Chapter 4 : "FEW CHANGES"
Thirty minutes under the shower's spray gave Taesoo space to untangle his thoughts — a whirl of theories, plans, and unorganized ideas. He let his mind work through every calculation before stepping out, wrapping a single towel around his waist. His bulky frame was on full display: tattoos traced across his skin, and a sharp V-line cut clean against his hips.
He clicked his tongue in irritation. His phone was still missing, a small annoyance that grated on him — but he pushed it aside. The Entity had warned him of changes, so his priority was to get dressed and head to work to uncover exactly what had shifted.
Moving to his closet, he pulled open the door to find his collection immaculate as ever. Every piece — from tailored luxury workwear to casual attire — matched his style: deep shades of black, gray, and maroon that complemented his commanding presence.
This was his first full day in the novel's world. He needed to look flawless. After a quick scan, he settled on a sleek combination: a black knitted turtleneck and fitted leather trousers.
The turtleneck clung to his form, accentuating broad shoulders and a defined chest — his strict fitness routine evident in the quiet strength radiating from every line. He strapped a luxury watch to his left wrist, a subtle touch that added sophistication. The leather trousers fit like a second skin, highlighting an athletic build that left no doubt he was not to be underestimated.
He studied his reflection in the full-length mirror. Most tattoos were covered, but a few peeked out stylishly from his wrists — especially his left, where they paired perfectly with his watch. Satisfied, he turned back to the bedroom just as a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
He made his way to the study table, rummaging through drawers for his ear piercings. He kept his space neat by habit, save for rare exceptions — so the empty tray where his jewelry usually sat was another small red flag. As he reached for the main accessories drawer, the door swung open.
"Good morning, sir. Did you have a good night's sleep?"
Kwon Hyunjin stepped inside, his posture as loyal and attentive as ever. But something felt off — Taesoo couldn't quite place it, so he decided to test the waters.
"Why do you ask? Did something happen last night?"
He kept searching until his fingers closed around his piercings, picking out his usual pair as Hyunjin spoke.
"You were at a party last night and didn't get back until 4 AM, sir. Did a hangover blur your memory? Should I call the doctor to stop by?"
Concern laced the secretary's voice. Even after drinking, Taesoo had always kept a sharp mind — it was a trait Hyunjin had never known him to lose.
Taesoo paused mid-movement, the piercing halfway in his ear. This had to be one of the Entity's alterations.
"Party… Not work-related, I take it?"
His tone was steady and sure. From the way Hyunjin spoke, it wasn't a business dinner — which meant the Entity had woven a fake scenario into his new life.
Intrigue flickered through Taesoo's mind. In most stories, characters were reborn or swapped bodies with someone from the plot — but this was different. His form remained intact, just as the Entity had promised, though small shifts had reshaped both his life and the world around him.
"Yes, sir. You specifically instructed me to bring in new people to entertain you and keep you company."
A heavy pause settled over the room. Confusion and severity crossed Taesoo's face as he locked eyes with Hyunjin.
"What? New people? Why would I want that? I have my Muses — my Bunnies. There's no need for anyone else."
Bewilderment hardened into steel. The words felt wrong on his tongue — nothing like the way he ran things.
"Sir...? Did you hit your head last night? Should I call the family doctor immediately?"
Concern sharpened the secretary's voice as he reached for his phone, fingers hovering over the screen. But Taesoo moved faster, snatching the device from his grasp in one smooth motion.
"Don't you dare. Did I give you permission to call anyone? You know I can't stand it when people act without my orders."
His tone was calm, but every word carried cold menace — a quiet intensity far heavier than the easy grin Hyunjin was used to seeing.
Breath caught in the secretary's throat, his eyes going wide. In an instant, he dropped to his knees and bowed so low his forehead pressed to the floor.
"Forgive me, boss! I-i made a terrible mistake — it will never happen again..."
He pleaded, acutely aware he'd crossed a line. Taesoo ran a hand through his hair and let out a slow sigh of irritation. It wasn't Hyunjin's fault — he was the outsider here.
"Get up. I need to know everything I might have 'forgotten.' We'll head to the company for a full briefing. As for my memory... tell anyone who asks it was the alcohol. No more questions about it, and keep your mouth shut unless I speak to you — or I'll make sure you can't speak at all."
He straightened his turtleneck, every detail perfectly in place. Hyunjin stood rigid at attention, absorbing each word like law. The last thing he wanted was to rouse his boss's temper again.
"Grab my coat. We're leaving for the office."
After a quick glance at his wristwatch — it was 8:00 AM, still early — he headed for the door. Just as he reached the threshold, Hyunjin called out from behind, holding his coat and another item.
"Sir! Boss! Wait! Your phone — you left it in the car last night. I brought it inside so you wouldn't have to search for it later."
He held out the device with his head bowed low, determined to avoid any more missteps. His boss's wrath was truly fearsome when provoked.
"Hmm... Interesting indeed."
Taesoo took the phone. In his old world, he'd never been holding it when he died — yet here it was, supposedly left in his car. Another alteration from the Entity, no doubt.
Without delay, Taesoo headed to the garage and toward his favorite black car — the same one he'd driven the day he died. He slid into the passenger seat, and Hyunjin settled behind the wheel as always.
"Drive straight to the company. No stops."
His voice was cold and tight — patience was wearing thin. This new reality needed untangling fast so he could get to his real work: finding the novel's male leads and rewriting their story. The thought sent a quiet thrill through him, even as uncertainty gnawed at the edges of his focus.
Hyunjin followed orders perfectly, driving straight to the Aurora Consortium building — no detours, not even for breakfast. They arrived without issue, and Taesoo stepped out to scan the structure in front of him. It looked identical to his old world… but he knew appearances could be deceiving. The people inside would be different soon enough.
As he walked toward the entrance, his presence commanded attention instantly. Workers and passersby turned their heads, recognizing their CEO. He moved with an intimidating, fierce grace — his coat swaying with each step, drawing eyes even as his dark aura kept everyone at a respectful distance. Still, people were drawn to him — a mix of fear and admiration he'd always known how to use.
They stepped into the elevator together, Hyunjin pressing the button for the executive floor as usual. When the doors opened, Taesoo led the way to his office and pushed the door open. Everything was in its place — desk, chairs, even the framed photo on the shelf.
He sat down, and vivid memories of his last day in his original world flooded back. A flicker of worry crossed his face — had his Muses been altered too? Hyunjin stepped forward, holding papers and a catalogue full of prepared information.
"Start now."
His voice was serious and sharp. Hyunjin nodded and began the briefing, starting with the party from the night before.
"About last night's party — you didn't organize it, boss. You were invited by the owner of a newly launched bar. It's exclusive, open only to select members and high-profile guests. I initially thought it wasn't work-related, but we discovered the owner used your appearance for exposure and even tried to negotiate with our executives."
Hyunjin kept his eyes fixed on the papers, focused and steady. Taesoo sat in silence, his presence filling the room as he listened intently — his mind racing through every detail.
"Does he know about the underground organization?"
He asked, raising an eyebrow. His demeanor was calm, but his gaze held sharp focus.
"No, sir... He likely thinks Aurora Consortium is just an investment company — that's why you were invited. He wants a high-profile figure to sponsor his business."
Hyunjin spoke with certainty. The organization was infamous in the underworld, but its public face was a clean, major investment firm — only those who dug deep would find the truth. At the thought, Taesoo let out a quiet chuckle.
People were too naive. A big investment company reaching out should have been a red flag to do their homework — not just leap at the chance for exposure.
Not that they could ever uncover the full truth anyway. Only those in the dark side of business knew even a fraction about Aurora Consortium — you had to be part of the dangerous underworld to learn its secrets.
"Haha, fool — only hungry money-chasers skip vetting a major firm. Is there more?"
His laughter faded as he leaned back in his chair, gesturing for Hyunjin to continue.
"Well, as I said — you agreed to go as a social call, no business attached. But the owner got bold and tried to negotiate behind your back. He knows you don't accept deals easily, so he went straight to our executive team. We turned him down, but we're keeping an eye on his operation. If it meets our standards, we'll bring it back to you."
Taesoo absorbed every word like a hawk tracking prey, his right arm draped across the desk as his fingers tapped a steady rhythm against the wood.
"Anything else about this idiot?"
He started sorting through his desk, stacking paperwork and filing contracts as he spoke. But Hyunjin had more to share, flipping through files with practiced efficiency — professional even as he prepared to deliver potentially troubling news.
"There's been a small issue at his bar for a while now. Nothing massive, but he's gone to great lengths to cover it up — he knows one misstep could destroy his venue's exclusive reputation..."
He paused to find the right page, ready to go into detail — only to be cut off by a sharp question.
"Issues? What kind? Client scandals, or mismanagement?"
As he spoke, he shrugged off his coat and laid it over the chair arm. Hyunjin moved forward instantly, taking the garment gently and hanging it neatly on the rack by the door.
Retrieving his papers from the desk, Hyunjin picked up where he'd left off. Taesoo settled back, splitting his focus between his work and the briefing.
"There's talk of a female employee causing disruptions — but the owner refused to let her go. Word is he's keeping her on because her friends are from wealthy, well-connected families, and he's leveraging those ties for exposure. Details aren't confirmed yet, but we can launch a full investigation if you give the word, boss."
The news pulled Taesoo's attention fully away from his tasks. Curiosity sparked — why tolerate trouble from a staff member? Why let her associates run free? His mind raced with possibilities. Were these connections truly as powerful as claimed? Something felt off… and a thought flickered through his head.
'What if it's her… the female lead?'
In the novel, the female lead worked at a bar and restaurant, constantly pursued by the male leads. But this was just a hunch — he needed to map out his own life in this new world before diving into the story's plot. He set down his pen, fixing Hyunjin with a sharp, intense stare.
"I'll give my orders once you're done. For now, walk me through the company's standing and the Redstring Streaming Platform."
He laced his fingers together on the desk, ready to root out any hidden problems in his organization. Hyunjin nodded and closed his catalog — every detail was already etched in his memory, even if he'd brought it as a precaution. A quick flicker of confusion crossed his face — why would the boss ask about details of his own life and company that he'd always known by heart? He pushed the thought aside, telling himself it must be the alcohol from last night clouding his memory. He knew better than to question his boss — his place was clear.
"The company is thriving. Since you stepped into the role of chairman and took ownership of headquarters, we've expanded dramatically. Business runs smoothly — no one dares challenge your authority, former rivals are neutralized, and new global partners are lining up to collaborate. Everything is under your control; operations are flawless."
Taesoo's lips curved slightly at the update, but one word snagged his focus like a loose thread.
"Chairman? What about the old man? And the couple… what became of them?"
His voice carried a hard edge. Had he already claimed the top spot in this world? His family meant little to him for the most part, but a small piece of him still cared for his mother — she'd helped forge him into who he was: cunning, ruthless, and calculating, with a talent for manipulation that outmatched everyone around him. He took quiet pleasure in playing with people's emotions, and no one could touch him at his game.
Hyunjin blinked, caught off guard — the boss never asked about his family before, not even after they passed. He found it strange, and his mind drifted back to what he'd thought earlier — must be the alcohol causing these gaps in his memory. He pushed the thought down immediately. Taesoo noticed the shift instantly.
"Just answer me. No questions in return."
His tone was dominant and firm. Hyunjin didn't hesitate — his professional demeanor snapped back into place.
"Yes, Sir… Your grandfather passed away from illness at seventy-six, two months ago. Before he died, he named you chairman and transferred all assets to your name. Your father died eight months prior, at fifty-four — killed during a raid on an enemy warehouse after years of bitter rivalry.
As for your mother… she cut all ties with the family and organization the day your grandfather was laid to rest. She lives in Paris now, working as a lingerie designer. She handed everything over to you and walked away from Aurora Consortium for good."
Taesoo let the words settle over him — no more grandfather pulling strings, no more father's lectures weighing him down. His mother had left entirely, wanting nothing to do with who he'd become. But he felt no real pain from it. They'd built his foundation, yes — but the structure he'd raised on top was all his own.
A flicker of pity crossed his mind, gone in an instant. No sympathy, only quiet acknowledgment: they'd turned life into a game, and he'd mastered every rule — playing to win, shaping himself into something precise and perfect.
A sharp, familiar grin twisted across his face. Hyunjin didn't flinch — this was the Jang Taesoo he'd always served: always in the game, always coming out on top.
"So I'm in full control now — no one to stand in my way… Good. Exactly how I like it. Now, tell me about Redstring."
He held the smile as he settled back, arms spread across the desk. Hyunjin nodded, his demeanor shifting slightly as he prepared to move to the next topic.
"Yes, sir. Regarding the Redstring Streaming Platform… the day you became chairman, you retired from streaming entirely. You ended all sessions and cut ties with every collaborator — including the Muses."
The words landed like venom. Taesoo sat bolt upright, face calm and detached, but his eyes went cold as ice.
"What…?"
His voice was low, dark as midnight — no humor left. His gaze could have cut steel.
"You disbanded the group, sir — every single one of them. They still create content on the platform, though. And Althea… we began seeing each other after the disbandment. All your former Muses keep working on Redstring. You haven't called for any sessions since taking leadership. Only Seonwoo, Eunbyul, and Minho are back full-time. The other two vanished — no word, no trace. You focused on solidifying your position instead of looking for them."
Silence hung heavy in the room. Taesoo could accept the disbandment, even the Muses moving on without him. But Min Hyein and Park Sun Hee — his former Muses, bright as sunflowers, Two obedient woman and easy to shape — their disappearance felt wrong. He pushed the thought aside, fixing Hyunjin with a sharp look. In his original world, Althea had been a stubborn, obsessed brat — now she was dating his secretary.
"So you and Althea are together…? Surprising. I never pictured you pursuing your boss's ex-Muse, Hyunjin."
He smirked, leaning back in his chair. In his old life, Hyunjin had been married to a respected professor. But his secretary met his stare head-on, calm and unflinching by Taesoo's words.
"Now I want background checks on three people: the bar's owner, the female worker, and her group of friends. Done in exactly two hours — no delays. I'll handle paperwork. Also book me at that bar — lunch or dinner. What do you think?"
Taesoo's mind raced. Was it coincidence, or had the merged plot led him here? What if the rumored girl was Cha Harin — the story's female lead?
If it was her, the five male leads had definitely known her for a while.
Cha Harin was shy and gentle — exactly the kind of person powerful men could take advantage of. Right now, at the bar, she was probably seeing all five of them.
The thought thrilled him.
If he confirmed it was her, he'd start by befriending her slowly. Then let those five "prince charmings" know there was another man near her — draw their attention, get on their bad side, all while playing the good guy in front of her. Just imagining their jealousy and anger made his blood sing.
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