Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

With a polite bow, Jung Yoon-Ho left the chairman's office saying that he needed to stop Sung Joon-Sang—who had shown up in Cheonho-dong.

Thunk.

As soon as the office door closed, Honorary Chairman Kim Bu-Ho let out a long sigh. Seeing that, Vice Chairman Kim Ae-Ryeon carefully spoke up.

"Dad. Whatever Ciel Bleu is, I won't ask about it."

Kim Bu-Ho shook his head. "No. That's not why I sighed."

"It's not?"

"No. But now that you're Daechon's next owner, I should tell you what Ciel Bleu is."

Kim Bu-Ho explained that Ciel Bleu was a café and art gallery in Yangpyeong, that he treated its president Hong So-Yong as though she were his wife, and that he had used her to manage the group's slush funds.

Kim Ae-Ryeon replied without showing much surprise. "I... had a feeling."

"You did?"

"Yes. After Mom passed away, you struggled for a long time. Then one day, you started looking happier. And sometimes I could smell women's perfume on you."

"You knew all that, and you never said anything? You and Ae-Ja used to be completely against me remarrying."

"That was a long time ago. Besides, after seeing how much pain you were in after Mom passed away, I didn't want to get in the way of seeing you smile again." As she said that, Kim Ae-Ryeon wrapped her arms around her father.

"Thank you for understanding."

Kim Bu-Ho, who had been suffering after hearing about everything his eldest daughter had done, finally looked a little brighter.

"But Dad. Why did you sigh?"

Kim Bu-Ho drew in another breath before answering. "Because I can't think of any way to make Jung Yoon-Ho one of Daechon's people."

Kim Ae-Ryeon had already told her daughter, Lee Ha-Yoon, to try winning Jung Yoon-Ho over, but there had not been the slightest bit of progress.

Pulling away from her father's embrace, Kim Ae-Ryeon lowered her head. "I'm sorry. Ha-Yoon is trying, but the women around him aren't exactly ordinary. I think it's taking longer than expected."

"A girl like Ha-Yoon wouldn't fall short anywhere. The problem is that Jung Yoon-Ho seems determined not to keep women close to him. If we're going to secure him, we'll need another method."

"Another method? Like what?"

"That's what I'm struggling to figure out. Still, no matter the cost, find something that will make him care about Daechon. That's the first thing you need to do as the next chairman."

Kim Ae-Ryeon valued Jung Yoon-Ho highly herself, but she couldn't help feeling that her father was overestimating him.

"Dad. I know Chief Jung is remarkable, but aren't you praising him a little too much?"

"Ae-Ryeon. A twenty-eight-year-old kid manipulated me—the man who built Daechon from the ground up—as if I were in the palm of his hand. Do you think there's another person like that in this world?"

Kim Ae-Ryeon couldn't respond. Today, Jung Yoon-Ho had stood before Kim Bu-Ho, the titan who had personally built Daechon into a conglomerate, and not only failed to flinch at his threats but had pressured him in return and secured a partnership.

"I stood shoulder to shoulder with Chairman Jin Dae-Woon of Jinseong and Honorary Chairman Son Dae-In of CK during my era. Yet not one of them was anything like Chief Jung. That man... is different."

"Different how?"

"People usually put on airs to hide their shortcomings. Like a kitten puffing up its fur to appear bigger. You do it. I do it too. But did you see any trace of that in him?"

"Now that you mention it... I've never even seen Chief Jung look surprised."

"Exactly. And he's only twenty-eight, yet he has the nerve to stand face-to-face with someone like me, the ruler of Daechon. What do you think he'll become when he's thirty? Forty?"

A single word suddenly surfaced in Kim Ae-Ryeon's mind. "A monster...?"

"That's right. A monster. So remember this. The humiliation I suffered today is a small matter. Failing to make him one of Daechon's people—that's the truly serious problem."

Only then did Kim Ae-Ryeon realize that, in her excitement over being promised Daechon's throne, she had briefly forgotten just how important Jung Yoon-Ho was. After all, everything that had brought her this far had been possible because of Jung Yoon-Ho's help.

"I was careless, Dad. I'm sorry. I'll tell Ha-Yoon to try harder, and I'll also think of a way to give him some company shares."

Kim Bu-Ho treasured Daechon Inc. as much as his own life, yet Kim Ae-Ryeon boldly suggested giving away part of its ownership.

"Good. If you're going to be Daechon's owner, you should show that kind of courage. Though there's something you should know."

"What is it?"

"Chairman Jin Dae-Woon of Jinseong gave Jung Yoon-Ho a full three percent stake in Jinseong Hotel & Resort."

"He did?"

"That miser wouldn't have handed over that much unless he thought it was worth it. If he was willing to go that far, then we may have to consider offering even more."

Jinseong Hotel & Resort was the intermediate holding company of Jinseong Inc. Giving away three percent was an enormous bet. Kim Ae-Ryeon realized she would have to make a much larger offer than she had originally planned.

"This won't be easy."

"No. That's the problem."

"Ugh... What do we do?"

At that moment, the current owner of Daechon Inc. and its future owner sat together, agonizing over the same question.

That very question was how to make Jung Yoon-Ho care more about Daechon.

***

After leaving Daechon Inc.'s chairman's office, I headed down to the parking garage. Once I started the Ventley, I opened Everyday just in case.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: May 20, 2021]

-10:00 p.m.: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]

Top star Miss J. Secretly Dating Third-generation Chaebol Mr. S. (Additional Notes: Clarify misunderstanding regarding blurred photograph. Determine Sung Joon-Sang's whereabouts and respond aggressively.)

Everyday was still warning me that, three days later, an article would break claiming Yoo-Jin and Sung Joon-Sang were dating.

Then a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

'If I released a different article first, couldn't I erase this outcome too?'

At that very moment, Sung Joon-Sang was causing a scene in front of the security checkpoint in Cheonho-dong, demanding to see Yoo-Jin. If that incident became news, he would be arrested by the police and wouldn't be able to show his face in public for quite some time. Unlike before, Daechon Inc. would no longer protect him.

I immediately called Reporter Choi So-Hye.

Tonight, I was going to destroy Sung Joon-Sang.

***

It was nearly eleven at night when I finally arrived at the entrance to the Cheonho-dong alley after arranging to provide Choi So-Hye with information. In front of the security checkpoint, Sung Joon-Sang and his secretary, Han Yoon-Seok, were confronting our security team.

However, Yoo-Jin, dressed in a pink tracksuit with awhite cap, was arguing with Sung Joon-Sang.

"Do you honestly think that's something you should be saying?!"

Yoo-Jin sounded furious.

I immediately got out of the car. "Yoo-Jin!"

The moment she saw me, Yoo-Jin's face brightened and she waved enthusiastically. "Oppa!"

Sung Joon-Sang whipped his head around. "What? You should be getting chewed out by my grandfather right now..."

"Oh, things worked out great with your grandfather. He said we should get along from now on. He even said he'd forget all about me taking your mother down."

I deliberately chose words that would provoke him. The bigger the scene he caused, the more sensational the article would become.

Just as expected, the hot-tempered Sung Joon-Sang immediately took the bait. "You bastard! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"

At that moment, Han Yoon-Seok hurriedly grabbed Sung Joon-Sang's arm. "Sir! There are too many people watching!"

Sung Joon-Sang flinched and stopped moving.

'What a shame.'

If nobody had restrained him, the picture would have been even better. Still, this wasn't my only way of getting rid of Sung Joon-Sang.

"Mr. Oh. The security camera footage was recorded, right? I'd like a copy."

"Yes, sir."

Just as Team Lead Oh Ill-Seop nodded and started toward the security booth, Yoo-Jin spoke up. "Oppa. I've got something even better."

"What is it?"

Yoo-Jin pulled a phone from her back pocket and proudly handed it to me. "I recorded everything that guy said. Maybe it's because he lived in America, but even his nonsense is creative."

'A recording? Well done, Jung Yoo-Jin!'

She had actually learned from watching me and put it to use.

Only then did Sung Joon-Sang finally panic. "Hey! That's illegal! Just try releasing that! I'll sue you immediately!"

Yoo-Jin fired right back without missing a beat. "Sue me? Go ahead! Recordings aren't illegal when the person making them is part of the conversation, you know?"

'Excellent. She learned well.'

I gave Yoo-Jin a thumbs-up and immediately played the recording. A moment later, their voices began playing from her phone.

-Hey, Jung Yoo-Jin. I heard Burger Queen is paying you six hundred million won. I'll give you a billion. Come work for me.

-I still have time left on my contract. I can't betray Burger Queen and break my agreement.

-Forget loyalty. If it's not enough money, just say so. I'll even pay the penalty fees.

-I said no. You're really persistent.

-Persistence is one of my charms. Fine then. 1.2 billion a year. How about it? That's the highest treatment in Korea.

-Do you not understand Korean? I said no! Whether it's the highest treatment in Korea or the world, once I'm with Burger Queen, I'm with Burger Queen forever! Unless Burger Queen betrays me first, I'm not going to another burger company!

-Wow, you're really obsessed with money, aren't you? Even 1.2 billion isn't enough? Fine. I'll be generous. 1.5 billion. Happy now?

The conversation already sounded like a dog and a cat talking past each other, but I was still wondering how this qualified as particularly creative nonsense.

Then Sung Joon-Sang finally got to the important part.

-And if you add an option where you have dinner with me once a month, I'll raise it by another five hundred million and make it two billion a year. Two billion. Isn't that basically free money? You'll get a luxury handbag and designer outfit every month too.

-What... did you just say?

-Come on, stop pretending. I know you're just being shy. Besides, once you spend time with me, you'll understand. People don't become chaebols for nothing. Just being around me changes your whole class in life. And if you're lucky, you could even become the lady of Daechon.

Sung Joon-Sang continued making one disgusting proposal after another, acting as though he were some kind of playboy chairman.

'The lady of Daechon?'

Now that was genuinely creative nonsense.

At that moment, a flustered Sung Joon-Sang lunged forward to snatch the phone. "Give me that phone, you bastard!"

'This is perfect.'

Sung Joon-Sang was getting worked up all on his own. Maybe he thought I would respond like a boxer and start grappling with him, but he didn't stand a chance. The instant his hand touched me, I dramatically threw myself backward.

Thud.

I collapsed onto the ground with every ounce of acting skill I could muster.

Startled, Yoo-Jin immediately stepped in front of me with her fists clenched. "Why are you shoving oppa around?! What are you, some kind of thug?"

Sung Joon-Sang froze. "...I didn't push him that hard."

"I saw you charge at him like a maniac, and the security guards saw it too! What kind of nonsense are you talking about?"

Faced with Yoo-Jin's fierce attack, Sung Joon-Sang couldn't say a word.

'Good job, Jung Yoo-Jin.'

While Yoo-Jin kept the pressure on him, I calmly pulled out my phone and called the police.

"Is this Cheonho Police Station? I'm outside actress Jung Yoo-Jin's house. Please come quickly. A stalker showed up and assaulted me."

-Understood, officers are being dispatched immediately.

I reported Sung Joon-Sang for stalking, assault, and property-related offenses.

The moment I ended the call, Han Yoon-Seok grabbed Sung Joon-Sang by the arm. "You need to leave immediately! I'll stay behind and smooth things over!"

Only then did Sung Joon-Sang come to his senses and shake off Han Yoon-Seok's grip. "Hey, let go of me!"

"You have to leave, sir."

"Hey! I said let go! Let go, you bastard!"

Seething with rage, Sung Joon-Sang suddenly slapped Han Yoon-Seok across the face.

Smack.

Han Yoon-Seok staggered backward. "I'm sorry, sir."

Still fuming, Sung Joon-Sang turned toward me. "You really think you can have me arrested? Huh?"

I scoffed. "I took down your mother. What makes you think you're special?"

"Bullshit. Last time my grandfather didn't know what was going on, so it slid by. But now my grandfather's watching everything. Who'd dare touch me? I'm a third-generation heir of Daechon!"

It seemed he still hadn't realized the world had changed. In that case, I figured I should tell him. I immediately switched my phone to speaker mode and called Kim Ae-Ryeon, who was now the chairman.

"Mrs. Chairman. Sung Joon-Sang assaulted me in front of my house and even tried to proposition Jung Yoo-Jin. I've reported him to Cheonho Police Station, and Reporter Choi So-Hye is running the story."

Kim Ae-Ryeon replied in a cold voice.

-Like mother, like son. Understood. I'll contact the chief of Cheonho Police Station myself and tell him not to go easy on that bastard. I'm saying this as the chairman of Daechon Inc., so you can count on me.

The moment Kim Ae-Ryeon referred to herself as chairman, the confidence drained from Sung Joon-Sang's face.

"That's a lie! Why would Auntie be chairman?!"

Then Kim Bu-Ho's voice came through the speaker.

-I appointed her.

"G-Grandfather...?"

-That's right. And since you're no longer one of Daechon's people, stop throwing Daechon's name around wherever you please.

"What are you talking about?! I'm Daechon's third generation! Why would I give up the Daechon name? Even DCH Burger was named after Daechon!"

-Do I need to spell it out for you? Ae-Ryeon has been chosen as Daechon's successor. That means neither your mother nor you have any place left in Daechon!

The moment Kim Bu-Ho announced that Daechon's successor had been decided, he effectively declared Sung Joon-Sang's expulsion.

Sung Joon-Sang collapsed onto the ground in a daze. "This can't be happening... Grandfather... manipulated by some talent agent..."

It seemed Sung Joon-Sang had convinced himself that once Kim Ae-Ja got out of prison, he would become Daechon's next owner. Now he was in complete panic.

That was when two police cars entered the alley.

Wee-Woo~Wee-Woo~

At the same time, an entry disappeared from my Everyday schedule.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: May 20, 2021]

-10:00 p.m.:

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]

Top star Miss J. Secretly Dating Third-generation Chaebol Mr. S. (Additional Notes: Clarify misunderstanding regarding blurred photograph. Determine Sung Joon-Sang's whereabouts and respond aggressively.))

'Goodbye, Sung Joon-Sang.'

***

[Third-Generation Heir Mr. S, Preparing to Launch New Burger Brand, Arrested After Late-Night Disturbance! (Star Exclusive Reporter Choi So-Hye)]

-Third-generation heir Mr. S reportedly visited actress Ms. J late at night to propose an advertising contract before losing control of his emotions and causing a disturbance.

During the incident, he allegedly assaulted the actress's talent agent, who was attempting to protect her, and was taken into emergency custody after hurling abusive language and damaging property.

The local C Police Station confirmed that Mr. S was taken into emergency custody...

When I arrived at work and entered the meeting room, the article appeared on the large LCD screen, initially using only initials. But shortly afterward, articles revealing his full name began appearing as well.

[New Burger Brand DCH Burger Indefinitely Suspends Launch]

[DCH Burger Cancels All Advertising Contracts Ahead of Launch]

[DCH Burger's President Sung Joon-Sang Suspected of Serious Criminal Conduct]

[Following Former Vice Chairman Kim Ae-Ja, Her Son Sung Joon-Sang Also Implicated in Criminal Activity. "Like Mother, Like Son?"]

Rather than using Daechon Inc.'s influence to suppress the news, Kim Ae-Ryeon was using that power to amplify it.

'Daechon finally started throwing its weight around.'

Under normal circumstances, what Sung Joon-Sang had done to me the previous night would have ended with nothing more than a routine investigation. However, thanks to the recording Yoo-Jin made, everything had changed. After all, Sung Joon-Sang's proposal to pay her money in exchange for meeting him regularly could be interpreted as a serious violation of laws related to solicitation. As a result, Sung Joon-Sang was rapidly falling into ruin.

Watching the news articles in the meeting room, Lee Yung-Jin let out a whistle of admiration. "Our chief did it again. Do you seriously have some kind of supernatural power?"

The night before, Lee Yung-Jin had brought Seo Yeon-Woo to the fundraising event and witnessed me stopping Sung Joon-Sang at the entrance. Naturally, he looked at me as if wondering whether I'd known all along that this would happen.

Then Do Ran-Hee, sitting beside him, stared at me with sparkling eyes. "Mr. Jung. When am I getting married? How many kids am I having? Do you know any good land investments? And when's crypto going to the moon?"

For some reason, her eyes shone brightest when she asked about crypto. Even Lee Yung-Jin was sitting there with the exact same expression, waiting for my answer.

I immediately shut them down. "Stop talking nonsense. How's preparation for week eleven of Project I.O.A going? What about Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ji's 'Youth, Once Again!' university festival schedule? And Miso has the script reading for Land of Happiness this week, right? What about adjusting Yoo-Jin's filming schedule for She Was Beautiful?"

Even after I assigned work, Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee avoided my gaze and lowered their heads.

"Ran-Hee. He definitely knows and is pretending not to."

"Yep. Oppa. Let's just follow him around, see where he invests, and put every cent we have into the same thing."

'As if.'

I barely paid attention to real estate, stocks, or crypto before the regression, so I knew almost nothing about them.

Just as I was wondering how to guide those two back onto the right path, a Kk Talk message arrived.

Buzz.

[Chairman Kim Ae-Ryeon of Daechon Inc.: Chief Jung. I'll properly repay you for helping me become chairman of Daechon Inc.]

'What? Repay me?'

I had already received a blank check from her when we first met, so I immediately declined.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: That's not necessary.]

However, the response came back as though she had anticipated it.

[Chairman Kim Ae-Ryeon of Daechon Inc.: No. I insist. I'm about to hold a live press conference. Watch it.]

'A reward for helping her become chairman, huh...'

Rather than being excited, I started worrying about what exactly she intended to do.

At that moment, PR Team Lead Kim Mi-Hye from the publicity team spoke up. "Mr. Jung. Mr. Honorary Chairman Kim Bu-Ho is doing a live broadcast about the succession issue. Should we turn it on? Daechon Inc. bought a huge amount of advertising this morning..."

After what happened yesterday, Daechon Inc. had significantly increased its advertising rates and offered a massive package. There wasn't much reason to refuse. Besides, I wanted to see what Kim Ae-Ryeon had been talking about.

I nodded. "Go ahead and turn it on. Let's all watch."

"Okay."

Kim Mi-Hye switched on the television. On the screen, Kim Bu-Ho and Kim Ae-Ryeon were holding a press conference in a conference room at Daechon Inc. headquarters. As soon as Kim Bu-Ho announced that a successor had been chosen, the reporters erupted into chatter.

Then Kim Ae-Ryeon took the microphone.

-I am Kim Ae-Ryeon, the person who will lead Daechon Inc. following the former chairman.

After a brief introduction, she began speaking about Daechon Inc.'s future.

That was when I realized the gift she was about to give me turned out to be something far beyond anything I had imagined.

'Holy shit...'