Chapter 5 : "A VISIT TO CONFIRM SOMETHINGS"
Muttering the words under his breath, he was unbothered by the weight of them — knowing Hyunjin still stood before him. He glanced at his secretary, whose face held a flicker of confusion; the poor man had no idea how much work awaited him. Taesoo shook his head, a faint smile playing at his lips, then began to speak.
"Hyunjin, now that everything is under my control and my old bunnies are gone, it's time to create new ones. Train them, tame them — build a fresh set of Muses. If you understand what I'm saying, you know where to start: with the bar…"
Taesoo's voice carried a sharp seriousness. At his words, Hyunjin fixed him with a steady stare. He had long known that when Taesoo wanted something, nothing would stand in his way — and that meant his formidable manipulation skills were about to be unleashed. Hyunjin had always recognized Jang Taesoo as far from ordinary: the way he commanded fear, the ease with which he drew submission, his entire presence and personality… none of it fit the mold of a typical man. Especially not his sexual drive and desires. Hyunjin had once thought his boss was simply perverted, but that label was too mild — Taesoo was a freak, a sex maniac through and through.
He had known this for years, yet he also understood why people were drawn to him. No matter how dark or frightening Taesoo could be, even his grim side held a strange allure. The man was impossibly handsome and fiercely masculine — so much so that even straight men found themselves tempted to submit to him.
Hyunjin didn't need further explanation to know what Taesoo was after. He wanted every detail on the female worker's friends, so he stepped forward and spoke immediately.
"Yes, Boss. I'll conduct a full investigation and prepare individual reports on each of the female worker's male friends. I'll liaise with the consortium team to run deep background checks. Everything will be delivered to your desk in two hours exactly — no delays, no mistakes. We'll also compile all relevant information on these potential new Muses to have ready on schedule.
And the private villa… should I begin preparations for redesign? Since you've settled on your plans for the new Muses?"
Hyunjin's tone was perfectly professional as he posed the question. He would never make moves without explicit direction, especially where the villa was concerned. The property was dedicated solely to the Muses — a place where they would live under Taesoo's care as their Master, serving him however he desired.
"You're truly exceptional at your job, Hyunjin. You never miss a beat… Of course, have it cleaned and renovated right away. Hold off on full interior changes until I give the word, but make sure it's spotless and ready to use at a moment's notice."
Taesoo's praise was genuine — Hyunjin was sharp, always anticipating what needed to be done without extra prompting.
"Just doing what's required of me, Sir. I'll secure the reservation at the bar now and take my leave. I'll notify you as soon as we're prepared to depart."
As Hyunjin spoke, Taesoo turned back to his desk and resumed his work. He planned to visit the bar for lunch — to assess its pace, check its service, and most critically, to find and observe the female lead from Lost in Paradise, Cha Harin. Though he still wasn't certain if the bar's female employee was truly her.
Whether it was coincidence or fate, he'd head to the bar to observe and confirm things for himself. And if the female worker's friends really were the novel's male leads, he'd set his plan in motion the moment he knew for sure. An idea hit him mid-thought, and he called out just as Hyunjin's hand reached for the door handle.
"Go on — I need to get started. And about Jinho, Eunbyul, and Minho: tell them this concerns the streaming platform. I want my old videos re-uploaded as special premieres, with featured placement across the site. They'll lead promotion since they appeared in the content — make sure it goes live on the main homepage."
Taesoo moved between his computer and papers with focused precision, his presence carrying an effortless magnetism that was impossible to ignore. Even Hyunjin — who was deeply committed to Althea — found his gaze lingering. He wasn't attracted to men, nor did he have any inclination that way; his loyalty lay entirely with his girlfriend. But he couldn't help but admire his boss, and feel a quiet flicker of jealousy at how seamlessly perfect Taesoo seemed to be.
Curiosity won out, and he spoke up — confused by why Taesoo would re-engage with Redstring after cutting all ties with the Muses. As chairman, he'd left that world behind completely.
"Umm… Sir, may I ask why? You said you'd retired from all online sessions."
Hyunjin's face held a mix of confusion and quiet conflict.
"Let's just say, if I confirm what I suspect about my future Muses… Ohh, wait. Some of them will be more like kitties. Hahaha… I'll let them think they've got dirt on me — that they can use it to their advantage. The game's far more fun when they believe they can scratch back with their cute little paws."
Taesoo's fingers kept moving across the keyboard as he spoke, his tone treating the men like wild creatures he was eager to tame — to shape with attention and guide to his will. The thought of breaking in these five targets sent a jolt of pure excitement through him, and a sharp, eager grin pulled at his lips.
"Now go take care of it. I've got work to wrap up. Let me know the moment lunchtime's here — I want to get to that bar as soon as possible."
He didn't look up from his desk as he spoke, the room filled with the steady rhythm of clicking keys, sliding mice, and rustling pages. Hyunjin bowed his head — he had two tasks ahead: securing the bar reservation, and relaying orders to the Consortium team for deep background checks on the female worker's male friends.
"I'll take my leave now — please excuse me."
With a final nod, he turned and exited, closing the door with a soft click. Taesoo paused the moment the latch fell into place, his eyes fixed on his computer screen as he spoke to himself in a low murmur.
"If it's really them… that means they've already fallen head over heels for Cha Harin. So the novel's already in motion, and the Entity dropped me right where it thought I'd have the most impact. Not a bad place to wake up…"
He knew manipulating the male leads would be harder now that their hearts were set on the female lead. But instead of being daunted, he felt a surge of excitement — the deeper their feelings ran, the more twisted and dramatic their reactions would be once he stepped into their story.
A wide grin spread across his face as he returned to his work, fingers flying across the keyboard once more. He relished the thought: if these men were truly that devoted to Cha Harin, every effort they'd poured into winning her over would unravel the moment he made his presence known.
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Taesoo worked for three hours, then attended a board meeting and an underground business gathering — both went off without a hitch. Hyunjin was equally efficient; by 11:00 a.m. sharp, he'd wrapped up every task on his list.
The background research papers were complete, and he'd secured a lunch reservation at the bar. While it might have seemed unusual to eat at a bar, the venue doubled as a restaurant — the owner had divided the building into two distinct spaces.
The first floor housed a fine-dining restaurant, and the second floor was a members-only bar, each with its own atmosphere. Hyunjin had forgotten to mention this detail earlier, but he wasn't concerned — Taesoo often opted for drinks over a proper meal at lunchtime anyway, and his alcohol tolerance was almost supernatural, he never seemed to get drunk.
Taesoo returned to his office after the gathering, settling onto the couch and rolling up his sleeves. His turtleneck remained immaculate, despite three hours of back-to-back commitments.
Lunchtime was approaching. He sat up, reaching into his pocket for his phone to call Hyunjin — just as his secretary appeared at the office door.
"Sir, everything is ready. Your background data has been compiled, and I've made your lunch reservation. I should have mentioned this earlier: the venue operates as both a restaurant and bar — the first floor is high-end dining, the second is a members-only space."
Hyunjin walked over to the couch where Taesoo sat. The news didn't surprise him; he'd visited plenty of venues with dual purposes before — hotels with attached casinos, for example.
Standing up from the couch, Taesoo gave his next instructions.
"Grab my coat. We're heading over now. Make sure the owner knows the Chairman is coming in person — I want the staff prepared and in place."
Hyunjin helped him into his black coat as he spoke. He already knew Taesoo planned to observe the girl with the group of male friends — he'd identified her during his research, but held off on mentioning her name until asked. Just as he thought the topic wouldn't come up, Taesoo brought her up himself.
"Don't share any details about the people you investigated yet. I want to meet the girl first, then hear what you've found. Solving a puzzle is more fun, even when you already know all the pieces."
Taesoo strode out the door, with Hyunjin close behind. Eager to meet the girl at the venue, he wasted no time heading for the building's exit. Hyunjin drove them to the bar, and the journey took only ten minutes.
When they arrived, Hyunjin got out to open Taesoo's door — and Taesoo noticed the owner waiting outside with his staff lined up behind him. As he stepped out of the car, he turned to his secretary.
"What's that idiot's name again?"
The question was casual, but his presence was anything but. Even in broad daylight, with cool air and bright sun overhead, Taesoo exuded raw intimidation. Passersby glanced away nervously, and the waiting owner — along with his employees — swallowed hard. It was impossible to miss that someone of immense importance was about to enter their establishment.
Hyunjin spoke as he gently closed the car door behind his boss, his movements precise and professional.
"Shin Juhyuk, Boss. That's the owner's name — he's only run the establishment for six months now, so it's still fairly new and just getting off the ground. I informed him personally that you'd be visiting today, so I've no doubt every member of staff is in position and prepared to receive you."
Taesoo set off toward the entrance, where Shin Juhyuk stood at the head of a neat line of employees. Even from a distance, Taesoo cut an utterly imposing figure — six feet eight inches tall, with broad shoulders and a powerful frame built to command presence. His handsome face was rendered even more striking by the crisp daylight, and his dark eyes moved over the crowd like shards of obsidian, sharpening every defined angle of his jaw and cheekbones. It took only a moment for irritation to flicker across his features: Juhyuk wore a smile that was confident to the point of smugness, his chest puffed out as if the Chairman's visit alone had elevated his status in the city.
"Hyunjin, after lunch we'll head straight back to the company to review every last detail of that data. No delays — that stupid face is annoying me already…"
Taesoo's expression hardened into stone, his glare growing colder as he closed the distance. His imposing frame made his presence impossible to ignore. Hyunjin nodded in understanding, falling into step a few paces behind — he'd noticed it too. Juhyuk carried himself like he owned not just the building, but the whole neighborhood, as if his small success with a newly launched business put him on equal footing with men like Taesoo.
"Yes, Boss… I'll have the files organized and ready on your desk the moment we return."
Juhyuk caught sight of Taesoo's demeanor and felt a jolt of nerves shoot through him, though he forced his features to stay calm. He couldn't afford a single misstep — this was his shot at securing an investment from the Aurora Consortium, one of Korea's largest conglomerates and a global powerhouse in finance and media. For a business barely six months old, this kind of opportunity could make or break his future. As Taesoo paused directly in front of him, Juhyuk's hands twitched at his sides before he clasped them together to hide the shake.
"Welcome, Mr. Jang — Chairman Jang. I still can't quite believe this is happening. For the head of the Consortium himself to grace our doors… it's more than an honor. It's a privilege beyond words. Ehehe…"
A nervous laugh bubbled up at the end of his speech, and while his posture was straight and his tone measured, Taesoo could see the fear flickering in his eyes. The employees behind him were no better — their shoulders were squared and their gazes forward, but every muscle in their bodies was taut with tension. Most of them had been with the business since it opened, and they knew how much this visit meant to their boss. Taesoo's all-black ensemble — a tailored coat over a high-necked shirt and fitted trousers — only added to the chill that settled over the entrance, his powerful frame making him seem like a storm cloud had drifted down to stand among them.
Even with the heavy, almost suffocating weight of his presence, no one could look away. He moved with surprising grace for a man of his size — it was as if a dark, magnificent character from a Renaissance masterpiece had stepped straight out of the canvas and into real life. Sharp lines, deep shadows, and an aura that demanded both reverence and fear. For every person there, man or woman, the same thought echoed through their minds: I've never seen anyone like him.
To describe him to someone who hadn't stood in his shadow would sound absurd — tales of a man who could freeze a room with a glance, who was both terrifying and mesmerizing enough to hold your gaze against your will. They'd think you were delusional, spinning stories of mythical figures. But Taesoo relished these reactions, letting the silence stretch between him and the owner. Let them be scared. Let them be drawn in. Let gossip ripple through the streets and alleyways of the district — the more his name was whispered in connection to this new establishment, the easier it would be to capture exactly who he was looking for.
"You can't believe I'm here…? Hmmm."
Taesoo's voice was low and rough, like grinding stone, sharp enough to cut through the quiet air.
"I'm more surprised that you've allowed your employees to carry on as usual despite the rumors I've heard circulating about one of your staff… and for a place this new, that kind of talk could do serious damage to your reputation."
Every word landed like a heavy stone, and a collective flinch ran through the line of workers. They all knew exactly who he was talking about — whispers had been spreading through the building for weeks, ever since the business had opened its doors, and no one had missed the way certain men lingered near the back of the restaurant during shifts. His commanding presence only made his words feel more final.
Juhyuk's eyes went wide, his face draining of color before he forced a tight, uneasy smile onto his lips.
"I-I assure you, Mr. Jang, those are just baseless rumors. I'll see to it they're addressed immediately — no loose ends, I promise. For a newly launched business like ours, I know how critical a good name is. Please, let us move inside. We've prepared our exclusive private dining room for you — hand-selected by our head chef, with a menu tailored to your preferences. The space was designed from scratch when we opened, to feel both intimate and luxurious…"
Juhyuk turned quickly and led the way through the glass doors, his steps a little faster than normal. Taesoo followed with long, deliberate strides, moving with effortless poise — the entrance was spacious enough to accommodate even his imposing frame without issue. Hyunjin kept close behind as they crossed the main dining floor. The space was bright and modern, with touches of industrial design that spoke to its newness — exposed brick walls, metal light fixtures, and sleek tabletops. Heads turned at every table, customers and staff alike stealing glances at the imposing man in black — some curious, some awestruck, all unable to look away.
They soon arrived at a set of carved wooden doors at the far end of the room. When Juhyuk pushed them open, Taesoo took in the space with a single sweep of his eyes, taking in every detail: warm walnut paneling lined the walls, paired with plush velvet seating in deep burgundy. The dining table was crafted from solid mahogany, large enough to seat twelve with ample space to move comfortably around it. Crystal chandeliers cast soft light over polished silverware and hand-painted porcelain. It was impressive — especially for a business only six months old — tasteful enough to avoid feeling gaudy, and luxurious enough to suit his status.
Taesoo and Hyunjin stepped into the private dining room, with Juhyuk and a small group of employees trailing close behind.
Hyunjin guided his boss to the head of the table, then moved to help him remove his coat. As the fabric slipped off, Taesoo's sharp, powerful frame was laid bare — his black turtleneck clung to broad shoulders and carved muscle lines, leaving every person in the room except Hyunjin staring wide-eyed, their mouths slightly parted.
Hyunjin barely batted an eye; he'd known this reaction was coming. His boss was so commanding that even a simple gesture like taking off a coat could leave onlookers stunned. After hanging the garment neatly on a nearby rack, he helped Taesoo settle into his chair. Seated now, Taesoo tilted his head and fixed Juhyuk with a single raised eyebrow — the owner had frozen mid-step, staring blankly as if mesmerized. A quiet chuckle escaped Taesoo's lips.
'Dumbass fool…'
"Are you going to let me eat or not? Bring me my food before I grow bored and decide to take my business elsewhere."
Taesoo crossed his arms over his chest as he spoke, his tone casual but carrying an unmistakable edge of threat. If Juhyuk didn't act immediately, he'd lose the chance to impress the Chairman for good. The words jolted Juhyuk back to reality — this deal was more than just an opportunity; it was his shot at building the wealth and standing he'd dreamed of since opening the place.
"I'm deeply sorry, Mr. Jang. You'll have my personal guarantee of an exceptional lunch — I've summoned my finest chef to prepare your meal. Please give us just a moment to finalize everything…"
With a deep, respectful bow, Juhyuk backed carefully out of the room, his staff hurrying after him. Hyunjin moved to the door, peering out to confirm they'd cleared the hallway entirely before returning to Taesoo's side.
"All clear, Boss."
Taesoo turned to him at once, leaning forward slightly. His voice was low and sharp, his expression serious, and his dark eyes burned with anticipation.
"Speak. Make it quick — they'll be back soon."
"It's about the girl from the rumors. She splits her time between both floors: newly assigned as an assistant chef in the restaurant, and she works as a waitress up in the bar."
The words hit their mark. Taesoo's lips curved into a wide, slow grin.
Bingo. He was nearly certain this was Cha Harin — the female lead from the novel. But he wouldn't take anything for granted; he needed to see her for himself before drawing conclusions, even if every instinct told him he was right.
"I think I've just found the perfect bait to lure in my prey. But first… Hyunjin, come closer. I need you to take care of something for me."
A manic glint sparked in his eyes as his grin widened, his whole demeanor shifting to reveal the wild, calculated side only his secretary ever saw. Hyunjin stepped forward without hesitation — when Taesoo let this part of himself show, he knew things were about to move fast.
Five minutes later, Juhyuk led a team of employees into the room, their hands balanced with steaming platters that filled the air with rich, savory scents. The wisps of heat rising from each dish were clear proof — everything had been cooked fresh, just moments before. Most were hearty meat preparations, and Taesoo felt a quiet flicker of approval; someone had clearly taken the time to research his preferences. He was, after all, a devoted meat enthusiast.
Leaning back in his chair, he watched them move with practiced grace, every employee hovering around the table to place and arrange plates, glasses, and garnishes with meticulous care. The spread was nothing short of royal — gleaming silver serving dishes, vibrant sides that complemented the mains, and decanters of aged wine set beside crystal glasses. He found himself admiring the sight, a rare moment of appreciation softening his usual sharp focus.
Maybe he'd make a point of coming back here.
It really wasn't half bad.
"Shouldn't you introduce me to your chefs, Mr. Shin? I'd like to meet whoever prepared this feast."
Taesoo's voice cut through the quiet rustle of service, calm and detached on the surface — but the undercurrent of command left no room for debate. Juhyuk didn't waste a second, turning to one of his staff with a quick nod to summon the kitchen team. As they waited, the final touches were laid out on the table, every element perfectly positioned.
Taesoo let his eyes drift across the room, taking in every face, every subtle shift of posture. Then, as a new group began to filter through the door, his attention sharpened. He glanced over, and in that instant, his pulse quickened, blood thrumming hot with a surge of excitement. His eyes widened just enough to register the moment before he smoothed his features back into careful neutrality.
Another Bingo. His intuition had never failed him. The person he'd been searching for was standing right there, her face undeniable similar to the novel's reference.
Cha Harin. The female lead of Lost in Paradise. A thrill curved his lips into what looked like a pleased smile — and naturally, everyone assumed it was for the impressive spread before him. Taesoo had long mastered the art of shaping how others saw him.
Now that he'd confirmed her identity, the pieces fell into place: she was the girl at the heart of those rumors. And if she was here, then her friends — the novel's male leads — were sure to follow.
His game was about to begin.
His show was about to take center stage.
He was going to tear the original plot apart, piece by piece.
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