"I'll give you ten percent of Jinseong Hotel & Resort," said Chairman Jin Dae-Woon.

I couldn't help but be shocked at Jin Dae-Woon's words. Ten percent of Jinseong Hotel & Resort, with a market capitalization exceeding two trillion won, meant well over two hundred billion won by simple calculation.

However, what startled me even more was how much of Jinseong Hotel & Resort the royal family already held. President Jin Myung-Hee, currently suspended from duty, owned roughly twenty percent. And Acting President Jin Ah-Ram held about ten percent. Which meant that if Jin Dae-Woon gave me ten percent, it would be the same stake as Jin Ah-Ram.

The amount was so far beyond anything I had anticipated that I immediately turned to look at Jin Ah-Ram beside me. Her eyes were wide. She, too, seemed to have heard this for the first time. President Jin Sung-Joon wore the same expression.

In other words, Jin Dae-Woon had made this decision on his own without even informing his children. The chairman of Daechon Inc. had been the same, and now the chairman of Jinseong Inc. as well.

I had no idea why they were trying to force shares on me like this. However, there was one thing I knew for certain.

'Nothing in this world was free.'

And the world always expected more in return than what it gave. So I declined immediately.

"I'm sorry, but that's excessive."

"Excessive? For the first time in the history of the Yeongjongdo Jinseong Hotel & Resort, we hit full booking, didn't we? That alone makes it worth it."

"That happened once because of a broadcast."

"I know. But that one time is what matters. Someone who's done it once can do it again. Besides, didn't you promise to turn Yeongjongdo Jinseong Resort into a K-POP pilgrimage site? Consider this an advance payment for that value as well."

Jin Dae-Woon spoke as casually as if he were adding a plate of sweet and sour pork to a simple order of jajangmyeon. It sounded sweet as honey, yet it felt laced with poison.

"It doesn't seem right to assign value before results are proven. I'll accept the sentiment only."

That was when Jin Dae-Woon's smile vanished, and he stared at me coldly. "You truly intend to refuse?"

"To be honest, I initially thought of one percent. If I were greedy, perhaps three percent at most. Anything beyond that isn't my share. If anything, please give it to Acting President Jin Ah-Ram. She did the actual work."

Jin Dae-Woon's expression gradually turned icy. "You would brush aside a hand extended by me, Jin Dae-Woon?"

I answered without hesitation, "Mr. Chairman, I am not a Jinseong man."

"What?"

"If it's an order, please give it to one of your Jinseong employees."

Beside me, Jin Ah-Ram whispered urgently. "Mr. Jung, please calm down. Just say you'll accept it for now and handle it later."

I felt bad, but her shrewd way of doing things was not mine. Besides, I hadn't even asked for shares in the first place. I couldn't accept them under what felt like a threat.

Then Jin Dae-Woon spoke again. "Fine. As you said, you're not a Jinseong man. But you are taking Jinseong's money."

'Jinseong's money? Ah, he means my actors' advertising contracts.'

Sure enough, Jin Dae-Woon pressed the point. "If you refuse the shares, then our relationship with you ends here. And I cannot give my money to someone unrelated to me. In other words, we'll have no choice but to pull your celebrities from Jinseong Inc.'s advertisements."

Jin Dae-Woon looked at me arrogantly, as if to say, 'Will you still refuse?'

At that moment, Jin Sung-Joon spoke up urgently. "It's not possible, Mr. Chairman. Thanks to Chief Jung's celebrities, our coffee and ramen sales have skyrocketed! Replacing the advertising models is out of the question."

Jin Ah-Ram also changed her stance and tried to persuade Jin Dae-Woon. "Ever since Mr. Lee Tae-Poong and Miss Jung Yoo-Jin became models for our resort, overseas VVIPs constantly ask to arrange fan meetings with them when they visit Korea. Have you considered what would happen if Chief Jung's celebrities left us and went to a competitor? Especially if they go to Daechon! The damage to us would be enormous."

The two of them urged him to reconsider for Jinseong's sake, but it was useless. Jin Dae-Woon cut off their pleas with a sharp rebuke.

"Both of you, be quiet! I'm speaking as the chairman of Jinseong Inc., looking at the bigger future!"

Normally, as someone aiming to become successor, Jin Sung-Joon would have kept his mouth shut. But not this time.

"No. I can't. Chief Jung is my friend, Mr. Chairman!"

Jin Ah-Ram added, "Mine too!"

Furious at the unexpected defiance from his children, Jin Dae-Woon roared, "How dare you! I put you in high positions as the president and the acting president, and now you raise your voices at your father? Do you want to be thrown out of those seats immediately?"

Jin Dae-Woon's booming voice filled the room. Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Ah-Ram flinched, but they looked ready to argue again.

However, this couldn't continue. If it did, the two of them might truly be dismissed.

Scrape.

I deliberately dragged my chair back and stood up, drawing Jin Dae-Woon's attention toward me.

"You said to pull my celebrities from the advertisements first, so please have your lawyers send over termination documents without penalty."

I bowed slightly and turned away.

Step. Step.

Behind me, Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Ah-Ram called out urgently, "Mr. Jung!"

I pretended not to hear and opened the VIP room door.

Slide.

Just as I stepped out, two bodyguards who looked at least 190 centimeters tall, wearing sunglasses, blocked my path.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

The one on the left answered, "You may not leave without Mr. Chairman's permission."

I glanced back at Jin Dae-Woon. Judging by the way he was fuming, he had no intention of granting it. And Chief Secretary Seok Han-Joong, standing nearby, remained silent.

Well then, I had no choice but to push through.

I turned back to the two bodyguards and spoke calmly. "Move aside while I'm still being polite."

To my eyes, both of them were full of openings. Getting past them wouldn't be a problem. Not aware of this, the two bodyguards scoffed. When I let out a small sigh, they mistook it for hesitation and let their guard down.

In that instant, I shot my fists forward.

Tap. Tap.

In the blink of an eye, my fists knocked the sunglasses clean off both of their faces. If I had meant to strike properly, I could have knocked them out. However, I had no intention of escalating things. So I only took off their sunglasses.

"Wh-what was that?"

"Damn it!"

Startled, the two bodyguards stepped back and raised their guards.

I said, "If I had intended to hit you, you'd be on the floor. So let's not make this bigger than it needs to be. Just step aside. Please."

Gulp.

Both bodyguards stared at me, visibly tense. After all, they hadn't even seen my hands move.

That was when Jin Dae-Woon shouted from behind me. "Chief Jung!"

I turned my head and saw the flesh on his cheeks trembling.

"Why are you refusing? With that much equity, it's worth far more than your entire net worth!"

Just as Honorary Chairman Kim Bu-Ho of Daechon Inc. had failed to understand me, Jin Dae-Woon didn't understand me either. He didn't understand there was something more precious to me than money. And that in this second life, I had no intention of living according to someone else's orders ever again.

"I don't need your money, Mr. Chairman."

"Who in this world doesn't like money?"

With a calm expression, I pointed to my chest. "Someone right here."

For a moment, Jin Dae-Woon stared at me. Then, as if his insides were burning, he gulped down the tea on the table in large swallows. After a while, he let out a long sigh and forced down his anger.

Then, in a gruff tone tinged with irritation, he said, "Fine! I'll give you only up to three percent, the way you want. Just sit down and eat!"

"What... are you doing right now?"

Jin Dae-Woon grumbled in response. "What does it look like? I'm apologizing."

"Pardon?"

"You brat. Does an elder have to say 'I'm sorry' outright for it to count as an apology? Should I stand up and bow too?"

His sudden change in attitude left me unsure how to respond.

Jin Dae-Woon cleared his throat and said, "Even if the dignity of the Jinseong Inc. chairman has taken a hit, let me at least save face as the father of your friend. I'm sorry. I made a mistake, so sit down and eat. This is a request."

I never expected Jin Dae-Woon to make a request rather than an order.

At that moment, Jin Ah-Ram quickly stood and came over, grabbing my arm. "If you leave like this, it puts us in a difficult position too. Please sit down, okay?"

Jin Sung-Joon also jumped up and took hold of the other arm. "We won't be able to face you otherwise. Our father sometimes gets carried away like that, but he's not someone who holds grudges."

Jin Dae-Woon muttered, "This son of mine calling it 'carried away'..."

It was a little awkward. But if this was not the chairman of Jinseong Inc. speaking, but the father of a friend making a request, then I could overlook one mistake for the sake of Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Ah-Ram, who were important connections to me.

On top of that, Jin Dae-Woon had, in his own way, apologized.

"Then treat me to something good. If you do, I'll accept the apology," I said.

At that, Jin Dae-Woon snickered before suddenly bursting into loud laughter. "Ahahaha! I've lost. Lost. Fine. Alright. Order everything on the menu tonight. It's on me!"

It seemed Jin Dae-Woon's anger had finally subsided. In that case, I might as well push a little further.

"Then please pack some to go as well. I should take some home for my family."

"Pfft. You refuse the shares I offer, yet you happily accept takeaway food?"

"That's different from this, isn't it?"

"Fine, fine. Hahaha." After laughing for a while, Jin Dae-Woon turned to Seok Han-Joong. "Chief Seok. Prepare takeaway in every variety."

"Yes, Mr. Chairman."

Only then did I reluctantly make my way back to my seat. At that moment, the sound of a victory horn seemed to echo in my ears.

***

After finishing the meal, Jung Yoon-Ho held the bags of packed food in both hands and bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for the meal, sir."

Jin Dae-Woon smiled faintly as he replied, "Alright. Go and share it well with your family."

Among the tens of thousands of Jinseong Inc. employees, and even among his own children, not a single one looked him straight in the eye the way the young man before him just had. He couldn't even remember the last time he had shared a meal with someone who did not fear him.

Perhaps that was why a smile lingered on his lips.

"Oh, and you are accepting the three percent stake, right?"

"Yes. I may dislike unearned income, but I always make sure to claim proper compensation for work done. After all, they say labor is sacred."

"Very well. I'll make sure your sacred labor is properly valued, taxes fully paid, and then transfer it to you. Keep that in mind and wait."

Jung Yoon-Ho smiled softly, exchanged farewells with Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Ah-Ram, and left the VIP room.

Click.

The door shut.

Jin Dae-Woon turned to Seok Han-Joong. "Chief Seok, you can leave early today."

"Excuse me, Mr. Chairman? What do you mean...?"

"I'll be staying at the hotel tonight. Have the car waiting at the entrance tomorrow morning."

"Mr. Chairman, if something is troubling you, please tell me."

Jin Dae-Woon shook his head. "No. I'm going to have a drink with my children tonight."

"Ah..."

"So on your way out, send in a bottle of kaoliang liquor and some dried snacks. That will do."

"Yes, sir."

Seok Han-Joong bowed and left the room.

Click.

The moment the door closed, Jin Dae-Woon looked at Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Ah-Ram seated across from him and spoke quietly. "I wronged the two of you today."

Jin Dae-Woon's words startled them both, and they waved their hands hurriedly. "N-No, not at all."

"Don't say that. You even glared at your own father while taking that boy's side."

The two wore awkward expressions, but only briefly.

Shaking off the discomfort, Jin Ah-Ram asked casually. They were no longer chairman and executives now, but father and children.

"But why did you push him so far? If someone refuses, you've never asked twice before."

Jin Dae-Woon rolled his teacup between his fingers as he answered, "I suddenly wanted to see the bottom of someone you both care about."

The two tilted their heads. "The bottom?"

Jin Dae-Woon nodded and explained, "I have no friends. Or rather, the ones I thought were friends all coveted my money. And they betrayed me."

When Jin Dae-Woon succeeded, his friends began to change. The friends he once believed he could give everything to ended up trying to take everything from him. Each time he lost another friend, his heart hardened like stone. In the end, he cut them all off and grew ruthless, expanding his business alone. Time passed, and before he knew it, it was time to think about succession.

And yet, Jung Yoon-Ho, whom he had once considered merely a tool to assist his heirs, was clearly shaking the hearts of his two children. So this time, he decided to shake Jung Yoon-Ho instead. He was curious how the young man would respond to a gift worth thousands of billions of won—ten percent of Jinseong Hotel & Resort.

If Jung Yoon-Ho wavered over money like the friends of his past, he had been prepared to cut him off without hesitation. No matter how capable Jung Yoon-Ho was or how much his children needed him, the more capable a man was, the more dangerous he could become if he betrayed you.

But contrary to Jin Dae-Woon's expectations, Jung Yoon-Ho's resolve had been as firm as stone. If anything,Jung Yoon-Ho had seemed ready to throw everything away and sever ties with his children without regret.

Although Jin Dae-Woon had been briefly angered by Jung Yoon-Ho's refusal to move according to his will from beginning to end, the anger soon faded. In truth, he felt relieved that his children had a friend who would not waver for money.

"That's why I was worried Jung Yoon-Ho might betray you. The betrayal of a capable man hurts the most. That's what I feared. But I was wrong. Seeing that he wouldn't be shaken by that amount of money, he's not the type to betray over money."

Jin Ah-Ram pouted slightly. "You're only realizing that now?"

Seeing the dissatisfaction written across Jin Sung-Joon's face as well, Jin Dae-Woon nodded and smiled. "I'm sorry. And congratulations. You've found a true friend, something I never had. In that sense, I'm envious."

At his words, Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Ah-Ram began to smile softly.

Just then, Jin Sung-Joon cautiously asked, "Father. HK has started targeting Chief Jung. Can we continue associating with him and helping him?"

Jin Dae-Woon hated seeing Jinseong Inc. suffer losses more than anything. Nevertheless, he smiled at his son's question.

"If things get difficult, are you planning to abandon your friend?"

"No, sir."

"Then you already have your answer."

"Still, if we help Chief Jung, we might clash with HK, ranked twelfth in the business world. Jinseong could suffer unexpected damage. Is that still acceptable?"

"Where did that courage you showed earlier go?"

"..."

"If you've found a friend, then protect him no matter what happens. That's what makes a friend."

Jin Sung-Joon broke into a bright smile and bowed his head. "Yes, Father."

Jin Ah-Ram bowed as well. "I will too."

"Good."

With Jin Dae-Woon's approval, Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Ah-Ram firmed their resolve.

At that moment, the kaoliang liquor and dried snacks were brought in. After the glasses were set and the staff left, the door closed.

Jin Dae-Woon lifted the bottle and poured. "On a day like today, let's set aside our titles and drink as family."

"Yes."

"Congratulations once again on finding a friend."

"Thank you!"

Thanks to Jung Yoon-Ho, the three of them were able to spend time together not as chairman and heirs, but as parent and children.

***

Three days later, I arrived at the Hwaranjeon set in Gyeongju.

PD Oh Bok-Hee called out energetically, "Cut! Great work, everyone!"

As soon as Oh Bok-Hee declared the end of filming, the exhausted actors, drained from the continuous shoot, wiped away their sweat and stepped down from the set.

Yoo-Jin, the lead, had filmed nonstop for two nights and three days, and she staggered toward me like a zombie.

Holding the cue sheet in one hand, Oh Bok-Hee glanced at the worn-out Yoo-Jin and spoke to me with concern. "Chief Jung, take good care of our lead and send her back in one piece. Got it?"

"Don't worry."

After negotiations between Shin Jong-Ki, Hoop Entertainment, and MBS, Yoo-Jin's schedule had been split over the past three days—half the week at the Hwaranjeon set, and the other half at the She Was Beautiful set in Gyeongju.

"But wrapping by the end of May will be tight, won't it?" asked Oh Bok-Hee.

I nodded. "It will. But we'll cover any gaps with partial reshoots in June and handle post-production then."

"Yeah? Well, good luck. And... make sure you win. I don't want to see our lead lose. You know what I mean, right? She Was Beautiful is also coming out as an MBS drama."

MBS had freed up time because a drama version of She Was Beautiful was also planned.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin walked up beside us.

I quickly reached out and supported Yoo-Jin. "Good work."

With her eyes half closed, Yoo-Jin nodded. "Yeah. Even I think I worked hard."

I immediately played along. "That's right. Well done, Jung Yoo-Jin. Amazing, Jung Yoo-Jin. You endured it well, Jung Yoo-Jin."

The corners of Yoo-Jin's lips curled upward. "Oppa. Plus ten points."

Maybe because she was a huge fan of Project I.O.A, she was handing out bonus points I had no idea how to use.

"Uh, thanks," I replied. Then I supported Yoo-Jin and said to Oh Bok-Hee, "Mrs. Oh, I'll see you in three days."

"Alright. Good luck."

With her eyes still closed, Yoo-Jin replied, "Thank you..."

"See you, Miss Yoo-Jin."

Supporting the sleep-drunk Yoo-Jin as she mumbled nonsense, I headed straight to the parking lot.

"Yoo-Jin, let's get to the car and close your eyes for a bit."

With her eyes barely open, Yoo-Jin answered, "Okay..."

If she was this exhausted, I had no idea how she would handle the first shoot for She Was Beautiful later.

A short while later, we arrived at the parking lot. I opened the rear door of the Merciless Springer van and sat Yoo-Jin down in her seat.

"Get some sleep. I'll wake you when we arrive."

Without even responding, Yoo-Jin fell asleep instantly.

Snore.

I fastened her seatbelt for her, closed the rear door, and walked around to the driver's seat. But just as I opened the driver's door, my phone vibrated.

Buzz.

I immediately checked it. I thought it was a call from the She Was Beautiful staff ahead of filming, but the vibration was from a schedule entry alert on Everyday.

[Notification: April 21, 2021 – A new schedule entry has been registered for Jung Yoo-Jin.]

I instantly opened the Everyday app to check. And there, written plainly, was something absurd.

'She Was Beautiful's filming... indefinitely postponed?'