Paradise || Jeong Gu Won ✓

ꜰᴏʀᴛʏ-ꜰᴏᴜʀ

𝚂𝚎𝚘𝚔 𝙼𝚒𝚗'𝚜 𝙼𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚃𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚜

Seong Min happened to be coming out of the break room when he stopped. Seok Min decided that today would be a great day for a surprise appearance at Mirae Entertainment. And he brought his team of bodyguards – it seemed that Seok Min was fitting right into the new position as chairman of the Mirae Group. Seong Min turned, walking over to Ji Hu's office. She was in the middle of a phone interview that Seong Min wasn't supposed to interrupt, but this required an interruption. "Oppa, I told-"

"Seok Min's here." 

Ji Hu swallowed the lump in her throat. "I am sorry," she apologized to the reporter on the other end of the call. "Can I call you back later this afternoon? I have a family matter to take care of." 

"Of course, JiJi. Don't worry, the article won't be going out until next week." 

"Thank you so much." Ji Hu said goodbye before hanging up the phone. She looked at Seong Min. He gave Ji Hu a look, but she shook her head. "I can handle my brother on my own, oppa." She knew the look that Seong Min gave her – it was his "want me to stay?" look. 

Ji Hu may not like Seok Min, but she could be pleasant enough with her older brother. 

Ki Hwan watched as Seok Min walked by without acknowledging anyone in the office. Yeon Woo and Ji Ah glanced at each other, feeling the tension filling the office. The lively chatter suddenly went silent. Seong Min returned from Ji Hu's office, stopping in front of Seok Min. Seok Min stared at Ji Hu's office. "I'm here to see Ji Hu." Seok Min confirmed. 

Seong Min didn't want Seok Min there, but it was too late now. He stepped aside. "Your team stays here." Seong Min said. Whatever Seok Min needed from Ji Hu, he didn't need his army of bodyguards with him. They could stay right where they were. 

"As you wish," Seok Min brushed past Seong Min. Seong Min watched as Seok Min entered Ji Hu's office. She was pretending to be on the computer when her brother entered. As the door closed, Seong Min looked over at the interns, seeing their concerned looks. 

Seong Min put a fake smile on. "Would you like anything to drink? We have anything you can find over at F&B." 

"Morning, oppa," Ji Hu said as she leaned back in the chair. She hid what she was looking at as Seok Min approached. "You aren't typically on this side of town, is there something special you needed to speak to me in person about?" Ji Hu asked.

"There is." Seok Min passed over a large envelope. Ji Hu took it with a curious look. She opened it up, pulling out the document. Ji Hu's face fell – Seok Min wanted to make an investment agreement. 

"What is this?" Ji Hu asked, holding up the document. 

"I wish to fund Mirae Entertainment's expansion in the Americas." Seok Min said. 

Ji Hu tossed the document onto the desk. She got up from her desk, moving around Seok Min. "As much as I appreciate the gesture, oppa, I have no interest in expanding into the western countries at this given moment. And besides, I'd rather not owe you anything." Ji Hu said as she walked over to the table that held a few snacks and drinks for Ji Hu when she was too busy to get up and go to the break room. She looked at the watch on her wrist – she had over an hour before Sa Rang arrived for the new shoot.

"That's a shame, Ji Hu. I really wanted to help." 

"My business is still growing, oppa, I'd rather do an expansion once I know how my debut group does. Then maybe." That maybe was a flat-out no. When Ji Hu did expand her company, she wanted it on her own terms, not the terms of her brother who recently became chairman.