After everything was clear, Hoonsik hurriedly left this room after saying that compliment.

I didn't know if he was telling the truth or just trying to cheer me up. Obviously, it was helped me relax a bit now even if it was only temporary. And in the end, I was back to feel torn and hopeless again.

Leaning my back against the chair sluggishly, I occasionally glanced at my watch, which showed 2:30 in the afternoon just now. There were still a few more hours before I attended the press conference. Finally, I unconsciously fell asleep in the chair until someone came in to wake me up, reminding me of the event.

6:00 pm.

In one of the five-star hotels, the heads of companies and senior executives sat on the chairs that had been provided. While the reporters with ID cards hanging around their necks — men and women with notebooks, cameras — were also ready. I could even see how many questions they had on their faces.

In less than thirty minutes the press conference was about to start.

The large hall was cold, but anxiety made sweat drip down my forehead with my temperature rising by a few degrees. I took a few sips of water and overheard several people from the crowd of reporters chanting my name with light, mocking chuckles. Dimly, but a sentence like 'Mr. Lee's career is coming to an end' was heard so clear to my ears. They mocked very cruelly. Until a woman who realized that I was watching them immediately signaled silence to some of her colleagues who were gossiping in front of me.

They immediately changed the subject and acted innocently as if they were just talking about something else.

At 6:30 pm, this event began. Many company officials had gathered and the reporters prepared with their notebooks. The media was starting to cover and this was a live broadcast. Pointing out just one mistake, people in South Korea would laugh at anyone constantly and even remember it as something funny and embarrassing.

The camera lights flashed and dazzled for a moment — one after another without stopping. The reporters started asking questions gradually, with a normal question about the company; about the rumors concerning the company.

I answered all of those questions almost perfectly, nervousness just couldn't get my head to think about my best answer right now but I made it.

Until a reporter started to ask me something about my personal affairs and it got more intense ...

"We have heard that the relationship between you and President Kim is not good lately, is that true?"

The question piqued the curiosity of the other reporters and seemed to be getting more and more interested until some of them started to push.

"Yes, does it have anything to do with the rumors from three years ago?"

"Right, we've found some evidence of your recent closeness with your male assistant too. We can show you some pictures if you want to see them. One of them was taken in front of one of the hotels in Seoul."

"But people will want to know about your feud with President Kim. So would you like to clarify?"

In the crowd — in the most hidden place — Daehyun focused his gaze on me, then looked away when our eyes met at the point of injustice.

Seemingly, no one noticed his presence in this place. If only they looked back and saw that person standing between them, they wouldn't have dared to mention our terrible relationship at this press conference.

The reporters were getting more and more pressing and people were holding back with intimidating faces as if they were crushing me with two pieces of concrete without mercy.

It didn't matter if the answer would be answered in a hurry or in a bad sentence. In their minds, seen from that perspective, the answer was the most important thing.

This situation was really unfair!

In confusion, the same questions were asked one after another by the reporters. The cameras beamed and the lights seemed to take a secret that I had kept close to me, to told the world that my disgrace was disgusting.

People would hate me and curse my name. Until my mind changed what I thought, and gave the answer, "That rumors are ... true ...."

The people Instantly fell silent, ensued in disbelief. There were all kinds of expressions, but they all showed the same feeling — surprised — including that Kim Daehyun — he was more dominating.

Until one of the company officials who was sitting at the front stood up, hitting the table hard enough as if to buzz the air with a loud shrill sound. He yelled, "So it's true?! You turned out to be a liar. Tricked us out of self-interest!"

"Yes, that's right! You liar!" others confirmed.

A reporter asked, "So, Kim Myungdae has been covering it up for three years, was this planned?"

Before giving an answer, my eyes instinctively moved towards Daehyun. He might be annoyed by turning his face away.

I smirked and finally replied, "The rumors are true, but they have nothing to do with Kim Myungdae. I've been covering it up by myself. Kim Myungdae is on good terms with me, but that doesn't mean we have covered the rumors up together. He doesn't even know anything about this. You can directly ask his son behind your back. He was even surprised after hearing your questions."

Everyone turned around at the same time, looking at Daehyun and making them all shocked in ignorance. Several reporters, who asked questions about our 'bad relationship', looked awkward and there was concern on their pale faces.

However, offending his family's reputation where it shouldn't be, he could wipe out anyone even if it was his company.

"Please ask him the truth," I said.

The people in the room were unmoved. None of them dared to speak confidently. Until someone spoke to me, "Because you have been lying all this time, I will terminate the contract with your agency, Mr. Lee. After all, the rumors will have a negative impact on my agency if it continues."

Gradually, people began to open their mouths, deciding the same thing, even on the sidelines, they heard blasphemy.

Some of them were still considering.

In this situation, I left the room indifferently. The reporters were about to approach, but the guards swiftly blocked them.

Thinking that it was all over, I left, leaving the reporters with their curiosity, and the company officials who would probably feel disrespected.

Inside the spacious room, I leaned languidly on the sofa. Then, a sharp voice rang out from behind, "You really are an idiot. Do you think they'd just believe in such a lowly reason? It would even put your reputation at risk in the media."

The voice was very familiar. I didn't have to turn around to see who was talking.

"I can't think of a way out anymore. I'll apologize to your father later," I replied.

I heard him take a deep breath, then slowly walked over, and sat across from me.

Looking at me sharply, he said, "No need. I'll talk to him."

Daehyun poured wine into a sparkling clear glass, took a sip, then spoke again, "You're so sneaky. Distracted the reporters from me, then you just walked away. How dare you."

As I wasn't interested in the conversation, I distracted him by asking, "You drink? I thought you were anti-alcohol."

He smirked. "See? you always act so impudently. At least you should thank me because you can escape and let me handle everything."

Paused, he let out a sigh of relief, "... But, it's not a big deal though. Since you didn't tell them all the truth, I'll hide my face to thank you. So, thank you."

"Heh, drop it." I straightened my back, then spoke seriously, "I want to talk something important to you. This is about Chunghee."

I didn't continue my sentence but waiting for him to say something first.

"What is it?" he asked.

Taking a deep breath, I asked to confirm, "Are you really going back to France?"

"Right," he answered lightly.

I was stunned for a moment, then asked again, "Are you going to take Chunghee with you?"

"Of course."

Heh, he didn't even deny it at all ...

He also didn't seem to mind saying that and there wasn't a line of regret that he showed on his face.

Shameless!

"Alright then," I said, "I left him to you. Promise me, you will take care of him; you will always be with him; never make him feel lonely. I also beg you sincerely, I beg you to take him to the hospital. I will give all my money for his recovery."

"Without you asking, I'll do it. Just save the money for your new life with Sunyeon—"

"That's my foolishness!" I glared at him, then explained, "I'm not that close to him. Our relationship is only based on 'needs'. He has feelings for me, but I just played with him."