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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: The Petty Bastard
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The strategic meeting was the first Seonghyeok had personally called since taking office as the CEO of SL Entertainment.
While he had actively participated in meetings necessary for understanding the business—such as weekly meetings, executive meetings, and team leader meetings—he had never convened one himself.
Calling a strategic meeting signified that his grasp of the business and the formulation of the business plan were complete. For the executives and employees, it also meant an opportunity to assess whether Cha Seonghyeok possessed the qualities to lead SL Entertainment.
“Going forward, we will concentrate all our efforts on SL Entertainment’s leap to become a global enterprise.”
After laying out his objectives, Seonghyeok pointed out the current state of affairs.
“Up until now, SL Entertainment has focused primarily on the domestic market and management business. To put it nicely, we pursued stability; to be frank, we’ve grown complacent and are steadily falling behind.”
The executives, stung by the accuracy of his words, subtly avoided his gaze.
“We intend to fully dive into content planning and production. Currently, we are reviewing scripts suitable for production investment. Furthermore, we plan to establish a new studio to strengthen our content production capabilities. We are also considering acquiring existing production companies. And in the near future, we aim to initiate discussions about establishing an OTT platform.”
The Vice President, who had been listening silently, subtly interjected.
“If we proceed with your plan, CEO, there will be enormous outflows of cash with no inflows for quite some time. Will that be acceptable?”
The Vice President harbored considerable resentment towards Seonghyeok, who had suddenly appeared as CEO. Having dreamed of being promoted to CEO himself, Seonghyeok’s presence was naturally galling.
On top of that, receiving what felt like a rebuke for lax company management made him profoundly uncomfortable. Thus, his timid protest was to imply that it wasn't for lack of knowledge that they hadn't done it.
“Absolutely. I will take full responsibility for securing funds and for any deficits.”
Seonghyeok slowly scanned the executives as he continued.
“Everyone here knows that such bold investments would be impossible without me, and if I can’t do it, no one can.”
Everyone instinctively nodded.
Who could accomplish what Cha Hyeonung, the chairman's son, could not?
What Seonghyeok had publicly announced was not on a scale that a salaried CEO, uncertain of when they might be transferred elsewhere, could pursue.
Even if it was a deficit resulting from aggressive investment, it was naturally burdensome. No one would want the label of a CEO who struggled with deficits before leaving, especially when it wasn't a place they intended to stay long-term.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be at SL Entertainment, but even when I leave, I’ll make sure to build up its scale properly.”
A faint smile spread across his impassive face.
“I’ll take the full brunt of it, so all you need to do is trust me and follow.”
Everyone, without exception, even the Vice President, had to admit that he was a reliable CEO.
“We’ve finalized an investment partnership with Hollywood investor USI, and discussions for strategic alliances with terrestrial broadcasters in China and Japan are underway. For more details, I’ll hand it over to Yun Jisang, head of the Global Business Team.”
Yeongin couldn't take her eyes off Seonghyeok, who had demonstrated powerful leadership before handing the floor over to Jisang.
Today was the day she fell for Cha Seonghyeok the CEO, not Cha Seonghyeok the man.
But there was another woman who had fallen for him.
And that was Baek Huiran.
***
Beomjun and Changgeun’s glasses clinked together, then parted. Two neatly emptied glasses were then simultaneously placed on the table.
They hadn't intended to meet just the two of them from the start. Everyone else was busy and couldn't make it, resulting in a simple drinking session.
“Was it really your kid?”
“Dunno.”
Changgeun scowled deeply and muttered as if spitting out the words.
The two were currently discussing a woman who had approached Changgeun, claiming to be pregnant after they had spent a night together at a club.
“Did you definitely wrap things up?”
“Of course. I handled it perfectly.”
Changgeun drained the glass Beomjun had refilled for him and changed the subject.
“Anyway, how’s Chae Yeongin doing?”
“You’re still interested in Yeongin? Were you really thinking of marrying her?”
“Am I crazy? Marry an adopted kid?”
“I thought you were serious, seeing you so persistently set up that blind date.”
“Serious, my foot. The girl played hard to get, so it just piqued my stubbornness.”
“She’s always been arrogant, even though she has nothing to boast about.”
Beomjun chuckled, chiming in, then belatedly answered Changgeun’s question.
“Yeongin seems even busier since she moved to SL Entertainment. The whole company must be chaotic; it’s hard to even see Seonghyeok.”
“She transferred to SL Entertainment? But why is Seonghyeok’s name suddenly coming up?”
“Ah, you don’t know yet.”
Beomjun informed Changgeun that Seonghyeok and Yeongin were currently working at SL Entertainment.
Changgeun, who had been listening with a stiff expression, pondered something seriously before making a call.
“It’s me. Let’s meet now.”
Beomjun, who had been staring blankly at Changgeun while he was on the phone, asked him in an incredulous tone after he hung up.
“You’re leaving now? Leaving me alone?”
“Something urgent just came to mind.”
“Who are you going to meet?”
“Baek Huiran.”
Changgeun left the room, telling him he would pay the bill, so Beomjun should take his time and finish his drink.
***
Huiran stood at the entrance, arms crossed, greeting Changgeun.
“You know I don’t like being called out so suddenly like this.”
The two had met through an acquaintance and maintained a clandestine relationship for over half a year. Huiran becoming a model for Seongmyeong Construction was also thanks to Changgeun. However, lately, they had grown rapidly indifferent to each other.
“There won’t be any more sudden calls like this, so please, lose that annoyed expression.”
Huiran bit her inner lip hard and forced a smile.
“I must have fallen asleep and woken up feeling a bit on edge. Sorry. Let’s go inside.”
Changgeun let Huiran, who had hooked her arm through his, lead him reluctantly to the living room sofa.
“What’s this sudden visit about? What do you need to tell me?”
“I have something to tell you.”
“Something to tell me?”
“Seongmyeong isn’t renewing your contract.”
Huiran’s eyes widened.
“Why? What’s the reason?”
Although her 6-month ad model contract with Seongmyeong Construction was nearing its end, Huiran had naturally believed a renewal would be possible.
“Because you’re with SL Entertainment.”
“What are you talking about? When was I ever *not* with SL Entertainment?”
“SL Entertainment has become undesirable. I don’t want to be involved with them in any way.”
“I don’t understand a word you’re saying. Explain it clearly.”
“Do you know Chae Yeongin?”
“Yes, I know her. Team Leader of Team 5. Why Chae Yeongin?”
“Chae Yeongin really got under my skin. Do you think I’d want to give advertising to the company she works for?”
“What does she have to do with me?”
Huiran’s wide eyes couldn’t get any wider.
“It has everything to do with me. SL Entertainment will take a cut of the advertising fee, and that money will go towards Chae Yeongin’s salary, won’t it? I can’t stand the thought of that.”
“That’s ridiculous. Why should I suffer because of her?”
“If you want to blame someone, blame Chae Yeongin.”
This plan stemmed from his conviction that the fiery Baek Huiran would never simply accept, ‘Oh, I couldn’t renew my contract because of Chae Yeongin. It’s a shame, but what can be done?’
Changgeun still couldn’t forget Seonghyeok’s words.
“Stop hitting on Chae Yeongin. You disgusting bastard, where do you get off?”
He believed that if Chae Yeongin hadn’t ignored his advances, he wouldn’t have had to set up a blind date, nor would he have endured such humiliating words. All his resentment thus fixated on Yeongin.
Consumed by his inferiority complex, he was convinced that Yeongin looked down on him because he was an illegitimate child.
Meanwhile, he deliberately ignored Seonghyeok, who should have been the actual target of his wrath, and instead chose the more vulnerable Yeongin as his scapegoat.
Oh Changgeun was a petty bastard to his very core.
***
Sitting forlornly and drinking alone, Beomjun picked up his phone.
It was to check once more if there was anyone he could call.
Scrolling far down his contact list, he saw the name ‘Cha Seonghyeok.’ Suddenly, Arim’s tear-stained face came to mind.
“Still, she’s my sister… he could have gone a bit easier on her…”
A grumbling sound escaped his lips.
Even though they were busy bickering every day, she was still his biological sister, and he worried about her.
He had often told Arim to know her place whenever she pursued Seonghyeok, but hearing that she had been brutally rejected and returned, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.
Separately from being horrified by the schemes his mother and sister had concocted together, he felt a slight resentment towards Seonghyeok for having hurled such harsh words at his only sister, saying he disliked her because she was 'rotten to the core.'
Beomjun poured a straight glass full of whiskey, downed it in one gulp, then called Yeongin.
Only the monotonous ringing tone continued, and Yeongin didn't answer the call, letting it go to voicemail.
Stubbornness kicked in, and he called three more times in a row. The result was the same.
About ten minutes after he sent a message with the three words, 'Call me,' Yeongin called him back.
“-What is it?”
“Hey, I’m at The New Palace right now. Come pick me up.”
“-I can’t pick you up right now. I’m at the office.”
“I don’t care! Get over here right now!”
He thought he heard a slightly surprised sound from the other end of the phone, followed by a man’s voice.
“-Team Leader Chae Yeongin is currently working.”
“Who are you, answering someone else’s phone like this?”
“-Chae Yeongin’s superior.”
Realizing it was a familiar voice, Beomjun paused momentarily.
“...Seonghyeok?”
“-Yeah.”
“Tell Yeongin I’ll wait, and to come pick me up as soon as she’s done with work.”
“-Can’t you go home by yourself?”
“No, I can’t.”
Beomjun, acting defiant, hung up the phone.
And about twenty minutes later, an unexpected face appeared before him.
“Get up.”
It wasn’t Yeongin, but Seonghyeok.
