been promised a fee.

'Who is this girl? A Yoo from a construction company... Could it be Yoo Kyung-hwan's family?'

To Park Kang-woo, it seemed everyone at the party was looking at Yoo Chae-yeon, eager to talk to her.

Following Jennifer, who was playing Yoo Chae-yeon, Park Kang-woo's confidence grew.

After a few glasses of champagne, his voice grew louder, as he enjoyed showing off.

"Okay, cut."

Director Park Chan-hong gave the okay sign, and the staff quickly changed the camera setup for the next scene.

They were preparing for the next scene, where Pierre Choi and Park Kang-woo would have their first confrontation at the party.

"Alright, let's start the next scene if you're ready."

Yeonwoo, who had been waiting, came out and slightly bowed to Jung Hagyun, who was playing Park Kang-woo.

"I hope today's shoot goes well, senior."

"You're the one who's working hard, Yeonwoo."

"Yeonwoo, fighting!"

Han So-hyun, who was playing Yoo Chae-yeon, cheered from the side.

Yeonwoo smiled at Han So-hyun and took a few steps back.

Then, Director Park Chan-hong's voice came from a distance.

"Ready, action!"

At the director's signal, Jung Hagyun became Park Kang-woo.

Park Kang-woo, who seemed to have had a few drinks, was laughing loudly and talking to Yoo Chae-yeon.

Then Pierre Choi appeared.

He walked around the room with a swagger, holding a glass of champagne, and accidentally bumped into Park Kang-woo, not looking where he was going.

Of course, it was a staged collision.

"Ouch, damn... What the hell?!"

Park Kang-woo, seeing his suit getting wet, frowned and almost swore but held back, aware of Yoo Chae-yeon.

"Sorry, this is my first time in such a place, so I was looking around."

Pierre Choi, played by Jung Hagyun, made a submissive expression.

The director, watching Yeonwoo's expressions on the monitor, was impressed.

How could such a handsome face express such blatant submissiveness?

Director Park Chan-hong thought that Yeonwoo's detailed facial expressions, despite being a newcomer, could rival any actor.

The other directors watching with Park Chan-hong agreed.

Park Kang-woo, having a good day, was about to let the matter go after an apology but noticed that Yoo Chae-yeon's dress was also stained with champagne.

Yoo Chae-yeon, frowning, looked at her dress.

Park Kang-woo's mind raced.

'This guy said it's his first time here, so he's probably not very powerful.'

Park Kang-woo looked at the submissive Pierre Choi.

'Given his good looks, he's probably a playboy trying to score points with influential people like Yoo Chae-yeon.'

Deciding, Park Kang-woo grabbed Pierre Choi by the collar.

"Hey, young man. I don't mind, but you need to pay for the inconvenience to the lady."

"Ah, I'm sorry. I'll pay for the dry cleaning."

Pierre Choi, whose collar was grabbed, searched his back pocket with a slightly frightened, submissive expression.

"Ha, is there anyone here without money? Let's settle this in a different way."

Park Kang-woo, still holding Pierre Choi by the collar, dragged him towards the party's restroom.

"Mr. Park, you don't have to do this for me..."

Yoo Chae-yeon, or Jennifer, spoke with a sly tone.

Park Kang-woo waved his hand, signaling it was no big deal, and headed to the restroom with Pierre Choi.

Pierre Choi, being dragged, looked back at Yoo Chae-yeon.

Yoo Chae-yeon, now Jennifer, licked her lips with interest and winked at Pierre Choi.

Pierre Choi, seeing this, pouted comically and made a mischievous expression, but when he met Park Kang-woo's gaze, he quickly resumed his submissive look.

In a short time, he showed an astonishing range of expressions, almost like a clown.

"Okay, cut. Nice."

Director Park Chan-hong, satisfied with Yeonwoo's versatile and perfect performance, clapped.

"Director's nice, that means a dinner party tonight, guys."

The staff, hearing Director Park Chan-hong's shout, clapped and laughed.

Director Park Chan-hong, riding the momentum of a good shoot, continued with the next scene.

Park Kang-woo, grabbing Pierre Choi by the collar, dragged him to the restroom.

As they turned a corner, men in black suits surrounded them.

"What, what? Look, I'm a guest of Chairman No, and this guy was... "

Bang.

Gulp.

Kwak Ji-cheol, hidden among the men in black suits, hit Park Kang-woo on the back of the head with a bat.

Park Kang-woo immediately passed out.

"How does it feel? Stress relieved?"

Pierre Choi, adjusting his twisted tie, asked Kwak Ji-cheol.

"…Yes, I feel very relieved."

"But, what now? This is just the beginning. Huh."

Pierre Choi, kicking the unconscious Park Kang-woo's buttocks with his shoe, laughed menacingly.

When Park Kang-woo regained consciousness and opened his eyes, all he saw was darkness.

"Ugh!"

He tried to scream, but only muffled sounds came out due to the cotton in his mouth.

Then, a voice from the other side of the wall was heard.

-It seems the object has woken up. Take it out.

Bang!

Crash.

A loud noise and the sound of wood breaking were heard, and light started to seep in.

Park Kang-woo's vision, which had adjusted to the darkness, gradually recovered.

Seeing the scattered wood pieces around him, it seemed he had been tied up in a wooden box.