The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 22

“Wow, what kind of officetel is this? It’s amazing!”

From the moment she stepped inside, Chie couldn’t stop marveling at the place.

Seeing this, Sera straightened her shoulders with pride.

<“It’s all thanks to Juwon. I kept insisting that a girl group dorm should at least be this nice.”>

Cha Soyeon’s abridged explanation left a question mark above Chie’s head, but it quickly disappeared.

Because the spacious living room and kitchen came into view, making her gasp again.

<“Why is a famous actress so free? Don’t you have work?”

“Didn’t you know? After one project, I take months off. I just finished filming not long ago.”

“Then why don’t you rest? You live in a much nicer place, yet you keep coming here.”

“Watching Red Blossom and Juwon is… healing for me.”>

She smiled faintly as she spoke.

Lately, she had been showing emotions more often, even outside of the camera.

I couldn’t tell if that smile was genuine or just acting.

*

Sera and Rina took Chie around the dorm, showing her where everything was.

Meanwhile, Yeoreum was busy in the kitchen, saying she’d make a special meal to celebrate Chie’s discharge.

Her bare back was always nice to look at, but today she was dressed modestly because of Cha Soyeon’s presence.

<[You complained about it being too short, and now you’re upset that it’s longer?]>

“Shut up.”

As I sat on the couch, watching the kitchen, Cha Soyeon spoke up.

<“So, do you like women who cook?”

“It’s rare to see a girl group member cooking. It suits them.”

“If the three of them cooked together while doing that, would you like it even more?”

“Can you stop milking that joke? It’s not a crime to answer quickly.”

“I was just teasing. I don’t usually joke, but your reactions are too fun to resist… Sorry.”>

I was surprised.

So this woman can joke around too.

She then took out her phone, checked something, and looked back at me.

<“You haven’t heard the results of the Jinsegyo Cult investigation, have you?”>

“No.”

When the police contacted me, I simply confirmed my alibi.

They mentioned they would investigate once the arrested members regained consciousness, but I hadn’t heard anything since.

<“Most of them don’t remember anything or are in such bad condition that they can’t communicate. So they’re investigating separately. By the way, that sky palace you found? There were two more.”>

So what I found wasn’t everything.

How much did they consume to need three entire private estates?

<“How do you know all this, Soyeon? They didn’t tell me anything.”

“There are ways to know. I was looking into it to help find Sera’s mother.”

“Did you find her?”

“Not yet. Even with skilled people searching, there’s no trace.”>

She sounded like a crime boss.

<“Someone saw her with a man, but it’s unclear whether he’s just an acquaintance or something more. Don’t mention this to Sera.”>

“A man?”

The moment I said that, everything stopped.

My prophetic ability had activated.

*

It started with a humiliating scene.

On a bed, a man and a woman were making love passionately.

The woman, straddling the man, moved her hips in an alluring rhythm.

I didn’t recognize the man, but the woman was a familiar face.

<‘That’s… Sera’s mother.’>

When I visited her home, I had asked Sera for a photo so I’d recognize her immediately.

Even in her mid-40s, she looked at least 10 years younger—a stunning beauty.

<‘So the rumors about her having a man were true.’>

The scene changed.

The man was now in a car, talking on the phone.

His brows furrowed in irritation as he angrily snapped at the person on the other end.

I didn’t know what was happening, but something about the conversation bothered me.

Because I recognized a name.

As the vision faded, time resumed its flow.

<“What are you thinking about?”>

Cha Soyeon asked with her usual expressionless face.

<“How do you know I’m thinking?”

“Normally, you look like a gentle teddy bear. But when you’re deep in thought, a ‘川’ shape forms on your forehead. If it’s a minor issue, the side strokes get longer. If it’s serious, the middle stroke stretches too—like now. Am I right?”>

Wow.

How does she analyze my face in such detail?

<“Why do you know so much about my face?”

“Because I plan to become a Shin Juwon expert.”

“Tell me what you’re thinking. Who knows? I might be able to help.”>

I was going to ask her anyway.

Since she had connections to law enforcement, she was the perfect person for this.

<“About the cult members who got arrested.”

“Yeah?”

“There’s someone among them I need to find.”>

In the vision, the man on the phone had said:

<“Are you sure he doesn’t remember? Good. If Jongho talks, we’ll be in serious trouble. When he gets out, we’ll take care of him. Figure out a way.”>

*

<“He’s a manager from SN Entertainment. Name’s Shim Jongho. He’s the one who kidnapped Chie.”>

He had explicitly asked if Jongho’s memory was intact.

Which meant he must be one of the cult members arrested by the police.

The prophecy had triggered right after Soyeon mentioned a man.

That meant I needed her help for this.

<[Your brain is finally working, Master. Your ability doesn’t activate randomly—it only appears when the situation requires it.]

“You could’ve just told me instead of making me figure it out myself.”

[Those who don’t work shouldn’t eat. You need to do some thinking yourself.]>

She never let me win a single argument.

<“Even if we find him, he’s mentally unstable. What do you plan to do?”

“That’s my concern. Just get me access to him—if you can.”>

She crossed her arms, gazed at me intently, then stood up.

She walked away and made a phone call.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but wonder—who exactly was she?

At 25 years old, she was a top actress.

If her grandfather assigned her a bodyguard, she must come from an influential family—yet there was no public record of her background.

Even now, she had made a single call and immediately gained access to police information.

Just how far did her influence reach?

<“You’re not worried anymore. You’re thinking about something else, aren’t you?”>

At some point, she had returned to my side.

<“I was thinking about you, Soyeon.”

“Whoa, that was direct. A little warning next time?”>

Her cheeks turned pink.

That’s… not what I meant.

<“I just realized I don’t know much about you.”

“Same here.”

“But you know my home address. Didn’t you see my résumé?”

“There’s more to a person than what’s on a résumé. The things I’m curious about… aren’t written there.”

“Like what?”

“Would you answer if I asked?”

“If I can, sure.”>

She gave that same faint smile.

<“I won’t ask now. But soon, I’ll ask you something you won’t want to answer.”>

What?

What could she possibly ask that I wouldn’t want to answer?

That day, Cha Soyeon left me with more questions than answers.

<“Yes, we’re upset.”>

Gasp!

I turned around to find the three of them standing there, arms crossed with formidable expressions.

It felt like I was being glared at by a villainous noblewoman and her two loyal maids.

<“We rushed over because the director told us to hurry, and yet… our manager says something like that?”

“No, I mean… it just kind of slipped out… You guys haven’t been active for a while, your fandom isn’t as strong as before… so, without thinking, I just…”>

I ended up babbling without realizing it.

Their eyes were practically daring me to continue.

At times like this, honesty is the best policy.

<“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, even when you weren’t around… It was my mistake.”>

I bowed my head.

There’s nothing worse than hearing someone dismiss you.

Especially for girl group members who live off their popularity, my words must have stung.

If they cursed me out right now, I’d have no right to complain.

But instead of scolding me, they stepped closer and gently hugged me.

What…?

<“We know you didn’t mean it. After everything you’ve done for us, do you think we’d believe that? We were just teasing.”

“Still, don’t say things like that. Even if the whole world ignores us, I can’t stand it if you do.”

“We’ll work even harder so you never say that again. Just watch us.”>

They were truly amazing girls, far too good for me.

<“I’m sorry. I won’t say anything like that again. I must’ve been out of my mind… Saying such nonsense to a group that’s about to own the stage with their comeback.”>

*****

When the girls entered the conference room, they clapped excitedly.

Of course they were thrilled—unexpected gifts had arrived.

<“Oppa! We’re taking these back to the dorm, so help us out!”

“You want to open them there?”

“Of course! We’re gonna live stream and open them one by one. Contact the studio, too.”>

“Got it.”

Thanks to my video with Cha Soyeon, the group had gained some attention, but there were also comments saying their songs were great.

In particular, their second album’s title track, ‘Love Connect,’ was getting a lot of recommendations.

Old fans who had been rediscovering their music had sent these gifts.

That night’s live stream was filled with laughter, happy tears, and warmth—a truly blessed and heartwarming broadcast.

And just like that, Red Blossom’s recognition, once small and uncertain, began to sprout.

A few days later.

My phone rang, and when I looked at the screen, it was Cha Soyeon.

<“I got the manager. I’ll send you the address—come now.”>