June hit it right on the nail.

Everything he said was accurate, and Lena felt like she was getting her fortune read right in front of her. She hadn't told anyone these things before.

As a child, she often saw her dad suffer the consequences of the actions of others. Kwangsoo tried hard to hide it; however, it still showed because Lena knew.

So, when she inherited the company, she made a personal promise to keep Minjun out of it. He didn't deserve to go through what she did. However, in the process, it also seemed like it brought her more distant from her son.

She felt that it was better that way.

June waited patiently for her answer. If there was anyone who could help him, then it was her -none other than her.

However, instead of a serious answer, a chuckle bubbled up Lena's throat.

June frowned in confusion. She was laughing?

"Ah," she muttered after a while, wiping the tears from her eyes. Then, she looked at June, the sadness in her eyes now being replaced with anger.

"You? Lessen the burden? How are you going to do that? Are you going to sing and dance your way out of my problems?"

June pursed his lips and shook his head. "I have some vital information that would allow you to gain leverage against your enemies-one that would put them under your control."

The briefcase.

It was something that Mr. Klin had put together. June inferred that it was for Lena. However, he never had the chance to show it to her. In the end, it was in June's hands-with no one else knowing.

"Where is it?" Lena asked with one eyebrow raised.

June smirked. "I'm no telling you, of course," he said. "You need to agree to my proposition before I would reveal it to you."

Lena scoffed and shook her head. "Sure, sure," she said.

June's eyes narrowed. "You don't believe me, do you?"

"Is there a reason for me to believe you?" she asked, her chin held up high.

June sighed. "I'm telling you. We can help each other."

"What do you want me to do?" Lena asked. "Pay your way out of the trial?"

"No," June said. "Sign me under Phoenix Entertainment."

Lena turned to him with wide eyes; then she laughed out loud. "You're insane," she said. "Why would I do that? Your reputation is ruined. You're just going to taint the reputation of the entire company."

"That's only if you assume that I'm going to lose the trial. I didn't do any of the things that they're accusing me of. Now, I can fight this alone, but ultimately, I would lose."

"I need some connections-one that would protect me. Your company will be able to do that."

"So, you're basically asking for money, is that it?" she asked.

"You could say so," June said. "However, it doesn't end with that. You can also help me bring EVE and LUNAIRE to your company."

Lena laughed once more. His plan sounded more and more ridiculous the more he elaborated on it.

"Do you know how much I would have to sacrifice to be able to do that?" she asked.

"I know," June muttered.

"Yet, you're still asking for me to do so? Those guys have an ongoing contract with Azure. I have to pay the termination fee and risk the company going into turmoil. I worked hard to get Phoenix Entertainment to where it is today. I'm not sacrificing that for you."

"You have a lot of money. I assure you that EVE and LUNAIRE will be one of your greatest moneymakers."

"This isn't about money," she smirked. "I have more than enough. The main problem here is you're risking the downfall of Phoenix Entertainment. It's the one my dad cherished the most, and I won't let it go down to flames-no matter what happens."

"It's already up in flames," June said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "You already know that your system is rotten. You're just turning a blind to it because you don't want to take any risks."

Lena pursed her lips as June continued to read her mind.

"Kim Young Do was a key person in the success of Phoenix Entertainment, but he will also be the cause of its downfall. I suggest you work with me before that happens. Like I said, I have something that would help the two of us. You just have to trust me."

Lena paused for a while, appearing to be thinking about it.

Trust.

That was a concept she hadn't heard in so long.

After her parents' death, her mindset was solidified even further.

Things turn out for the worse when you try to change them. The status quo might be rotten, but it was still working. Why fix something that's still working-no matter how rotten it

might be?

She felt an ache in her heart. A part of her heart opposed this mindset, but at the same time, she knew that it was what kept her family protected until now.

"Get out."

June bit his lip and lifted his head, looking at Lena. However, much to his dismay, she wasn't looking at him anymore. Instead, she had her gaze on the floor, appearing to be in a dilemma.

"What?" June asked.

"Get out," Lena repeated. "It was a mistake for you to come here."

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" June exasperated. "This is something that your father wants!"

"How do you know what he wants?" she spat. "You're not the one who grew up with the pain of seeing him lose himself just because he was kind to everybody-just because he gave everyone the benefit of the doubt, just because he had an innocent dream of building a good future for the entertainment industry!"

"So, get out."

"I would have gotten rid of you now-maybe call someone to eradicate you from this world

for finding out my identity. However, for the sake of Minjun, I'm not going to do it."

"So, get out and get lost before I do something I regret."

"And never come back here."

chapter-930
  • 14
  • 16
  • 18
  • 20
  • 22
  • 24
  • 26
  • 28
Select Lang
Tap the screen to use reading tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.