Chapter 15: Fivefold Prices, Fractured Loyalties

Whoosh!

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of the skyscraper, the blue sea stretched out at a glance.

The view looking down was truly a masterpiece, fitting for the president’s office.

Separate from that sentiment, however.

“Wasn’t paying five times the unit price a bit excessive?”

Lee Do-kyung, the buying team manager of Saekyung Department Store, cautiously opened the conversation.

“And on top of that, giving them the right to terminate the contract unilaterally…”

“In exchange, we’ve put our own safety measures in place, haven’t we?”

President Han Yu-jin replied nonchalantly.

“If we see the product and don’t like it, we simply don’t have to buy it. Isn’t that right?”

Only then did Manager Lee Do-kyung nod slightly.

“……That is certainly true.”

The seller decides the price tag.

If the buyer doesn’t like it, they don’t buy it.

It was the most basic logic of a free market economy.

“President. I’ve been curious from the start, was there a specific reason you ordered the brand proposal for Ice Valley Farm?”

“……Well…….”

President Han Yu-jin, who had been looking down at the open sea of Haeundae for a moment, let out a chuckle.

“It’s because I’ve experienced the effects myself.”

“Effects……?”

“I went on a diet using cucumbers from Ice Valley Farm, and I lost three kilograms in less than a month. So I recommended them to my acquaintances…… and before I knew it, rumors started spreading.”

“Pardon? Where on your body could you possibly have had weight to lose, President……?”

President Han Yu-jin glanced sideways at Manager Lee Do-kyung.

“Flattery is always nice to hear, isn’t it?”

“Flattery? I was being sincere.”

“Then that makes me even happier.”

“Anyway, if what you’re saying is true, President…….”

As Manager Lee Do-kyung’s voice trailed off, his eyes sparkled.

“As soon as the stock comes in, I’ll have to buy some quickly for my wife and daughter.”

“You’ll probably have to stand in line.”

President Han Yu-jin smiled brightly and asserted.

“For the supply from Ice Valley Farm, there will be no employee discounts or purchasing privileges whatsoever.”

***

Lately, CEO Bang Ki-chul had become extremely sensitive.

Naturally, Team Leader Bae Young-jun, the immediate subordinate in charge, was having a miserable time.

“What are the Revive kids doing?”

“They’re preparing well, according to plan.”

“Their debut isn’t far off. Make sure it proceeds without a hitch. If things fall apart again because someone causes trouble like Hye-min from Lunarix last year, then both of us are dead.”

Lunarix, the previous debut group.

Hye-min, who was actually the center of that group, had caused a massive scandal.

A dating rumor broke out with a man who worked at an adult entertainment establishment, and the team was torn in half.

Thanks to that, billions of won in investment disappeared into thin air.

‘It started from then.’

The moment CEO Bang Ki-chul began to treat every trainee in the company as a potential troublemaker, managing them as if he were breeding livestock.

Of course, looking back now, he thought even that was a kind of ‘justification’ for the CEO.

Seeing how he tried to make up for the company’s losses by squeezing the other kids in any way possible.

“As you instructed, CEO, they are already being strictly managed. Not just the dorms, but the practice rooms, the cafeteria, and even the rest areas. I’ve installed CCTVs along every route they might take.”

Mid-sentence, Team Leader Bae Young-jun bit his lip hard.

Even as he spoke, a sigh escaped him.

— Installing CCTVs even in the rooms is too much!

— It’s the CEO’s order.

— Even so, this is……!

— What do those boys have to hide anyway! Just be glad I didn’t put CCTVs in the bathrooms.

It weighed on his mind, especially how irritably he had spoken to the leader, Jae-jun.

Still, it was unavoidable for someone receiving a salary.

‘I can’t even quit.’

Survival was the priority.

Considering his loans and the money going into his own children, he had no choice but to follow orders.

“That won’t be enough after all. Get all the contracts resigned.”

“Pardon? The contracts?”

“Yeah. Meet with the parents first. Tell them there have been many incidents lately, and warn them that if their kids cause trouble again, they’ll have to compensate the company for all the time the staff put into them.”

“T-To that extent?”

“To that extent? Did you see that girl Min Ha-ru and not think anything of it!?”

Team Leader Bae Young-jun squeezed his eyes shut.

Come to think of it, the CEO had just returned from being questioned by the police regarding that matter yesterday.

“Thinking about it gets me heated again. How on earth should I crush those girls?”

CEO Bang Ki-chul ground his teeth.

Naturally, ‘those girls’ referred to Min Ha-ru and Shin Hye-seo.

“They definitely have someone backing them.”

It wasn’t a suspicion; it was a conviction.

An injunction for a restraining order and a demand for a police appearance?

Unless she had lost her mind, would that weak-hearted Shin Hye-seo have judged and carried out such a thing on her own?

“I don’t know what kind of bastard is playing games with me…… but you messed with the wrong person.”

***

A problem, or rather a non-problem, occurred at our house.

“Vegetables, NO!!!!!!!!!!!”

It was because Seol-i would practically go into convulsions whenever she saw anything green on the dining table.

“Seol-i. You have to eat your vegetables for a balanced diet.”

“No no no no no no no.”

……Seol-i, your neck is going to snap at this rate.

Mother already had a look of half-resignation on her face.

“Uncle!!!!!!!!”

Seol-i immediately ran over and threw herself into my arms from across the table.

It seemed she really hated vegetables that much.

“Sigh. Who does she take after to be such a picky eater?”

“Who else would she take after? She’s just like your son, Hyuk.”

“Did I give birth to him alone? You provided the seed!”

“Did such a thing happen? I can’t even remember anymore.”

“I’m sure you can’t. In all my life, I’ve never seen a man lose his spark before even hitting forty.”

“Hey! This woman says the most inappropriate things in front of the child!”

“Goodness. What sins did I commit in my past life…….”

……Mother, Father.

Because of that, I’m actually more worried.

‘Stamina is probably influenced quite a bit by genetics.’

Do I need to start eating wild yam every morning too?

Anyway, from that point on, our family’s concern began.

The worry of how to get Seol-i to eat her vegetables…….

“Shall we make a bet!?”

As if seizing the opportunity, Min Ha-ru, who had been quietly eating, jumped in.

“Granting a wish to the person who gets Seol-i to eat vegetables!”

“Ho?”

Father immediately showed interest.

“Then, if I win, will you sing for me again?”

“Oh, of course! From old classics to trot! I’ll sing whatever you want!”

Father.

Your smile is going to reach your ears at this rate.

“Still, making a bet using a child is a bit…….”

“Mother. I have some department store gift certificates piled up that I don’t use.”

“……Does a bet really matter? Our Seol-i’s health is what’s important.”

Eventually, even Mother was swayed.

“But then, what should we put on the line?”

“Getting to play with Seol-i every day……! No, that’s not it.”

Ha-ru.

I think your true feelings just slipped out.

“E-Extending the stay!?”

Oh.

You used your head this time.

Since my mother wouldn’t want to just take the gift certificates for nothing, she’d probably accept this condition reluctantly.

‘Besides, the longer they stay, the more they can see Seol-i.’

Quite clever, indeed.

“Then, if I lose, I’ll take charge of the kitchen for a week.”

“You’ll cook for us personally!?”

“Yes.”

“I love that!”

Min Ha-ru, who was already deeply in love with my cooking, shouted loudly.

“It would be great for us if you helped out with the work.”

My parents didn’t seem to have any complaints either.

But here’s the thing.

‘I’m going to win this bet anyway.’

The moment the meal was over, I let out a villainous laugh.

I headed straight for the fields.

“Snowflakes. Assemble.”

Snap, snap, snap!

The Snowflakes swarmed toward me in an instant.

— What is it, what is it?

— Are you going to play with us?

— So happy!

I felt it every time, but these little guys followed me so well.

“Listen. The snowman you made last time. Could you make something like that visible to others too? It would be even better if it were in a different shape.”

I realized it when the natural thin ice formed on the alcohol.

That maybe this was possible.

And then.

Nod, nod, nod.

“!”

Sure enough, didn’t the Snowflake wearing the Santa hat nod its head vigorously?

“Really?”

— Ice!

They spoke without context, but I understood perfectly.

It roughly meant they needed ice.

“Wait here!”

I immediately ran toward my destination.

Fortunately, it was close to home.

“Mr. Ho-jae!”

“Hmm……?”

It was Mr. Jang, the only person in the neighborhood who sold commercial ice.

“Seo-jun? How long has it been?”

“We met during the holidays the year before last, so it’s been about two years?”

“And you’re acting so bold despite that?”

“I’m sorry! I’ll give you a proper greeting later! More importantly, could I possibly get some of those large blocks of ice used in places like slaughterhouses?”

Mr. Jang immediately tilted his head.

“Why would you need something like that?”

“Something came up!”

“How big?”

“The bigger, the better.”

“Hmm. Then it’ll have to be a master block…… Since it’ll be hard for you to carry yourself, I’ll bring it over in a bit.”

“Thank you. How much is it?”

“Forget the money.”

At that moment, Mr. Jang crept closer to me.

“Just give me one legal consultation.”

Pardon?

“So suddenly?”

“A relative of someone I know, you see. A big worry cropped up for him recently.”

It was the usual setup, indicating it was either about himself or someone very close.

“What kind of worry is it?”

“The guy is a divorcee, and at the time, the mother took custody of their only child.”

Again, this was the common case.

My Seol-i was a very exceptional exception.

“And?”

“For some reason, now that several years have passed since the divorce, the child says he wants to live with his father. Is it possible to change the custodial parent in a case like this?”

Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since Mr. Jang got divorced.

“How old is the child?”

In cases like this, the age of the child was important.

Usually, if they were over 13, the child’s wishes were heavily reflected.

“He’s in the ninth grade.”

I nodded.

“In Article 900, Paragraph 3 of the Civil Act, there is a provision that states, ‘The designation or change of the person with parental authority shall be decided by considering the welfare of the child as the top priority.'”

“Oh? T-Then?”

“The court’s judgment will be necessary, but if the child is a middle schooler, it might be possible.”

In fact, there was a case where a middle school son ran away from home after an argument with his mother and lived with his divorced father for several months.

At that time, the court also recognized the change in custody, stating that ‘the environment the child desires is psychologically stable.’

“T-Thank you so much, Seo-jun!”

Immediately, Mr. Jang’s expression brightened up.

“……Sir.”

“Yes?”

Trailing off, I quietly gazed into his eyes.

“When you come to deliver the ice…… stay for a meal before you go.”

***

Over the past few days, Shin Hye-seo had become noticeably brighter.

“Hello, Prosecutor.”

Late afternoon.

Like the burning sunset, Shin Hye-seo greeted me with a warm smile.

‘Fortunately, it seems her emotions have been settled to some extent.’

It appeared that my measures had been quite helpful.

[Indiscriminate forced investigation and leaking by the police targeting a celebrity. Where has the principle of presumption of innocence gone?]

[Evil practices, yet again. Have the police already forgotten the late actor Lee Ji-hoon? This time, the target is top star Shin Hye-seo.]

└ No, you damn dog cops. Seriously, stop already.

└ Is being famous a crime? They’re trying to kill someone again just for their performance record.

└ Didn’t they say they’d prepare relevant laws after the Lee Ji-hoon incident? Director Bong’s celebrity human rights group is constantly speaking out, so why is there still no news?

└ Do you think the police and prosecutors would give up such a delicious honey pot?

└ Sister. Don’t think bad thoughts, and hang in there!

Public opinion had already completely turned to Shin Hye-seo’s side as well.

However, was it because of that?

“I think I was mistaken all this time.”

“Pardon?”

“I thought that even if I had complaints, sticking with a partner I’ve once teamed up with until the end was loyalty and etiquette.”

Shin Hye-seo continued her words calmly.

With an expression as if she had made a major decision.

And as expected.

“I’m planning to completely cut ties with the company this time.”

This shouldn’t be taken literally.

In other words, this meant…….

“Are you planning to liquidate your shares in the company?”

Shin Hye-seo’s eye smile deepened.

“Yes. CEO Bang will probably like it. Ever since the company grew to a certain size, he’s been looking for any opportunity to kick me out.”

“And you’re okay with that, Ms. Hye-seo?”

This time, Shin Hye-seo smiled widely, showing her teeth.

“Of course I’m not okay with it!”

“……?”

“Do you know how much I’ve done for the company until now! I didn’t work this hard, splitting up my limited time, just to see such filthy behavior. When I think about having to leave the company just because of one wicked CEO like that, fire still rises up inside me!”

It seemed she had quite a lot suppressed.

“So, I’m going to get a very high price from CEO Bang. Even if he curses and says it’s a rip-off, I won’t even blink an eye. And…….”

The next words were the real ones.

“……I want to create my own company that smells like humans, one that prioritizes people over money.”

“!”

I wondered why she was staying cooped up in her room; it seemed she had been having these thoughts all along.

From my perspective, it felt like I was witnessing a very significant first step.

“Of course you’re taking me with you, right!?”

At that moment, a new voice broke in from right behind us.

“……Ha-ru. Weren’t you sleeping?”

“I woke up quite a while ago.”

“You sleep a lot. You’ve been sleeping for exactly three hours every single afternoon without fail…….”

“There are days like this too, I guess.”

At that nonchalant answer, I squinted my eyes.

Come to think of it, the direction she was coming from was also quite suspicious.

“But, I guess Seol-i sleeps more than I do. Is it because she’s still young?”

As expected, that was her goal.

“Anyway, take me too! No, take everyone who likes you! That’s loyalty!”

“W-Would that be okay?”

“Of course!”

This time, I stepped in between them.

“Then, why don’t we set a condition when selling the shares?”

“!”

“!”

The two women immediately showed interest.

“How?”

“We add a special agreement like this to the contract. For example, any celebrity who wishes to leave with the former executive will be allowed to do so ‘without any penalty fees.'”

Without anyone going first, both women’s faces darkened.

“Would CEO Bang accept such a condition?”

“Well…… I also think that might be difficult.”

“He will accept it.”

I answered confidently.

I had even scammed a chaebol greater than him; dealing with a mere thug like that would be easy.