Chapter 39: A New Start

“Assistant Manager Hwang. Did you set up the meeting with the Goseong Ice Valley Farm?”

“Ah, Department Manager. I contacted them, but I don’t think we need to go there anymore.”

Department Manager Jang Hak-soo, who had been typing away on his keyboard, froze in place.

“……What?”

“Well, they were being quite indecisive and trying to feel us out. It was obvious they were just trying to drive up their price, so I told them to just forget about the whole thing.”

Department Manager Jang was so bewildered that he could only gape like a fish.

“Wh—What on earth are you……?”

“Isn’t push and pull important in business, just like in dating? Don’t worry! They’ll probably be the ones calling us first before long!”

Manager Jang shook his head.

No.

The Ice Valley Farm was not a place that could be handled that way.

Hadn’t he explained it kindly, even using specific examples? He had told him that even VIPs like high-ranking politicians were the ones seeking that place out first.

‘There’s a limit to how stupid someone can be……!’

Of course, he swallowed the insult.

This man might only be an Assistant Manager by rank, but he was a member of the owner’s family. How could a mere Department Manager argue with royalty?

***

“……And that’s how it happened.”

After hearing the whole story, President Hwang Hye-kyung gave a thin smile.

“I’ll deal with that piece of trash myself.”

“I have no excuses, President.”

“Forget it. Just give me the contact information for the Ice Valley Farm.”

President Hwang held out her phone. Manager Jang took it and quickly typed in the contact details.

“Here it is.”

“Ahem.”

Taking her phone back, President Hwang cleared her throat.

‘You should consider this an honor.’

Because of her idiotic younger brother, someone of her stature was calling him personally.

— ……Hello?

“Is this CEO Baek of Ice Valley Farm?”

— Yes, it is.

“Hello. I’m Hwang Hye-kyung, the President of Shinhwa Department Store. I’m calling because I have something to discuss regarding a supply contract with your farm.”

— Ah. I see.

“?”

For a moment, Hwang Hye-kyung thought she had misheard.

‘Ah. I see?’

Why was the reaction so dry?

Shouldn’t he be making a huge fuss about how honored he was? Nevertheless, she didn’t let her smile slip.

“I’m planning to give you 10 million won as an initial down payment…….”

— I’m sorry, but I’ve already signed a contract with another client for the entire remaining stock.

“?”

A deep furrow began to form between President Hwang’s brows.

“Excuse me, CEO?”

— Yes?

“We are Shinhwa Department Store.”

— Yes, I’m aware.

“And I’m the President.”

— I know that too.

“And you’re still not going to sign with us? Even if we pay the penalty for your existing contract?”

— Yes. I can’t engage in a double contract.

“…….”

Hwang Hye-kyung remained silent for a moment before quietly pressing the end call button.

*Vrrr. Vrrr.*

“Phew…… ha…… phew…… ha…….”

She followed it with a series of quick, deep breaths.

“……This guy, he’s really starting to piss me off.”

Finally calming herself, President Hwang swept her hair back.

“U-Um, President……?”

“Forget it. It’s just a farm.”

She waved her hand dismissively. It stung a bit, as if she had lost to Se-gyeong, but she tried to shake it off.

“Crazy bastard. He’s just a farmer at the end of the day…….”

Let him regret it all he wants. An opportunity like this would never come his way again.

*Vrrr!*

Just as she was trying to suppress her anger, her phone vibrated again.

“……Well, I suppose he couldn’t help himself.”

With a “just as I thought” expression, she checked the screen, but then she paused. The caller was someone completely unexpected.

— President! Have you been well?

“CEO Bang?”

— The kids I mentioned before are ready, so I’m calling to set up a schedule.

Hwang Hye-kyung’s hardening expression relaxed.

‘This is how it should be.’

Yes.

This was how people were supposed to act. Cowering and crawling even without being told. Offering up whatever was needed just to get in her good graces.

“Hmm.”

Her mood improved slightly.

— Aside from that, may I ask you for one favor?

“Go ahead.”

— You don’t have to invest right away, but I was wondering if you could withdraw the current investment from Prop Entertainment. I’m no longer there, after all.

Seeing him constantly whining over such pittance was both amusing and, at times, pitiful.

‘Is this what noblesse oblige is?’

Doing a small favor like this was a way to show her benevolence.

“Is most of our investment currently in the movie Prop is producing?”

— Yes, that’s correct!

If that was the case, it made sense why Bang Gi-cheol was acting this way. She had heard that the movie was a project Shin Hye-seo had been personally overseeing since the early planning stages.

“Fine. I’ll withdraw the investment. Of course, whether I reinvest that money with you or not will depend on how you perform, CEO Bang.”

— I will do my absolute best!

***

In the middle of dinner, Shin Hye-seo suddenly went outside with a serious expression and returned a few moments later.

“Hye-seo. Is something wrong?”

“……Well, an unexpected problem has occurred.”

Min Ha-ru tilted her head, a grain of rice stuck to her mouth.

“Hye-seo. Wut pwoblem?”

“……Can you not talk with food in your mouth?”

“Hehehe! She’s just like Seol-i!”

Even Seol-i laughed and pointed a finger at Min Ha-ru.

“She talks just like our Seol-i now!”

“I like it!”

“I like you too!”

“……You’re setting a great example for the child.”

Shin Hye-seo sighed as she watched them. At the same time, I couldn’t hold back my curiosity and asked.

“Is it the investigators or the former CEO again……?”

“Ah! No, it’s not that.”

Shin Hye-seo hurriedly waved her hands. She quickly continued, as if to clear up any misunderstanding.

“The investor told me they’re withdrawing their investment from the movie we’re currently filming.”

“……Is that even possible?”

“I just checked the contract saved on my tablet, and there is indeed such a clause.”

“May I take a look?”

I immediately took the tablet from her. And then…

“……Ah.”

There was certainly a clause providing grounds for the withdrawal of investment.

**[Article 25 (Grounds for Investment Withdrawal)]**

**1. If the following reasons occur, the investor may withdraw the investment already executed without a penalty.**

**1. In the event of a significant organizational change, such as a merger, division, or transfer of business.**
**2. In the event that one of the co-CEOs sells their shares or resigns from the position of CEO.**
**3. In the event of other management changes that have a significant impact on the investor’s interests.**

**2. In cases corresponding to each item in Paragraph 1, the company must return the full amount within 90 days from the date of the investor’s request.**

To reiterate, in an entertainment company, “people” are the core assets. Therefore, from the perspective of the ones receiving the investment, this wasn’t particularly a toxic clause. Could CEO Shin Hye-seo have ever predicted she would part ways with CEO Bang Gi-cheol like this when they signed the contract?

“Hye-seo! Do you want to use my money for now?”

Min Ha-ru asked after swallowing her food.

“You barely have any money left because you had to buy out CEO Bang’s shares.”

“……Ha-ru. Do you have 20 billion won?”

“……Huh? 20 billion?”

“The amount Shinhwa Group invested in us is 20 billion won.”

“…….”

Instantly defeated, Min Ha-ru slumped her shoulders.

“Th—then what do we do? If it’s our company’s project, you mean *The Time the Moon Sets*, right? That’s in the middle of filming!”

I stepped in at that moment.

“Let’s make use of the full 90 days. We can get a loan or find a new investor in the meantime.”

“Ah!”

The two women, who had been in a state of panic, immediately turned their eyes toward me. Their pupils were filled with anticipation.

“Would that be okay?”

“Of course. It’s clearly stated in the contract.”

Both of them looked relieved, as if they had found a sturdy pillar to lean on. At the very least, they had bought three months of time.

“The problem is what comes after that.”

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that, Prosecutor! As long as I have time, I’ll find a way somehow.”

“Whatever you decide to do, don’t you have to go back to Seoul first?”

“!”

At my question, Shin Hye-seo’s face darkened instantly.

Yes.

Who would willingly hand over that kind of money without even a single meeting? Especially since the production budget was as much as 20 billion won.

‘Realistically, I can’t provide that investment money myself right now.’

However.

‘……I could introduce her to a new investor.’

It wasn’t that difficult. I could provide that much help for someone in a similar situation to mine.

“Anyway, Prosecutor, please forget about what we just discussed. I’ll figure something out. It’s one of this year’s most anticipated works, so there were quite a few people who wanted to invest during the planning stage. I think I can just contact them.”

“I see. But while you’re at it, wouldn’t it be better to change the company name as well?”

The image of the company had already been tarnished by various scandals, including drugs. To clearly draw a line with Bang Gi-cheol while receiving new investment, it would be better to change the name.

“Actually, I’ve already thought of something.”

Shin Hye-seo gave a bright smile at my words.

“Since things have turned out this way, should we hold a ritual?”

“A ritual?”

“Yes! Don’t people usually pray to the gods, stick money into a pig’s head, and ask for success when they start a new business?”

……If that would provide her with some mental comfort.

“Let’s do that, then.”

***

That night.

A small ritual table was set up in the courtyard of the guest house.

“For your information, all the members of Revive have decided to stay with CEO Shin. Naturally, that includes me, Min Ha-ru!”

“……That’s good to hear.”

An awkward smile formed on my face.

‘Anyway, a ritual in the middle of the night is a bit unexpected.’

Usually, these rituals were held during the day when the sun was up, not at this hour. There was a reason for that. Traditional customs held that times with yang energy—bright energy—were more auspicious than the yin-heavy night.

However…….

“……Ji-hoon.”

“!”

The moment Shin Hye-seo spoke.

My doubt was instantly cleared.

“Ah…….”

Now that I looked closer, a smartphone was standing where the pig’s head should have been. Like a funeral portrait, the screen displayed actor Lee Ji-hoon smiling brightly.

“……So that was it.”

The night rather than the day.

The name of the deceased that could only be called out under this quiet moonlight. That name, which would have been quickly scattered and buried by all kinds of noise and bright light during the day.

“Lee Ji-hoon. Are you watching?”

It echoed quietly once more. If the deceased’s soul was still wandering the world, it was far more likely that a voice would reach him on a quiet night like this.

“I’m going to be a CEO who puts people first, above all else.”

The moon hung high and full. A cluster of stars shone brightly in the night sky.

*Whoosh!*

Beneath them, the cool night air brushed past us. It was as if a soul had finally found us.

“…….”

Everyone, myself included, bowed our heads with solemn expressions.

“Our new company name is…….”

Immediately after, Shin Hye-seo spoke again.

“……New Start.”

And so, she announced a new beginning in this peaceful countryside.

***

— CEO Baek!

It was the very next day when I received a pleasant phone call.

— The promise I made before, I think I can keep it next week!

The call came from my informant.

— The business circle meeting!

It was CEO Han Yu-jin. As soon as I received that call.

“Hye-seo.”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to go to a business circle meeting with me?”

“!?”

I was planning to kill two birds with one stone at this meeting.