Before heading to the press conference for the new Detective Graser film, Philip checked his reflection in the mirror.
Hair styled to perfection, wearing a crisp suit.
Seeming quite pleased with his appearance, he gave himself a smirk, packed his things, and stepped out of the house.
Ding.
The phone rang the moment he got into his car.
Philip chuckled at the call from the paparazzi and answered it just as he was about to start the engine.
“Did you get it?”
—No. But I think I messed with the wrong person. Who the hell did you put on Robert Penn?
“What?”
Philip asked, his voice tinged with confusion at the paparazzi’s trembling tone.
“What do you mean?”
—I was hanging around Robert Penn’s house. While I was grabbing a quick bite, someone smashed my motorcycle to pieces. It happened so fast… damn it. And they left a note… saying that if I get caught next time, I should be ready for my head to roll…
Philip let out a scoff, finding the situation absurd.
“Then do it on foot. Shouldn’t you be earning money to buy a new bike quickly?”
—…
The paparazzi didn’t offer a response.
“What? Are you scared now? You don’t actually think your head is going to roll, do you?”
—I’m just bowing out.
“What? Hey, the target is Robert Penn. He’s a guy who has practically nothing left to his name.”
—No. Something’s weird. Something is definitely wrong.
Click.
As soon as the paparazzi hung up, barely listening to him, Philip sighed in disbelief.
He then proceeded to call all his other paparazzi contacts.
The paparazzi were ecstatic at the promise of a $5,000 reward for photos of Robert Penn using drugs.
“Cowardly bastard. Kicking away an opportunity like that? That’s why he’s in that state.”
Philip started the car and headed toward the Detective Graser production press conference.
A short while later.
Upon arriving at the Seonghyeon KMD Pictures building, he had to wait at the entrance for quite a while due to the massive crowd.
“Tsk. Why are there so many people at a party with nothing worth eating?”
Just as Philip was frowning deeply because of the traffic jam, someone approached and cautiously knocked on his window.
Knock, knock.
Philip rolled down the window with a scowl.
“What is it?”
“Ah, hello. Are you Reporter Philip John?”
“Why?”
To Philip’s irritable question, the man replied with a kind smile.
“Ah, the higher-ups have a special service prepared specifically for you, Mr. Philip. I will handle the parking for you, so please don’t worry and head straight into the venue.”
“What?”
“I don’t know the details, but they just gave me the license plate number…”
The corners of Philip’s mouth began to curl upward.
Stepping out of the car, he carelessly tossed the keys to the employee and said,
“Handle it with care. This is a car a guy like you wouldn’t get the chance to ride once in your entire life.”
The employee replied with a forced smile.
“Yes, sir. I will park it with the utmost care. Please contact me when you are leaving, and I will bring the car directly to you.”
“Fine. So I can just go in now?”
“Yes, sir.”
Philip couldn’t help but smirk at the hospitable service of Seonghyeon KMD Pictures.
‘Idiots. They’re probably all fawning over me because of yesterday’s article.’
Convinced that he was receiving this treatment because he had written a “good” piece, Philip sneered inwardly as he entered the Seonghyeon KMD Pictures building.
Seeing Robert Penn flashing a playful smile at the photo zone, Philip let out a scoff of disbelief.
Soon after, the rookie actors making their first official public appearance appeared behind him.
‘They don’t smell like rookies… What’s this?’
Philip scrutinized the rookie actors, searching for flaws, but their inexplicable composure made it impossible to think of them as newcomers.
In fact, their visuals were such that he wondered why they hadn’t debuted until now.
Possessing the kind of looks that could propel them to stardom if they could act, Philip stared at them intently, observing.
Their expressions didn’t change a bit, even under the flashing camera lights.
‘It must be a fluke. It makes no sense.’
Philip shook his head and took his seat in the section reserved for newspapers.
“Did you see those actors earlier? They’re no joke. I don’t think they’re rookies. It’s like they’ve spent their whole lives preparing for this moment.”
“I know, right? And how many invitations did they send out? They’re definitely trying to grab attention from the start.”
“Robert Penn looks a lot better, too. Maybe the news that he actually quit drugs is true…?”
Hearing the fuss from the reporters behind him, Philip frowned and turned around.
“Why don’t you all stop the nonsense and be quiet? You claim to make a living with your writing, yet you have no eye for talent?”
“Who do you think you are…”
As one of the insulted reporters tried to snap back, another stopped him.
“Ah, yes. Haha. Our apologies, Mr. Philip. We, haha, have no eye for talent. Haha.”
“If you know that, then shut up and sit down. You’re being noisy.”
At Philip’s words, the reporters sat down as silent as mice.
Before long, Gyeong Chanhyeon and the actors ascended the podium.
Gyeong Chanhyeon seemed quite accustomed to such events, naturally offering greetings into the microphone.
“Thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules. I sincerely appreciate it. Haha.”
The actors beside him also looked at the crowd with bright smiles, and Philip watched them with a look of distaste, clearly displeased.
After discussing the filming plans and the blueprint he had drawn for Detective Graser, Gyeong Chanhyeon added that Robert Penn was at the center of it all.
“I believe you are all wondering why it had to be Mr. Robert Penn. Like many of you, I am someone who lived believing the saying that ‘people don’t change.’”
At Gyeong Chanhyeon’s words, Robert Penn nodded with a smile, and the surrounding reporters waited for the next words with eyes full of curiosity.
“However, the story changes if the person is already fixed without the need for me to fix them. I recognized that. That is why I intend to work with Mr. Robert. As you all know, Mr. Robert’s talent is…”
Gyeong Chanhyeon trailed off, locking eyes with Robert Penn for a moment before smiling warmly.
Then he spoke to the audience.
“…one of those talents that would be a tragedy to see vanish from Hollywood.”
As Gyeong Chanhyeon finished speaking, the reporters began to whisper.
“He really must have quit drugs.”
“Robert Penn’s talent has been recognized since he was young. Aside from being a troublemaker.”
“This is interesting. An Asian film director rediscovering the talent of a degenerate? Isn’t this a pretty interesting story? I think the article will sell well.”
The reporters excitedly tapped away at their keyboards. Once the resolutions of Robert Penn and the supporting actors were finished and the Q&A session began, dozens of reporters raised their hands.
“A lot of rookie actors participated in this film. It seems like you’ve given them a sort of opportunity. Aren’t you afraid of such a gamble?”
Gyeong Chanhyeon answered a reporter’s question.
“I trust these actors. They are friends who will grow even larger in the future. I don’t think I gave them an opportunity; rather, I believe these actors gave me an opportunity.”
Hearing Gyeong Chanhyeon’s answer, Philip let out a scoff of disbelief.
‘Pretending to be humble.’
Seeing through the transparent answer, Philip quickly thought of a question to bring Gyeong Chanhyeon down a peg and raised his hand.
“Yes, Reporter Philip.”
“I have a question for Director Gyeong Chanhyeon.”
At Philip’s words, the smile vanished from Gyeong Chanhyeon’s lips.
Looking at Philip with cold eyes, Gyeong Chanhyeon nodded and said,
“Yes. Please go ahead.”
“Robert Penn is a convicted criminal.”
The atmosphere in the press conference froze instantly at the intense opening statement.
“Should a crime be forgiven simply because of talent? Do you have anything to say to the victims in the drama and film industries who suffered because of the things that actor did? Isn’t it ridiculous to give such an actor another chance?”
“Yes. It is not ridiculous.”
As soon as the question ended, Gyeong Chanhyeon shot back, causing Philip to stare at him.
“Not ridiculous?”
“No. Not at all.”
Gyeong Chanhyeon smiled after answering.
“No. What is actually ridiculous are the people who insist on continuing to shine a spotlight on a human being’s shame. It’s just unfortunate that this is happening not for the purpose of justice, but for the purpose of public attention and money.”
“…”
Philip grit his teeth at Gyeong Chanhyeon’s response.
Since the answer sounded as if he were well-acquainted with such interviews—as if he had prepared for it—Philip thought of another angle of attack and pressed on.
“Money? I am someone who contributes to a clean Hollywood. As a reporter, I am making an effort to protect the people’s right to know, which is my destiny. Are you joking with the reporters gathered here right now?”
“I am not talking to the reporters. I am simply expressing my pity for a reporter who describes a past that Mr. Robert has already settled as if it were still in the present. It seems as though this ‘Mr. So-and-so’ reporter thinks he represents all of Hollywood’s journalists.”
At Gyeong Chanhyeon’s response, Philip looked around.
Realizing that no one was looking at him and everyone was staring at Gyeong Chanhyeon, his eyelids trembled in panic.
“If we only look cynically at a human being’s reflection and remorse, the world will be dreadfully bleak. Because then, no one would ever be able to change. Of course, I understand.”
Gyeong Chanhyeon let out a deep sigh and looked at Philip with pity.
“That it’s easier to write and sells much better to write an article bashing someone than one praising them. But is there any need to use a noble word like ‘destiny’ for a ‘Mr. So-and-so’ reporter who only chooses the easy path? I think the expression ‘money game’ would be sufficient.”
A few reporters quietly left the venue, seemingly embarrassed, and Philip glared at Gyeong Chanhyeon with a deep scowl.
“You…!”
Crash!
Screeeech!
As Philip slammed the microphone onto the floor, a loud howling sound echoed through the hall.
“Damn it.”
Without looking back, Philip stormed out of the press conference.
He then called the number he had received earlier.
—Yes.
“Bring my car here, now.”
—Ah, Mr. Philip?
“Yeah. You damn bastard. Bring it here now!”
—No. A problem has come up. I think you’ll have to come here yourself, Mr. Philip.
Philip let out a deep sigh at the employee’s answer.
“You piece of shit. Who the hell are you telling to come and go? Are you playing games with me right now?”
—No. Under the glove box…
“What?! Why there? You bastard, are you crazy? You son of a…”
—So please come quickly. I’m in the first basement parking lot.
Click.
The moment the employee hung up, cold sweat ran down Philip’s spine.
“Damn… damn it.”
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