Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 573: One Sip Milk (3)

I intended to discipline Yang Ah-Jin first to prevent Han Woo-Hyuk from being framed as a power-abusing actor.

Yang Ah-Jin, ordered by Yoo Moon-Ho, was a One Sip Milk authorized dealer's manager known for his bad reputation in Han Woo-Hyuk's neighborhood.

If we broadcast the wrongdoing he committed before their scheme even started, Yoo Moon-Ho's plan would collapse before it even began. Naturally, that would create friction between Yang Ah-Jin and Yoo Moon-Ho. I planned to use that opening to expose the connection between the two.

As soon as I said to begin, Han Yoo-Sik called Oh Han-Guk, an executive at KBC who had been part of his old network.

"Director Oh, it's me. Do you have time to talk?"

After KBC's President Park Chan-Sik announced his resignation, most of his loyalists were swept out, leaving only two formal executives. They were Director Oh Han-Guk, part of Han Yoo-Sik's line, and Executive Director Yoo Tae-Oh, a neutral party.

It was rumored that one of them would soon become the next president. Thus, Oh Han-Guk still had the authority to handle urgent matters like this.

-If it's you, I'll make time even if I don't have any.

"Good. Then as we discussed, send a reporter to Taewon Orphanage immediately. You know this isn't some unfair request to fabricate crimes—it's a public interest story about improper supply deliveries."

-Understood, sunbae. I'll dispatch the news team now so we can air it during the 9 a.m. news. Just please inform the orphanage staff beforehand.

"Don't worry. I was planning to visit the site myself anyway."

-Also, sunbae.

"What is it?"

-Let's meet up soon. I might need your help with something.

Oh Han-Guk hinted that he needed Han Yoo-Sik's backing to become the president.

"Of course. It's about time you aimed for the top, Director Oh."

Han Yoo-Sik agreed cheerfully and ended the call. It was now 8 a.m. There was one hour left until the 9 a.m. news broadcast.

"Sir, shall we get moving too?" I asked.

Han Yoo-Sik placed his hands on his knees and stood up. "Alright. Let's head to Taewon Orphanage together."

Since the orphanage director and Woo Jin-Han were inexperienced with appearing on broadcast, they would need support.

We left the house and made our way to Taewon Orphanage in Itaewon.

***

At the director's office of Taewon Orphanage in Itaewon, reporters from KBC News were setting up their equipment busily.

"Quickly! If we want it on air by 9:05 a.m., we have to shoot and transmit it by 8:40 a.m.!"

"Yes, sir!"

The atmosphere was as hectic as a live sports broadcast.

The orphanage director, sporting a typical side-parted hairstyle, stood stiffly by his chair, and next to him was Woo Jin-Han, the nine-year-old boy Han Woo-Hyuk had helped.

Once the equipment was ready, Reporter Chae Chi-Soo spoke up. "Mr. Executive Director! We're ready for the interview. Shall we start?"

The 32-year-old, famously beautiful KBC reporter called out energetically.

Han Yoo-Sik said, "You still call me Executive Director? Just call me sunbae."

"Come on~ Once an Executive Director, always an Executive Director!"

Chae Chi-Soo said playfully, making Han Yoo-Sik smile. "Alright then. Please take good care of today's interview."

"Leave it to us."

Chae Chi-Soo flashed a bright smile and turned her body slowly. She approached the frozen orphanage director to help ease his nerves.

After the director nodded and indicated he was ready, Chae Chi-Soo finally raised the microphone. "Shall we start the interview now, sir?"

"Y-yes!"

At that moment, Han Yoo-Sik and I quietly stepped out of the office to avoid getting in the way.

I watched the scene through the gap of the open door. Chae Chi-Soo, easing the tense Taewon Orphanage director, skillfully led the interview.

-Hello! We're here at the orphanage where Mr. Han Woo-Hyuk, who returned after four years with Hwaranjeon, made a donation. Hello, Mr. Director!

The director bowed stiffly.

-Y-yes! Hello!

-Oh~ such a strong voice. You can relax a little.

-I-I'm not usually the type to get nervous...

-Haha, I see. Well, let me ask you just one thing first. Did Mr. Han Woo-Hyuk really make a donation here?

-Yes. He paid a large amount to the One Sip Milk dealership and arranged a donation. I've known him since he was young, and he's truly a good-hearted young man.

-Wow~ That's amazing. But these days viewers are skeptical. Could we see some proof, if you don't mind?

-Ah, here.

The director pulled out a donation receipt from his pocket. Chae Chi-Soo asked the cameraman to zoom in and pointed to the receipt.

-Wow~ It's real. It says his name right here: Han Woo-Hyuk. And he donated five million won worth of milk?

-Yes. He specifically asked them to deliver fresh milk to the children every day.

The donation receipt that the director showed had been obtained by Han Yoo-Sik the previous day. At my request, he had made sure the receipt initially didn't include the donor's name. This morning, I wrote Han Woo-Hyuk's name in the blank space.

Thanks to that, I could create a misunderstanding between Yang Ah-Jin and Yoo Moon-Ho.

'Yoo Moon-Ho, let's see how you handle this.'

Chae Chi-Soo looked at the receipt and continued.

-Also, it says here the expensive milk was supposed to be delivered. The kids must've been thrilled, right?

At that moment, the orphanage director let out a heavy sigh.

-No. In truth, the One Sip Milk authorized dealer sent cheaper products at inflated prices, contrary to the donor's wishes. Even worse, they sent milk that had almost expired. It's been difficult to serve it to the kids.

-Excuse me? Expired milk?

The director pointed at the milk he had set aside in advance.

-Yes. Look here. This batch just arrived today, but it's already at its expiration date. I confronted the manager, but he just yelled back, saying there's still a day left so it's fine. I don't know if he expects our children to drink spoiled milk or what. It's truly frustrating.

-Are there still stores like that these days?

-Sadly, there are still many who exploit donors' goodwill.

The director continued openly criticizing Yang Ah-Jin. Of course, we had promised to provide additional donations, but the director also seemed to be letting out a lot of pent-up resentment.

Afterward, Chae Chi-Soo moved on to interview nine-year-old Woo Jin-Han. Woo Jin-Han explained how Han Woo-Hyuk helped him when Yang Ah-Jin tried to frame him as a thief. He described how he had eaten discarded milk after checking it was waste, only to be accused, and tears streamed down his face as he sobbed pitifully.

Chae Chi-Soo knelt down and gently wiped Woo Jin-Han's tears. The interview ended just in time at 8:40.

Chae Chi-Soo quickly sent the footage to the network. Now, once the broadcast aired, Yang Ah-Jin would be the first to fall.

'Goodbye, Yang Ah-Jin.'

***

Thunk!

After finishing his morning deliveries, Yang Ah-Jin heard something shatter at the entrance of the store. He rushed outside to find raw eggs thrown all over the entrance.

He shouted angrily, but there was no way to catch the culprit. Instead, passing neighbors clicked their tongues and pointed fingers at him.

Enraged, Yang Ah-Jin grabbed one of the gawkers and demanded an explanation. That's when he found out that thirty minutes earlier, KBC had aired a report about his misdeeds.

Without wasting time, Yang Ah-Jin jumped into his delivery truck and raced toward Taewon Orphanage. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, he cursed non-stop.

"Shit! Those fucking bastards!! Damn it! How dare they...!"

If the interviews with the orphanage director and Woo Jin-Han spread further, the new authorized dealer's rights he was promised by Yoo Moon-Ho would vanish. Before the broadcast spread any more, he was planning to confront the orphanage director and force a retraction.

At that moment, a call came in.

[Caller ID: Director Yoo Moon-Ho]

"Ah, damn it... did he already see the news?"

Yang Ah-Jin had no choice but to answer the phone.

"Hello?"

Immediately, angry shouting burst from the other side.

-Manager Yang! What the hell did you do? Han Woo-Hyuk donated through your store and you kept that from me? Are you kidding me? You ruined everything I set up!

"Mr. Yoo, I swear I've never even seen Han Woo-Hyuk! Some old man I've never seen before showed up saying he wanted to donate, handed over money, and I just delivered the milk!"

-Then what's with the donation receipt? Han Woo-Hyuk's name is clearly written on it!

"I can explain..."

Yang Ah-Jin regretted signing the donation document so carelessly and tried to explain. But Yoo Moon-Ho didn't seem interested in hearing it.

-Forget it. Since we can't even get an article out of this, consider our agreement null and void!

At that moment, the fuse inside Yang Ah-Jin's head blew. If things stayed like this, he would be the only one taking the fall.

"Hey! Director Yoo! If you hang up now, I'll spill everything you made me do!"

-W-What? What did you just say?

"You heard me! If you don't give me that rights, I'll rat you out!"

-You bastard... you've got some nerve!

"Yeah, damn right I do! So listen carefully! I'll handle the orphanage situation, but you better keep your end of the deal!"

-What the hell are you planning!?

"Not your concern. Just prepare to hand over those rights. And for your info, I recorded all our calls, so don't even think about pulling anything funny!"

Hearing that the calls were recorded, Yoo Moon-Ho's voice shook.

-Hey! Manager Yang! You son of a bitch, are you looking to die?

Just then, Taewon Orphanage came into view.

"Fuck. That's my line, bastard. So unless you want us both to go down, keep your promise!"

Click.

Yang Ah-Jin hung up and parked his car in front of the orphanage.

Screeeech.

The entrance was locked, so Yang Ah-Jin had no choice but to get out of the car. Glancing around, Yang Ah-Jin climbed over the low wall. The orphanage yard was deserted and there seemed to be no one around. Yang Ah-Jin headed straight for the building.

His plan was to grab the orphanage director, intimidate him, and force a retraction.

"Goddamn old geezer!"

Cursing non-stop, Yang Ah-Jin stormed toward the orphanage building entrance.

Thud, thud, thud.

With heavy footsteps, he entered and looked for the director's office.

"There it is."

At the end of the hall, the door labeled Director caught his eye, and Yang Ah-Jin quickened his pace. Arriving at the door, he shoved it open.

Creak.

The orphanage director sitting inside jumped up in surprise at the sight of Yang Ah-Jin.

"Manager Yang?"

Clenching his fist, Yang Ah-Jin stormed into the room and shouted, "You dare make me out to be a criminal? Let's talk after a beating, Director!"

But then, a young man who had been sitting on the sofa stood up and blocked Yang Ah-Jin's path.

"Mr. Yang Ah-Jin?"

Looking at the young man who seemed barely half his weight, Yang Ah-Jin lost his temper. "Who the hell are you, punk!"

Ignoring him, Yang Ah-Jin tried to rush the director. However, the man in the suit swiftly blocked his way again.

"Leave the director alone. Talk to me instead."

"Hey! I said get the hell out of my way!"

Unable to hold back any longer, Yang Ah-Jin swung his fist.

Whoosh!

When Yang Ah-Jin's right fist swung wide, the young man stepped back slightly. The wildly thrown punch barely grazed the young man's left arm.

But at that moment, the man smirked. "Since you swung first, it's mutual assault, right?"

Yang Ah-Jin had barely felt anything on his fist, yet now he was being told it was mutual. Just as he was about to shout 'What the hell are you talking about?', something flashed before his eyes.

'Huh... what?'

Feeling his vision turn pitch black, Yang Ah-Jin lost consciousness on the spot.

***

With a single blow, Yang Ah-Jin collapsed where he stood.

As he started to topple backward, I quickly lunged forward and supported his neck, lowering him gently to the floor.

Thud.

I checked him briefly—he was just knocked out with no serious injuries.

About a minute later, I nudged him with my foot. "Wake up, will you?"

Suddenly, Yang Ah-Jin's eyes snapped open and he glanced around in confusion. "W-what happened to me... ugh."

Mumbling incoherently, he slowly realized he had been taken down by my punch. Clutching his jaw, he stared at me. Unlike when he had barged in so cockily, now there was clear fear in his eyes.

Regardless, I needed Yang Ah-Jin's testimony to prove that Yoo Moon-Ho was behind all this.

Cracking my knuckles, I slowly stepped toward him. "Now~ if you're awake, shall we get started for real?"

"W-What?"

Yang Ah-Jin's face grew paler by the second.

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