Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 210

The next day, an apology video was uploaded on WeTube by the person who had claimed that Gyun Seong-ha and Gyun Ha-ram had committed school violence.

The apology video featured the false accuser, whose face was mosaicked and voice was altered, confessing in detail what he had done to Gyun Seong-ha and Gyun Ha-ram in the past and what lies he had told in his recent exposé post.

‘Looks like it was handled well.’

Though I had not yet returned to the company, the fact that this incident was not simply dismissed with a statement from the agency acknowledging the falsehoods, but instead addressed thoroughly, pleased me the most.

Had it been otherwise, some people would continue to remember Gyun Seong-ha as a perpetrator of school violence.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen. The video, uploaded by the false accuser himself, was shared extensively and viewed millions of times, even becoming the number one trending video in real-time.

Moreover, this incident, along with Gyun Seong-ha’s touching past story, was reported multiple times on TV news.

Naturally, the allegations of school violence against the two disappeared completely, and this incident instead served as an opportunity to engrave a positive image in the minds of the public.

Baekdo Entertainment and our company each issued final statements announcing that they would press charges against those who spread false information and wrote malicious posts and comments, thus bringing this troublesome incident to a perfectly satisfying close.

So, this matter was resolved well.

“Hello.”

Entering the room with the introduced lawyer, I greeted the people sitting side by side on one of the sofas.

Seo Joo-won’s aunt, Seo Joo-won, his father, and Seo Moon-gyeol’s mother were seated in turn.

“Is it you? The one trying to falsely accuse our Joo-won of attempted murder?”

Seo Joo-won’s aunt immediately snapped at me, fiercely and harshly, as if trying to crush my spirit from the start.

Such behavior indicated that this person had resolved many issues in life by acting in this manner.

‘Someone who doesn’t know might think she’s Seo Joo-won’s mother.’

I thought leisurely, as if watching a trashy drama in my own living room.

“Other matters aside, basic manners should be maintained.”

“What?”

“Both of us dislike seeing each other’s faces, but…”

Ah, maybe not?

It seemed like there wouldn’t be anyone who disliked seeing my face anymore.

“Anyway, I’m enduring my dislike and showing as much respect as possible to you four. Right?”

I adjusted my expression to appear gentle and kind, so as not to seem too arrogant.

“Or… are you unable to show the respect that even a young student like me does?”

As I trailed off, as if asking if that was truly the case, Seo Joo-won’s aunt’s face turned bright red.

“And I’m here to talk with Gyeol’s parents, not to be disrespected by someone I don’t even know.”

“You ill-mannered brat, how dare you…”

Ah, dealing with people who try to suppress you with their age is tiring.

“Moreover, after falsely accusing our Joo-won of such nonsense, how can you be so shameless? Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution or the law? It’s astonishing how shamelessly alike you all are!”

It seemed that she had decided to label me as a despicable liar.

I just hoped that Seo Moon-gyeol’s parents, who were sitting there uncomfortably, didn’t agree with her ridiculous scheme.

“Excuse me…”

When Seo Joo-won’s father, who had been quietly listening, tried to say something, I took the initiative.

“Lawyer, it would be faster to show them the photos first.”

“Yes, here they are.”

The lawyer took out the printed photos from the file and handed them over to Seo Joo-won’s side.

The photos vividly showed the moment Seo Joo-won was strangling me.

“……”

A heavy silence fell.

Especially Seo Joo-won, who turned pale upon seeing the photos, as he had not known that Lee Young-min had taken them.

“If you still have something to say, go ahead. If not, please leave immediately.”

At my words, Seo Joo-won’s aunt, who had turned pale, shifted her target to Seo Moon-gyeol’s mother, who was silently clutching her teacup.

“How could you raise your child like this!”

It was then that Seo Joo-won’s father, who had been glaring at the shocking photos, spoke.

“Hee-sun, get out.”

“Brother-in-law!”

“As I’ve repeatedly said, I’m no longer your brother-in-law. I’ve told you not to come, yet you shamelessly followed and embarrassed me. Enough is enough.”

Although he didn’t raise his voice, Seo Joo-won’s father’s words clearly expressed his displeasure, leaving Seo Joo-won’s aunt speechless. She glared at me, grabbed her luxury bag, and stormed out.

While Seo Moon-gyeol’s mother remained silent, I didn’t particularly like Seo Joo-won’s father for staying quiet until now.

“I’m sorry. I truly believed them when they adamantly claimed innocence. I never imagined they would lie about something so serious. I’ve utterly failed in raising my child.”

### Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer Chapter 210

Seo Moon-gyeol’s father’s severe gaze was directed at Seo Ju-won, who had his head bowed in shame.

Hearing such words made me understand Seo Ju-won’s parents’ perspective a little.

‘No, let’s not be a pushover.’

I reminded myself of my life motto after a long time.

But these people…

“Haven’t you heard what Hyung Moon-gyeol has to say?”

* * *

To get straight to the point, the settlement went well.

In reality, what I did was closer to a literal agreement than a legal settlement that would allow the perpetrator to avoid criminal punishment.

We didn’t even submit a settlement to the court, so if they wanted to report it later, they could do so at any time. It was hard to believe how cold the recommendation was, given that it came from a family that had always backed Seo Ju-won, who had a self-centered attitude.

Perhaps it was because of the clear evidence, but fortunately, Seo Ju-won’s parents were not as uncommunicative as I had thought, and I got about as much as I wanted, which was quite satisfying.

‘But it’s strangely quiet…’

Oh Hyun-jin, who had been persistently calling and messaging me like a stalker, had been quiet since yesterday.

Did he give up, or is he waiting to meet me at the broadcast station tomorrow because of the music show?

I hoped it was the latter.

So, I needed a member to go to the broadcast station with me tomorrow.

‘Who would be good?’

First, Gyun Seong-ha was out.

Seo Moon-gyeol, who went to his family’s home with his family today, was also not in a good state these days and didn’t suit this matter, so he was out.

That left Kang Ji-woo and Ban Yo-han…

“Hyung Yo-han, you don’t have anything to do tomorrow, right?”

After considering various things, Ban Yo-han seemed the most suitable for this matter.

“I don’t have anything, but why?”

“Can you come with me to the Mupang schedule tomorrow? I’ve been so busy lately… It’s a bit much to go alone.”

After staring at me for a while without saying anything, Ban Yo-han nodded.

“Sure.”

Seeing Ban Yo-han kindly accepting my request with a gentle smile made me feel somehow uneasy, as if he was saying, ‘What would you do without me?’

“Maknae, I’m free tomorrow too.”

Kang Ji-woo, looking clearly disappointed, gave me a look that said, ‘Why him and not me?’

“I didn’t want to make you work hard, Hyung.”

Of course, that disappointment quickly turned into gratitude.

“So, you’re okay with me working hard?”

Despite his sharp words, Ban Yo-han looked pleased and raised his approval rating with a happy face. He’s really strange too.

* * *

Saturday.

After covering the bruises with makeup at the shop, I headed to MBS with Ban Yo-han.

Thanks to using some favors after settling with Seo Ju-won’s family, the unsightly bruises had considerably lightened.

Moreover, the parts that were not visible, such as the inside of my throat, were completely healed.

“What should we order for lunch?”

“How about lunch boxes?”

“Sounds good.”

“Then I’ll order lunch boxes. Please send me your individual menus via text.”

I felt like my stomach was tightening with tension while everyone else seemed relaxed and peaceful.

“On Raon, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“My stomach is a bit upset.”

Looking at the clock, it was almost noon.

As I was debating whether to contact him first, my phone rang loudly.

‘I guess I’m not cut out for being patient.’

It was Oh Hyun-jin.

I stepped out of the waiting room and answered the call this time.

“Let’s meet near the stairs with the green picture in 20, no, 30 minutes.”

Without any greeting, he quickly said what he wanted and hung up.

It seemed meeting me was his only purpose for calling, as he didn’t contact me again.

When the time came, I excused myself by saying I didn’t feel well and headed to the rendezvous point.

Creak. As I opened the stairwell door, the strong smell of cigarettes greeted me once again.

“You finally decided to come out, after running away like a coward.”

Oh Hyun-jin, who had arrived first, sneered, but I ignored him and examined his eyes.

…There was almost no strange white light left in his pupils.

This isn’t good.

“You look like a creepy stalker. What’s your reason for doing this?”

I deliberately provoked him while keeping a close watch on his reaction.

Of course, Oh Hyun-jin had no reason.

### Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer Chapter 210

Oh Hyun-jin, who had fallen into a shallow confusion trying to find a nonexistent reason for his actions, furrowed his brows. Just as I was about to continue speaking, my phone rang in my pocket.

I didn’t know who it was, but this wasn’t a situation where I could answer the call.

I pressed the volume button to silence the ringtone.

“Don’t remember? When we were together in True…”

“Trying to dig up the past to get a recording? It won’t work.”

Unfortunately, Oh Hyun-jin was more composed than I had anticipated.

However, he wasn’t entirely free from Zero’s influence.

If he were, he wouldn’t have bothered to call me out.

A slight irrational impulse still lingered within Oh Hyun-jin, and all I had to do was stir it up a bit.

* * *

It took less than ten minutes for me to achieve my goal.

‘Stupid bastard.’

As the price of success,

I was pushed down the stairs.

Yes, Oh Hyun-jin pushed me.

Though I had planned for this, actually being shoved down the stairs was something else.

What I hadn’t anticipated was the abnormal strength behind Oh Hyun-jin’s push, just like Seo Ju-won’s.

It felt like my heart was pounding loud and clear, like a roller coaster reaching its peak, in the slowest passage of time I’d ever experienced.

It was terrifying.

But this time, there was no safety bar, no one to catch me.

‘It’s okay. As long as I don’t hit my head first or twist my neck.’

However, contrary to my strangely calm thoughts, I reached out my arms like a fool.

I intended to grab the railing to delay my fall, but in hindsight, it was a futile effort. It would have been a hundred times better to use that hand to protect my head.

Regardless, I barely brushed against the thin metal railings. My fingers and nails repeatedly hit the railing without being able to grasp it firmly.

A metallic clanking echoed through the stairs.

With every sharp sound, a dull impact stung my hand.

My whole body tensed in anticipation of the imminent and fatal impact.

But no matter how long I waited, the terrible pain I expected didn’t come.

“…?”

I slowly turned my head, realizing that someone had caught me.

I smelled the characteristic scent of something burning.

“You…”

It was Yeong-min, who had returned after a few days. He wore a smile on his face.

“I gave you a precious core to keep you alive, and here you are, throwing yourself into danger without a second thought, our foolish yet impressive client.”

Despite his sharp words criticizing my recklessness, there wasn’t a hint of worry on the face of the guy who caught someone falling from a high staircase.

He even looked quite amused, like a supernatural being, whispering to me.

“So, how many weeks of injury should the brave manager who saved the celebrity in distress suffer to benefit our plan?”

The plan traced back to when Seo Ju-won choked me.