The atmosphere among the trainees became eerily silent.

Gu Bai sat back in his place and said, "The event continues."

He then had Jung Soo-yeon sit in the spot previously occupied by Lee Soo-man.

The staff immediately played the music "Glitter" necessary for the F(x) Group's performance.

Yet at this moment, everyone was preoccupied with various thoughts, and even the five members on stage were distracted, resulting in chaotic rhythm and frequent mistakes.

However, not even Gu Bai was watching their performance, and the others had even less inclination to pay attention.

Jung Soo-yeon carefully sat beside Gu Bai, not daring to say a word.

As Jung Soo-yeon felt uneasy inside, Gu Bai leaned in close to her ear and softly said, "I must say, Miss Jung Soo-yeon, you are indeed very bold.

I know many women, but you are the first to dare use me."

Gu Bai's tone was gentle, but after hearing it, Jung Soo-yeon's face, which had just slightly relaxed, turned pale again.

"I'm sorry, Director Gu, I really had no other choice..."

Listening to Jung Soo-yeon's continuous apologies, Gu Bai chuckled lightly, pinched her cheek, and behaved like a villain.

"Don't be nervous. Since you've made a choice, don't be afraid."

Upon hearing this, Jung Soo-yeon looked up at Gu Bai.

"From your actions, it's clear you're a smart woman, but sometimes being too smart is foolish. However, since I've shielded you from Ju Haosu, you need to show me your value.

If I deem your value insufficient, I can only apologize. We have an old saying in Hua Country: 'escaped the tiger's den, entered the wolf's lair.' I assume you wouldn't want to experience that."

"Director Gu, rest assured, I will definitely show you my value."

"Right now, I don't see it. Tonight, I'll have Director Lee Boo-jin arrange for you to come to my room. I hope your value will satisfy me then."

After speaking, Gu Bai lifted his head and resumed watching F(x)'s performance on stage.

Jung Soo-yeon dared not look directly at Gu Bai's face, only sneaking a glance from the corner of her eye. Although she had seen his face when he entered the practice room earlier, the distance was too great to see clearly. Upon this close inspection, Jung Soo-yeon found Gu Bai's features excessively refined, making her feel ashamed in comparison with her own looks, of which she was proud.

Facing a choice only between Ju Haosu and Gu Bai.

Jung Soo-yeon would absolutely choose Gu Bai without hesitation.

Gu Bai was unaware of Jung Soo-yeon's thoughts, continuing to watch the stage with a smile.

A few minutes later, Lee Boo-jin beside him received a text, glanced at it, and then handed it to Gu Bai.

"Mr. Gu."

Hearing this, Gu Bai turned his head and took the phone from her hand.

The phone was displaying a video.

The video showed Ju Haosu lying limp on the ground like a dead dog, motionless, his face stained red with blood. If not for the fact that Lee Boo-jin had personally handed over the video, Gu Bai might not have recognized him as Ju Haosu.

After a few glances, Gu Bai disdainfully returned the phone to Lee Boo-jin.

"Shouldn't be fatal, right?"

"My bodyguard just informed me, they're all superficial wounds. The worst injuries are likely two fractured ribs at most, nothing major. Lee Soo-man already called people to take him to the hospital."

"As long as it's not fatal. Keep an eye on the Ju Clan's movements to see how they handle this and inform me of any issues immediately."

"Understood."

Though Gu Bai disliked trouble, since trouble couldn't be avoided, it was essential to prepare adequately.

After all, it's one of the Four Major Conglomerates. Who knows if Ju Benmao would go mad seeing his grandson being tormented this way on Gu Bai's orders?

With this thought, Gu Bai lost interest in the performance and stood up, saying, "Alright, there's no need for a performance. It's just Girls' Generation and F(x)."

Having said that, he started walking straight towards the practice room's exit.

The entourage following Gu Bai immediately kept pace, and seeing Gu Bai leave, Jung Soo-yeon hesitated for who knows how long before steeling herself to follow him.

She knew that Ju Haosu's incident wouldn't end just like that.

She didn't know if Gu Bai would be in trouble, but as a key figure in this incident, if she didn't stay close to Gu Bai, tomorrow's headlines might be about a famous idol committing suicide at home.

Such situations are not uncommon in Goryeo.

Now, aside from Gu Bai, no one could protect her.

After Gu Bai left, discussions began in the practice room.

"That was terrifying... It's like nothing in movies has this level of oppression..."

"I just want to know how this will play out, that's Ju Haosu, the grandson of LG Group chairman Ju Benmao... Could cause an upheaval..."

"Alright, stop discussing this. It has nothing to do with us. Get back to work. As they say, when gods fight, mere mortals suffer. We were all here, and even a little involvement could mean a grisly end. Keep your mouths shut; if this leaks out, we're all in trouble!"

The S·M Company talent director sternly warned the chattering crowd.

"Understood."

"We're not fools..."

Seeing their response, the talent director nodded in satisfaction.

"Members of Girls' Generation and F(x) Group, come with me to sign contracts. Everyone else, feel free to do as you please, but for now, I advise not leaving the company. Let's wait for President Lee Soo-man to return."

After speaking, the talent director led the 13 members of Girls' Generation and F(x) out of the practice room.

He was taking the wisest course of action: pretend nothing happened and proceed as normal. In conflicts among tycoon titans, small fry like them would stand no chance.

With Ju Haosu being sent to the hospital by Lee Soo-man, Ju Benmao, who was recuperating at home, immediately received the news.

Without regard for his health, he rushed straight to the hospital where Ju Haosu was.

Ju Haosu, born to Ju Benmao's beloved eldest son, was loved dearly after his father passed away prematurely. Ju Benmao focused all his affection on Ju Haosu.

Though Ju Haosu was a wastrel, he was exceptionally filial to Ju Benmao.

This was the reason for Ju Benmao's agitation.

Normally, though Ju Haosu was Ju Benmao's grandson, his hospitalization would be at most a topic of casual banter without much attention.

But this incident involved Samsung Group and LG Group, two behemoths in Goryeo. Within just a few hours, it spread throughout the Goryeo chaebol circle.

Coupled with the significant impact of the previous day's Incheon Airport incident, the Goryeo chaebol circle was instantly thrown into turmoil, with everyone eager to find out what had transpired.

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