The Granddaughter of a Chaebol Family Is a Genius Child Actress - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Heiress of a Conglomerate, Child Actress Prodigy
Episode 20
Immediately after Yu-jin left the room.
“……Sigh.”
“Haah…….”
Deep sighs echoed through the living room as if on cue, simultaneous and heavy.
‘Here we go again.’
Baek Seung-hyeok leaned back against the sofa’s armrest and rubbed his face absently.
The child’s demeanor just moments ago weighed on his heart.
The girl who had entered so cheerfully turned ashen the instant she spotted them, unable to meet their eyes.
“…….”
Of course, he’d known all along that Yu-jin was wary of him and his wife.
But it had never been this severe.
She used to fumble and hesitate, yet still made an effort to meet their gaze, offering small, shy smiles.
But Yu-jin’s behavior just now was different.
She’d clearly been watching for an opening, desperate to escape the moment.
An unmistakable distance, laced with barely veiled aversion.
And Seung-hyeok knew all too well that he and his wife were the architects of that wall.
“……What do you think we should do?”
His wife, Han Seo-eun, spoke while pressing her temples as if they throbbed, her voice strained.
Even her usually composed face, unshaken in any circumstance, now bore the unmistakable marks of deep concern.
“I read in a book that emotional connection comes before bonding with a child.”
Seo-eun ventured carefully, choosing her words with precision.
“Perhaps we should sit down together first and talk through what she’s been thinking lately…….”
“……Won’t she find it even more awkward if we suddenly sit her down and ask about her feelings?”
Seung-hyeok shook his head, countering his wife’s suggestion.
“Wouldn’t it be better to buy her something she’d like first? Children naturally let their guard down when there’s a tangible gift in front of them.”
“This isn’t a business deal. Do you really think a child will open her heart just because we shower her with gifts?”
This time it was Seo-eun’s rebuttal that came back.
“…….”
“…….”
After such a prolonged back-and-forth, silence settled over the living room.
They regarded each other with a strange new distance.
When it came to company matters, Seo-eun and Seung-hyeok were a flawless team, partners second to none.
But as parents, their synchrony seemed utterly lost.
Finally, Seung-hyeok exhaled and proposed a compromise.
“……Let’s each try on our own then.”
“……Yes. That might be better.”
Today’s discussion, too, concluded in lukewarm half-measures.
It was as he walked the Second Floor Corridor, weighed down by these tangled thoughts, that it happened.
“……Mu-jin?”
“Oh, Executive Director.”
The man Seung-hyeok encountered around the corner bowed his head respectfully.
It was Kang Mu-jin, who had served as Seung-hyeok’s right hand for more than a decade.
Seung-hyeok’s gaze drifted toward the direction from which Mu-jin had emerged.
It was his father, Chairman Baek Un-hak’s, Study.
“Did Father summon you?”
“Yes. I came to retrieve your Personal Seal that I’d lent to the Chairman a few days ago.”
“……I see.”
Seung-hyeok nodded.
Now that he thought about it, he’d received word from his father’s office days ago that they needed the seal.
Seung-hyeok harbored no particular suspicion or concern about it.
After all, he knew perfectly well that everything he possessed—all his authority and wealth—ultimately belonged to the Baek Gang Group that his father had built.
The Chairman must have needed it for some business purpose or document processing, so he simply accepted it without question.
Creak—
Then, the Study door, which had been firmly closed, opened once more.
The person who emerged was a young woman in neat, formal attire.
Seung-hyeok recognized her as well.
‘Her name is Kang Jin-a.’
A personal secretary recently assigned to oversee his daughter Yu-jin full-time.
She too seemed to notice Baek Seung-hyeok standing in the corridor, and her footsteps faltered. With a slight bow of acknowledgment, she passed silently by.
It was merely a chance encounter.
And yet.
……
“Director?”
Despite Kang Mu-jin’s call, Baek Seung-hyeok offered no reply, his gaze fixed steadily on the Study door, which remained shut.
In his mind, the scene from the Living Room moments before suddenly replayed itself.
“You’re back from your art academy?”
“Yes……”
Yu-jin, confirming she had attended the academy.
Yet Baek Seung-hyeok had caught something amiss in hindsight.
‘Why wasn’t she carrying anything?’
A child returning from art academy ought naturally to be holding Teaching Materials or at least a small bag in her hands.
It was possible that Kang Jin-a, the child’s assistant, had carried her things for her—but moments ago, both of Kang Jin-a’s hands had been equally empty.
As though neither of them had ever attended any class at all.
……
Baek Seung-hyeok’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
***
Beep—beep—
“……Haaah.”
The next morning.
To the alarm ringing through my room, I stretched both arms upward and yawned wide.
My body felt light as a feather, refreshed and clear!
“Up we go.”
I sprang from bed and walked briskly toward the bathroom.
-Oh, quite energetic this morning, aren’t we!
“Hehe.”
At the fox’s words following close behind me, I laughed in good spirits.
Energy was indeed bubbling up inside me in waves.
Because now I was an actress with an Agency!
-With all this vigor, I should be able to wrap up the final shoot nicely.
“Oh.”
But at the fox’s next words, I stood motionless, toothbrush in hand.
Right—today was the final shoot.
……
I puffed out my lower lip.
My mood sank in an instant, and my expression grew sullen.
‘The shoot was so much fun.’
In my past life, I’d had to give up Acting because of an unfair situation, so this was the first time in ages I’d done it.
And the role of Seo-young had been particularly enjoyable.
‘But now it’s over……’
Usually, Child Actress roles involve playing the protagonist’s childhood years, so the screen time isn’t extensive.
This drama happened to give the child role a heavier presence, which was why I’d been able to film for several days.
Thinking that I wouldn’t be able to act for a while now, my shoulders drooped even further.
That was when—
-But, but still! Now that you have an Agency, won’t you be able to take on another role soon enough?
The fox spoke urgently from beside me as I stood there with the toothbrush in my mouth, looking dejected.
‘Oh, that’s right!’
My eyes widened at those words.
That’s right—I’m an actress with an Agency now!
The director promised to find a new project as quickly as possible, so I should be able to act again before long!
“Hehe……”
The corners of my mouth began to lift on their own.
What kind of role would I play next?
My heart began to race with anticipation.
And so, that afternoon.
“Let’s head down, Yu-jin.”
“Okay!”
Where Kang Jin-a and I arrived was a dense forest on the outskirts of the city.
This was the final shoot location for .
Since I’d arrived earlier than the scheduled time, the filming location was surprisingly sparse.
“The air here is amazing. I really love places like this!”
“You like the forest? Should I book a resort with forest bathing for this weekend?”
“……No, nothing like that.”
Ugh, there was no winning with her.
I pretended not to notice Jin-a’s uncomfortable gaze and glanced around the area.
‘Oh.’
That was when I spotted someone standing beneath a tree in the distance.
It was Seon-woo.
It seemed the adult actors were also shooting here today.
That was the moment it happened.
—Hmm. The ominous light has grown far denser than days ago. Something is about to happen.
‘……What, really?’
The fox’s voice echoed in my head, and I jerked my eyes wide, staring hard at Seon-woo.
‘It’s really true.’
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.
The fox was right.
The black smoke rising from Seon-woo’s body was far denser and darker than it had been days ago, roiling and churning.
“…….”
I found myself pressing my lips together.
I was so, so worried……!
I hadn’t seen him often, but remembering how he’d smiled at me last time and even given me a muffin, I was certain he was a good person.
But today was my last day of filming.
After today, I had no idea when I’d see Seon-woo again.
What if something terrible happened to him because of that black smoke in the meantime……?
—Hmm, does the contractor wish to help the author?
The fox asked gently, as if reading my anxious heart.
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly.
‘Yes. Even a little.’
In a past life, long ago, I once saw a friend who acted with me about to sit on a wobbly prop chair.
Back then, I was too scared to say anything and just kept my mouth shut.
In the end, that friend fell hard along with the chair and was seriously injured.
I’d felt so sorry and regretful about it.
If something were to happen to Seon-woo now, I’d feel sorry and regretful all over again.
I didn’t want that to happen…… No, I really didn’t!
—Hmm. Well, a small hint should be fine. Good! Do as your heart desires!
‘Really?’
—Of course! Isn’t this great fox spirit here to help the contractor?
Wow, I was moved.
Hearing the fox speak with such conviction, courage welled up inside me.
‘Okay!’
Then…… let me try it!
“……Yu-jin?”
The moment I’d made up my mind, I let go of Jin-a’s hand and ran straight toward Seon-woo.
“Seon-woo!”
“Huh? Oh, Yu-jin’s here…….”
Just as Seon-woo looked at me and smiled warmly to greet me, I asked without hesitation.
“Is something bad happening to you right now?”
“……Huh?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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