The Third-Gen Chaebol Becomes a Genius Actor

Ch 122+123

Seo-eun didn't believe Ikang's words; from the beginning, she didn't find it worth believing that Ikang was behind the manipulative scheme to attack and lower her approval ratings.

"That's impossible."

But the doubts that settled in her heart grew stronger.

The director had been dropping hints by showing the faces of Seong Hyeon-woo, who would brighten up when he saw Seo-eun but then looked sinister when turned away, to the viewers, implying something.

Seo-eun was the same. Though they must have met for the first time, the Emperor and Seong Hyeon-woo seemed to know each other well, always asking if they remembered each other from their childhood.

"Yeah, still haven't found it?"

"No, it seems like I don't remember at all."

And a secretive conversation between the Emperor and Seong Hyeon-woo emerges, igniting suspicions among the viewers.

"Where could my beloved sibling be hiding?"

But Seong Hyeon-woo's gaze as he looked at the Emperor's back was strange. His sharp eyes contained hatred.

"Hyun-woo."

"Yes."

When the Emperor turned his back to look at Seong Hyeon-woo, he smiled as if to say, "When did you start that?"

"Surely Seo-eun doesn't really love that child?"

Seong Hyeon-woo didn't respond, only smirked. The Emperor narrowed his eyes, observing him. He couldn't read him at all. Like himself.

"Well, you wouldn't do that."

"..."

"You're like me."

Although born as the eldest son of the Emperor, he was a bastard born of the former Emperor's affair. In that sense, Seong Hyeon-woo resembled the Emperor. The position of a royal offspring, quietly waiting for opportunities... Perhaps more like himself than his own son Ikang.

Seong Hyeon-woo didn't avoid the Emperor's hand on his shoulder.

"I'll definitely bring it back."

"It must be done. Lately, Seo-eun seems bothered by that kid."

The press speculating on the corruption of the Emperor and Ikang, the growing controversy over political neutrality—real, tangible measures were needed to quell these.

Real measures that only the royals could take. The current Emperor's measures were fake. Initially, it was Seo-eun's father whom the former Emperor intended to pass the throne to.

"Find it quickly. I'll have to act as I see fit."

With that, the Emperor turned back. Seong Hyeon-woo briefly bowed his head and left the Emperor's office.

"He's dangerous."

A man who had even killed his own brother to secure his position. Maybe he'd do the same for his nephew. Seong Hyeon-woo clenched his fists.

Before he left, he turned back to look at the Emperor's office.

"That must be it."

'He suspects me.'

Seong Hyeon-woo's expression turned cold as he turned away again.

Then, in a brief flashback scene, it is revealed that Seong Hyeon-woo was actually digging up corruption to discredit the Emperor and Ikang, stirring up controversies to fulfill his own goals. He approached Seo-eun for a private discussion to gather more information before aligning with her against the Emperor.