Chapter 156

EP.156 Audition Plan #2

“Hello… CEO.”

Chae Boyeong, still as beautiful as ever, greeted politely.

Sitting in the office of the fashion company, I tapped the desk lightly.

Boyeong cautiously approached and sat across from me.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes, CEO.”

It’s only our second meeting, but I’m really tempted.

It feels like I’ve been swayed too quickly.

I should hold back. My world domination plan still has a long way to go.

I don’t have time to focus on Boyeong.

After briefly looking at her, I asked,

“How’s the new song coming along?”

“Yes… the recording is done.”

“Then take a long vacation and go to Minnesota. Find someone there.”

Boyeong is the golden goose of WW Entertainment.

If she wants a break, the CEO has no choice but to oblige.

Boyeong replied,

“Understood. Who should I look for?”

“Stella Hailey. I’ll send you her photo and address, so keep it to yourself. You have two options: either set up an audition program, or pretend to accidentally discover Stella, assess her skills, and bring her back as your successor.”

“If we hold an audition… will Stella Hailey be the only one to pass?”

“Correct. If you have a better idea, think it over and decide.”

“Understood…”

Watching Boyeong agree so readily, I fell into thought.

I don’t think it’s necessary to make Stella part of WW Entertainment.

I need to make sure I can control her freely…

After pondering, I came up with a good idea.

“Boyeong.”

“Yes?”

“How long has your manager been with you?”

“A long time. We’ve been together since my debut.”

“Then try to persuade her. Let’s start a new agency.”

“A… new agency?”

“Yes. Prepare to leave WW Entertainment, and discuss it well with your manager.”

Boyeong swallowed hard.

Bringing this up suddenly must have startled her, but she quickly regained her composure.

Seeing her reaction, I smirked and continued,

“You can join later, but make sure your manager leaves as soon as possible. Tell Aram everything you need… and make sure Stella joins the new agency.”

“Understood.”

“Do you have any schedule today?”

“I have a variety show appearance in the evening, and a photoshoot…”

I glanced at the clock.

It’s lunchtime now, and Dr. Jennifer Cash probably thinks I’m in an important meeting, so I need to hold out for an hour or two to keep up appearances.

I used the remote on the desk to close all the doors and drew the curtains.

Anyone could tell something shady was about to happen.

Seeing my actions, Boyeong’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

“Tell your manager to go have lunch.”

“Ah, yes…!”

**

On my way home after finishing business with Boyeong.

I called Dr. Jennifer Cash from the car.

Before the first ring even finished, her voice came through the phone.

-Jihyuk, is the meeting over?

She must have been holding her phone, waiting for my call.

So cute.

“It’s over. Where are you now?”

-I’m on my way back too. Do you need anything?

“Nothing. Did you stop by Uijeongbu?”

-Yes. I bought some essentials and dropped them off.

“What did she say?”

-The usual. Thank you… and asking if it’s okay to keep doing this…

Her tone carried a hint of guilt.

Silvia must have asked about the device’s progress. Dr. Cash probably said it’s going smoothly.

She might feel guilty, but not as much as before.

That’s enough.

“Got it. Where are you now?”

-I’ll be back later than you.

“How do you know that?”

-Ah… well… you’re in Seoul for work… I just left Uijeongbu.

She must have been checking my location on her phone all the time, so she answered naturally.

Familiarity is scary.

I’m grateful for it.

Why? Because she keeps giving me opportunities.

“Really? Hmm…”

-Why…?

Her voice trembled slightly as I spoke in a slightly suspicious tone.

Serves her right. She dug her own grave.

“Nothing. I’m almost home, so hurry back.”

-I’ll be there soon. I have luggage, so come out to meet me. I don’t want to get wet.

“Call me two minutes before you arrive.”

-Got it. Love you.

“Me too.”

After showering at home, I chuckled when Dr. Cash called shortly after.

She didn’t take a flying taxi, yet she’s back from Uijeongbu so quickly?

No matter how much she misses me… if she keeps this up, I’ll want to find the tracker sooner.

Holding an umbrella, I stood at the front door for a minute or two.

Soon, a luxury sedan approached from a distance, slowed down, and entered the parking lot.

I smiled broadly as the car stopped, and I headed to the driver’s side.

Holding the umbrella silently, Dr. Cash got out of the car with a bright expression.

I was shocked when I covered her with the umbrella.

“Your hair… didn’t you cut it too short?”

Dr. Cash’s long hair had been cut into a bob.

Her hair, which used to reach her waist, was now shoulder-length.

The ends were wavy, and the asymmetrical side bangs were a nice touch.

It wasn’t unflattering. In fact, it gave her a more mature look, much better than before.

“What made you do this?”

“Just… it was too long and bothersome. How is it…?”

She asked, shyly avoiding eye contact.

“It’s pretty. Really. I should have told you to cut it sooner.”

“Really…? That’s a relief…”

Dr. Cash sighed in relief.

I looked at the suitcase in her hand and asked,

“What’s that? A suit?”

“Yes. It’s yours. Custom-made.”

“Mine? And custom-made? How did you know the fit?”

“Of course I know… I couldn’t not know…”

Dr. Cash blushed.

Feeling mischievous, I gently stroked her pale neck.

“Because we’ve been so close?”

At that, Dr. Cash pursed her lower lip and punched my chest.

I chuckled at her affectionate punch and returned home with her.

Dr. Cash, satisfied with her hair in the hallway mirror, handed me the suitcase and said,

“Try it on.”

“I’m lazy. But why did you buy it? I have plenty of suits…”

“From now on, wear what I buy you. Just try it on, okay? I need to check if it fits properly…”

Ah… even managing my wardrobe.

I love it. It’s thrilling.

“I’ll try it on before going out later.”

“Just try it on now…”

“Then I’ll wear it before bed tonight. Is that okay?”

“Okay…”

I grabbed Dr. Cash’s waist and pulled her close, kissing her from her forehead to her chin, all over her face.

Dr. Cash, who loves such displays of affection, gently pushed me away.

Then she took a small frame from her handbag and placed it on the TV stand.

A frame the size of two palms.

Curious, I approached the stand and was surprised.

Inside the frame was a nice photo of Dr. Cash and me, taken by an old man at the museum entrance.

‘Wow…’

I’m going crazy. She’s so lovable.

Staring at the frame in admiration, Dr. Cash hesitantly approached and asked,

“Is this okay…?”

“What?”

“The frame… is it okay to leave it here…? If you don’t like it, I’ll put it away…”

I silently turned and hugged Dr. Cash tightly.

After a while, I heard her sniffing on my shoulder.

She’s crying tears of joy. She’s so beautiful.

I can happily proceed with my brainwashing.

**

[Next World News. Yesterday morning, Korean time, an intruder was arrested at the home of a British football referee. The suspect, a hooligan, broke in after his team received unfavorable calls during a match……]

Humans react more sensitively to negative events than positive ones.

Even Dr. Cash is like that.

“They’re really crazy… everywhere you go, there are overzealous fans causing trouble.”

She genuinely looked disgusted, clicking her tongue as she watched TV.

Sitting silently beside her, I casually remarked,

“Humans are the problem. They’re just beings filled with violence.”

Dr. Cash turned her head sharply.

She looked at me for a moment, then sighed with a laugh and said,

“Humans are the problem… isn’t that a bit too extreme for a hooligan news story? And violence is a natural human emotion. I was so angry when you left that I even broke the TV.”

“That’s a wrong comparison. You restrained yourself well. And you were alone, so it ended at that because you’re not inherently violent.”

“Is that so?”

“Those people go to the stadium looking for a fight. They’re savages with no intention of making rational decisions. There are many such people on Earth.”

“Jihyuk… I think it’s not good to overanalyze things. Laws exist for a reason.”

Unlike Sehwa, Dr. Cash doesn’t have many gaps in this area.

She has firm beliefs.

This belief was shaped by Edward Parsons and her own values, and it’s hard to shake.

But now it’s different.

Dr. Cash loves and trusts me deeply.

Her values are aligning with mine.

Even if she’s firm now, showing her the dark side of humanity and if we suffer harm, it’s only a matter of time before her thoughts change.

Without taking my eyes off the TV, I said,

“What can I do if it’s meaningful? And laws? People don’t follow them well. On Earth, over a hundred thousand people die daily from murders, accidents, etc. Even in peaceful times, that number is huge. If a war breaks out, that number will skyrocket, and historically…”

Dr. Cash interrupted me.

“Jihyuk, if we debate like this, it’ll never end. Let’s calm down, okay?”

“Okay. I got too stressed today and suddenly snapped…”

“What happened?”

“Just… during the meeting, some idiot kept messing around without knowing the topic, and it annoyed me.”

Dr. Cash was stunned by my crude language.

After a moment, she regained her composure and spoke softly.

“You must have been really annoyed…”

I laughed and looked at her.

“You don’t even know what he said, but you think I was annoyed? Are you just trying to empathize? To comfort me?”

“No. You’re young and capable. That person must have been jealous and picked on you… I’m sure of it. There are many problematic people in the world. So just let it go, okay?”

“You just defended humans, but now what?”

“That’s… because I care about you the most… Ah, and why do you keep saying ‘humans’ instead of ‘people’? It sounds too cold… Ahh!”

Dr. Cash screamed and laughed as I pounced on her.

I pressed her shoulders and looked down at her.

“Dr. Cash.”

“Yes…?”

“You’re also a problematic person like other humans.”

“What… are you talking about…?”

“You can’t forget your husband, yet you love me.”

“No, I don’t! I only love you now… Mmm!”

I covered her mouth with my hand, and her neck stiffened.

She’s nervous, right? I raised one corner of my mouth and stared at her for a while.

“You only love me?”

Dr. Cash frantically shook her head.

Tsk, lying again. How dare she…

“Have you completely forgotten that jerk?”

“…..”

“See? You haven’t. Yet you say you only love me? Lied again?”

“…. Ahh…”

Dr. Cash mumbled with her mouth covered.

I bared my teeth and asked,

“Did you do wrong?”

“Nnh…”

“If you know you did wrong, what should you do?”

I slightly loosened my hand.

Dr. Cash gasped for air and avoided my gaze.

Then she said,

“I should… be punished…”

“How?”

“Like yesterday… I should answer your questions honestly… and obey…”

“Right?”

“Yes…”

“Then pack your bags.”

“Bags…?”

Dr. Cash frowned.

She acted like she was going to do something, but now she’s confused.

But she brightened up and jumped up at my next words.

“We’re going on a trip.”

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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