Meanwhile, at Gucci's headquarters.
The chairman of Gucci had impulsively bought a castle.
There was money from the Ultimate collaboration and the future profits looked promising, so he confidently signed the contract.
But!
A certified letter arrived for Alfredo Gucci.
It stated that despite the end of the contract with Ultimate, unauthorized additional quantities were secretly produced and sold.
Not only that.
It was written that Park Ji-hoon had taken on 50,000 units of inventory.
Below that, there was a clause stating that if Gucci engaged in illegal activities, they would have to pay a substantial penalty, which seemed somewhat unfair to burden Park Ji-hoon with.
"Bring me the contract!"
At Alfredo's bellow, the chief secretary quickly brought the file.
Regrettably.
The original contract clearly contained the aforementioned text.
"Is producing more stock illegal?"
"It's clearly a breach of contract…"
"Then you should have explained it properly!"
"I, I did explain it."
"What nonsense! I don't remember hearing it!"
Considering he was contemplating where to spend his earnings, it's 99 percent likely he heard it in one ear and out the other.
"Fine, let's say you did explain! Did you know about this clause? What did you do when I was told to print more inventory?"
"I definitely…"
"Should have grabbed me by the collar! Slapped me if necessary! You should have stopped it, you idiot!"
"…"
"Isn't that what you get paid a hefty salary for?"
No matter how much he raged, nothing would change.
Now it was time to address the problem.
"Penalty… Make a deal to reduce it. Park Ji-hoon has made enough money anyway…"
"Sir, I'm sorry, but the recipient of the penalty is Tennessee Grosvenor."
"What?"
Shocked, he reviewed the document and found that it was indeed the Grosvenor family who had sent the certified letter.
"It seems they've looked into everything from your secret Swiss bank accounts to your properties managed under aliases."
"How did they know it was mine!"
"It seems Grosvenor can do that."
Ha!
The fact they had checked all his assets meant he could be left with nothing in the event of forced recovery.
Shiver.
It was when Alfredo's body trembled thinly.
"If they can check the Swiss accounts, they can easily prove allegations of embezzlement and breach of trust…"
"My company, which I've run with love, what's wrong with that?"
"…"
By now, the answer was clear.
Step down from the CEO position before being disgracefully ousted. Negotiate with the Grosvenor side about the penalties and fines before getting hit. Dump the stocks that will inevitably crash at an opportune moment.
"What if the shareholders oppose my resignation?"
"Excuse me?"
"If the rightful heir of the Gucci family leaves, and outsiders take over the company, the shareholders will create havoc…"
"You don't need to worry about that."
"What?"
"No, no. I will handle it… That's what I meant."
"Make sure it's seamless. It would be troublesome if the shareholders hold me back and I can't leave."
"It will be a sea of tears, but I will manage somehow."
At the secretary's words.
"…"
Alfredo felt inexplicably gloomy.
***
A week later.
Though only a week had passed, quite a lot had happened.
Starting with the disciplinary committee.
The dean of academics, who had protected Carl Bernstein and demanded a statement from Mr. Devon, was fired.
With his accomplice ousted, Carl couldn't escape punishment either.
The committee decided to expel him after proving various allegations against him.
Was it because he shamelessly appealed?
Reports of his misdeeds had been competing to break first.
Amid rumors of having crossed Grosvenor, reporters felt no hesitation in hitting hard.
Given the circumstances, it was rumored that he couldn't even leave his house, let alone go to school.
In contrast, Ralph was taking a completely different path.
He admitted all charges, showed remorse, and reached an amicable settlement with the victim, resulting in a suspension from school.
Since the holidays were approaching anyway, it was a punishment with only symbolic meaning.
The school issues were thus settled.
Although Grandfather could have returned to Korea, he instead opted to go on a business trip to Italy.
He said he wouldn't be satisfied unless he toured the homeland of supercars.
The premiere of Capsulemon was also quite significant news.
Perhaps due to the consistent promotion, including serialization in Queensman.
Based on the first episode of the TV animation, it recorded the highest viewership ever.
Considering the achievements Capsulemon would accomplish in the future, it was a natural result.
"Still, it's quite satisfying!"
Now that the game release is just around the corner and the bread launch is also planned.
"Only good news."
While Capsulemon was progressing smoothly.
Redbull and Ultimate were also actively moving.
Starting with Dmitri from Redbull.
I had asked him to create the first TV commercial.
I only provided the concept of transitioning from a rugby scrum to the Redbull logo, but Dmitri tirelessly fleshed it out.
"But sir, where will this advertisement be aired?"
"It will premiere during the European Cup (now the Champions League) final."
"…!"
Because it's a rugby concept.
"Once the new uniforms are ready, we'll start shooting right away."
It's a huge project that pours a tremendous amount of money into advertising.
Wearing the collaboration gear from the finished Gucci project would be foolish!
Naturally, it makes sense to set up a new collaboration with Malencia.
Thanks to Faber's efforts…
Faber's nemesis Jo So-deok took on the responsibility of marking him… From design to production, it was all done in record time…
Hmhm.
Anyway.
After receiving the hot-off-the-press uniform samples!
We started shooting the Redbull commercial.
The cast included all the first-year players and a few from the second year.
Ralph was definitely included.
Ralph looked quite awkward.
It must be stressful to shoot an advertisement with the freshmen he had conflicts with.
Regardless!
Dmitri passionately explained the storyboard.
"When the scrum breaks, a camera will go on the ground. We'll shoot Ralph's face from below. The expression will obviously be important, right?"
Dmitri started directing the acting himself.
"When you feel the defeat, there's this really unpleasant feeling, right? A face that exudes all sorts of annoyance and regret! That's what you need to show. Got it?"
Ralph is not an actor.
Essentially an impossible ask.
"Cut! Cut! Cut!"
That's why there were continuous NGs.
I discreetly approached Ralph.
"Why are you making it so difficult?"
"Eh?"
"Displeasure, annoyance, regret. You just need to think of one scene."
"…?"
"The disciplinary committee."
There were rumors that Carl denied his own charges and pinned everything on Ralph.
Perhaps it was just thinking about it that made him so furious.
Red-faced.
Ralph's face turned bull-like.
"Standby!"
Dmitri, as expected, didn't miss the opportunity.
Thanks to his explosively genuine acting, Ralph's scene wrapped up neatly.
The following rugby scene was similar.
Since it was just about chasing the ball, it ended smoothly.
There was just one scene left.
It was Tennessee chugging down Redbull.
Since his good looks would do most of the work, he just had to drink.
"Cut…"
Dmitri seemed to find Tennessee challenging, speaking with extreme caution.
"It would be good if you could just do it ordinarily."
"What does ordinary look like?"
"Eh? Yeah, what is ordinary? Ha, ha."
Dmitri glanced over at me.
Like with Ralph, his expression seemed to plead for help.
If it's going to be like this, I might as well do it!
I approached Tennessee.
"We need to wrap up quickly."
"Where to?"
"Didn't you hear the Capsulemon game is out? They sent the final version, we need to check it."
"That's for me to…"
"Aren't you a shareholder?"
"What?"
"As a shareholder, you should responsibly help test it, right?"
"…"
"So just drink it like water. You like cola, right? I'll mix in some cola for you. How about that?"
Was it the cola?
Or was it thanks to Capsulemon?
Tennessee finally executed his part cleanly.
"Well done!"
That's when we finished the shoot.
A large shadow cast over me.
I looked up,
Huh?
It was Mr. Devon.
With all the media recently requesting interviews, how did this recluse end up here?
I immediately bowed my head in greeting.
"Teacher!"
"Is that statement true?"
"Excuse me?"
"That both Queensman and Ultimate are your works… is that really true?"
"My work? It's a joint project with Tennessee…"
"Then, the fact that you wore Ultimate all throughout training?"
Scratch, scratch.
"Is the re-release of the 4XL… largely for my sake?"
No matter what I say, he's going to think what he wants.
"Damn, the money I spent on feeding you pizza was worth it."
"I've always been grateful."
"Hahaha."
"Ah, and as you might have seen from the articles… I've been making some money… so from now on, when we eat…"
"Regardless of how much you earn, you're my student, boy."
"Excuse me?"
"If we eat together, I'm paying for life, got it?"
"Are you trying to look cool with that statement?"
"Why, did it work?"
"A little."
"Hahaha."
Devon placed his heavy arm, like a barbell, on my shoulder.
I felt my legs wobble for a moment, but I steadied myself.
"How did you even think of creating all that?"
"It wasn't just me…"
"Am I a fool?"
"Excuse me?"
"You must have come up with all the ideas?"
"Well…"
"Well, my foot!"
See. He doesn't listen to anything I say.
"If we're done here, let's go eat."
As you can see, there are quite a few people with the filming crew.
Today, I'll definitely pay.
But he had a face that said no chance.
"Should we invite those guys too?"
"Who else?"
"The Cambridge folks."
"Teacher… do you really hate money?"
"What are you going to do, sitting on it? You have to spend it when you have it."
Now he's giving me a lecture on economics.
Oh well, never mind.
We moved on.
***
During a lavish team dinner, Tennessee and I quietly slipped away.
The gathering had grown too large, so we left midway after paying our share, conveniently escaping.
We had a good excuse.
"We need to hurry for the game test."
"But are we doing that… in my room?"
Is that the worry?
"Come over to our room."
"Well, if that's easier, let's do that."
Pfft.
While waiting for the taxi, Tennessee, looking at the road, spoke to me.
"About Gucci."
"…?"
"I'm going to acquire shares at 60% of the fair price."
Considering dumping the stock in one go, 60% is quite a reasonable price.
"Am I a gangster? I'm not forcing anyone. Just moving a bit faster than others."
That's good.
Good, but.
The problem is… it's too fast, and the funds aren't ready yet!
Did he read my expression?
"First, I'll put in my money."
Tennessee continued in a calm voice.
"I'll buy it with my money, and later we can split it."
"Are you going to borrow from your father?"
"I told you. It's my money."
"You have money?"
"Wouldn't I?"
Well, he might have some.
But enough to acquire Gucci?
I wonder if it's okay to ask, but I'm curious, so let's just ask.
"How much money do you have?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"There's too much of this and that. I don't really know myself."