Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Thud!

As soon as I turned around, I relaxed my fist as much as I could and punched Former Director Han Myung-Sung in the stomach.

"Guh."

Han Myung-Sung dropped the hammer, clutched his stomach, and collapsed to the floor.

"Ghhh."

Han Myung-Sung rolled around on the floor, pretending he was dying, but I didn't even blink.

"How dare you try to crack my skull? With that hammer?"

"That's not—"

"What do you mean, it's not? I recorded everything, so don't give me that bullshit!"

I wanted to beat him to death, and even then, it wouldn't have been enough. Still, the place someone like him belonged wasn't a hospital. It was prison. That was why I held back when I punched him. One hit wasn't enough, though.

"Get up. I haven't even started yet!"

I grabbed Han Myung-Sung by the collar, hauled him up, and threw another punch.

Thud.

"Ghhh."

Han Myung-Sung twisted his body in pain. I didn't so much as blink and kept throwing punches.

I threw a punch to the stomach.

Thud.

"How could you..."

Then I threw one to the left side.

Thud.

"Take a person..."

I didn't stop there and threw another punch to the right side.

Thud.

"A person..."

I continued to throw another to the stomach.

Thud.

"And sell them for money!"

Thud, thud, thud.

Han Myung-Sung, who had been beaten like a sandbag, choked out a cry.

"Ghhh. Th-those kids wanted that too. And what's wrong with making some money in the meantime? Khh."

"They wanted it because they thought they were going to normal parents! You sold children to people who hadn't even been properly vetted, and you're saying that?"

Every child from an orphanage hoped to be adopted. It was their only chance to have the parents they had vaguely longed for. Still, people who bought children with money couldn't possibly be proper parents. In other words, the children raised under those adoptive parents were also highly likely not to be treated properly.

Most of all, the moment the children realized they had been sold for money, they would see themselves not as human beings but as objects traded for cash. And the moment they learned that their human dignity had been stripped away, they would give up on everything.

When I thought of the sorrow they must have gone through, and were still going through, something like fire boiled up inside me.

"Ah, fuck."

Thud.

I let go of his collar and threw another punch. This time, I failed to control my strength and Han Myung-Sung screamed in pain before losing consciousness.

"Why's his stamina so damn weak?"

Since I had taken the picture of Yoon Na-Ra, I slung Han Myung-Sung over my shoulder and left the hidden room.

The door was open anyway, so I could contact Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill later.

***

I set the unconscious Han Myung-Sung down in the director's office again.

Thump.

Director Choi Yi-Jin flinched and turned her gaze toward me.

"Do you have any twine or rope?" I asked.

Choi Yi-Jin pointed toward the corner. "Over there."

I grabbed the rope from the corner and tightly bound Han Myung-Sung. In the middle of it, Victoria signaled for me to come outside. Judging by her expression, it looked like she had managed to persuade Choi Yi-Jin to some extent.

I nodded and stepped out of the director's office. "How'd it go?"

Victoria answered, "You were right, Mr. Jung. The moment I offered her a billion won, she said she'd testify to everything. She said she'd tell us everything she knew about where the children were sent. She also said she'd hand over all the slush funds she hid away in anonymous bonds and gold. Apparently, it's around thirty billion won."

The slush fund we had uncovered for Han Myung-Sung was around ten billion won. Yet apparently, he had hidden away three times that amount.

"Really?"

"Yes. Though after talking to her, she seemed a little pitiful too."

"Pitiful?"

"Choi Yi-Jin was also an orphan from this orphanage."

Apparently, Choi Yi-Jin had started living at this orphanage when she was ten years old. Then, when she became an adult and it was time for her to leave, Han Myung-Sung suggested she work there as a staff member. Terrified of being thrown alone into an uncertain world, she had quickly accepted the offer. However, it had all been a trap laid by Han Myung-Sung, and she eventually became his mistress against her will.

Then, after Han Myung-Sung's ex-wife died, she ended up becoming his wife entirely. Now I understood why she had looked so happy when she heard he had collapsed. Choi Yi-Jin had been harboring resentment all this time.

"And despite all that, she still helped with the human trafficking?"

"It's hard to believe, but she said she was scared. And when she heard he collapsed, she thought she was finally free, so she was happy."

The fact that a victim had turned into an accomplice left me with mixed feelings.

"What should we do?"

"She didn't seem like she was lying?"

"No. Since Han Myung-Sung wasn't around, she spilled everything without even being pressed."

"In that case, we should accept her offer."

With Choi Yi-Jin's testimony, we could make sure Han Myung-Sung stayed locked up forever. And we could rescue the other victims as well.

"But even moving ten billion won wouldn't be easy. Do you think you can really move thirty billion? No matter how capable you are, you can't process that money faster than the investigators can. Mr. Seo said he's sending people soon."

Victoria grinned. "Choi Yi-Sun handled all of his affairs like a secretary would. She knows everything about Han Myung-Sung. So if you just give the okay, all we have to do is transfer the funds. I've got laundering accounts prepared."

Without expecting it, I had just gained a master key.

"Alright. Then start."

"Yes."

"And I'll move Director Han into the hallway so it's easier for you to work."

"I'd appreciate that. I'll be using the computer in the director's office."

"Okay. Let's go in."

Victoria and I went back inside, dragged the unconscious Han Myung-Sung out, and dumped him onto the cold hallway floor.

Thunk.

After that, I called Seo Jae-Ill.

-Yes, Mr. Jung. How did it go?

"That piece of trash had a list in the underground hidden room of the children he sold overseas. And I also heard there are people in both the Busan District Prosecutors' Office and Sasang Police Station who were colluding with him."

-Understood. Then I'll ask my senior, Prosecutor Yoo Dong-Baek at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office, to send investigators there.

"Yes. Also, the current director, Choi Yi-Sun, says she'll cooperate fully."

I explained that Choi Yi-Jin had grown up in this orphanage herself and was also, in a sense, a victim.

-Understood. I'll keep that in mind.

After ending the call, I immediately called my mother as well. Once Han Myung-Sung and Choi Yi-Jin were arrested, we would need people to temporarily care for the remaining twenty-two children from the orphanage before they could be transferred to Gwangju Angel Orphanage.

After taking care of the urgent matters, I looked through the photos of Wrtier Lee Ji-Yeon's older sister that I had taken in the hidden room earlier.

'She really seems familiar... Who is she...?'

Right then, my phone vibrated once again

Buzz.

[Notification: Fortune of the Day has been updated.]

Of all times, a new fortune appeared just as I was thinking about Lee Ji-Yeon's older sister. Thinking it might contain some kind of clue, I quickly checked Everyday. Still, what was written there made no sense.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: May 3, 2021]

[Fortune of the Day: Fate is closer than you think.

(Deleted Fortune: No matter what happens around you, now is the time to value yourself above all else.)]

'Fate is closer than you think?'

Lee Ji-Yeon's older sister was seventeen forty years ago. That meant she was fifty-seven this year, but among the people I knew, there wasn't anyone around that age with those kinds of features. Not celebrities, not broadcasting staff, not anyone in the industry.

'Who the hell is she?'

No matter how much I wracked my brain, I couldn't figure it out. Still, now that I had the photos, I decided I should hand them over to The Best Detective Agency once I got back to Seoul.

There were programs that could predict how someone would look as they aged, so I would have them generate a photo of Yoon Na-Ra at fifty-seven years old and search around Suwon based on that.

And I would use those photos to investigate the people around me too.

***

Click. Click.

Inside Hansomang Orphanage's director's office, Choi Yi-Jin and Han Myung-Sung were handcuffed by the prosecution investigators.

"You have the right to remain silent..."

At that moment, Yoo Dong-Baek of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office glared at the handcuffed Han Myung-Sung and barked at him.

"Han Myung-Sung. I'm gonna put all those prosecutors and cops you bribed into the same cell with you, so look forward to it. Got that? And you, bastard, ain't even human, so don't expect to be treated like one."

When Yoo Dong-Baek fixed him with his fierce glare, Han Myung-Sung lowered his head. Still, nobody pitied him.

Just then, one of the prosecution investigators who had gone down to the basement came running back up. "We've started moving the materials from the hidden room in the basement."

"Don't miss a single thing. That's all the information on those poor people who got sold off."

"Yes, sir."

The prosecution investigator hurried back out of the director's office.

While search and seizure operations were being carried out everywhere, I quietly approached Yoo Dong-Baek. Then I told him about the deal I had made with Choi Yi-Jin.

"Sir. Director Choi Yi-Jin turned herself in and said she'll reveal everything she knows and cooperate fully. She's also a victim of Han Myung-Sung, so I'd appreciate it if you could take that into consideration."

Yoo Dong-Baek took a breath and looked at me. "I heard about it from Jae-Ill, but even so, she probably won't avoid prison time."

"She already understands that much."

"Well, if she cooperates properly, she might get a reduced sentence. I'll do what I can."

"Thank you."

Only then did I nod toward Choi Yi-Jin, who was standing there in handcuffs.

Choi Yi-Jin hesitated before bowing her head. "I know I have no right to say this... but I'm sorry."

After confessing everything, Choi Yi-Jin now looked completely different from before, calm and subdued. At that moment, Han Myung-Sung, who had ended up taking the full blame alone, suddenly exploded at Choi Yi-Jin.

"Choi Yi-Jin! After everything I did for you, how dare you betray me?"

Choi Yi-Jin trembled and shouted back. "Wasn't all of it only because you needed me?"

"What?"

"Stop pretending! Did you think I didn't know I was nothing more than a tool to you?"

"Y-you insolent little..."

"And I never realized it until now, but looking at you, you're really just an old man. A truly awful old man at that."

"Hey! Choi Yi-Jin. You think I'll let you off once I get out later? Huh?"

"You think you're getting out of prison? Then there's something I should tell you."

Choi Yi-Jin, breathing heavily with anger, started walking toward Han Myung-Sung.

At that moment, the female prosecution investigator arresting Choi Yi-Jin grabbed her arm. "Hey. What do you think you're doing?"

Choi Yi-Jin looked at her pleadingly. "Just a moment, please. Just a moment is enough. There's something I absolutely have to say."

The prosecution investigator glanced toward Yoo Dong-Baek.

Yoo Dong-Beak shrugged. "Well, they were practically common-law spouses at one point. Let her say goodbye."

When the investigator stepped aside, Choi Yi-Jin was able to move closer. Once she got near, she leaned toward Han Myung-Sung's ear and whispered something. Just then, Han Myung-Sung's body suddenly began trembling violently, and he even started stammering.

"Y-you crazy... D-do you even know what kind of money that is... Guaaahk."

Thud.

Han Myung-Sung instantly lost consciousness, his body tilting limply to the side.

The prosecution investigators rushed over in alarm to support him. "Huh? What's wrong with him? Sir! Sir!"

"Hey! What're you standing around for?! Call an ambulance already!"

When Han Myung-Sung collapsed foaming at the mouth, one of the prosecution investigators eventually hoisted him onto his back and ran out of the director's office.

Watching him get carried away, Choi Yi-Jin finally looked relieved. "All you ever cared about your whole life was money. Serves you right, you bastard!"

Yoo Dong-Baek asked what she had said to make him react like that. Still, Choi Yi-Jin refused to answer, saying it was personal. After all, keeping Han Myung-Sung's slush funds secret had been one of the conditions of her deal with me.

After Choi Yi-Jin was also escorted outside by the prosecution investigators, Yoo Dong-Baek looked at me anxiously. "Anyway, I think I should get going soon. When are the nuns who'll take charge of the orphanage arriving?"

Right then, I heard loud voices from outside.

"Yoon-Ho! We're here!"

"Where are you?"

I smiled and said, "They're here."

I immediately stepped out of the director's office and into the hallway.

"Over here!"

The five nuns spotted me and waved. They were Sister Angelina, Sister Teresa, Sister Rosa, Sister Valentina, and Sister Francesca. These were nuns who operated orphanages in Busan and Gyeongnam and were acquaintances of Mother Michaela. Whenever they visited Gwangju Angel Orphanage, they treated the children there with the same love and care as their own.

And now, after receiving my mother's request, they had gladly come here. They said they would take care of the children until they could be transferred to the orphanage in Gyeonggi Gwangju.

"You all came."

The nuns smiled warmly as they gathered around me.

"If Yoon-Ho asks for help, of course we'd come."

"That's right."

"Though if you were coming to Busan, why didn't you contact us earlier instead of only now?"

The nuns were smiling at me with the same gentle warmth they had shown ever since I was a child. Once again, I realized just how much happier my childhood had been compared to the children living in this orphanage.

And at the same time, I resolved to pass on the love I had received to the twenty-two orphaned children we had saved today.

***

The children from Hansomang Orphanage would only be able to move to Gwangju Angel Orphanage in Gyeonggi Province once the paperwork was completed. So I asked the sisters to take good care of the children in the meantime.

After saying goodbye to Yoo Dong-Baek as well, I returned to Seoul. I dropped Lee Doo-Oh and Victoria off in Guro and Myeongdong respectively before heading back to Cheonho-dong. Carrying the icebox filled with noodles from Wangcho Grandma Noodles, I entered the first floor.

Miso, who had been drawing on a tablet, greeted me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Did you buy noodles?"

"Of course I did~"

"Yay! Then let's eat right away."

"You haven't eaten yet?"

"Nope!" Miso wrapped her tiny hands around her stomach and puffed out her cheeks. "So I'm super, super hungry! I don't even have the energy to sing the Hungry Song."

Landlady Jung In-Ji smiled warmly. "Miso said she wanted to wait and eat with you, Chief Jung."

I smiled apologetically. "You should've eaten first, though."

"Oh, come on. We could wait an hour or two."

"Then I'll heat it up right away. You'll have dumplings too, right?"

It was almost time for the daily drama on KBC 1TV that Jung In-Ji liked to start. That was why I offered to prepare it myself.

Still, Jung In-Ji shook her head. "No, Chief Jung, you must be tired, so sit down."

I insisted several times that I would do it, but she stubbornly waved me off, so I reluctantly gave in.

"Then at least let me move the noodles over for you. There's a lot, so it's heavy."

"Alright. By the way, where's it from?"

"Ah, it's from Wangcho Grandma Noodles, that really famous place run by three generations."

"W-what?" Jung In-Ji flinched in surprise.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"N-no. I've had it before a long time ago, that's all..."

The sixty-three-year-old woman forced an awkward smile, saying she had eaten there long ago.

Just as I was wondering why she reacted like that, a commercial for A Life Lived Twice, Writer Nam Jong-Ok's new drama airing at the end of May, started playing on KBC 1TV.

Jung In-Ji hurriedly changed the subject. "That melodramatic drama writer really never gets tired. She's back again."

Right then, Miso shot her hand into the air and spoke up. "Grandma, I'm gonna be in a daily drama too!"

Jung In-Ji smiled brightly. "Wow. You're gonna do your best too?"

"Yes!"

Jung In-Ji headed toward the kitchen. Her behavior felt strange, but I couldn't ask any more questions. I carried the icebox full of noodles into the kitchen before returning to the living room.

That was when Miso brought her tablet over and sat beside me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho. So when do I start practicing?"

After hearing that her older sister might still be searching for her, Lee Ji-Yeon had started heavily revising the script for Land of Happiness. Because of that, Miso hadn't been able to practice for several days while waiting for the revised script.

"Why? Do you want to practice?"

"Yes! I want to try."

"If the script's being changed, why practice now?"

"Can't we at least do Scene 22 from Episode 1?"

Scene 22 from Episode 1 was the scene where Lee Ji-Yeon, back when she was still Yoon Kkot-Nim, spat harsh words at her older sister. Since that scene had been lifted directly from reality, it was one scene that would never change. I honestly couldn't tell when Miso had gotten this clever.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho~ I waited all day just to get your permission~ Please~?"

Miso never did anything she was told not to do. Still, if I stopped her from even doing something this small, there was a chance she would stop holding herself back in the future too.

"Alright. Then we're only doing that one scene and nothing more. Got it?"

"Yay! Okay."

Miso climbed onto the sofa in the living room. As if she were sitting in a wheelchair, she relaxed all the strength in her legs and began immersing herself in the role. I lowered the TV volume to help her focus more deeply.

After taking a single deep breath, Miso sank even further into the performance and began acting. It was the scene from the day Yoon Na-Ra abandoned Yoon Kkot-Nim.

『Unnie, you're the same too! You think I killed Mom and Dad, don't you? That's why you hate me and want to send me to another orphanage, right? Fine! I'll just live like this until I die! Don't come looking for me either...!』

It was only a single scene, but Miso acted with complete sincerity. Despair flickered across her face. So did anger. Yet, there was another emotion mixed in now that hadn't been there the first time she performed it. A desperate yearning seeped through, almost as if she were begging to be forgiven.

After hearing Lee Ji-Yeon's story, Miso had started reflecting her own character analysis into the performance even though the script hadn't been revised yet. No matter how many times I saw it, it was amazing, but I couldn't fully focus on Miso's acting.

'Still, if fate is nearby, then where exactly is Yoon Na-Ra?'

At that moment, the sound of a porcelain bowl shattering came from the kitchen.

Crash!

Startled, Miso stopped practicing and jumped to her feet. "Grandma! Are you okay?"

I quickly stood up as well and looked toward the kitchen. "Are you alright, ma'am?"

But Jung In-Ji, who had dropped the dish, trembled as she spoke. "Miso... What... What did you just say? Where did you hear that story?"

'Huh? Why is Mrs. Jung In-Ji so shocked?'