“How about we call off the bet even now?”
These were the first words out of President Han Yu-jin’s mouth after they left the private room.
“Why?”
“First, my grandfather loathes people who don’t keep their word more than anyone else. Second, he hates incompetent people even more. Third, he doesn’t even treat people who are all talk as human beings.”
In other words, if I lost this bet, I would fall into all three categories.
“I was planning to provide full support for Ice Valley Farm even without this bet… is there any reason to take such a pointless risk?”
Perhaps thinking she sounded a bit too harsh, President Han Yu-jin looked at me cautiously.
“If you need it, I can look into the person you’re searching for separately.”
“That will likely be difficult. They aren’t an ordinary person.”
“Neither am I…”
President Han Yu-jin flinched as she spoke. Then, she let out a self-reproaching sigh.
“…What am I even saying? I talked so big about how there’s no high or low status, and yet…”
She bit her lip, muttering to herself.
“…So it’s not just a simple matter of finding someone?”
“Yes. It’s a matter of finding someone who is hiding on purpose.”
The person who fled to the Philippines. I was talking about that murderer lawyer who had handed the drugs to Ahn Yu-ra. I might even need the help of the local authorities in that country. Naturally, international connections were essential, not just money.
‘With the trajectory of Chairman Han Seung-ho’s life, he should have more than enough connections.’
Yes. This was what real support looked like. No matter how much a prosecutor excelled, they couldn’t operate in a foreign country where Korea’s public power didn’t reach.
“Just so you know, the people inside… every one of them was prominent,” President Han Yu-jin said with a regretful expression. “Not to mention Professor Choi, the foremost authority in this field, there was the president of Hanshin Bank—one of the five major banks—the representative lawyer of Atlantic, one of the three major law firms, and the Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. They are people who could have provided great help to your life as well as our future business, CEO Baek.”
No wonder some of them looked familiar.
“Seeing as how he even postponed introducing you to them, it seems the influence of this bet is quite large.”
“Based on what you’ve told me about your grandfather’s personality, that seems likely.”
“Yes. If you fall out of his favor, he might try to cut off my relationship with you entirely. He is so stubborn that once he makes up his mind, he doesn’t easily change it.”
Before I knew it, President Han Yu-jin wore a desperate look on her face.
“CEO Baek, I’m telling you this now, but Ice Valley Farm is a client with very significant meaning to me. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this project is the first time I’ve pushed forward so aggressively and took the lead with such confidence.”
“I understand what you’re saying. However, President Han,” I continued in a firm voice.
“…Yes?”
“I realized something important at my previous job.”
“What was that?”
“Being afraid of retaliation, worrying about a negative impact on performance reviews, or fearing that someone might look at you strangely…”
A faint smile touched my lips.
“People who settle for reality for those reasons and refuse to do anything… are cowardly.”
Above all, I was the one who started this. It wouldn’t be right to leave the burden only to Ire, claiming it wasn’t my case anymore.
“Especially given your grandfather’s personality, it seems like he wouldn’t spare any support once he actually likes someone.”
“…That is certainly true.”
After reflecting for a moment, President Han Yu-jin nodded vigorously.
“Perhaps you are right, CEO Baek. Maybe even this is a test…”
“More importantly, I believe there is a company called Mindlake among the subsidiaries of Sekyung Department Store.”
“!?”
At the sudden mention of the name, President Han Yu-jin’s eyes widened.
“Mindlake? That place is…”
“Yes. It’s a media content production company and film investment distributor that has absolutely nothing to do with farming.”
“…”
She fell silent for a moment, then wore a strange expression.
“Was your previous job related to that field by any chance?”
Hmm?
“I saw it unintentionally. My grandfather apologizing about a background check and all that. Even if that weren’t the case, he isn’t the type to meet someone whose identity isn’t clear…”
President Han Yu-jin bowed her head as if making an excuse.
“…I’m sorry. Now that I’ve said it, I realize how incredibly rude that was.”
“It isn’t something you need to apologize for.”
“Anyway, why Mindlake?”
I had researched this in advance. Quite a bit of information was accessible to the public through the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosures.
‘Sekyung recently invested 200 billion won into its subsidiary, Mindlake.’
And all of those funds were used for film investment. For the record, even before the 200 billion won injection, Mindlake was already participating as the main investor for three movies. This was a move clearly contrary to current market trends. While most investment firms like LJ have been reluctant to invest since the pandemic, Sekyung—a latecomer to the industry—was instead increasing its investment through its subsidiary.
“I was wondering if you needed another place to invest.”
***
‘With the prosecutor’s help, I’ve managed to get this incredible opportunity, but…’
In the center of the banquet hall, Shin Hye-seo gripped her clothes tightly. She had moved to a conspicuous spot, but no one was even looking at her. Everyone was busy talking amongst themselves. It was as if they were silently rebuking her, telling her she was nothing in this place.
‘Before Lawyer Jang arrives, I have to find a new investor and at least start a conversation.’
But right then…
“Isn’t this Actress Shin?”
“!”
Someone approached her while she was alone.
“C-Chairman Park?”
“Yes, has it been a long time?”
Of course, Shin Hye-seo knew him. Chairman Park Jeong-mo of Myeongil Holdings. He was the owner of a mid-sized financial holding and investment company. While not a famous tycoon, he had enough cash liquidity that 200 billion won was child’s play to him. In fact, he was someone who invested quite heavily in film production.
‘But I don’t want to get involved with Chairman Park…’
He was a typical old-school investor with a history of being involved in several scandals. He was so notorious that his nickname was Korea’s Harvey Weinstein.
‘…Now isn’t the time to be picky.’
A smile formed on Shin Hye-seo’s face.
“I saw you in such an unexpected place that I thought I’d misidentified you!”
“How have you been, Chairman?”
“Now, now. Let’s move to a corner first. It’s too noisy here.”
The two of them soon moved to a corner of the banquet hall.
“I heard the news. You split from CEO Bang this time?”
“Has the rumor spread that far already?”
“Of course! I even heard that CEO Shin is in a tough spot lately. Something about Shinhwa Group suddenly pulling their investment.”
Chairman Park Jeong-mo grinned. For some reason, that smile made Shin Hye-seo very uneasy.
“Should I give you a hand?”
“R-Really?”
Her expression shifted to that of someone who had just found a lifeline from heaven.
“We are confident. If you trust and invest in us, we can definitely produce results. In particular, most of this investment will be used for the production costs of *When the Moon Sets*. The project you spoke highly of before, Chairman…!”
“Hey, why are you explaining every little detail? I’m looking at CEO Shin when I invest. We have a history, so of course I can help!”
“…!”
In an instant, Shin Hye-seo’s pupils shook violently. This happened right after a hand was placed on her shoulder.
“But… rather than me bringing it up first, wouldn’t it look better if CEO Shin did some sales?”
“…Pardon?”
“Come on, it’s a new start, so you should show some fighting spirit. The CEO who steps up in a moment of crisis… and then successfully secures investment. How good would that look?”
The hand gradually moved lower.
“…I’d really like our CEO Shin to do some ‘sales’ for me.”
***
“I can’t seem to find my companion.”
At my words, President Han Yu-jin gave a knowing smile.
“Come to think of it, hearing you talk about your previous job and investment makes more sense now.”
“Pardon?”
“A farmer and an actress. It’s not a combination that goes together naturally. I didn’t ask because I thought it might be uncomfortable, but for it to be that Shin Hye-seo…”
She seemed to be misunderstanding something still.
‘I don’t need to correct her, do I?’
If I started correcting her, the conversation might shift to the prosecutor. Just thinking about that was exhausting.
“…Hm?”
Just then, I locked eyes with someone entering the banquet hall. His appearance was so striking that he was easy to spot.
“Oh!”
As soon as he saw me, he waved his hand lightly. It was Seok-gu. Since he was contracted to handle all the legal disputes arising from the sale of Propp Entertainment’s shares.
However…
“…”
The moment I finally spotted Shin Hye-seo, the expression vanished from my face.
‘What is he doing?’
In a corner of the banquet hall, Shin Hye-seo was staring at the floor. The old man next to her was laughing, holding a champagne glass, and blabbering about something. Meanwhile, his other hand was slowly creeping toward an inappropriate place.
“…CEO.”
Having spotted the same scene, President Han Yu-jin’s expression also stiffened.
“Do you like sights like that?”
“…Hardly.”
President Han Yu-jin’s eyes looked as if she had discovered a bug.
“Do you know who that old man is?”
“…”
President Han Yu-jin narrowed her eyes as if thinking deeply.
“…I’m sorry. I recognize most people, but I don’t know him.”
At that answer, my face relaxed slightly. That meant he was just some insignificant nouveau riche.
“I’ll apologize in advance.”
“…Pardon?”
“I didn’t intend to cause a scene in a place like this, but I can’t help it.”
“C-CEO Baek!?”
I walked straight toward my destination.
“Hey. I never imagined there’d be a paradise like this on the top floor of the hotel…”
Seok-gu trailed off. It was because I was about to walk right past him.
*Grab!*
“…Hey. Is something up? Why do you look like that?”
Seok-gu said, grabbing my shoulder. I kept walking with him and signaled with my eyes for him to look ahead.
“!?”
About 10 meters ahead, Seok-gu’s eyes widened as his gaze met Shin Hye-seo’s.
“What the… no, wait.”
Seok-gu whipped his head around to look at me.
“Fuck. Don’t do it, okay?”
Ah, now I really wanted to mess with him.
‘Secret Royal Inspector.’
The moment I mouthed those words…
“I said don’t do it, you bastard!” Seok-gu screamed in a panic.
“…?”
He already had an overwhelmingly massive physique. At that thunderous roar, people’s attention snapped toward us instantly.
“…Huh…?”
And naturally, their eyes followed our line of sight. It landed precisely on the old man’s hand, which was resting on Shin Hye-seo’s collarbone.
“…Oh…?”
It was a literal sudden spotlight. The perverted old man froze like a stone statue with a dazed expression.
‘You really are a good friend, Seok-gu.’
Naturally, a broad smile formed on my lips. Thanks for drawing the attention for me.