Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 731: Butterfly (2)

[Everyday V13]

[Date: March 13, 2021]

-10:00 p.m. [NEW. Jang So-Yeon]

<Entertainment Everywhere> Louis' Batton Accessory Brand [LVS.ACC] Campaign Model: Confirmed as Min Gyu-Ri of TNT Entertainment. (Other: Jang So-Yeon selected as a backup model in case of emergency.)

'After all this preparation, she's just the backup?'

That could only mean Yoo Kang-Seok had prepared something formidable as well.

'Does he really think I'll give up because of that?'

I was even more determined to make Jang So-Yeon the official campaign model for Louis' Batton accessories.

Just then, I heard murmuring from the brand executives seated in the first floor ballroom of Jinseong Hotel.

-Who's the girl with Chief Jung? I haven't seen her before.

-Seriously. Where does he keep finding these talents?

-That dress and those accessories... they're not bad at all. What brand is that? It looks like a limited edition.

Next to me, Jin Ah-Ram leaned in and whispered, "They're already reacting."

I nodded. "Yeah. Feels like the effort paid off."

Just as I hoped, the luxury brand executives were starting to focus their attention on Jang So-Yeon. With her striking looks and tall frame, the impact of that all-black dress radiated an intense allure.

Most people would have been nervous walking into a place like this, but Jang So-Yeon didn't flinch under the spotlight. She walked as if she was the true star of the room.

"Are you okay, So-Yeon?" I asked.

Jang So-Yeon lightly held onto my arm and whispered, "Honestly, I'm nervous. But I can do this. No—I will do this."

Her words carried power like a mantra.

I smiled. "Alright. Then shall we?"

"Yes. Please go slow though."

"Of course."

Our main target today was Ryan Kim, Executive Director of Louis' Batton, seated in the front row. However, going straight to him would be reckless. No matter how urgent the mission, it took patience to approach at the right moment when the other side was ready to notice.

I took Jang So-Yeon's condition into account and slowly escorted her toward the L.M.L table.

***

At the table reserved for L.M.L, President Lee Yung-Ah sat alongside her brand model, Yoo-Jin.

Yoo-Jin stood out more than anyone else among the third-row domestic luxury brands, dressed in L.M.L's signature light pink two-piece. The outfit itself was beautiful, but what truly elevated it was the effortless elegance that Yoo-Jin radiated as one of Korea's top actresses. It made her clothes and accessories shine even brighter.

Lee Yung-Ah let out a small gasp when she saw Jang So-Yeon. "Mr. Jung, where do you keep finding these hidden gems?"

"I just got lucky."

"You know that luck is something I envy every time."

'Sorry, but it's the kind of luck you couldn't get without going through regression.'

"But is she a professional model? Her presence is no joke."

"No, she's an actress."

"Oh, I see. Then has she signed with any brand yet? If not, how about joining us?"

Lee Yung-Ah's interest in Jang So-Yeon was clear. But this time, I couldn't let her have her.

"Are you seriously eyeing someone else while Yoo-Jin's right here?"

"Oh, come on~ Miss Yoo-Jin is and will always be our main model. But if we launch a new brand, I think it's definitely possible. With you managing her, success as an actress is practically guaranteed. We'll treat her like royalty."

"I'm sorry, but that won't be possible this time."

"Really?"

Lee Yung-Ah looked disappointed, then offered her well wishes anyway.

Just then, Yoo-Jin, who was seated beside her, looked at Jang So-Yeon and asked gently, "So-Yeon, how's your foot?"

Last night, Yoo-Jin visited Jang So-Yeon in the hospital and showed her footage from past L.M.L shows, including their main brand showcase and the Black Label trunk show. She shared her experience on the runway along with tips and insights. Since actresses weren't professional models, Yoo-Jin had told her what mattered was not perfect technique but unique presence.

Thanks to that, Jang So-Yeon was now projecting her charisma like a top model.

"It's fine. It doesn't hurt at all."

However, Yoo-Jin instantly caught the lie with her sharp eyes. Still, she didn't call it out. Instead, she offered support.

"Just get through today. If you do, you'll be able to bring your siblings back just like you wanted."

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course."

Everyone else in the room might have been watching Jang So-Yeon with suspicion, but Yoo-Jin alone was cheering her on with pure intent.

Then, Jin Ah-Ram whispered quietly, "Mr. Jung, Ryan Kim's been glancing our way for a while now."

Our target had taken the bait. That meant it was time to reel in Ryan Kim, Executive Director of Louis' Batton.

"Alright. Shall we head to the Louis' Batton table?"

***

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Jung Yoon-Ho of Hoop Entertainment."

I ignored President Yoo Kang-Seok of TNT and reached directly for Ryan Kim's hand.

Ryan Kim, dressed in a white suit with his hair slicked back in a classic pomade style, was a Korean-Chinese-American who mostly spoke English.

"Everyone I meet lately keeps talking about you, Mr. Jung. Hahaha. I've been looking forward to this."

Ryan Kim of Louis' Batton said he had been hearing my name a lot in the Korean entertainment world and shook my hand.

"The pleasure's mine."

As we exchanged greetings, Ryan Kim wasted no time and asked about Jang So-Yeon. "And this lady is...?"

"Ah, she's an up-and-coming actress. I'm starting her off with modeling while looking for the right acting opportunities."

"Oh, is that so? She's so beautiful and commanding that I assumed she was already established. I'm Ryan Kim, Executive Director of Louis' Batton Asia."

When I translated for Jang So-Yeon, she bowed slightly. "Thank you for the compliment. I'm Jang So-Yeon."

Ryan Kim smiled broadly and shook her hand. Then something caught his eye as his gaze swept from the top of Jang So-Yeon's head to her feet.

"Wait... isn't that the new dress from our Monaco fashion show?"

"Yes. It arrived from Monaco just this morning."

"Wow~ That piece wasn't scheduled for Asia for another six months. You really managed to get your hands on it, huh?"

"A friend of mine heard I was meeting you today and recommended it."

"A friend? Who would that be?"

"Jason Cho."

"Oh, Jason? He doesn't open up to just anyone... You've got an impressive network."

Ryan Kim let out a low whistle. Yet even as he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on Jang So-Yeon's neck. And then, the words I had been waiting for finally came out.

"Excuse me... this crystal cross accessory is from our limited-edition set, right? Why isn't she wearing the necklace?"

As expected, the perfectionist couldn't resist asking.

I answered casually, feigning indifference. "It was hard to find accessories that truly matched this all-black dress. The necklace had already been lent out separately, so I had to go with what was available."

My excuse must have sounded plausible enough, because Ryan Kim paused in thought.

"Hmm. I see..." Then, deep in contemplation, he suddenly said something unexpected. "Gold matches black better than silver does."

"I'm sorry, sir?"

Ryan Kim smiled slyly, then turned to his assistant, Rachel, who was seated beside him. "Rachel."

"Yes, sir."

"Bring out the Butterfly."

Rachel blinked. "The Butterfly, sir?"

Like Rachel, I couldn't help being shocked. What Ryan Kim had just requested—the “Butterfly”—was the main item for Louis' Batton's upcoming accessory brand, LVS.ACC, set to launch next week. It hadn't even been revealed yet.

"Sir... Are you serious?"

Ryan Kim shrugged. "It was made to be sold anyway. Just bring it. I'll take responsibility."

"Understood."

Rachel bowed her head and left the ballroom. However, I wasn't the only one who understood what the Butterfly meant.

Yoo Kang-Seok's voice came out flustered. "Ryan, wait... isn't that the main piece for next week's show?"

Ryan Kim nodded. "That's the one."

"But we agreed Gyu-Ri would wear that piece at the launch!"

Ryan Kim simply looked at Yoo Kang-Seok. "Did I? When did I say I'd give that to Ms. Min Gyu-Ri, Mr. Yoo?"

"Don't play dumb. You promised! You said if we pre-purchased fifteen billion won worth of accessories, Gyu-Ri would be made the LVS.ACC campaign model!"

Ryan Kim let out a snort. "I said I'd consider it if Jinseong bought fifteen billion won worth of our new line—not that it was fixed. And seriously, Mr. Yoo, what do you take Louis' Batton for? You think fifteen billion won's enough to lock in a campaign model?"

Typically, when Louis' Batton launched a new brand, the expected annual revenue was around fifty billion won. So fifteen billion won, one-third of that, wasn't a small sum. After all, the combined total of pre-purchases I had secured through my white knights was thirteen billion won.

Only now did I understand why EveryDay had updated the schedule entry. And I also understood why Ryan Kim had called for the Butterfly.

'So this is how he plans to squeeze even more money out of Yoo Kang-Seok using me?'

I glanced at my phone to check if my hunch was right.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: March 13, 2021]

-10:00 p.m. [NEW. Jang So-Yeon]

<Entertainment Everywhere> Louis' Batton Accessory Brand [LVS.ACC] Campaign Model: Confirmed as Min Gyu-Ri of TNT Entertainment. (Other: Jang So-Yeon selected as a backup model in case of emergency.)

I was right. Ryan Kim was using me and Jang So-Yeon to create tension, just to push TNT into spending more. However, I hadn't come here to be someone's pawn. I was here to make Jang So-Yeon the lead.

"Mr. Kim. Since we're on the topic, I'd also like to express my intent to make a pre-purchase."

Ryan Kim's eyes widened in surprise. Yoo Kang-Seok was the president of an entertainment company, while I was merely a talent agent gaining some industry buzz. He clearly hadn't expected someone like me to bring up pre-purchase proposals.

"Unbelievable! So you really came prepared, didn't you? No wonder everyone in the industry keeps talking about you, Mr. Jung. My apologies for underestimating you!" Ryan Kim was practically bouncing with excitement when he asked, "Then... how much are you looking to pre-purchase, if I may ask?"

Just as I was about to reveal the amount I had prepared, Jin Ah-Ram of Jinseong Hotel & Resort stepped in. "If you have taken a liking to Ms. Jang So-Yeon, let me help make the decision easier. We'll match sixteen billion won. Oh, and for reference, Jinseong Hotel & Resort and Jinseong Foods are both in collaboration with Mr. Jung."

Originally, I had arranged for thirteen billion won. But Jin Ah-Ram had just tacked on another three billion won, making it sixteen billion won—one billion more than TNT's offer.

"Hearing such a generous proposal definitely stirs the heart. But tell me, Ms. Jin Ah-Ram. What exactly is your relationship with Mr. Jung?"

"Let's just say he's the one I trust most in business. Would that answer suffice?"

"Oh~ I see."

Just when it seemed like things were tilting our way, Yoo Kang-Seok's voice erupted, veins bulging in his forehead. "Wait a damn minute!"

Ryan Kim turned his eyes toward him. "What is it?"

"It's too early to make a final decision. We'll pre-purchase up to eighteen billion won."

'They're offering two billion won more than us?'

The moment Yoo Kang-Seok spoke, Ryan Kim's clever lips curled upward. "Well now, this doesn't seem like something we can decide right away, does it, Mr. Yoo?"

Yoo Kang-Seok snapped. "Come on, Ryan! That's enough! Eighteen billion won is more than enough to save face!"

Ryan Kim chuckled. "Face? Since when do we do business with face, Mr. Yoo?"

"What?"

At that moment, Rachel returned wearing white gloves and holding a small pedestal with a wooden case on top.

"Sir, I've brought it."

The case wrapped in black velvet and stamped with the Louis' Batton logo in gold gleamed with elegance.

Ryan Kim, clearly proud to have his brand's signature item in front of him, shrugged and said, "Looks like both parties are interested in our Butterfly. In that case... let's save the business talk for later. Right now, I just want to see Ms. Jang wear this masterpiece."

He was intentionally dragging time to build anticipation. And as much as it annoyed me, I couldn't blame him. If I were in his shoes, I would be doing the same. It was the perfect chance to maximize profits.

Click.

Ryan Kim put on his gloves and opened the case. Inside were three brilliantly crafted gold accessories shaped like butterflies, each glimmering under the chandelier lights of the ballroom.

"This is the Butterfly. It's set to debut next week on the runway. We're pricing the set at one billion won each." He introduced it with pride and held it out to Jang So-Yeon. "Ms. Jang, I think this piece would pair perfectly with your dress. Would you honor us by wearing it today for the duration of the conference?"

Jang So-Yeon nodded calmly as if it were only natural for the piece to be hers. "I'd be honored."

Despite the accessory set being worth a whopping one billion won, Jang So-Yeon showed no hesitation. Upon seeing her demeanor, Ryan Kim's eyes glinted with intrigue. He clearly wasn't expecting that level of poise. She had just demonstrated the kind of composure only found in top-tier actresses or models.

Ryan Kim nodded and turned to Rachel. "Rachel, help her put on the Butterfly. Store the current pieces in this case for now."

With Rachel's help, Jang So-Yeon switched accessories.

Then, Ryan Kim clapped joyfully like a child, unable to hide his amazement.

Clap!

"Bravo! It suits her beautifully."

The moment Jang So-Yeon dressed in her all-black gown adorned the golden Butterfly set, it was as if the room lit up from her alone. All mesmerized eyes were once again on her. Yet across the room, the scene sparked tension in the eyes of Yoo Kang-Seok and Min Gyu-Ri.

Now it really began. There was no way Yoo Kang-Seok would sit by and watch his model spot get stolen. As Yoo Kang-Seok's eyes widened with agitation, Ryan Kim's grin deepened as if silently urging for a higher bid.

Just then, Jin Ah-Ram leaned in and whispered into my ear. "Mr. Jung, President Yoo's clearly losing it. What are you going to do now?"

Jin Ah-Ram offered to contact her brother if needed to match TNT's bid with a twenty billion won pre-purchase. However, I shook my head. I had already prepared one last move in case it came to this.

"No, that won't be necessary."

"What? But if they invest more, we need to at least match it—"

At that moment, my trump card began walking in from the entrance of the conference hall.

"No... it won't be necessary. Now that they've arrived, Yoo Kang-Seok won't be able to raise the stakes any further. We've already won."