"Help… I… I'm… drowning…"
I was pulled into deep water, shouting for help. As I sank, my vision slowly blurred, and the world faded away.
"Ah… my head hurts!"
"Hyun-woo, you're awake!"
The girl sitting beside him said softly, concern clear on her face.
"How did i get here, Ara?" he asked, holding his head.
"You fainted again," Ara replied.
"Again?" Hyun-woo asked in disbelief.
"You saw it again, didn't you?" Ara said, raising one eyebrow.
"Huh… I don't know what's wrong with me," Hyun-woo said, He rubbed his temples so hard his knuckles turned white. "I always faint whenever I see it."
"I think you should rest for some time," Ara said gently. "I have some work to do so I'll get going. Have a good rest."
She turned to leave when Hyun-woo spoke.
"Are you going to the meeting?" he asked, relaxing against the soft mattress of his bed.
"Yes. The meeting is about your new book," Ara sighed. "But there's a problem with the launch."
"Why? Didn't Ms. Lee agreed in the board meeting?" Hyun-woo asked.
"She said the book might negatively impact teenagers, " Ara explained. "It involves Dark mysterious suspense, crime, and dark romance, Illegal activities, extreme violence and abuse. These days, teenagers are deeply influenced by books, comics, and dramas like this. She believes we need to make Some changes."
"But we added caution pages and disclaimers," Hyun-woo argued. "We're not releasing the book for teenagers. I don't see a problem here."
He paused for a moment and start to think something, then Ara spoke.
"And one more thing… some chapters were leaked before we officially announced the publication," Ara said with a sigh.
"Does the Digital Protection Team know about this? Are they tracing the source of the leak?" Hyun-woo asked firmly. "Are they working on a solution?"
"They're trying their best," Ara replied. "The board meeting is mainly about this, and I also heard that a new member is going to join the meeting and announce something so I think I should leave now."
She was about to go when Hyun-woo stopped her.
"Wait. Let me get ready. We'll go to the office together, and I'll also join the board meeting" he said confidently. "I know a better solution to this problem."
Hyun-woo got out of bed and get dressed in his dark green shirt,
He adjusted the cuff of his shirt before slipping into a tailored brown waistcoat.
Every movement was calm and practiced, the confidence of someone who had built an empire from words.
Baekseol Press Headquarters
Seoul, South Korea
The company lights were modern, giving the place a luxurious feel. Beige walls decorated with golden-leaf paintings surrounded the tense atmosphere.
Phones rang nonstop.
Printers hummed.
Editors hurried between departments carrying stacks of manuscripts.
Every employee looked as though one mistake could cost millions.
"Stop the chapter leaks on every platform and remove all the comments," park Suarin ordered, her voice firm with authority.
"Yes, Ms. park," Lee Seo-jin replied. "I've taken down the comments, but the chapters already shared through links can't be completely stopped. For now, I've prevented further leaks.
"Good. Now we need to address the main issue—"
She paused. "Wait… Mr. Kim is here."
She picked up her files and walked toward Hyun-woo's cabin.
"May I come in, sir?" Suarin knocked.
"Yes," Hyun-woo replied, reviewing a file at his desk.
"I have something to show you, Mr. Kim."
She handed him a tablet displaying a video.
On the screen, a woman sat confidently in the chair, her back facing the camera, speaking with authority.
Hyun-woo watched carefully.
"I am here to say something to Baekseol press that chapters of your novel are leaked and that should be stop immediately and you might have to change the chapters or novel, i think you should solve the problem as soon as possible."
"I am Yoon Soo-ah, owner of Aurora Publishing Group and as a CEO of publishing company, I am here to tell you that Aurora Publishing Group cannot support the release of this manuscript in its current form."
"The leaked chapters have already created significant public concern."
"Unless revisions are made within twenty-four hours, our publishing agreement will be suspended."
"This is my final decision."
The woman turned her chair, revealing her face.
At that moment, something struck Hyun-woo's heart. A sudden flash of deep water appeared before his eyes—along with the image of a little girl standing at a doorway.
Suarin tapped the table, snapping him back to reality.
"Interesting," Hyun-woo said with a smirk.
"No one has ever dared to give me an ultimatum." he muttered.
Then he looked at Suarin.
"Arrange a meeting with her. I want to discuss this personally."
"Yes, sir."
"And update me on the situation"
"The Digital Protection Team is removing leaked chapters and Tracing the original source of the leak" Suarin explain
After she left, Hyun-woo leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk still on his lips.