Chapter 179 - EXOTIC (XI): The Press Conference

The hall was buzzing with people. Representatives from the top media companies were seated there, waiting to get the scoop of the century. They already envisioned it. "The Nation's Idol turns Abuser" was running through their minds as they hungrily looked for juicy gossips. It did not matter to them what the truth was. They would make up their own version of the truth. All they needed was a scapegoat.

"Just look at them," Junki said in disgust as he peered from behind the curtain. "They're dying for the scoop."

"Did that girl agree to comply, sir?" one of his staff members asked.

"She did," he said. "Even signed the papers. I have them right here."

He held out the doc.u.ments. "If she refuses to cooperate, we'll slam legal action on her."

The staff member gaped at him in awe. "Nice going sir!" he exclaimed. 

Junki was very proud of himself at the fact that he managed to subdue the girl. He knew gold diggers like her too well. After all, a gold digger like that destroyed the once famous group JNE by hooking up with all the members. Who knew what this girl would have done.

"Where's KJ?" he asked.

"No idea, sir," the employee said. "We called him and he said he'd be here. But since then his phone has been unreachable."

Junki frowned. If KJ was crazily in love with the girl, then it might cause a problem. He will not like it if he finds out how Junki intimidated the girl into submission. 

"Find him," he ordered. "Somehow."

The employee bowed and scurried off. Junki watched from behind the curtain as the media representatives were taking their seats. Among them was Kang Dongsik from Exposed. Junki seethed with anger seeing that man. He was the root of all the problems.

"Sir, the press conference is about to start," one of the interns informed him. "And we also received information that the new CEO is on his way."

"The CEO?" Junki exclaimed. He must be coming to see how things are going, he thought. The matter is after all very grave. This will also be the perfect opportunity to show the new CEO his capabilities. He beamed with pride. A promotion was definitely awaiting him if everything went according to plan.

He heaved out his chest and stepped on stage, heading towards the podium. The media and reporters were not paying any attention to him but rather chatting among themselves. Junki cleared his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he spoke out through the mic. As soon as he began talking, the room fell silent. "We have invited you here today to provide an explanation from our side regarding the scandals surrounding EXOTIC."

"We will be answering all your questions regarding the rumors about KJ," he went on. 

"What about Ash Park?" one of the reporters spoke up. "Don't you think Ash Park's offense also needs a clarification. How did the company not know that he was involved in a s.e.x racket? Or was the company hiding it?"

"We assure you, we had no idea," Junki stated. "Whatever Ash Park did, Mystic Entertainment nor EXOTIC had any idea about it."

"Are you saying that in the entertainment industry, where everything about the artists are controlled by their agencies, you had no clue about what Mr. Park was doing?" another reporter demanded. "That sounds like a lie!"

"We always tried to keep EXOTIC a=out of any controversy," Junki said clearly. "Mr. Park always portrayed himself as an upright citizen of this country. Whatever he did in his private life was hidden very carefully by him and his clients. Mystic Entertainment had no idea about his affairs."

"What about CEO Ahn's death?" one reporter piped up. "Did CEO Ahn know about Mr. Park and was killed because of it?"

A murmur ran through the room. "The police are investigating it," Junki replied. "Only they are authorized to say this. Next question."

"Is KJ abusive towards his girlfriend?" Dongsik asked. "Are the rumors true?"

"You say it, Mr. Kang," Junki gritted. "After all, you reported it first."

"We have evidence that not only did Kang Jiwon had an affair but also that he was the father of that girl's unborn child," Dongsik stated. "His abuse caused the poor girl to miscarry."

The murmurs grew louder as they whispered about what a horrible person KJ is.

"I knew he was abusive," one of the reporters told her colleague.

"He's had so many affairs in the past," another one whispered.

"Probably did not want to take responsibility for the child," another reporter claimed. The rumor mill was running fast. 

"The girl in question was his PA who only gained employment to try and seduce members of EXOTIC," Junki lied. "She failed to do so and hence made up the lies."

"Why would she lie about the parentage of her baby's father?" a reporter questioned. "Is she here to confirm the fact?"

"She will arrive to confirm it herself," Junki said smugly. "You see, she-"

Just then the door to the auditorium burst open. A tall, slim figure walked in with full pride. KJ was wearing a neat black suit, looking every bit like a king. He held his head high as the cameras pointed at him, flashing away. The reporters stood up from their seats, attempting to get answers from him. They surrounded him like a swarm of bees.

"Did you hit your girlfriend?"

"Is it true she miscarried?"

"What do you have to say about yourself?"

KJ ignored everyone and headed straight for the podium where Junki stood. Junki went to give him a hug. 

"Stick to the story," he whispered. "Remember, you knew nothing of her pregnancy and she is a gold digger who attempted to seduce you."

KJ's blood boiled at those words but he maintained a poker face. Junki winked at him before taking a seat at the audience. KJ walked towards the podium, facing the press.

It had been months since he had given any public appearances and he felt nervous. The people in front of him were waiting to see him stumble and fall. They wanted to tear him apart and destroy the reputation he worked so hard to build. He scrutinized their expressions. They were starving beasts and to them, he was a sacrificial lamb.

Little did they know, he was the lion.

"Speak," he commanded in a low bt firm tone.

"What is your relationship with that girl?" one reporter immediately piped up.

"Did you have an affair with her?"

"Did you hit her?"

"That girl…" KJ began. He glances at Junki, who gave him a thumbs up. He was smiling, feeling triumphant. He knew that KJ was smart and would not throw away his career for a girl.

"That girl is someone I'm in love with," KJ declared, wiping the smile off of Junki's face. The latter froze in disbelief. What the hell was he saying?

The reporters immediately began to take notes and recordings. The Nation's Idol was having a secret affair! It was the news of the century.

"So you had an affair with her?"

"Did she really miscarry your child?"

"Yes, she miscarried my child," KJ lied. It was the only way to protect Mirae. He must make himself the villain. Otherwise the media will tear her apart. He could not bear to see her like this. "And I-"

"Why don't you tell the truth?" an angry voice rang out through the mics. Startled, KJ and the reporters looked around. Mirae was at the entrance, on a wheelchair. She was being wheeled by Hyun Jung. He rolled her towards the stage.

The reporters gathered around her, questioning her of what happened and whether she was really abused.

Mirae gave them all a cold gaze. "Move," she ordered them. Her chilly look made them shiver and they obliged to make way for her. "I can take it from here, Hyun Jung," she added to Hyun Jung. 

"Alright," he nodded. Mirae slowly stood up from the chair and slightly limped towards the stage. KJ rushed to help her and together they climbed the stage. 

"KJ, stand beside me," she whispered. "And do not speak."

"But-"

"Trust me," she assured him. There was a strange look in her eyes. "Let me protect you," she requested. 

KJ was baffled at her words but let her take the stand on the podium while he stood next to her.

"Over the past few days," Mirae began. "I've been hearing so many rumors. About KJ and me. How he abused me and how he used and threw me away. The media had been stalking us, invading our privacy over the past few days like wolves."

Her steely expression and apparent disgust at the media made the reporters shift in their seats. 

"Imagine having a miscarriage," Mirae went on. "And then seeing on TV how your plight is being used as a toy to feed the need for drama of some sick individuals. Just because KJ is a celebrity, it does not give anyone the right to point fingers at him without proof!"

"But did he abuse you?" One reported asked but froze when he saw the look Mirae gave him.

"Sit down," she ordered. "Let me talk and you'll listen."

She looked at all of them. "KJ is someone very important to me," she continued. "The person I have vowed to protect with all my heart. The person...I love."

KJ looked at her, feeling bewildered. "Yes, he was the father of my child," Mirae lied without any hesitation. "But he was not the reason why I miscarried. My child died because of Ash Park."

The room erupted in outrage as the reporters attempted to ask their questions.

"What are you saying?"

"How did Ash Park do this?"

"KJ did not hit you? But why did you claim otherwise?"

"None of us claimed that KJ hit me or was abusive," Mirae stated. Her voice was choking up as she remembered the night at Sunny Daze. Even if Ash was not the one who pushed her, his ultimate betrayal cost her her child. "The media made it up. The reports stated KJ as the father but was it mentioned anywhere that he hit me? No. The truth is that when KJ found out about Ash Park's involvement with Madam Lim's racket, he confronted his friend. I was there and witnessed how Ash Park tried to attack KJ. I defended him and unfortunately, was pushed aside by Ash. That caused my miscarriage."

"KJ tried to protect me," Mirae said as tears filled her eyes. "But...he failed."

She lowered her eyes to conceal her tears. KJ held her hand, trying to stop her from saying anything more but she went on. "KJ was by my side throughout all this. He supported me with all his heart. He didn't run away and kept me strong."

Mirae looked KJ in the eye. "I'm lucky to have him in my life," she said gratefully. Of all the lies she had to tell, this one was the small truth. "Thank you, Jiwon."

Before KJ could say anything, Mirae leaned up and kissed him on the lips.