✔ 𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯-𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 ℳℯ𝓁ℴ𝒹𝒾ℯ𝓈

Chapter 3.06 - Morning Routine

Choi Yeonjun walked into the office of his boss, Park Joonwoo, with a scowl on his face. The article about the plagiarism allegations against him had spread like wildfire, and Yeonjun was determined to set the record straight. Stomping, the soloist stopped in front of Joonwoo's desk and looked directly at him. "What the hell is this? These accusations are completely unfounded! All my songs on this album are made by me, apart from the samples you personally suggested."

Joonwoo leaned back and looked at Yeonjun with a thoughtful expression. "Calm down Yeonjun, we'll sort this out. The public won't drag our artists into the mud just like that and I assure you that those samples are ours. Everything was legal."

Yeonjun snorted in frustration, because he would like to believe his boss. However, it was strange that it was associated with this missing girl. They could find old examples on the internet and the samples did sound suspiciously similar. "But this Soyeon story... - why do people associate it with me?" Yeonjun wanted to know, sounding unintentionally tearful with the question. With a heavy sigh, he plopped down on the chair in front of the desk.

The whole situation was totally chaotic and crazy.

Just fucked up.

"Why didn't you ever tell me about this? I didn't even know she was an artist here. When you brought me to Eclipse, I was alone," Yeonjun continued, upset and full of questions.

Joonwoo sighed and stroked his dark hair, then adjusted his glasses. "I know, but Soyeon was here before your time and her story is complicated. She was a talented artist, but then she suddenly disappeared without a trace, even before I discovered you. No one knows exactly what happened."

Yeonjun stared thoughtfully at the floor as he tried to process the information.

Trying to remember how he had come to this entertainment.

Yeonjun raised his eyes and shook his head as if trying to organize his thoughts. He could remember how his boss had found him back then. Picked up from the street like a stray cat. Joonwoo had claimed that Yeonjun had that certain something, an energy that would pay off on stage. He seemed to have known right away that he had the potential to go far in this business. And at first, his parents weren't really in favor of it, even though he begged. To this day, Yeonjun didn't know the reason why his parents had changed their minds.

"I owe a lot to Eclipse Entertainment. It changed my life."

"That's why you'll do everything you can to keep your career going. Right?" asked Joonwoo, folding his hands on the surface of the table. "You'll get lots of requests for interviews or reports. What do you think would be a meaningful act?"

Joonwoo's scrutinizing eyes rested on Yeonjun like a succulent plate of his favorite food.

A little confused, Yeonjun tilted his head and looked at his superior questioningly. He didn't know what to do and had never been confronted with such accusations before.

"I think we should postpone your promotions for now," Joonwoo suggested, leaning forward slightly, "and we'll check carefully to see if these allegations have any merit. We will need to work with a legal expert and you should make a public statement later. The PR team will draft a text and let your fans know that we will be investigating the matter." Joonwoo slowly got up from his chair and walked around the desk towards the door of his office like a dangerous predator. "But since it's supposedly music clips of a missing person, of course the police could get involved and investigate further."

Yeonjun winced at this statement and turned in his chair to look at his boss. His whole body tensed up, he pulled his head in and looked like a whipped dog.

"Don't worry, Yeonjun, I'll help you fix everything," Park Joonwoo assured him with a smile, his hand reaching out towards the door handle. "But it would be easier if you cooperate with me."

With these words, the CEO of Eclipse Entertainment turned the lock.

And Yeonjun knew that there was no way out for him and slumped his shoulders powerlessly.