Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 727: Tie (4)

Currently, the staff opposing Jang So-Yeon's recruitment included those in Actor Division 1 made up of former Suhyaejong talents, and Actor Division 5, Singer Division 3 and 4 from Gwanwoo Entertainment.

They claimed that bringing her in during such a sensitive time, right before the company's IPO, could pose a major risk. However, the real reason was far more selfish: they were worried the value of their employee stock shares might drop.

As someone who had built Hoop Entertainment from the ground up, I found it absurd. I nearly flipped the meeting room table right then and there, but there was something I had to do first.

I turned to calm Jang So-Yeon, who had gone pale. "So-Yeon, don't worry. This company's always been full of people who oppose anything I do. That's just how it is here."

Gu Seong-Cheol, who had brought the news, suddenly looked sheepish. "Ahem. I probably shouldn't have said all that." He cleared his throat and added, "Ms. So-Yeon, Chief Jung will handle everything. And trust me, he's not the kind of man who abandons people. You have nothing to worry about."

Just then, Ju Yung-In chimed in. "So-Yeon. Even if you don't trust anyone else, you can believe these two. And if worst comes to worst, don't worry. I'll bring you into JU Entertainment myself."

If Hoop Entertainment turned Jang So-Yeon away, Ju Yung-In was ready to sign her herself.

Jang So-Yeon seemed a bit calmer now, though her eyes still looked confused as she turned to Ju Yung-In. "Unnie... why are you going this far for me?"

Ju Yung-In gave a soft chuckle. "I've never seen Yoon-Ho oppa fail at anything. That means you must be a jackpot."

"What does that even..."

"There's no point in explaining it now. You'll get it once you experience it."

Ju Yung-In was being unusually sweet today. It looked like I owed her two eggs in her ramen.

I nodded in agreement. "Yung-In's right. As long as you don't get into any bullying or drinking scandals, I'll never drop you. Just wait a little longer. I'll be right back."

Tears welled up in Jang So-Yeon's eyes. "Thank you, oppa."

What Jang So-Yeon needed more than anything was trust and care, considering her low self-esteem. So unlike the past timeline, I would make sure she never fell into alcoholism again. I was determined to help her rewrite her fate and live a real life.

After asking Ju Yung-In to keep an eye on Jang So-Yeon a bit longer, I headed to the meeting room.

It was time to deal with the ones trying to block Jang So-Yeon.

***

In a back alley just outside Hoop Entertainment, Jang Bok-Gil climbed into the back seat of a parked van, then slammed his fist into the headrest of the front seat.

Thud!

"Fuck! How the hell did that talent agent know all of that?"

In the driver's and passenger seats, Lee Tae-Jin and Oh Man-Seok turned their heads. "What did he say?"

"He knew we were taking kickbacks from gangsters. He said he's handing the evidence to Internal Affairs."

Lee Tae-Jin and Oh Man-Seok cried out in panic.

"You just let him say that?!"

"Shit, that means we're screwed, doesn't it?"

As the two raised their voices, Jang Bok-Gil exploded. "I'll handle Internal Affairs! Don't worry about it. The guy running that audit? He's an old friend of mine."

Only then did Lee Tae-Jin and Oh Man-Seok finally let out a breath of relief.

Jang Bok-Gil calmed them down, then fell into thought. "More than anything, that brat So-Yeon thinks she can betray her father like this? I stop hitting her for a while and now she thinks she can act out? Goddamn!"

From the driver's seat, Lee Tae-Jin cautiously replied. "Sir... that Jung Yoon-Ho guy—he's really handsome. What if So-Yeon just fell for his looks?"

Oh Man-Seok shot him a look. "Seriously? That's your theory? She probably took this as her chance to get away after all the beatings and abuse. Who wouldn't?"

Jang Bok-Gil growled furiously. "Fuck. Whatever the reason, you think I'm just going to let her go? Once she steps out of that building, I'm dragging her back and reprogramming her ass."

Just then, he got an incoming call.

[Caller ID Restricted]

It could only be one person: President Yoo Kang-Seok of TNT Entertainment, calling from a burner phone.

Jang Bok-Gil didn't want to pick up, but he couldn't avoid it. After all, he had taken a lot of money to push this plan through.

"Hey, President Yoo."

Yoo Kang-Seok's voice came through, low and cold.

-Mr. Jang, how are things going?

"Hahaha, don't worry. Everything's going smoothly. Just remember our deal. You promised double the amount if this works. And taking So-Yeon in at TNT too, right?"

-Come on, Mr. Jang. You saw today who's backing us. A few bucks like that? That's nothing now.

Jang Bok-Gil already knew that Jinseong Inc. had invested in TNT Entertainment.

"Fine. Got it."

-Good. I'm counting on you, Mr. Jang.

Click.

Yoo Kang-Seok hung up without waiting for a reply. Seething, Jang Bok-Gil slammed his fist into the car seat.

Thud, thud, thud.

"Fuck! Goddammit!"

After venting, Jang Bok-Gil launched an app on his phone.

[Tracking in progress]

Jang So-Yeon's location came up as Hoop Entertainment.

'Jang So-Yeon. You really think I'll let you go?'

Unaware of the noose tightening around him, Jang Bok-Gil was already plotting his next move.

***

When I arrived in the sixth floor meeting room, every chief and team lead had gathered, including Kang Gam-Chan. Most of them had seen or heard about the lobby incident and wore grim expressions.

It was Kim Jang-Bi who spoke up first. "Chief Jung, I heard the girl's parent showed up and made a huge scene. Why would you bring in someone like that and cause all this trouble?"

"Someone like that? What do you mean by that?"

"Her so-called father said the girl you brought in is unstable, drinks, and has sticky fingers."

He was clearly parroting the nonsense Jang Bok-Gil had shouted earlier. However, rumors like that had to be shut down immediately.

"No, that's completely wrong. The man claiming to be her father is a corrupt cop. He's not even her biological parent. He was exploiting her, forcing her to work and bring him money. Oh, but I hope there's no misunderstanding. I'm not saying she was sent to VIP lounges or anything. She was working part-time at convenience stores and wherever else he could make her work."

Murmurs spread through the room. Even if it wasn't the scandal Kim Jang-Bi had implied, the reality was still troubling.

Then Kang Ji-Yung spoke up. "Even so, it's concerning. We're so close to going public. Isn't it risky to take in someone like that? And the fact that her father is the chief detective at Gangnam Police Department makes things even trickier."

The fact that someone on my side—Kang Ji-Yung—was saying this out loud showed how serious the situation had become. Because everyone here had invested in employee stock, they were terrified something would blow up and sink the company's valuation.

I scanned the room in silence. I could read them easily: Some just wanted to see me fall, while others were simply afraid. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Aside from Actor Division 2 and Division Jung, everyone else was against bringing Jang So-Yeon in. However, I didn't care how many stood in my way. I had no intention of backing down. A talent like Jang So-Yeon didn't come around often.

More importantly, I had no intention of letting Jang So-Yeon's life fall apart again like it had in the previous timeline. That was the reason I had come back.

I explained, "There's nothing to worry about. Also, So-Yeon has everything it takes to succeed. Please trust me and give her a chance."

Kim Jang-Bi scowled and shot back. "I heard from security that she showed up here looking like a damn vagrant. And you're telling me a girl with that many issues never got into fights at school? Never stole anything? If something like that surfaces, do you have any idea what that'll do to our IPO?"

"I'll take full responsibility."

"What a joke. You think a mere chief can shoulder the fallout if the IPO tanks?"

I had already heard Jang So-Yeon's full story, and I also had Lee Soo-Chan run a thorough background check. On top of that, the matter of her father had been reported to the prosecution. Everything had been triple-checked and I was confident there wouldn't be any scandals.

"I can and will take responsibility. After all, So-Yeon isn't that kind of person," I answered firmly.

Kim Jang-Bi gritted his teeth and was about to argue again when Gu Seong-Cheol from the Actor Division 2 spoke up in my defense.

"Why is everyone being so negative? Has Chief Jung ever failed at anything he's promised?"

Silence fell. No one could deny it since what he said was true.

"And when did our company start gatekeeping backgrounds? As long as someone's got potential and isn't rotten, we've always brought them in. But now what? Just because your stock's on the line, you're all letting greed blind you? If that's how you feel, quit your jobs and go become full-time stock traders, yeah?"

Gu Sung-Cheol's voice rang loud through the room. A few people turned red and began to reconsider. If they weren't planning to leave the company anytime soon, siding with me—the one most likely to succeed—was the logical move.

Still, I had to lay down an even stronger card. I looked straight at every employee opposing Jang So-Yeon's recruitment and said in a clear tone.

"If you're that anxious about So-Yeon, just transfer your employee shares to me. I'll personally buy them with my own funds. And I'll even pay a 10% premium."

They hadn't expected me to go that far. I saw their expressions start to shift. Seeing that, Gu Seong-Cheol and the team leads from the Actor Division 2 and Division Jung joined in with smirks.

"That sounds like a great plan. Seriously, if you're that worried, just sell your shares to us."

"I'll take a hundred million won's worth."

With my trusted team backing me, the conclusion came swiftly. No one else said a word.

Finally, Kang Gam-Chan glanced around the room and scolded them. "Does anyone here want to hand their shares to Chief Jung? Raise your hand."

When no hands went up, Kang Gam-Chan smiled.

"Good. Then I'll take it as no one objects to Chief Jung's decision." Kang Gam-Chan then raised his voice as he delivered the final word. "From this moment on, Jang So-Yeon is officially one of our celebrities. This matter is closed."

Kang Gam-Chan's deep, commanding voice filled the room. Then he looked over at me and gave a proud nod.

'Well done, Yoon-Ho.'

***

As soon as the meeting ended, I went to the president's office and told him the truth about TNT Entertainment having orchestrated this whole mess and that they had used Jang Bok-Gil to try to destroy me.

Kang Gam-Chan trembled with rage. "They tried to pull that using a girl who's already been through hell?"

"Yes."

"I swear I'll crush them right now!"

Kang Gam-Chan looked ready to retaliate immediately, but I stopped him. "Wait. I've got a better way to deal with TNT."

"What do you have in mind?"

"At the Asia Global Conference the day after tomorrow, TNT is planning to announce Min Gyu-Ri as the new face of Louis' Batton's next campaign."

"And?"

"Instead, I'm going to make So-Yeon the model for Louis' Batton."

"You really think that's possible? Louis' Batton? You expect them to go with a complete rookie who hasn't even debuted yet?"

"Yes. I'll make it happen. No matter what."

Kang Gam-Chan paused, thinking it over. Then he let out a long sigh. "Alright. I'll wait until then."

"Thank you, sir. In that case, I'd better head down. So-Yeon's probably shaking right now."

"Go on, then."

I immediately grabbed the contract from Kwak Moo-Hyuk and headed down to the fourth floor. Just before I opened the meeting room door, a call came in from Lee Soo-Chan.

-Hyung-nim, I just sent everything about Chief Detective Jang Bok-Gil's misdeeds via Kk Talk.

"Thanks. And did you find anything more on So-Yeon?"

-No. Honestly, that girl's life has been really tragic.

Lee Soo-Chan explained that ever since Jang So-Yeon left the orphanage, she had been essentially left to fend for herself. Her mother worked at hostess bars most nights, leaving Jang So-Yeon at home to do chores and take care of her younger siblings.

Jang So-Yeon started working part-time jobs by middle school, but trouble seemed to follow. Apparently, male bosses at her part-time jobs began making advances as she got prettier.

"What?"

-Luckily, she always quit right away, so nothing ever escalated.

"Jesus. At least that's something."

-Her mom, useless as she was, at least picked a cop for her last husband. Too bad that turned out to be that bastard Jang Bok-Gil.

"This is just unbelievable."

-Anyway, he was forcing her to work all kinds of jobs, and recently tried to push her into becoming a trainee under TNT Entertainment. That's when she ran into you.

"Wait... how do you know all this?"

-Oh, the guys who tipped us off said Jang Bok-Gil spilled everything when he was drunk.

That settled it. Then there was nothing left to verify.

"Good work."

I ended the call and quietly opened the meeting room door.

Click.

Inside, Jang So-Yeon was trembling beside Do Ran-Hee, waiting for news. Ju Yung-In had apparently left for something urgent.

As soon as Jang So-Yeon's eyes met mine, I raised the contract in my right hand. "So-Yeon, are you ready to sign?"

At that moment, Jang So-Yeon shot to her feet and ran toward me.

Wham.

Tall at 174 centimeters, Jang So-Yeon wrapped her arms around me like a child. "Thank you, oppa. Really... thank you."

I gently patted Jang So-Yeon on the back as she cried. "You don't have to worry anymore. But first, how about we sign that contract?"

Jang So-Yeon wiped her tears with her sleeve and nodded. "Okay. I'll work really, really hard."

I smiled warmly, reassuring her. "Same here. This life... I'm gonna give it my all too."

"Huh?"

I had spoken without thinking, caught in the emotion of the moment. "Don't worry about it. It's just something I say."

We signed a two-year contract, including room and board, a 50/50 profit split, and a monthly stipend of one million won for living expenses. Jang So-Yeon barely read the contract before trying to sign, so I made sure to walk her through it first.

Just as she finished signing, my phone buzzed with a notification.

Buzz.

[Everyday V13]

[Notification: Jang So-Yeon has been registered as a managed celebrity under Jung Yoon-Ho.]

[Notification: A new schedule entry has been added for Jang So-Yeon on March 11, 2021.]

Everyday helpfully confirmed that Jang So-Yeon was now officially under my management. But alongside that, a new schedule entry had appeared. And what it said was completely absurd.

'Jang Bok-Gil. Are you out of your damn mind?'

I had already reported Jang Bok-Gil's corruption to Seo Jae-Ill. Normally, an investigation would take time to gather evidence, build a case, and secure a warrant. But judging by this new schedule entry, it looked like Jang Bok-Gil was practically begging to be thrown in jail tonight.

'Fine, Jang Bok-Gil. If that's what you want, I'll make sure it happens. You can spend the night behind bars.'