CHAPTER 4

Kim Taehyung agreed to his first live interview because he did not know how to say no.

This was a recurring flaw.

He stood backstage, fidgeting with the sleeves of a borrowed cardigan that cost more than his rent, while Han Jiwon crouched in front of him like a stressed manager.

“Okay,” she said firmly. “Rule number one: breathe.”

“I am breathing.”

“That was a lie. Do it again.”

Taehyung inhaled dramatically.

“Good,” Jiwon nodded. “Rule number two: if they ask about Chairman Jeon—”

“I panic?”

“—you smile,” she corrected. “And say something vague and harmless.”

Taehyung swallowed. “Like what?”

Jiwon thought for a moment.

“…‘He’s very professional.’”

Taehyung nodded seriously.

“I can do that.”

He could not, in fact, do that.

The host of Star Hour Live, Park Hyerin, was charming, sharp, and absolutely aware that Taehyung was nervous.

“So,” Hyerin smiled brightly, “you’ve been trending quite a bit lately.”

Taehyung bowed awkwardly.

“I fell.”

The audience laughed immediately.

Hyerin clapped. “He’s honest!”

The questions started easy:

* How long have you been acting?

* What inspired you?

* Favorite food?

Then Hyerin tilted her head.

“And how does it feel,” she asked sweetly, “to catch the attention of Chairman Jeon?”

The studio went silent.

Taehyung’s soul left his body.

He smiled.

Too big.

“He’s,” Taehyung said slowly, brain buffering, “very… professional.”

Jiwon, watching from home, screamed into a pillow.

📌 Live Comments Flood In

🗨️ WHY DID HE SAY IT LIKE THAT

🗨️ That pause was LOUD

🗨️ Someone check on Chairman Jeon

🗨️ This is not a man who is uninvolved

Taehyung laughed nervously.

“I mean—everyone here is professional,” he added. “Very… work-oriented.”

Hyerin smiled knowingly.

“Oh, of course.”

The audience did not believe him.

Midway through the broadcast, Hyerin gestured off-camera.

“We’re joined today by a friend of Taehyung’s!”

Jiwon froze.

“Wait,” she whispered. “Why is the camera—”

Too late.

Jiwon appeared on screen, waving stiffly.

“This is Han Jiwon,” Hyerin said. “You two seem close.”

Jiwon laughed.

“We’re soulmates.”

Taehyung choked.

Hyerin’s eyes gleamed. “Oh?”

Jiwon, realizing she was live, panicked.

“I mean—platonically. Very platonic. Except when I ship him with—”

Taehyung lunged.

The audience screamed.

Producers cut to commercials.

“WHY,” Taehyung whispered frantically, “WOULD YOU SAY THAT?”

“I BLACKED OUT,” Jiwon hissed. “DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TAEKOOK EDITS I’VE WATCHED?”

“YOU SAID IT OUT LOUD.”

“They baited me!”

Back in his office, Jungkook watched the feed calmly.

Kang Daehyun braced himself.

“…Sir?”

Jungkook adjusted his cufflinks.

“Prepare a statement.”

“…About?”

Jungkook’s gaze remained steady.

“About professionalism.”

Daehyun nodded.

Immediately.

Before the show ended, breaking news flashed across screens.

YOON SEOYEON CONFIRMED FOR NEW BLOCKBUSTER PRODUCED BY JEON GROUP

The audience gasped.

Hyerin blinked. “What timing.”

Taehyung’s stomach dropped.

At home, Seoyeon watched the broadcast, lips curved elegantly.

“So,” she murmured. “He’s cute.”

Her assistant hesitated. “Should we be concerned?”

Seoyeon smiled wider.

“Not yet.”

That night, a post appeared on Jeon Group’s official account.

Chairman Jeon Jungkook:

Talent deserves protection. Hard work deserves respect.

No names.

No explanations.

The internet exploded.

📌 Trending Worldwide

#ChairmanJeonSpeaks

#ProtectKimTaehyung

#IsThisARomance

Jiwon stared at her phone.

“…He just hard-launched your existence.”

Taehyung sat on his couch, overwhelmed.

“He didn’t have to do that.”

Jiwon smiled softly.

“Yes,” she said. “He did.”

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