By Zephyria 
“Based on the phone call earlier, it sounded like they were at home. I think it’s best to go right now.”
“You’re bringing the bodyguards, right?”
“Of course. You never know what might happen. Above all, the lawyer said the more witnesses there are, the better.”
They went straight to the security team. Upon hearing Choi Hwan’s story, the bodyguards became indignant as if it were their own problem. Choi Hwan’s parents already had a track record of coming by two or three times to cause a scene.
“We should set up recorders and body cams before we go this time.”
With several bodyguards accompanying them, he felt very secure. As the two of them set off in the car, Yeom Cheon-ho called, likely having received a report from the security team. Thanks to Choi Hwan switching it to speaker mode, Yeon-rok could hear Yeom Cheon-ho’s polite suggestion.
— Mr. Hwan, I heard from the security team. Wouldn’t it be better to be cautious? How about speaking through a lawyer?
In truth, Yeon-rok was also a bit worried. A thought flashed through his mind that Choi Hwan’s parents might have used Choi Yeon to lure their son out. However, even if that were the case, they couldn’t just sit idly by. Choi Hwan seemed to think the same, responding in a sharp voice.
“I appreciate you caring about my business and lending me the bodyguards, but this is strictly a family matter. You have no right to tell me what to do.”
Because he was in front of Yeon-rok, he suppressed his temper as much as possible, but Choi Hwan’s nerves were completely frayed. He intended to have his sister’s video taken down today. Having worked in the broadcasting industry for a long time, he knew all too well how much malicious comments could hurt a person and tear their heart apart. Therefore, he had to act swiftly. That was the only way to minimize the damage to his sister’s heart.
— I wasn’t trying to interfere in family matters. It’s just that since the scandal broke not long ago, it wouldn’t hurt to be as cautious as possible.
“I’m very grateful that you’re worried about me, but that worry is unnecessary.”
— I understand. In that case, how about accompanying a lawyer?
Choi Hwan, perhaps inwardly concerned for Yeon-rok, glanced at him and accepted the final proposal.
“…Fine. I’ll do that.”
They stopped by Yeom Cheon-ho’s company and joined two lawyers. The lawyers warned Choi Hwan never to lay a hand on the other party and to avoid using profanity as much as possible. They told him not to threaten or intimidate them. Choi Hwan grew irritated.
“Then what on earth am I supposed to do?”
“Collecting as much evidence in our favor as possible is the only way you and your sister will find peace. So please, just be patient for today.”
After letting out a heavy sigh, Choi Hwan exerted his patience once more and nodded.
And so, they arrived at the house where Choi Hwan’s parents lived. It was a mixed-use commercial building located in a prime spot in Seoul, where land prices were exorbitant. This building was the direct result of the meticulous exploitation of Choi Hwan. The fact that they weren’t satisfied with this and were greedy enough to try and shackle their child again was practically atrocious.
As soon as they got out of the car, the lawyer stopped Choi Hwan, who was about to storm into the house.
“You can be reported for trespassing even between family members. Since we don’t know what tricks they might have played inside the house, let’s call them and lure them out first. Besides, isn’t it best to avoid fighting in front of the child?”
Thankfully, Choi Hwan continued to patiently follow the lawyer’s advice. To avoid the gaze of passersby, he hid between the bodyguards and the van while calling his parents.
“I’m in front of the house right now. Come down this instant.”
His voice, suppressing anger, was low and rough, sounding almost like a threat. He wondered if they would hold out inside, but fortunately, perhaps because they wanted something, the two of them appeared immediately. His younger sister was nowhere to be seen. That was a relief.
“You bastard! How dare you show your face here so brazenly?”
“Why did the brat who left to live well on his own come back? Someone as wicked as you is not our child!”
Yeon-rok’s face twisted instantly. It was because Choi Hwan’s parents began hurling insults the moment they appeared. Choi Hwan’s face flushed red with anger and disillusionment, but he endured it steadfastly. When Choi Hwan didn’t react regardless of the insults, his parents seemed a bit flustered. As expected, they seemed to be provoking him on purpose.
“Are you not answering when your parents are speaking?! Are you just going to ignore us now?”
“Please do not approach.”
When the father, who had shown violent tendencies in the past, tried to get closer, a bodyguard warned him. Choi Hwan, who had been listening silently until then, shook his head and stepped forward.
“No, it’s fine. Go ahead, try grabbing me by the collar. Hit me, just like you did before. Let’s see what happens next.”
His voice was quiet, but cold, devoid of any warmth. Facing the frigid gaze of a son who no longer held any affection, Choi Hwan’s parents flinched. Only then did they seem to realize that emotional provocation was no longer effective. He had truly become the child who had left them, just as they had said.
“Enough. While I’m still speaking nicely, take down Yeon’s video. If you don’t take it down immediately, I’ll report you to the police for child abuse. And don’t ever upload it again.”
“…Y-you brat!”
Choi Hwan’s parents, huffing in excitement, finally slowly looked around. Their hostile gazes passed over the five waiting bodyguards and the two lawyers, and stopped at Yeon-rok, who was frowning. Reacting sensitively, Choi Hwan moved his body to block the gaze directed at Yeon-rok.
“You know that I’m far more advantaged in every aspect, both in terms of public opinion and legally, right? I’ve been lenient so far because you’re my parents, but if you act like this, I won’t stay still either.”
Choi Hwan’s parents couldn’t say a word and only breathed heavily. However, to Yeon-rok, something seemed strange. Rather than being flustered, they seemed somehow anxious. As if they were waiting for something.
“Why aren’t you answering? I asked if you’re taking down Yeon’s video today.”
“I’ll take it down if you give me a little more money.”
Without a shred of shame, Choi Hwan’s father demanded more money. When deep contempt filled Choi Hwan’s eyes as he looked at them, they even became indignant, despite their lack of conscience. However, their hearts, accustomed to luxury until now, made them brazen. The mother joined in as well.
“500 million! You have to give us at least 500 million for us to take it down!”
Now it was reaching a point where even Yeon-rok, a third party, found it hard to endure. How could a human being be so shameless?
Choi Hwan’s money had not come for free. He was a diligent actor who analyzed characters by memorizing the entire script, including parts that weren’t his lines. When his schedule was busy, he couldn’t even sleep properly, and he often suffered injuries during action shoots. Because he had been active as an actor since he was young, it was a daily routine to have people cling to him wherever he went, leaving him with no private life.
If Choi Hwan hadn’t sincerely loved acting, it would have been much harder than it already was.
“Forget it. I don’t know why I even came here to talk to people like this.”
As a stern-faced Choi Hwan turned around to leave, his parents shouted urgently.
“T-then 300 million!”
“I don’t care. Let’s do this by the law. Oh, right. You said we’re strangers, didn’t you? Just so you know, I’m going to take back all the money a stranger took from me.”
“A-alright! How about 100 million? Huh? That’s not even a significant amount of money. Even 100 million…”
Choi Hwan’s parents, acting pathetic until the end, kept glancing somewhere to check. Yeon-rok was very curious about what they had been looking at for a while. It was just as Yeon-rok was about to tell the bodyguards to examine that area more closely.
“Hwan! Choi Hwan! Aaaaah!”
Suddenly, someone jumped out from behind the car and charged like a lunatic, screaming. Even while being extremely surprised, Choi Hwan lured the person in the opposite direction of Yeon-rok, creating distance. He instinctively realized that this was the culprit who had been sending malicious letters to Yeon-rok. A sasaeng fan charged, wailing.
“I’m sorry for coming suddenly! But I couldn’t wait until we met at the trial!”
Madness could be felt in the voice that spoke of the courthouse as if it were a meeting place. Fortunately, the bodyguards, who were already on edge from meeting Choi Hwan’s parents, subdued the person immediately. Looking now, the two parents had quickly vanished from the scene, as if they had been waiting for this exact situation.