Page 64 of Idol Lives
“Yes, Mr. Park.”
Jason’s frown deepened. He couldn’t say why, but something didn’t add up. Or, maybe that was just his paranoia. He put a reassuring hand on Justice’s shoulder. “Thank you for being here. I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”
Justice nodded, his expression softening. “I thought she didn’t like me at first.”
Jason could relate. “No, she’s only hard on the people she cares about.”
“Oh.” Justice frowned. “Then she must really care about Mr. Soh.”
Jason bitterly laughed. “No, that’s something entirely different.” He sighed, ignoring the mild surge of irritation at the mention of David’s name. “Anyway, feel free to stick around as long as you like.”
“Thank you, Mr. Park. But I should head home soon. I don’t want to be late tomorrow.”
It was Jason’s turn to frown. “Late for what? I’m sure Naomi wouldn’t mind if you took the time off, considering.”
“Ah, well–” Justice’s guilty flush reappeared, darkening his already deep brown cheeks. “Since Ms. Bell is incapacitated, Mr. Soh assumed the role of acting President.”
“He what?!” Jason’s booming voice echoed off the room’s walls, drawing the attention of everyone in the hallway. He forced himself to calm down, reminding himself that he wasin a hospital. “Do you have his number?”
Justice frowned. “Yes, Mr. Park. You don’t?”
“Why would I–” Jason stopped, hearing his voice rise again. “Just give me his number, Justice.”
Once Jason had it, he stalked away, ignoring Lily’s worried glances and the doctor’s curious stares. He found a secluded corner, his heart pounding as he dialed David’s number. It rang long enough that Jason almost hung up before David finally answered.
“Hello?” David sounded like he didn’t recognize Jason’s number, which Jason didn’t believe even for a moment.
“What the hell, David? Why are you running my company?”
“Ah, Jason.” David’s smirk was almost audible. “I take it you’re back from your little overseas adventure?” His smug tone set Jason’s blood boiling. “And the contractual rules of succession are clear. When the President becomes incapacitated, I become acting President until such time that they’re able to resume their duties. Perhaps if you’d read my contract, as I suggested–” He trailed off, but the insult was clear.
A crucial missing piece to the Brightstar puzzle suddenly fell into place. After Jason’s parents died, while he was fucking around trying to avoid taking over for his father, David had already been running the company. Jason groaned, seething as he chastised himself for not seeing that sooner. But the anger was good. Jason knew how to deal with rage.
“Don’t fuck with me, David.” Jason’s threat was a razor’s edge slicing through the silence. “You’ll regret it.”
“I assure you I’m doing nothing of the sort, Jason,” David smoothly countered. “This is merely–”
“No,” Jason interrupted. “You’re not hearing me. I’m nottalking about contracts and succession and all that bullshit. I’m sure it’s all in line or whatever. But, I’m telling you, right now. Don’t. Fuck. With. Me.” He paused, letting his threat sink in. “I may not be my father, but I sure as hell am his fucking son.”
A silence stretched over the line, punctuated only by David’s controlled breathing. “I understand. Good night, Jason.”
David disconnected before Jason could threaten him any further, so he continued seething in his corner until he felt Seong Min’s looming bulk behind him.
“Mr. Park, sir?”
Jason turned around, deeply exhaling to shed some of his built-up aggression. “Something’s off here.”
Seong Hyeon gravely nodded. “Indeed. I just spoke with Ms. Bell’s security team. Apparently, they were given the night off.”
“What?” Jason’s brow furrowed as he considered why Naomi would’ve made that choice. “Can she even do that?”
“Yes, and no, sir. I also left instructions with her team not to let her out of their sight.”
Jason’s eyebrows shot up. “They followed her?”
Seong Hyeon nodded. “Yes, sir. They were the first on the scene after the accident, waiting until the police and emergency responders arrived.”
Finding a new focus, Jason’s anger sharpened into fierce determination. “They saw the accident?” Seong Hyeon nodded again, waiting for Jason to ask the more important question. “Where did she go?”
