Side Story Chapter 10
After Goo Yangmo’s Nutube broadcast went live, reporters swarmed JNC Entertainment and CV Law & Partners.
JNC CEO Kang Jintae and the spokesperson for CV Law & Partners repeatedly issued strong statements, saying they would hold Goo Yangmo legally responsible for spreading false information.
But even after three days, not a single suspicious person had approached him.
“Vice President Min, what if we really got something wrong?”
Goo Yangmo sounded uneasy over the phone.
“They’re not trying to come after the evidence at all. They’re just making a huge fuss about suing me....”
But the more they attacked Goo Yangmo through the media, the more certain I became that they would eventually move to find the material.
“No.”
“They’ll move.”
Goo Yangmo let out a frustrated sigh.
“Ha... what exactly are you basing that confidence on?”
“Neither JNC Entertainment nor CV Law & Partners has actually filed a complaint yet.”
For a law firm, half a day would have been more than enough time to formally begin legal action in a case like this.
And yet....
“Now that you mention it... you’re right.”
“If they officially file a complaint, an investigation starts immediately.”
“And if actual evidence turns up during that investigation, they’ll be in serious trouble.”
“Ah.”
Goo Yangmo finally understood.
“So despite all that public noise, they can’t actually sue because they have something to hide.”
“Exactly.”
“You said you would reveal the evidence during your next regular broadcast.”
“They’ll definitely move before then.”
Two days before the regular broadcast where Goo Yangmo had promised to reveal the material, they finally made their move.
It was late at night.
After leaving work, I had once again parked near Goo Yangmo’s studio and was monitoring the installed cameras through my laptop.
A little after eleven, several large men appeared on the camera positioned at the entrance to the alley.
They wore dark jackets, baseball caps pulled low, and masks covering their faces.
Of course, I couldn’t suspect every person walking down the street.
But instinctively, I knew.
These were tonight’s visitors.
The men moved quickly through the alley, checking building numbers as they went.
I leaned closer to the laptop.
They’re here.
I immediately picked up my phone and called Goo Yangmo.
He answered before the ringtone had even finished.
“Vice President Min. I was actually about to call you. The timing....”
“Reporter Goo.”
I cut him off.
“There are suspicious men coming down the alley toward you right now.”
The line went silent.
“You heard me, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m listening.”
“Act naturally.”
“They won’t hurt you before getting the materials.”
“At least... they probably won’t do anything too serious before then.”
“That’s supposed to comfort me?”
“Get them to say Cha Hyunwoo’s name.”
“As clearly as possible.”
“You understand?”
“I know.”
“That’s why we’re doing this.”
Goo Yangmo grumbled.
“I’m nearby right now.”
“The security team is watching every camera too.”
“If anything looks dangerous, they’ll move in immediately.”
“So don’t worry too much.”
“Yeah.”
“Got it.”
“Let’s hang up.”
I ended the call and immediately focused on the laptop.
Five men stopped in front of the building.
The hidden camera at the entrance captured them clearly.
I slowly exhaled.
Good.
After exchanging a few words, three entered the building.
The other two remained outside like lookouts.
I switched the laptop feed to the camera inside the studio.
Goo Yangmo sat on the sofa, looking slightly tense.
A moment later, someone knocked on the metal door.
“Who is it?”
Goo Yangmo asked.
“Reporter Goo Yangmo, right?”
“We’re from Mapo Police Station.”
“Open the door for a moment.”
“Mapo Police Station?”
Goo Yangmo glanced toward the area where one of the hidden cameras was installed.
They’re impersonating police officers?
“Reporter Goo.”
“We just need to confirm a few things.”
“Open the door.”
Goo Yangmo seemed to make up his mind and opened it.
“What does the police want at this hour....”
The instant the door opened, three men shoved their way inside.
Two of them immediately grabbed Goo Yangmo by the arms and shoulders.
“What the hell are you doing?!”
Goo Yangmo had expected something like this.
But once it actually happened, his shout sounded genuinely shocked.
“You don’t need to know who we are.”
The man who appeared to be the leader waved a leather-gloved hand in front of Goo Yangmo’s face.
“Hand over the materials.”
“M-Materials?”
“What materials are you talking about?”
“The evidence you kept talking about on Nutube!”
The leather-gloved man barked.
“Who sent you?”
“JNC?”
“Or CV Law & Partners?”
“You’re a reporter and you still can’t understand simple words?”
“I said you don’t need to know who we are.”
“So hand over the materials while we’re still asking nicely.”
“Either way, whether you give them to us or not, you’re going to die.”
“The only difference is whether you die painfully or peacefully.”
A genuine chill ran through Goo Yangmo.
“You think I didn’t plan for something like this?”
“If I die, the files are automatically emailed to broadcasting stations and newspapers!”
The leather-gloved man frowned.
Goo Yangmo quickly continued.
“Think I’m bluffing?”
“Let me meet CEO Cha Hyunwoo.”
“No.”
“At least let me talk to him.”
The man glared at him.
“You really have a talent for shortening your own life.”
“You know I’m right.”
“Cha Hyunwoo.”
“You think I don’t know?”
“I’m not some saint obsessed with justice.”
“If the price is right, I’ll hand over everything I have.”
“I’ll even go on camera and say the whole broadcast was a lie I made up for views.”
“I mean it.”
“So just let me speak to CEO Cha.”
Goo Yangmo was throwing out bait after bait, trying to drag Cha Hyunwoo directly into the situation.
The leather-gloved man clearly didn’t know whether to believe him.
“I set the email containing the evidence to send automatically every day at three in the afternoon.”
“If I’m alive, I can cancel the scheduled delivery.”
The leather-gloved man finally pulled out his phone and made a call.
After several rings, a low male voice came through.
It was Cha Hyunwoo.
