Chapter 1042: Princess and the Maid (2)

Before the regression, the female lead of Happy & Happy, a coming-of-age first love story about a male high school student and a visually impaired young woman who both had dogs named Happy, had originally been played by Ahn Yoo-Ra's daughter, Go Min-Yung.

Go Min-Yung had done a decent enough job portraying the teenage romance in the film, but her performance as a visually impaired character had fallen far short. On top of that, both she and the male lead, Ahn Sung-Soo, had been embroiled in personality controversies, so Director Jung Na-Mi had already agreed that the female lead would be cast through an open audition.

I immediately said that I wanted to strongly recommend Moon Soo-Jung's daughter, Han Bo-Bae, for the Happy & Happy audition. And when I backed someone, it usually meant they got the role unless something extraordinary happened.

However, Moon Soo-Jung didn't look nearly as happy as I had expected even though Han Bo-Bae finally had a real chance to become the lead instead of playing Go Min-Yung's friend.

"Um... Thank you so much, but... could I ask what kind of project it is?"

Happy & Happy was produced and distributed by LT Entertainment, so the script had been sent to every talent agency. Yet she had never even heard the title.

I said, "The distributor sent the script to every agency. You're saying you've never seen it?"

"That's right. I review every script that comes in for my daughter, but we never received anything like that. We did get an offer for a supporting role in a children's movie called Happy and Baduk's Exciting Adventure not long ago..."

At that moment, I turned to look at Ahn Yoo-Ra. As a top actress known for her exceptional acting and commanding presence, she also had an outstanding eye for scripts. If that was the case, there was a good chance she had recognized Happy & Happy's potential and deliberately kept it away from Han Bo-Bae. She had done the same thing before the regression, snatching a role that had almost gone to Han Bo-Bae and giving it to her own daughter, Go Min-Yung.

I turned to Ahn Yoo-Ra and asked, "Did you stop the script from reaching Bo-Bae?"

Ahn Yoo-Ra immediately snapped. "W-What do you mean I stopped the script from Bo-Bae? What kind of person do you think I am?"

'So she did.'

Whenever someone called out one of her lies, her ears always turned bright red. It was exactly the same as before the regression.

"As far as I know, when HK Entertainment receives a script, the management team automatically sends it to every actor on the list. Unless someone interfered, there's no way Bo-Bae wouldn't have received it."

"So? Why are you asking me that?"

"Because more than anyone, you'd know Bo-Bae is a better actress than Min-Yung. So you made sure she never even saw the script and robbed her of the chance to audition."

"No! That's not true! And... even if she had gotten it, it wouldn't have changed anything. Maybe Min-Yung could've handled the female lead in Happy & Happy, but someone like Bo-Bae could never pull off a performance at that level!"

As she spoke, Ahn Yoo-Ra's ears turned an even deeper shade of red. Moon Soo-Jung caught on immediately.

"Yoo-Ra... was it really you? Did you stop the script from getting to Bo-Bae?" asked Moon Soo-Jung.

"I said no!"

"Then why are your ears so red?"

"Because you're saying something so ridiculous I'm getting worked up! That's why! Besides, even if she had auditioned, what's the point of recommending a project she couldn't get anyway? All you'd do is get the poor girl's hopes up!"

"So just like Mr. Jung said... is the truth that my Bo-Bae's actually a better actress than Min-Yung?"

Ahn Yoo-Ra flared up. "Hey, Moon Soo-Jung! You actually believe that? Huh? Your daughter's not that good!"

Even after it became obvious that Ahn Yoo-Ra had been lying, Moon Soo-Jung still couldn't push back as forcefully as I expected. After ten years of receiving work through Ahn Yoo-Ra, the balance of power between them had naturally shifted.

Furious, I deliberately put extra emphasis on the words "Bo-Bae's mother" so Moon Soo-Jung would find the courage to stand up to her. Ever since I started talking about Han Bo-Bae, she had been paying more attention to me than to Ahn Yoo-Ra.

"Ma'am. I am speaking to Bo-Bae's mother, not actress Ms. Moon Soo-Jung. Happy & Happy is a teenage romance about a visually impaired girl with her guide dog, Happy, who falls in love with a high school boy raising a pet dog with the same name. Haru has already been confirmed as the male lead.

"Haru...?"

"That's right. LT Entertainment is investing in and distributing the film themselves. So please entrust Bo-Bae to me. She can't keep playing Min-Yung's friend forever."

When a major distributor like LT Entertainment handled both the investment and distribution, it meant one thing. It was a highly anticipated project. Moon Soo-Jung knew exactly what that meant. She glanced repeatedly at Ahn Yoo-Ra before clenching her teeth.

"If the hottest talent agent in the industry is willing to go this far for Bo-Bae..."

That was when Ahn Yoo-Ra decided she's had enough and turned to outright threats. "Moon Soo-Jung! Think very carefully before you open your mouth! If you accept Chief Jung's offer, we're finished. And of course, don't expect another role recommendation from me!"

At the moment, Moon Soo-Jung's household depended almost entirely on the money she earned from minor acting roles. Han Bo-Bae was still too young, and the income she made from supporting roles amounted to little more than spending money. Meanwhile, her husband ran a small flower shop that barely stayed afloat.

So when Ahn Yoo-Ra, the person who had been getting her acting jobs, declared she would cut ties with an actress who wasn't even signed to an agency, Moon Soo-Jung fell silent, confronted by reality.

I immediately used the full authority Kang Gam-Chan had given me. "Ma'am, don't worry. I'll help you."

"How?"

"I'd like to bring you into Hoop Entertainment as well, together with your daughter."

"You're recruiting me too?"

"Yes. I was planning to explain everything more gradually because of my arrangement with Mr. Kang Gam-Chan, but after seeing you threatened like this, I can't stay quiet any longer. If you join our company, I'll offer you a signing bonus of fifty million won immediately. Your daughter will receive the same amount as well. The profit split will be sixty-forty. Naturally, both of you will receive the sixty.

Moon Soo-Jung currently wasn't signed with any agency. She was a remarkable supporting actress who always left a lasting impression, but because she walked with a limp, not a single agency had been willing to sign her.

However, I was the only person in the world who could help Moon Soo-Jung be recognized not as a disabled woman, but as a proud actress. Because I already had an entire list of roles she was perfect for.

"And if you need a steady monthly income, we can adjust the profit split to fifty-fifty and provide you with a fixed salary of two to three million won every month."

"You're... recruiting me even with my leg... and my face like this?"

"What does a disability have to do with acting? If anything, I'll find you even more distinctive and memorable characters. If necessary, I'll even persuade writers to create new roles just for you. So please... leave Ms. Ahn Yoo-Ra behind. At Hoop Entertainment, we can give actress Moon Soo-Jung and Han Bo-Bae the brilliant future that Ms. Ahn Yoo-Ra never could!"

My earnest plea filled Moon Soo-Jung's face with hope. Yet she asked in a trembling voice, "But... will Mr. Kang really accept me? I heard he doesn't even want to think about what happened back then... that he says it wasn't his responsibility."

'What the hell is she talking about?'

"What are you talking about? Mr. Kang still suffers because of what happened in the past."

Moon Soo-Jung blinked as though she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Really?"

"Yes. Just today, President Pi Sang-Deuk came to threaten him with exposing what happened back then, and Mr. Kang Gam-Chan was prepared to step down from his position. He kept blaming himself, saying that you were injured because of him."

"I've never heard that before."

At that moment, I shot Ahn Yoo-Ra a sharp glare. This time, Moon Soo-Jung glared at her too.

"Yoo-Ra... Didn't you tell me Mr. Kang couldn't even stand hearing my name? That he said none of it was his fault? So what's going on here?"

The same Moon Soo-Jung who used to shrink back whenever Ahn Yoo-Ra merely glared at her had completely changed. Ahn Yoo-Ra looked even more shocked that Moon Soo-Jung was standing up to her than that her lie had been exposed.

"Hey! Moon Soo-Jung! Since when did you think you could raise your voice at me?"

"How could I not? If Mr. Jung is telling the truth, then everything you've been saying for the past ten years has been a lie!"

Only then did I finally understand why Moon Soo-Jung had been so reluctant to meet Kang Gam-Chan. To keep Moon Soo-Jung under her control, Ahn Yoo-Ra had fed her nothing but blatant lies about Kang Gam-Chan.

Yet Ahn Yoo-Ra shamelessly doubled down. "Are you really this clueless? He's the one who's lying! If the truth about that incident came out, Kang Gam-Chan's entire career would be over. Do you honestly think he'd just admit it? Huh? And after I've been supporting you for ten years, you're going to believe him instead of me? I'm honestly disappointed in you!"

Without another word, I raised the watch on my left wrist and played the audio recording. When I heard Pi Sang-Deuk had come by earlier, I had started recording out of habit as I headed to the meeting room.

-That's right. She's a wonderful actress. She's kind, too. And the reason Soo-Jung ended up with a permanent injury... was because of me.

From the recording came Kang Gam-Chan's voice, heavy with unbearable regret. There was a lonely resignation in Kang Gam-Chan's voice as he spoke of being driven away by her furious parents, unable to see her again despite paying one hundred million won. Then came one regret-filled confession after another—not wishing for forgiveness, but worrying that Moon Soo-Jung might still be suffering.

Flustered, Ahn Yoo-Ra reached for the watch on my wrist. "T-Turn that off!"

Grabbing Ahn Yoo-Ra's wrist before she could snatch it away, I turned to Moon Soo-Jung. "I don't know what lies you've been told, but as you've just heard from Mr. Kang himself, he has never once pretended you didn't exist."

Moon Soo-Jung stared silently at my phone before turning a burning glare toward Ahn Yoo-Ra. For the first time, genuine anger appeared on her face.

"Ahn Yoo-Ra. I thought you were my friend... my benefactor. But to you... I guess I was nothing more than a servant you could push around."

Moon Soo-Jung's voice gradually took on the commanding tone of Chief Choi, the ruthless court lady she had most recently portrayed. It rang out with powerful authority, her sharp gaze practically radiating killing intent.

Overwhelmed by Moon Soo-Jung's sudden forcefulness, Ahn Yoo-Ra flinched and stammered. "N-No, Soo-Jung. I... I..."

"And just like Mr. Jung said... you were planning to turn my daughter into your daughter's maid too?"

"That's not true!"

"Don't make me laugh!"

Moon Soo-Jung's booming voice echoed through the room, instantly silencing Ahn Yoo-Ra.

"Listen carefully, Ahn Yoo-Ra. I can live my whole life as a maid if I have to. My leg is like this, and so is my face. But... I will never let my daughter end up the same way. So let's never see each other again!"

Her furious voice thundered through the living room as though speakers had been installed everywhere.

Ahn Yoo-Ra trembled, staring at her in disbelief. "How dare... someone like Moon Soo-Jung... speak to me..."

That was when I raised my own voice. "Someone like Ahn Yoo-Ra should watch how she speaks to an actress from Hoop Entertainment."

"Grrr!" Grinding her teeth, Ahn Yoo-Ra glared at me before springing to her feet. "Jung Yoon-Ho. You'd better be ready for what's coming!"

I let out a dismissive snort. Now that I knew this entire mess had happened because Moon Soo-Jung had been deceived, there was nothing left for me to fear.

"You should be the one getting ready."

After throwing one last venomous glare my way, Ahn Yoo-Ra spun around.

Bang.

The front door slammed shut with a violent crash.

"I can't believe... I ever thought someone like her was my friend..."

Moon Soo-Jung's voice was heavy with bitter regret. Just as I was about to comfort her, she opened her mouth again,

"Mr. Jung... could I see Mr. Kang? No... Uncle Gam-Chan?"

Moon Soo-Jung was the one asking first. She wanted to clear up the misunderstanding herself.

Smiling warmly, I nodded. "Let's go right now."

***

During the drive from Yongsan to Apgujeong, Moon Soo-Jung sat with both hands clasped together, saying nothing. Fortunately, traffic was light, so we reached the company in no time.

I parked in the underground garage, as close to the elevator as possible.

Creak.

Stepping out from the driver's seat, I held out my hand toward Moon Soo-Jung as she climbed out of the passenger side.

"Take my hand."

Moon Soo-Jung accepted it as she stepped out. "Thank you, Mr. Jung. Come to think of it... Uncle Gam-Chan used to hold out his hand for me whenever I got out of the car too..."

A nostalgic smile spread across her face before she suddenly caught herself.

"Oh, right. And... Thank you for letting me hear Uncle Gam-Chan's voice earlier. Hearing that recording really woke me up. I've had so much on my mind that I forgot to thank you."

"No, I'm the one who's grateful that you came."

Just then, the elevator arrived at Basement Level 1.

Ding.

As the doors slid open, Kang Gam-Chan stepped out with Director Kang Ji-Yung. The moment Kang Gam-Chan saw us, he hurried over at a run.

Whoosh.

The transparent automatic doors at the entrance to the parking garage slid open. The man who was always dignified and unshakable came to a breathless stop three meters in front of Moon Soo-Jung.

Then, he stood there.

Thirty years had passed since the bond they had formed when she was seventeen had been severed. Now, standing before Moon Soo-Jung, who had become a forty-seven-year-old mother, Kang Gam-Chan struggled to speak.

"Soo-Jung... No... I suppose I should call you Ms. Soo-Jung now..."

Gone was the mountain-like composure that never seemed to waver. He was so nervous that he couldn't even settle on how to address her.

Just then, Moon Soo-Jung let go of my hand and slowly walked toward him with an unsteady gait. She stopped in front of Kang Gam-Chan. Thirty years of distance had shrunk to barely thirty centimeters.

Looking up at him with a gentle smile, she said, "Uncle, you're still just as handsome as you were back then."

"Ms. Soo-Jung..."

"Can't you just call me Soo-Jung like you used to?"

"...All right. Soo-Jung. No... Princess."

The moment he called her by the nickname he had used when she was seventeen, longing filled Moon Soo-Jung's face.

"I think I'm a little too old to be called Princess now. My daughter is already the same age I was back then."

Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. "No matter how old you are, you'll always be my Princess."

"You're still the same. You always see the best in me."

At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan clenched his fists before slowly bowing his head. "Soo-Jung. I should've come to apologize much sooner. I'm so sorry it took me this long. Even now... I hope you'll accept my apology. If that accident hadn't happened, you would've..."

Before Kang Gam-Chan could finish, Moon Soo-Jung gently took his hands, stopping him from bowing any farther. "No, Uncle. The accident wasn't your fault. And... honestly, I'm the one who's sorry. You would never have abandoned me, yet I misunderstood you and resented you."

"Misunderstood me?"

"When I regained consciousness a week after the accident, my parents were furious. They told me you never even came. They said you caused the accident and then pretended nothing had happened."

"...What? What are you talking about? I sold my ancestral land and my house and brought one hundred million won with me."

"I know. Mr. Jung let me hear the recording earlier."

"He did?"

"And my parents also received separate compensation from the company."

Kang Gam-Chan immediately understood what had happened. "So they were trying to collect compensation twice."

"...My parents have always loved money."

"I'm sorry. I should've forced my way past your parents and into your hospital room."

"No. In a way, I actually felt relieved back then. At least I didn't have to go back to that hell anymore."

Hearing her say she had been glad the accident kept her from working made my heart ache. Kang Gam-Chan looked just as heartbroken.

Then Moon Soo-Jung spoke again. "I'm sorry, Uncle. And please stop blaming yourself. The accident happened because the company pushed an unreasonable schedule. It wasn't your fault."

With those words, she lifted one of the heavy stones that had weighed on Kang Gam-Chan's heart for thirty years. His expression visibly softened.

"Thank you, Soo-Jung."

"Not at all, Uncle. And I know it's shameless of me to ask, but... would you be willing to take me back? This time, I'll really give it everything I've got."

Kang Gam-Chan answered in an equally trembling voice, "I'm the one asking the favor. Will you become my actress again?"

Moon Soo-Jung's voice caught in her throat. "Yes, Uncle. And... I'm sorry it took me so long to come back."

Kang Gam-Chan squeezed her hands tightly and nodded. Tears gradually welled up in both of their eyes as they stood there holding each other's hands.

***

After clearing up the misunderstanding, Kang Gam-Chan and Moon Soo-Jung stood hand in hand, quietly talking.

"We're going to the hospital today. First a full examination. If surgery is necessary, we'll do that too..."

Moon Soo-Jung had been left with a limp because she never received proper treatment after the accident. The people who called themselves her parents had pocketed the one hundred million won Kang Gam-Chan had brought. When Kang Gam-Chan learned the truth, he struck his own chest in frustration and insisted they go straight to the hospital.

Just then, Kang Ji-Yung, who had been quietly watching them, smiled. "Thanks to this, we don't have to worry about that blackmail anymore, do we?"

I nodded. "That's right. As long as Ms. Moon Soo-Jung is with us, they've lost their only leverage. Instead, Ms. Ahn Yoo-Ra should be worrying about her own dirty deeds over the past ten years coming to light."

Having already heard what had happened, Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Exactly. In that case, we'd better bring Bo-Bae in for training right away. The Happy & Happy audition is just around the corner."

Kang Ji-Yung was already determined to make Han Bo-Bae the film's female lead. However, there was something I had to do first.

"No. I have something to take care of before that."

"What is it?"

"An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth."

From this moment on, I intended to make both Pi Sang-Deuk and Ahn Yoo-Ra pay dearly for what they had done today.

'Pi Sang-Deuk. Ahn Yoo-Ra. Now it's my turn to attack.'