"Is there a first-aid kit in the office?"
"Yes. Who's hurt?"
"Me."
Shedding his shirt, Lee Jin-woo revealed a gash. Yoon Hye-na gasped, covering her mouth.
Ha Joo-hee choked on her spit, coughing. "Oppa, ottoke, ottoke…"
"Just a scratch. Get the kit." He touched the wound, wincing slightly.
Shibal, too careless.
No matter how strong, he was still flesh and blood.
A stab still bled.
"Here's the kit, President. I'll help." Yoon Hye-na knelt to tend the wound.
"No need. Ha Joo-hee's got it… I need you to handle something. Ask Driver Kim for details."
"Got it, President… Secretary Ha, do it right. Disinfect properly."
"Ne, I'll be thorough."
Ha Joo-hee nodded, inching forward on her knees, carefully treating the wound by his abdomen.
"Cheon Kyung-tae? I'll have him investigated. Good work, Driver Kim."
"Rep Yoon, this was our failure as subordinates."
"Yes, but with you here, I trust it won't happen again."
"Rep Yoon, I need details on the company—cars, drivers, security."
"Of course. I'll have the files sent to you."
"Kamsahamnida." Driver Kim retreated to the waiting area, sitting still as a statue.
A boss's driver stayed where the boss was.
Click~
The office door opened. Ha Joo-hee emerged with the kit.
Closing the door softly, Yoon Hye-na asked, "How's the President?"
"Mm~" Ha Joo-hee pointed to her mouth, hurrying to the bathroom.
After rinsing, she reported, "Wound's treated. Just skin-deep, not serious. But I suggest a hospital visit—it's a knife cut!"
"I'll talk to him. Back to work."
Yoon Hye-na hesitated, pointing at Ha Joo-hee's lace choker. "Secretary Ha, it's frayed. Take it off."
Ha Joo-hee checked a mirror, spotting the damage, and rushed to her desk.
"Rep Yoon, how's this?"
She held up a purple lace choker, modeling it.
"Uh~ Nice." Yoon Hye-na nodded absently, thinking, So he likes these. Should I get some?
Beep~
"Secretary Ha, bring the newbies."
"Ne."
Hanging up, Ha Joo-hee found the two newcomers in the training room.
"Nana Lin, Choi Soo-bin, come with me. President wants you."
Nervous, they followed her to the president's office.
Before meeting him, their minds swirled with dread. Horror stories about trainees and artists were rampant.
Everyone dreamed of stardom, but no one wanted to be tabloid fodder.
Seeing him in person, fear intensified—mixed with rebellious tension and anticipation. An odd shyness made their eyes dart to the man.
Shirtless, his chiseled frame screamed power, like a Greek god.
Firm pecs and eight-pack abs oozed raw masculinity, a devil's poison, addictive.
"Wow~ Daebak, even hotter than Changmin-oppa." Choi Soo-bin squealed under her breath, itching to touch those muscles.
But why the gauze on his abdomen? Was he hurt?
Aish~ Which dog dared hurt such a gorgeous President-oppa? Shibal.
Just a girl crushing on a handsome, buff oppa.
Nana Lin stayed silent, but her untouched eyes sparkled.
"President, they're here."
At Ha Joo-hee's prompt, Lee Jin-woo slipped on a shirt from the rack. "Oh, arrived."
Shirt unbuttoned, he approached, lifting Nana Lin's chin to meet his gaze.
"Hm~ Double eyelid surgery, slight eye-corner opening…"
Tilting his head, he added, "Nose bridge is low, lacks dimension. Tough for international appeal. Injections."
Hyaluronic acid was old news.
Natural beauty? Without maintenance, no one beat time's shine.
No bone surgery? That's "natural" enough.
Double eyelids, fillers, pricey upkeep—only cash defied age.
Piles of cash bought lasting beauty.
The older you got, the clearer it was: money bought everything.
"Face needs slimming. Make her a detailed health plan… Then, enter her in contests."
Models split two ways: contestants and earners.
Contestants could skyrocket with a good ranking, leaping classes.
Earners started with cash, steady, testing skills and grit. More experience, stronger staying power if they broke out.
"Strip." He stepped back, sprawling on the wide sofa.
Arms spread on the backrest, total villain vibes.
Nana Lin and Choi Soo-bin froze. Strip? What kind of request?
"You two, what're you thinking? Figure, figure—check your build."
Ha Joo-hee scolded the overthinking newbies, deadpan.
"Oh~" Nana Lin got it, asking, "Then, just the outer layer, right?"
"Everything off, keep underwear. Never interviewed elsewhere?"
"…Ne."
They nodded awkwardly, too shy to admit failing SK and YG's final auditions.
Their cute cartoon outfits nearly cracked him up.
"Hm~ Nana Lin, maintain that. Grow taller. Have the health coach massage her legs. Like jump rope?"
She shook her head. He continued, "Make it a hobby. Do it often."
"Soo-bin, focus on figure management. We'll talk when you're older."
She was young, needing two years as a trainee before debuting.
So, shape up first, position later.
"Done. Out. Secretary Ha will handle details."
Having sized them up, he discussed specifics with Yoon Hye-na.
Then, he called a management meeting.
"Love the kids like a stern father. Teach them to survive, but think of their needs.
Only then will they be grateful. I don't want Zy to be another SM, not on this. Clear?"
"Ne, President."
"Good. Recent work: Ji-eun and So-hee's debuts are near. Sync with radio and CJ."
"Ji-eun's debut stage set?"
"Ne, Mnet. Chairman Son personally ensured it."
"Aish~ Piling up favors."
Debts didn't faze him. Lee Jin-woo planned to cling to that thigh forever.
Already owed plenty—why not more?
"Songs? How's practice?"
"Perfect!"
Meeting his gaze, Yoon Hye-na said, "Vocal coach's words: perfect for a rookie."
"Hm." Reassured, he relaxed.
This debut was make-or-break for Zy's industry buzz, a potential dark horse.
Failure would tank Ji-eun's career and Zy's growth.
To ensure success, he'd sent a big gift.
"Ji-eun, don't let us down."
Backstage, Rep Yoon eyed IU sternly, giving final words.
"Ne, Rep. I'll give everything." Tiny IU breathed deep, easing her nerves.
"Fighting! President's here cheering. Fighting!"
"Fighting!" IU raised a fist, pumping herself up.
At the concert hall's front, Lee Jin-woo chatted with Son Kyung-sik. "Jin-woo, it'll succeed, right?"
"Of course. Failure would waste Three Inches' kindness."
"Haha, you care about me? Aish~ So touched."
"Three Inches, family matters most. Your words, no?"
"Aigoo, our Jin-woo's getting slick."
"I'm confident in her. Today's a perfect debut."
"Let's see."
Son Kyung-sik crossed his arms, eyeing the stage expectantly.
"Oh, almost forgot. Left a gift in the parking lot. Grab it later."
"Gift? What is it?"
"Congrats—you'll see."
Onstage, the show kicked off.
"Seems like a good day. Newbies are meh."
After three acts, Zy's Ji-eun took the stage.
"Yeah, great day."
Lee Jin-woo crossed his arms, staring at the darkened stage.
Ji-eun, hold strong! he prayed silently.
"Oh, here we go." Son Kyung-sik smiled, glancing at the prompter. "IU."
"Really a good day, huh?"
"How blue's the sky~ And the breeze is just perfect today."
(End of Chapter)