Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

[Everyday V12]

[Date: November 11, 2022]

-1:00 p.m.: Top Entertainment Founding Ceremony.

'Why isn't it disappearing? Seo Jae-Ill... he's not the kind of fool who would fumble such a handed-over case.'

Although Kim Dong-Soo had been arrested by Seo Jae-Ill, the scheduled event still hadn't vanished.

Thinking about Kim Dong-Soo, I muttered to myself without realizing it. "His survival instincts...are insane."

Lee Soo-Chan next to me asked, "Excuse me? What did you just say?"

"Oh, nothing. Forget it."

At that moment, Seo Jae-Ill effortlessly lifted Kim Dong-Soo.

Kim Dong-Soo screamed in pain with his hands cuffed. "Aaaah! My arm... my arm... it's going to break!"

The unbothered Seo Jae-Ill handled Kim Dong-Soo roughly. "Stop exaggerating already."

Kim Dong-Soo yelled at the top of his lungs as the bear-like Seo Jae-Ill carried him to the transport vehicle. Meanwhile, Yang Tae-Min froze in the car with his face pale as a sheet as he fidgeted nervously.

I wondered, 'Could it be... because of that guy that the schedule isn't disappearing? No, that doesn't make sense.'

Kim Dong-Soo wasn't the type to share his secrets with anyone. Even in my past life, it took a long time for me to learn anything substantial about him. Considering that, Yang Tae-Min wouldn't have any idea what he had been moving.

Shortly after, Yang Tae-Min started the car and disappeared to somewhere unknown. Only then did I sit up from the reclined seat.

Lee Soo-Chan noticed my expression and asked, "Hyung-nim, is something bothering you? He's been arrested, hasn't he?"

"It's nothing major but something's bugging me a little."

The fact that the schedule still wasn't erased from the planner had started to weigh on my mind.

"I overheard your call with Prosecutor Seo earlier. It sounded like the search warrant was almost a done deal. Isn't that the case?"

"Well, yes. But..."

Lee Soo-Chan's words planted doubt in my mind.

'What happens if the search warrant doesn't go through?' I thought.

Nothing in this world was ever 100% certain. If there was one exception, it was my planner. While I didn't distrust Seo Jae-Ill, I had to prepare for the worst.

"Soo-Chan...I'm asking just in case, but…do you know anyone skilled at cracking locks or safes?"

Lee Soo-Chan tilted his head curiously. "Are you asking because you're worried prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill might not get the warrant?"

"Exactly. If that happens, I'll need to use any means necessary to protect the actresses. Do you know someone?"

I didn't want to resort to such methods, but there was a high chance Kim Dong-Soo's materials in the Apgujeong hideout could be moved elsewhere if the search warrant wasn't issued. This was the time to prepare for that possibility as delaying my decision could put the ten actresses in even greater danger.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lee Soo-Chan nodded in agreement. "For locks, Opener is the best."

"Opener?"

"Oh, sorry. I meant Ho-Jae. He's a master at that sort of thing."

"Ho-Jae? Are you talking about Lee Ho-Jae?"

"Yes, hyung-nim. You remember him."

Lee Ho-Jae was from the disbanded Kanghan gang and someone I had known since our orphanage days. He had been remarkably handy even as a kid, and it seemed he had honed that particular talent in a specialized direction.

"Then call him right now. I'll take full responsibility."

All former members of the Kanghan gang had left their lives of crime behind, but I couldn't think of another solution this time. If the legal means to arrest Kim Dong-Soo failed, the next step would be to destroy the incriminating photos by any means necessary.

"I understand. I'll call him right away."

"I'm sorry, Soo-Chan. I keep asking you to do these things."

"Don't be. You've always said that for talent agents, their actors come first. Once they're in Reverse Entertainment, they're ours to protect."

It seemed that Lee Soo-Chan had become a proper talent agent in his own right. He picked up his phone and immediately made a call. "Hey, Ho-Jae. Bring your tools to the alley near Apgujeong K Officetel. It's time to show off your old skills. Yeah. Right now. Yoon-Ho hyung-nim is waiting, so hurry over."

While waiting for Lee Ho-Jae, I started sketching out the internal layout of Kim Dong-Soo's officetel. Knowing the precise layout was crucial for achieving our goal within the limited time we would have.

The scratch of the pen on the tablet's screen protector echoed through the car.

***

In a windowless interrogation office, Kim Dong-Soo shouted at the top of his lungs. "This is ridiculous! Arresting someone without evidence? Are you even a real prosecutor?"

Seo Jae-Ill slammed the table. "Mr. Kim Dong-Soo! There are ten victims who have testified that you filmed them without their consent. Are you seriously going to keep denying it?"

"As a prosecutor, can you even arrest someone based solely on accusations without evidence?"

Kim Dong-Soo had never imagined that the actresses he blackmailed with hidden camera photos would file a collective complaint against him. He had banked on their silence, knowing that the release of those photos could ruin their careers.

Seo Jae-Ill glared at Kim Dong-Soo. "Just give it up already. The search warrant for your officetel will be issued soon."

Sweat started trickling down Kim Dong-Soo's back at Seo Jae-Ill's confident face because the photos of the actresses who filed the complaint were in that officetel.

"I-I want a lawyer!" Kim Dong-Soo protested.

Repeating the same phrase like a parrot, Kim Dong-Soo was clearly trying to buy time. He needed to reach his lawyer and stop the search warrant at all costs.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Knock, knock.

Seo Jae-Ill called out. "Come in!"

The door clicked open, and investigator Ahn Yung-Moon stepped in. "Mr. Seo. Mr. Kim Dong-Soo's lawyer is here."

"How did they know to come? He didn't even make a call."

"I'm not sure…but they're insisting that if they're not allowed to meet their client immediately, they'll file a complaint against you."

Seo Jae-Ill frowned deeply. "Who's the lawyer?"

"Well..."

"What? Is it someone big?"

Ahn Yung-Moon replied with a sigh, "Yes, he's from Taesung. And it's none other than their representative lawyer, Kwak Hyun-Sung."

Taesung Law Firm was known for taking on any client as long as they paid and it was infamous for using every trick in the book to win cases. It was also the law firm Seo Jae-Ill despised the most.

"Ugh, of course it's Taesung. Fine. Let them in and check again on the status of the search warrant. I want it expedited."

Ahn Yung-Moon bowed and left the room. "Understood, Mr. Seo. I'll follow up immediately."

A moment later, a man in his fifties walked in with his silver-rimmed glasses glinting. His hair was impeccably combed and he wore an Ormani suit. It was Kwak Hyun-Sung, the representative of Taesung, the fourth-largest law firm in the industry.

"It's been a while, Mr. Seo Jae-Ill."

Seo Jae-Ill frowned even more as he replied, "Well, well. I never thought the great Mr. Kwak Hyun-Sung would stoop to defending a petty criminal like this."

Kwak Hyun-Sung retorted with a sly smile, "Times are tough. Even a petty criminal can help keep the lights on. But really, Mr. Seo. You handling a hidden camera case involving celebrities? Isn't that a bit of a fall from grace for the Central District's prosecutor?"

"Are celebrities not citizens? And how is helping victims of a crime a fall from grace? That's quite the strange thing to say," Seo Jae-Ill retorted.

The two men's gazes clashed in the empty air for a moment with neither backing down.

Finally, it was Kwak Hyun-Sung who took a figurative step back. "Well, I think the pleasantries have gone on long enough. Let's get to the point. My client has been unlawfully detained and I'd like him released immediately."

Seo Jae-Ill replied firmly, "Unlawful? When ten victims file a joint complaint, it's hardly unlawful. I followed every procedure and have already filed for a search warrant for his residence. You'll just have to wait."

"Still, isn't this a bit excessive considering you don't have solid evidence yet?"

"Why are you acting like an amateur? Once the warrant is issued, this case will wrap up neatly."

Kwak Hyun-Sung said with a mocking laugh, "Well, assuming the warrant is issued."

"It will be. There are ten victims."

"If you say so, Mr. Seo. Now, would you kindly leave? I have matters to discuss privately with my client."

Seo Jae-Ill glared at Kwak Hyun-Sung. He was clearly unwilling to leave, but he had no choice as the law mandated that a lawyer must be allowed to consult with their client privately.

Seo Jae-Ill muttered before storming out and slamming the door behind him. "Do as you please."

Bang!

The door shut with a loud thud as Kwak Hyun-Sung adjusted his red tie and sat down across from Kim Dong-Soo.

Kim Dong-Soo asked cautiously. "So, who sent you?"

In his mind, there were only two possibilities. One was Choi Man-Sik, who disliked him but still needed him. The other was his newly acquired backer, Lee Dae-Boong, a four-term independent assemblyman.

Lee Dae-Boong came from a family that owned vast lands and a quarry, making him extremely wealthy. He was also well-connected with Park Sang-Gon, the ruling party's leader.

As if reading Kim Dong-Soo's mind, Kwak Hyun-Sung casually mentioned the second name. "The man you spoke to on the phone sent me. He seemed concerned after hearing about your arrest. By the way, has his name come up during any discussions?"

Kim Dong-Soo's eyes widened and he shook his head hastily. "N-No, I haven't said a word about him. This has nothing to do with him."

Kwak Hyun-Sung smirked. "Good. I'm glad to hear that."

At that moment, Kwak Hyun-Sung glanced at his watch and grinned. "It won't take long."

"I'm sorry? What do you mean by that?"

"If the search warrant is denied, you'll be released immediately. Be ready."

"Denied?"

Without responding, Kwak Hyun-Sung leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, muttering something about being tired.

***

While Kim Dong-Soo and Kwak Hyun-Sung were speaking, Seo Jae-Ill received a call. "What? The warrant was denied? Why? Why would Ms. Lee Sun-Ye reject this?"

Judge Lee Sun-Ye was known for issuing warrants without hesitation in cases with many victims.

The investigator on the other end stammered.

-T-the night duty judge changed. It's now Judge Choi Sang-Pil.

"Fuck! Are you kidding me? How did he end up on duty tonight?"

-Ms. Lee Sun-Ye had to leave suddenly due to a family emergency…

Choi Sang-Pil was notoriously biased and known to be a judge who always aligned himself with the ruling party regardless of who held power.

"This is unbelievable."

Seo Jae-Ill seethed with anger. He suspected that Kwak Hyun-Sung from Taesung Law Firm had manipulated the situation, but it was only a suspicion without evidence.

The worst part was that Kim Dong-Soo would soon be released with the warrant denied. The situation had turned critical as ten victims could be in even greater danger.

Seo Jae-Ill chose the only option left to him: he picked up his phone and called Jung Yoon-Ho.

"Mr. Jung? I hate to tell you this, but the search warrant was denied."

Surprisingly, Jung Yoon-Ho responded as if he had expected this.

-Then can you keep him detained for as long as possible?

"I can't guarantee much since the warrant was denied, but I can hold him for about thirty minutes."

-That's enough time.

"What are you planning to do?"

-Apologies, but I can't tell you. Just please keep Kim Dong-Soo detained as long as you can.

Click.

As the call ended, Seo Jae-Ill felt his face flush with guilt. The only thing he could do now was delay delivering the news about the denied warrant for as long as possible.

***

Outside the Apgujeong K Officetel, I realized once again the planner was never wrong.

The detained suspect was usually released immediately when a search warrant was denied, but Seo Jae-Ill promised to stall for thirty minutes.

I resolved to infiltrate Kim Dong-Soo's hideout and retrieve the materials before he could return and move them elsewhere. With his arrest unlikely now, my priority was to protect the actresses.

I turned to Lee Ho-Jae, who was preparing for the task in the back seat, and said, "Ho-Jae, we need to grab everything inside the officetel."

Lee Ho-Jae studied the officetel's floor plan on the tablet and nodded. "Got it. How much time do we have?"

"They said they'll hold him for as long as possible, but it's unlikely we'll have more than 30 minutes."

Lee Ho-Jae frowned and fell deep in thought. "It's tight, but I'll give it my best shot."

Normally, cracking a safe required knowing the brand, type, and specifications as this could significantly reduce the time needed. However, there was no way to predict how long it would take right now.

I said, "Forget it. I'll go with you."

"What? You're coming too, hyung-nim?"

"Yeah. It'll be easier if I go with you. I've been here a few times and two people are better than one for something like this."

"Having someone familiar with the place does help."

"Great. Now hand me a set of disguise tools."

"Here you go."

I had already swapped out my suit for a large hoodie and casual pants just in case. Taking the disguise kit from Lee Ho-Jae, I got to work. I pulled on a black cap, a mask that covered my entire face, gloves, and special rubber soles designed to obscure the size and shape of my shoes.

Once my disguise was complete, I turned to Lee Ho-Jae. "We can avoid the security camera by entering through the parking lot. Let's head that way first."

"Understood, hyung-nim."

With a bag slung over my shoulder, I stepped out of the car and said, "Soo-Chan, you stay here. Keep an eye out and call me immediately if you see Kim Dong-Soo coming back."

"Got it. Just make sure you get out if time runs out. Your safety is the priority, hyung-nim."

"Alright."

The clock was ticking and we only had thirty minutes.

I headed toward the officetel with Lee Ho-Jae, determined to retrieve the hidden camera photos.

Ristretto's Thoughts

Ristretto: Mission Impossible Let's gooooooo

Maggy: What are the odds that Jung Yoon-Ho lands himself in jail and the story ends here?