“Where… where is she?”

Seol Ji Oh stood alone in Yeo Woon’s living room.

He had searched the entire company for Yeo Woon, all the while partly believing that she would be at home.

With a disappointed look, Seol Ji Oh scanned the interior of the house. If she wasn’t here, he had no idea where else to look for Yeo Woon.

Could she be hiding because she was shocked by the malicious rumors?

A heavy feeling settled in Seol Ji Oh’s chest.

Before coming to Yeo Woon’s house, he had checked news articles and video platforms just in case. Already, all sorts of provocative content had been posted under Yeo Woon’s name.

The atmosphere was already prematurely labeling Yeo Woon as the guilty party Y.

In the videos, pictures of Yeo Woon with strange expressions were maliciously displayed, and rumors were presented as if they were facts.

The comments were even worse. Profanity involuntarily spilled from Seol Ji Oh’s mouth at the sight of the outrageously coarse and colorful criticisms.

If Yeo Woon had seen this…

Seol Ji Oh closed his eyes. A burning sensation spread through his heart.

He had wanted to protect Yeo Woon from getting hurt. Anger at himself surged for failing to keep that promise.

But he couldn’t just stand around regretting it.

The agency was handling the incident, so for now, he had to find Yeo Woon.

Still, it was strange.

Even if Yeo Woon was shocked by the malicious rumors, it was unlike her to disappear without a word to him.

“Where on earth is she?”

Seol Ji Oh clenched his fist, struggling to stay calm. While browsing his contact list on his phone, he stopped at Seo Ga Ram’s name.

Maybe Seo Ga Ram would know something.

Considering it a likely possibility, Seol Ji Oh quickly pressed the call button. Seo Ga Ram answered immediately.

[Seol Ji Oh?]

“Do you know… is Yeo Woon there?”

[What? No, she’s not here. Why?]

“Ah…”

Seol Ji Oh felt defeated when Seo Ga Ram also claimed to have no knowledge of her whereabouts. Just as he was about to end the call, Seo Ga Ram spoke with concern.

[I saw some strange posts on SNS earlier, so I called Yeo Woon. Is something wrong?]

“SNS?”

[Yes. There was talk about Yeo Woon suddenly leaving to meet the chairman or someone, causing a scene. It was absurd.]

“When did you talk to her? How did she seem?”

[About 2 p.m.? Yeo Woon was extremely surprised. She was speechless… it’s her first time dealing with something like this.]

A part of Seol Ji Oh resented Seo Ga Ram for informing Yeo Woon. But he knew Seo Ga Ram had called out of concern, so he sighed and asked,

“Do you think she might have gone to where her mother and sister live?”

[She wouldn’t go there, especially when she’s going through a hard time.]

“Then do you know any place she might go…”

[I really don’t know. Yeo Woon isn’t the type to have a particular place she frequents. But does the agency know about the current situation?]

“Yes. Measures are being taken. Don’t worry. Please let me know if you hear from Yeo Woon.”

[Alright.]

The call with Seo Ga Ram ended unfruitfully. The only thing he learned was that Yeo Woon knew about the awful rumors.

Seol Ji Oh decided to search the area around the house one more time.

“Sigh… Sigh…”

Frantically, Seol Ji Oh ran through the neighborhood where Yeo Woon lived. He searched everywhere: the market she usually visited, convenience stores, bus stops, but there was no sign of Yeo Woon.

Where should I go to find you now?

Seol Ji Oh struggled to suppress the negative thoughts that kept surfacing.

Then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Seol Ji Oh hastily pulled it out. The caller was Joo Seok Young.

“Yeah, bro.”
“Did you hear from Yeo Woon as well?”

“What?!”

Yeo Woon contacted you?

Why my brother and not me….

“You should go see Yeo Woon quickly.”

“Where is Yeo Woon right now?”

Seol Ji Oh’s eyes widened upon hearing the address given by Joo Seok Young.

Yeo Woon is there? Why?

A few hours ago.

Yeo Woon woke up leisurely today, as it was a rare day off. Thanks to a deep sleep, she felt very refreshed.

She finally took care of long-postponed house chores: cleaning, laundry, and doing the dishes. She also generously watered the potted plants by the window.

Despite having neglected them due to being busy, the plants had grown beautifully. Smiling, Yeo Woon headed to the grocery store to fill her empty fridge.

While she was picking out groceries, she received a call from Seo Ga Ram. Pleased to hear from him after so long, she promptly answered.

However, the moment she picked up, she froze. Soon, she became unable to do anything.

Baseless, malicious rumors about herself.

After reading the content sent by Seo Ga Ram, Yeo Woon was appalled. Every word was a lie.

Meetings with the chairman, arrogance, extravagance, and gender favoritism. All were words far removed from Yeo Woon.

But once ‘Close friend of Top Star S and Miss Y’ was added, all those lies seemed to become Yeo Woon’s story.

Yeo Woon couldn’t believe how this could happen.

Who could possibly create such absurd rumors?