When the golden doors opened, a banquet hall paved entirely in white marble came into view. Thirty large round marble tables filled the space, and at about half of them sat third-generation chaebol heirs of royal families, each accompanied by a partner.

But the moment I stepped inside, every single gaze in the room locked onto me.

"Oh, it's Jung Yoon-Ho!"

"Isn't that Jung Yoon-Ho? The one who's been famous lately?"

"Yeah. The young businessman who built up over a hundred billion won in shares from nothing."

"Young businessman? These days they call him a self-made young tycoon."

"I heard CK Entertainment and LT Entertainment are desperate to recruit him."

"There's even a rumor he's President Kang's hidden son over at Hoop."

"But how did he even make that kind of money? Is the entertainment industry really that profitable?"

"No. They say he's just different."

"Different how?"

"They say nothing he touches ever fails."

"Really? I was thinking of approaching him anyway. Good timing. I should exchange contact information after the party."

"You think Ha-Yoon will just sit back and watch? The way she's glued to him, she's already playing defense."

"Hey, just because there's a goalkeeper doesn't mean you can't score."

"You're bold. If it were only Lee Ha-Yoon, maybe. But I heard Jin Ah-Ram from Jinseong has been spending time with him too."

"Hah. So that bastard actually showed up."

"My father keeps nagging me, asking what I've been doing with my life that I haven't achieved even half of what that guy has. Now I finally see him in person."

"Mine told me not to come home unless I could make as much money as him."

"Why am I being compared to someone like that?"

'What is going on?'

The third-generation chaebols I knew were, in a word, modern-day aristocrats. If you weren't from the same royal lineage, they didn't even consider you human. And yet here, the female heirs were openly showing interest in me, while the male heirs revealed clear wariness. Both reactions were emotions they only showed toward someone of equal standing.

Only then did I fully understand what President Lee Ha-Yoon meant when she said I was the only one unaware of my own social standing. I had become someone the royal families themselves paid attention to first.

Beside me, Lee Ha-Yoon whispered, "You see now? This is how the third-generation royal families view you. Mr. Jung, you've become an asset worth targeting for the heirs of the business world."

An asset holder, a young entrepreneur, and a young tycoon were respectable titles, but they weren't the words I truly wanted to hear.

At that moment, a male staff member who had been waiting inside announced our entrance.

"Entering now is President Lee Ha-Yoon of Hayoon Entertainment, daughter of Vice President Kim Ae-Ryeon of Daechon Inc., host of tonight's party. Accompanying her is the second-largest shareholder of Hoop Entertainment, who reshaped the Korean entertainment industry, Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho."

At the introduction, a murmur swept through the room once more. Lee Ha-Yoon moved to lead me toward our seats. However, I stopped her.

"I would appreciate it if you could introduce me again."

"Pardon me?"

"Please introduce me as Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho."

"Is that really necessary?"

"Yes."

Lee Ha-Yoon looked at me as if she couldn't understand, then turned to the suited announcer. "Please reintroduce him. He is Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho, chief of Integrated Division 4 at Hoop Entertainment."

The male staff member also looked utterly baffled as to why I insisted on being labeled a talent agent.

Unable to defy Lee Ha-Yoon, the staff member reluctantly called out again. "Um... Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho has requested to be reintroduced."

The murmuring stopped at once, and everyone leaned in, expecting some kind of additional information.

Then the staff member raised his voice again. "He is Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho, chief of Integrated Division 4 at Hoop Entertainment."

Instantly, the expressions of the royal heirs twisted and the hall began to buzz again. As expected, they couldn't understand why I would choose to be introduced as a talent agent rather than as a major shareholder of Hoop Entertainment.

"What's with him?"

"Hmph. I don't get it. What's so great about being a talent agent?"

"Did we misjudge him?"

"Tsk. I guess class really is different... can't be helped, huh?"

Their whispers reached my ears, but I let them pass. To me, the title of talent agent was more precious than anything else in the world.

"So what happens now? Do I need to do some kind of initiation dance? I should warn you, I have two left feet."

Lee Ha-Yoon burst into laughter. "Now that the introductions are done, we just go sit down. We're the hosts today, so we're at the very front table."

Unlike the other chaebol heirs, Lee Ha-Yoon treated me without prejudice.

"Then let's go."

Escorting Lee Ha-Yoon forward, I walked through a sea of curious looks, disdainful glances, and openly irritated stares. Whispers followed us, but I ignored them. After all, I hadn't come here to earn their approval.

A moment later, we took our seats at the front table.

Leaning slightly toward me, Lee Ha-Yoon whispered, "Mr. Jung, you don't need to feel pressured. Once the others arrive, they'll present their gifts, exchange greetings, have some tea, and that's it."

I nodded calmly. "What's there to be pressured about? It's not like I'll be seeing them after tonight."

"Pfft. You're the only person here who talks about third-generation chaebols like that," Lee Ha-Yoon answered with a charming smile.

In response, several male heirs at another table openly frowned. Lee Ha-Yoon, along with Jin Ah-Ram, was considered something of an idol among the chaebol families, and many men had their eyes on her.

Nevertheless, I brushed off their wary stares. She looked pretty when she smiled, sure, but she wasn't my type.

'Hey. Relax. I'm not interested in her.'

Just then, the doors opened once more and a completely unexpected pair walked in together.

Clunk.

"Entering now are Ms. Hong Ah-Yoon, youngest daughter of the HK Inc., and Director Jo Jae-Kyung, collateral heir of the CK Inc.."

President Hong Ah-Yoon of HK Entertainment, who was currently locked in a fierce conflict with me, and Director Jo Jae-Kyung, nephew of the CK Entertainment chairman, who had once underpaid Director Park Sun-Jae during the production of Jiri Mountain, appeared together.

***

Step. Step.

Hong Ah-Yoon of HK Entertainment and Jo Jae-Kyung walked toward our table. Each of them carried a small bag. I was curious about what was inside, but what concerned me more was the fact that they had appeared together. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Jo Jae-Kyung was a prodigy director nurtured by President Son Hyung-Tae at CK Entertainment. He was also the one who had tried to withhold Park Sun-Jae's directing fee during Jiri Mountain and had suffered greatly at my hands because of it.

Thanks to CK Inc. mobilizing a massive law firm, he had avoided prison, but there was no way his resentment toward me had disappeared. And the fact that these two had shown up together could only mean one thing. HK Entertainment and Jo Jae-Kyung were joining forces on a project.

Soon, the pair arrived at our table. Without a word, they each placed their small bags on the auxiliary table beside Lee Ha-Yoon.

Tap. Tap.

"Tell Mr. Chairman I said happy birthday."

"Wish Mr. Chairman a happy birthday for me."

Lee Ha-Yoon lowered her head politely. "Yes. I'll make sure your gifts are delivered."

Just then, Hong Ah-Yoon spoke with a sly edge. "By the way, Ha-Yoon. Have your standards dropped that much? You brought a mere talent agent to a place like this? Isn't this where only royal family heirs or S-class stars are invited?"

Lee Ha-Yoon frowned. "Mr. Jung is currently the hottest figure in the content business sector. His standing is higher than theirs. You started an entertainment company yourself, so you should know that, unni."

"Who? Him? Pfft."

So she was trying to provoke me. It was so obvious that I didn't mind, but Lee Ha-Yoon couldn't hold back.

"Watch your words. Insulting my guest is the same as insulting me."

Hong Ah-Yoon raised both hands playfully. "Oh wow, don't be so scary. I'm very timid. Anyway, sorry."

After glaring at her for a moment, Lee Ha-Yoon asked, "I thought you weren't coming. What changed your mind?"

"Oh, I heard Chief Jung was coming. I had something I wanted to say to him." When I looked at her, Hong Ah-Yoon gestured toward Jo Jae-Kyung. "You know Director Jo, right?"

I nodded. "I know him well."

"He'll be working with HK Entertainment from now on, so keep that in mind."

It was just as I had expected. They had joined forces, and I was their target.

Jo Jae-Kyung curled his lips into a smirk. "Long time no see, bastard. And I'll be repaying you slowly for all the trouble you caused me."

His foul mouth hadn't changed.

"If you start directing again, articles about you withholding Mr. Park Sun-Jae's directing fee will resurface. Are you sure you're okay with that?"

Jo Jae-Kyung bristled. "I paid that money back, so it doesn't matter! And you think some stupid article can stop me from releasing a project? You really underestimate chaebols—"

At that moment, Lee Ha-Yoon cut him off. "Today is also a celebration of my grandfather's birthday. If you're not here to congratulate him, you may leave."

Jo Jae-Kyung clicked his tongue, brows furrowed. "Tch. Fine."

Hong Ah-Yoon, still smiling sweetly, asked again, "By the way, your partner. Did he bring a gift?"

Lee Ha-Yoon answered, "I didn't tell him what kind of event this was."

"Oh really? Then he can just buy some jewelry later and present it to Mr. Chairman. I hear Chief Jung's been making a lot of money these days."

'Buy jewelry? Present it to the Chairman? What is she talking about?'

Lee Ha-Yoon forced a smile. "Of course."

"Well, with Chief Jung's wealth, I'm sure he can afford something nice. I hear he's a young tycoon with assets over a hundred billion won. Surely that's not too much to spend, right?"

Jo Jae-Kyung added mockingly, "I've heard rumors that your shares are actually held under President Kang Gam-Chan's name. Why not avoid embarrassing yourself here and just leave?"

I merely let out a small scoff at the absurdity, but Lee Ha-Yoon was genuinely furious. "Jae-Kyung oppa! Do you really want to be escorted out?"

"Oops. Sorry. My bad. I'll stop."

Jo Jae-Kyung quickly turned on his heel and retreated to Hong Ah-Yoon's side. Soon, murmurs began spreading across the banquet hall as if others had overheard.

"Chief Jung's shares are under someone else's name?"

"No way. So that's what it was?"

At Jo Jae-Kyung's planted rumor, the room began to buzz. I had no intention of foolishly proving my shareholdings to this crowd. However, I couldn't simply let the part about buying jewelry slide. The fact that the two of them were smiling meant there was something behind it.

"Ms. Lee, what do they mean by purchasing jewelry?" I asked.

Lee Ha-Yoon barely calmed herself and sat down, waving her hand dismissively. "It's nothing. I'll cover the cost, so when the jewelry comes out, just say two of number 5 and two of number 10."

There was something subtly off about this conversation.

"If you don't tell me the truth, I'll leave."

Lee Ha-Yoon flinched, then let out a small sigh. "The Daechon Department Store branch Manager of the jewelry brand Bless, the one that held the show earlier, will come up and sell jewelry sets. The people here will buy a few sets as birthday gifts for my grandfather. Boosting Daechon's sales like that is the birthday present from the third-generation heirs."

'No way.'

If that were all, Hong Ah-Yoon and Jo Jae-Kyung wouldn't be provoking me like this.

At that moment, something Kim Dong-Soo had once told me before my regression came back to mind. There were certain chaebol chairmen who, when jewelry was purchased and presented to them, would have the jewelry company skim off a commission and secretly return the rest in cash.

In other words, it was a form of money laundering—a way to build a slush fund for the chairman.

I immediately leaned closer and whispered, "Is it a slush fund for Mr. Chairman?"

Lee Ha-Yoon's face stiffened. "How... Do you know that?"

'How would I know? Because I've lived it once already.'

"Then in those bags Director Hong Ah-Yoon and Director Jo Jae-Kyung brought, there must be something like bearer bonds."

Lee Ha-Yoon replied with an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you. It just wasn't something easy to explain. And those bags were sent by the parents of the heirs gathered here."

This meant no matter what I did, comparisons were inevitable.

"I understand. Then I'll handle it my own way."

Lee Ha-Yoon looked at me anxiously. "What are you planning? If you don't buy anything, rumors will spread immediately."

She asked with clear worry in her eyes, but I only smiled faintly without answering. If I was going to give a gift, I had something in mind that couldn't possibly be compared to theirs. And more than anything, I had no intention of simply following her lead after being invited to such an important event without being told the truth.

'At this rate, is Mr. Chairman going to show up in person?'

***

Yoo-Jin, President Jin Sung-Joon, Lee Tae-Poong, and Acting President Jin Ah-Ram joined our table. After the final guests entered, we enjoyed slices of premium cake and tea.

Soon, the branch manager of the jewelry brand Bless entered with five staff members. A long table was covered in luxurious velvet, and ten jewelry sets were displayed. Set number 1 was priced at 100 million won, and set number 2 at 200 million won. Each set increased by 100 million won, all the way up to set number 10, priced at 1 billion won.

Then the heirs began calling out their purchases.

"I'll take two of number 1 and one of number 3."

"Three of number 2 here."

Some selected five hundred million won worth, others up to a billion won.

Then Jo Jae-Kyung called out loudly, "Two of number 10."

Without missing a beat, Hong Ah-Yoon followed. "Three of number 10."

Even for third-generation heirs, those were not small amounts to declare so casually. Naturally, the room buzzed.

Hong Ah-Yoon smiled sweetly at me. "Chief Jung. How many are you buying? Hmm? Young tycoon?"

At that moment, sitting across from me, Jin Ah-Ram quickly spoke up. "Mr. Jung. I'll support you with 2 billion won. If an image sticks here that you don't have money, it could cause problems later when you do business. The people gathered here love to gossip. They'll spread it everywhere that you're broke."

Then Jin Sung-Joon whispered quietly. "He's right. Looking too cash-poor isn't good in business. I can add about 3 billion won more. Honorary Chairman Kim Bu-Ho always returns more than he receives, so it won't be a loss."

I appreciated their intentions, but I politely declined. From the beginning, I had no intention of participating in this bidding game.

"Thank you, but I'll handle it myself."

After telling the siblings I was grateful for the thought, I stood up.

"I won't be purchasing any jewelry," I said.

Hong Ah-Yoon let out a giggle loud enough for everyone to hear. "Oh really? Why, don't have the money? Want me to lend you some?"

"No. Instead, I intend to give Mr. Chairman a gift greater than the total amount of jewelry purchased by everyone here."

The amounts called out earlier already totaled close to 20 billion won. When I said I would exceed that, everyone stared at me as if I were insane.

Hong Ah-Yoon snapped first. "Don't talk nonsense! How could someone like you possibly give a gift worth more than everyone here combined? What, are you colluding with Ha-Yoon right now? Huh?"

Just then, the massive doors swung open.

Bang.

And the one person who supposedly would not attend, Honorary President Kim Bu-Ho, entered leaning on a cane, accompanied by Vice President Kim Ae-Ryeon.

I had suspected something was off. As expected, this entire event had been set up by Kim Bu-Ho himself.

'Welcome, Mr. Chairman.'

At once, everyone sprang to their feet and bowed.

"Mr. Chairman, how are you here... Ah, happy birthday!"

"Congratulations!"

Without responding to the greetings of the third-generation heirs, Kim Bu-Ho looked straight at me and spoke.

"I'll accept your congratulations later. More importantly, I'm curious how Chief Jung plans to give a gift worth more than everyone gathered here combined. What exactly are you planning to present to me?"

I didn't know what scheme he had in mind by summoning me here like this, but I might as well play along. After all, I had received quite a bit from Daechon Inc. It wouldn't hurt to give something in return.

So without hesitation, I began to name a gift that only I, a regressor, could possibly offer.

"My gift is..."