Trial Marriage Husband (Pangyo Couple version)

Chapter 30: Sharing the Stage with Park Shinhye

After Jooeun released the scandal, CN and Park Shinhye were forced to withstand the worst judgment they had ever experienced from the outside world. This was the biggest crisis faced by Yonghwa since he first established CN. So his disgust and hatred towards Jooeun was not simply a passing thought.

The higher-ups in the company immediately called for an emergency meeting. Yonghwa even called his sister, who's living overseas, for help.

"Yonghwa, I've already seen the news. Jooeun has solid evidence. In regards to this incident, you didn't keep things hidden enough, that's why you allowed others to find evidence against you. But, don't be too obsessed with what's happened, you need to learn how to size up the situation. You need to make it clear, you are the boss of the company. No matter how popular Jooeun is, she is just a model. Her fate is in your hands."

"Then noona, what should I do now?" Yonghwa's mind was in a mess because of Jooeun and Shinhye.

"First of all, release a public statement with a sincere apology. State that you will treat Jooeun respectfully from now on to appease the angry netizens. Also, support Jooeun."

"But there's no way Shinhye will agree." Yonghwa's head was hurting.

"I didn't tell you to give up on Shinhye. I currently have a deal with an international magazine, we are still missing two Asian models. Arrange for Jooeun and Jooeun to attend the shoot together. This will prove their relationship isn't as bad as it seems. Plus, having them together will get discussions going. Although, this magazine isn't one of the highest ranked, but at least it is a step into the international limelight, this will be beneficial towards Shinhye's chances at the Top Ten Model Awards. This way, we are using Jooeun popularity to boost Shinhye. Yonghwa, remember, a crisis is also a turning point, as long as you take advantage of this, CN's fame will continue to rise."

After hearing Jung Ryeowon's reminder, Yonghwa was immediately enlightened. Older people were indeed wiser.

"I understand Noona."

"After being with you for so many years, for Jooeun to suddenly do so many things against you, you must have taken things too far. If you want to cheat, I will not judge – there aren't many pure-hearted people in the entertainment industry. I also do not expect you to be honest, but, why did you let Jooeun find out? If you weren't my younger brother and if Shinhye didn't have your child inside her, I would leave you to fend for yourself." Ryeowon warned. "This is the perfect chance – let them share a stage, let them lower each other's spirits. Shinhye is so arrogant and domineering because of the way you spoil her."

"Noona, she is carrying a child. I'm just worried she will receive too much stimulation."

"Also, Chaeyeon is ready for the kidney transplant. Previously, Jooeun was the only one that was a perfect match. After your scolding, would she still be willing to donate her kidney to our Chaeyeon?"

Yonghwa was startled, he had almost forgotten about this. The Jung family had 3 children: the oldest was Jung Ryeowon who was a famous top-tier manager. 3 years ago she was scouted by an international company and had been living in America ever since. Jung Yonghwa was the second oldest and was introduced into the entertainment industry by his sister. The youngest was Jung Chaeyeon. Because of a bad kidney plus young age, Chaeyeon was often at the hospital for treatment.

"Noona, no matter what happens between Jooeun and I, since she has promised to save Chaeyeon, I will not give her a chance to change her mind." Ryeowon gave two grunts of approval before hanging up the phone. She was both angry and felt helpless towards this brother.

Afterwards, Yonghwa instructed his team to release a statement admitting to treating Jooeun harshly. The statement also stated they would genuinely try to make amends and will treat Jooeun well from now on. They ended with a plea for Jooeun and her fans to give CN one more chance. At the same time, CN announced they had been invited by the international magazine: Vanity Fair, to allow Jooeun and Shinhye to attend their shoot.

As soon as this was announced, the public was once again outraged, just like Ryeowon predicted. The two models were obviously enemies who previously fought over the same man. They were rivals, but Yonghwa actually placed the two of them together?

Dear god!

Even though Jooeun's popularity was once again on the rise, it didn't hide the fact that she had previously been a substitute for Shinhye. On the other hand, although things had run smoothly for Shinhye in the past, in the end, she was just a B-Grade model. No matter what she did, she couldn't get to the top. Fans from both sides started arguing. Was Cha Jooeun more professional or was Park Shinhye more pleasing to the eye?

This is how the entertainment industry was like. The spotlight often changed. Of course, all Jooeun wanted to do was avoid CN's sneaky slandering by placing herself out in the open, at the same time preventing Shinhye from interfering. Now that Yonghwa had placed her on the same level as Shinhye, she reached her aim.

"Jooeun, will you accept this job?" Hyewon questioned over the phone. The fact that Yonghwa acted like he cared about Jooeun and organized an international magazine job for her, if she was to reject, it would make her seem petty. "Even though Yonghwa never asked for your opinion, if you don't want to do it, we can think of something."

"I'll accept it!" Jooeun replied straightforwardly.

"OK, I understand. It's good that you are sharing the stage with Park Shinhye. The public will have the opportunity to see Shinhye perform. They will discover, she at most, can only be your backdrop!" Hyewon responded. "Tomorrow morning, the company will have a discussion. I will first go pick up Minjung and then I'll come get you."

"OK." Jooeun nodded. Hyewon seemed to be getting used to things. Jooeun hung up the phone and continued to be a cook in the kitchen. Even though Jeonghwan didn't allow her, she never considered herself to be delicate. Cooking for her husband was her right!

After returning home, Jeonghwan found Jooeun busy in the kitchen. Approaching her from behind, he lifted her off her feet and placed her atop the kitchen bench, trapping her between his arms.

"You know what the consequences are for not listening to me?"

Jooeun hooked her arms around Jeonghwan's neck as she swung her legs. "Don't tell me you will 'eat' me?"

"You don't know how to be afraid..." Jeonghwan evaluated. He stretched out his arms, carried her towards the living room and placed her on the sofa. "Today is the day of your comeback, so leave dinner to me."

Jooeun nodded her head as she removed the apron from her body and placed it on Jeonghwan.

Jeonghwan is tall and his body was built. When he wore business shirts and the soft material hung to his chest, his slightly hidden abdominal muscles made it difficult for Jooeun to take her eyes off him.

Afterwards, all that could be seen was a man chopping – calm and capable. He treated his ingredients like he treated life, quick, efficient and clean – not leaving a mess. This poised man was like a piece of art. Jooeun tried to hide her fluttering heart as she headed to the bedroom. She discovered, on top of their bed, a bunch of red roses. Jooeun excitedly placed the flowers in her hand as she leaned in to smell the lovely fragrance. However, she noticed a small package amongst the flowers. She curiously took it out to have a closer look, her face suddenly turned bright red.

Did Jeonghwan want to have her tonight?

Then, was she meant to know about the existence of this Durex or was she to pretend she didn't see a thing?