Chapter 170: The Chois

Choi Min-ah and Choi Si-woo, two prominent tycoons and one of the shareholders of the entertainment giant Azure, have been embroiled in a major corruption scandal.

The revelations came to light on Thursday when Azure's internal auditing team discovered a web of unauthorized transactions and unethical dealings, prompting a swift investigation by law enforcement agencies.

The scandal revolves around a series of dubious financial transactions, lavish spending, and alleged collusion with influential entertainment companies. Here are the key developments in this unfolding scandal:

Although not that surprising, Choi Min-ah and Choi Si-woo jointly held a million-dollar membership at the prestigious Pierre Country Club, known for its exclusive clientele and exorbitant fees. The scandal takes a darker turn, however, with allegations of collusion between the millionaire tycoons and some of the entertainment industry's biggest players. Notably, companies like StarBoat, JellyShrimp, and Cylinder are under scrutiny for their involvement. The investigation has revealed that these entertainment giants allegedly played a role in rigging trainees that participated in the third season of the popular talent show, 'Rising Stars' into the final group.

Both tycoons have been subjected to questioning, and their financial records are being meticulously scrutinized. The authorities are determined to uncover the full extent of their involvement in these alleged corrupt practices.

June, a trainee who catapulted to stardom on the fourth season of 'Rising Stars,' has been a subject of fascination for fans and industry insiders alike due to his meteoric rise from the lowest ranks to a remarkable 11th place. However, the recent stabbing incident involving June and his fellow trainees revealed that he is Choi Joon-ho, a past Phoenix trainee.

Speculations arise that Choi Joon-ho may be the son of the influential Choi couple. Choi Joon-ho's past remains clouded in mystery, with virtually no trace of his life available online. This has only fueled rumors and conjecture about his connection to the Choi family.

An anonymous source under the name "AlphaMale" has provided compelling evidence suggesting that June has been living a life of luxury. The anonymous source submitted a series of photos that depict June adorned in high-end, luxury shoes valued at over a hundred thousand dollars, casually gifting Colexx watches, and dining at the exclusive Pierre restaurant.

Many are now questioning whether June's rise in 'Rising Stars' truly reflects his talent and hard work or if it is instead the result of his family's deep pockets. Adding fuel to the fire is June's recent win against the most popular team in the last mission of 'Rising Stars.'

Does June really deserve his rank on 'Rising Stars?'

Or is he yet another nepo baby?

"June! June!" Minjun banged on the older guy's door as he finished reading the article that BannChu had posted.

"What?" June asked with his earphones on. He had been listening to 'Tie Me Up' since it was revealed, and he has been lost in his own world ever since.

"You have to see this," Minjun said in a serious voice.

June clicked his tongue as he realized the seriousness in Minjun's tone.

"What?" he repeated, opening the door and looking down at the small kid.

"Something bad is happening," Minjun barged into his room and plopped down on the hard floor. He showed June the article posted on BannChu and June read it with furrowed eyebrows.

Minjun gauged his reaction, trying to figure out his feelings.

He's probably disappointed, right? He had made it this far into the show with his pure hard work, but he's being accused of being a nepo baby and rigging the show.

However, Minjun was surprised when June suddenly burst into laughter.

"What the heck?" Minjun exclaimed. "Can't you see the comments? They're terrorizing you right now! This might even be worse than the bullying you dealt with last mission."

June covered his mouth and tried to calm himself down. However, he couldn't help but find the situation funny.

"I don't have any parents," June said in amusement.

"You don't know that!" Minjun exclaimed. "What if you were a long lost son of this powerful tycoon couple, but you just didn't know? And then you recently found out! That's how you were able to afford those shoes and eat at Pierre."

"That's ridiculous. We look nothing alike," June said, pointing to the picture of the not-so-physically-pleasant couple on the screen. One look and June already knew who their real son was.

"Besides," June said. "I know their real son."

"You do?" Minjun asked.

"Yeah," June nodded. "It's Choi Pablo."

Minjun looked at June like he had grown a third head. "Sure, keep telling yourself that you've met Choi Pablo."

"I have," June said.

"Oh, please," Minjun laughed. "Choi Pablo wouldn't even dare to look your way."

***

"Choi Pablo had been crying ever since you left and didn't contact him," Esther said as soon as June entered the door.

"Not even a greeting?" June asked.

"I just wanted to get it out of the way," she said. "This is the first time my boss has been so desperate to get someone's pictures. He had been staring at your pictures for the past few days, tears streaming down his eyes, so he wasn't even able to edit it."

June pursed his lips.

That's...weird.

"Where is he?" June asked.

"Where you first met him," Esther said. "Be careful," she warned. "He might jump you."

June sighed and shook his head before walking over to the huge, white door. He didn't even bother to knock and went straight in.

Choi Pablo lifted his head, annoyance seen in his features. However, when he saw that it was June who walked in, his face lit up like it had been blasted by the sun.

"June?"

June sighed and took a step back, assuming a fighting stance before the crazy photographer could encase him in a hug.

"Stay back," June warned, causing Pablo to sigh in disappointment. However, he kept looking at June with bright eyes.

"Are you finally here to become my muse?"

"No," June snapped, shattering Pablo's expectations. "I'm here to talk about something else-your parents."

Surprisingly, Pablo's awestruck expression was replaced with aloofness, and he suddenly looked annoyed by June's statement.

"My parents?" he raised his eyebrows. "I don't know those people."

"I think you know what I'm talking about," June said. "It's all over Navel."

"Like I said—I've been having a social media detox these days. I don't know what you're talking about."

"Choi Si-woo and Choi Min-ah," June said. "All the gifts that you've given me are probably from them, am I right?"

Choi Pablo didn't respond.

"And you didn't give me those things because you truly wanted to, but because you wanted to get rid of them, am I right?"

Again, the photographer didn't respond.

"Answer me," June deeply said, causing Pablo to sigh.

"So what?" he asked. "They're my biological parents, but I don't want to associate myself with them anymore."

June sighed. "I'm getting involved in your family drama. The people are accusing me of being their son and rigging the results of the show I am on."

"Rising Stars," Pablo said. "I've watched it," he shyly confessed. "Your Tie Me Up performance was really sexy."

June clicked his tongue. "That's not the point! The point is—you need to come clean and say that you're the real son of the Chois, not me."

June hoped that Pablo's fascination with him would lead him to quickly agree.

However, Pablo crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked away from June.

"No."