Darling of the Nation

She opened his chat and saw his message.

"I heard you registered a company," he said.

"How do you even know, dear wang-ja? Are you stalking me?" She finally focused on him, her eyes narrowing, the corners of her lips twitching downward.

"I know a lot of things about you, little Storm. But if you want to know the answer to your second question, you might want to hear it directly from me," he said, his voice dripping with mystery.

She felt the familiar tension coil in her stomach. She knew what he was playing at—he wanted to see her, but he was finding excuses, keeping her on edge. Fine, she thought. She'd play hard to get and feign ignorance until he blurted it out.

Leaving his chat, she continued reviewing the profiles, her mind racing. As she scanned the documents, her eyes landed on a name that once lit up the industry.

Sa Jung-Shik.

His debut had been in "High School Gangster."

Ha-Na had always prided herself on her keen eye for talent, and she had immediately recognized Jung-Shik's potential at a local talent show. She had been the one to bring him to Ilhwa Entertainment, certain that he was destined for stardom.

If she remembered correctly, Jung-Shik had debuted three years ago, back when she was still the CEO of Ilhwa Entertainment. He had played the role of a bully in "High School Gangster," and his performance had been nothing short of meteoric. His meticulous acting and humorous portrayal had captured the hearts of teenage girls and boys alike, skyrocketing him to overnight fame.

With such a high starting point and his striking good looks, everything should have gone smoothly for him and his career should have soared. Yet, after his initial burst of fame, he had vanished from the public eye. No news, no roles, just an eerie silence.

She glanced at his resume, her brow furrowing. The acting experience listed was beyond pathetic. Other than "High School Gangster," his only notable work, he hadn't even played minor roles in any show for three years. It was as if he had vanished into thin air after his debut.

The sole highlight on his resume was a photo of himself.

In the photo, taken in a serene park during autumn, the teenager leaned against a tree, wearing a casual gray sweater and ripped jeans. The fallen leaves around him created a picturesque setting, but it was his face that captured attention. His face was delicate, almost ethereal, with a strong jawline, his soft hair ruffled by the wind, and eyes that seemed to hold a thousand secrets, he exuded a quiet magnetism that had once captivated an entire nation.

With his looks and presence, he truly deserved the title "The Nation's Crush."

She sighed, her fingers tracing the edge of the photo. It was such a pity. This boy who had once been the darling of the nation, the epitome of youthful charm and potential, had been forgotten by everyone.

Logically speaking, it was impossible for an artist like him, who had passed his prime, to become famous within a short period of time and help Ha-Na land her first pot of gold.

But Ha-Na wasn't one to dwell on past failures. She knew that stars weren't born; they were made. And if anyone could make a star, it was her.

She would undoubtedly make Jung-Shik's name spread across the entertainment industry once again.

With that determination, Ha-Na swiftly forwarded Sun-Jae and Jung-Shik's profiles to Ha-Min, her fingers tapping with purpose as she messaged, "I want them. Let's set up meetings with these artists soon. We're going to make this work, no matter what."

Sending the message, she leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Next, she continued scrolling, and a few worthy shots began to appear. Most of their contracts would expire in a month or two, enhancing her chances significantly.

Hyun-Jin's presence faded from her thoughts as she immersed herself completely in her work, forgetting she had left him hanging.

When no response came, Hyun-Jin messaged again, his tone laced with a playful reproach. "Leaving me on read is bad etiquette, little Storm. I know you're there."

"And you having someone tail me isn't chivalrous either, but you don't see me putting a label on your upbringing," she retorted sharply, her fingers tapping impatiently against the desk.

Well, he was far too busy a figure to personally stalk her. Therefore, the only plausible explanation was that he had someone else watching over her, fitting all the puzzle pieces together perfectly.

"You read my mind, little Storm. But believe me, nothing about me is chivalrous," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement.

Despite his words, she saw through the façade he presented. She knew he wasn't the person he projected himself to be. In the quiet moments, he tended to her wounds with a gentle touch, ensuring she arrived safely home without fail. These actions spoke volumes, revealing a complexity that contradicted his outward demeanor.

Ha-Na was adept at understanding this dichotomy; true character often surfaced through actions rather than words. After all, one's true self is not known by oneself but by others, and she was already getting a grasp of his nature.

"But I know what your desires are right now," his next message read.

She could almost feel his smirk through the screen, the way he relished every moment of their exchanges.

"Why don't you enlighten me, then?" she typed back, her fingers moving swiftly over the keys.