"What were you saying… Never mind, not important. How's hiring?"
Yoon Hye-na handed over the files. "These are the applicant resumes."
Lee Jin-woo flipped through them, heading to the elevator.
At the top floor, he'd finished.
All newbies, no seasoned takers.
"Get a headhunter. Poach some ready managers. Handle these as you see fit."
If he had to micromanage, he might as well retire.
"Yes." She nodded, glancing at Son Yoon-joo.
"Oh, and hurry on artist assistants. Newbies are fine, but they need responsibility."
"Also, redo the rooftop."
Put a billboard facing the street, looping artist updates.
The rest—two open stages, one for performances, one for runways.
So investors could better see the artists' skills and stage presence.
Really, it was for his own enjoyment, but he needed a good excuse.
"Anything else, President?" She noted it all.
"Yes…" Pointing to the sofa, Son Yoon-joo handed her a file.
"The person in there will report soon. Bring her up."
Stepping off the taxi, Lee Ji-eun curiously eyed the building. (tln: THE GOAT IS HERE)
From now on, she was part of this company.
But she was still clueless.
Entering, she saw the receptionist. What a pretty unnie.
"Hello, I'm Lee Ji-eun, here to… report as a newbie. Please guide me."
Checking the file, confirming her photo, Yoon Hye-na led her to the elevator, thinking, The president's taste changed fast?
In the office, Lee Ji-eun stood like a helpless doll, head down, meek.
Lee Jin-woo paced, eyeing the short, plain girl.
Who'd guess this tiny body held such power?
The future solo queen, a versatile genius challenging the music industry alone.
There'd be some fluff, but he'd squeeze it all out.
"Start controlling your diet. Wear heels from now on. Any issues?"
She shook her head like a rattle, her slightly chubby face adorable.
Made you want to pinch it.
"Dance, stage presence, control—train hard. Year-end… debut!"
She blinked, stunned.
What? Debut by year-end?
She'd only been selected three months ago—three months!!
"Got any original songs?"
"Eh? Yes, I do."
Seeing her bow repeatedly, he waved. "Relax, sit and talk."
"We're just starting. Only four artists. The other three debut as models, you're the only singer."
"So, you know your responsibility. I'm betting all my chips and resources on you."
Hand on her shoulder, he smiled. "Don't let me down, Ji-eun."
A mountain of pressure hit, her small frame buckling, legs nearly twisting her ankle.
"Don't worry, I'll help."
His warm hand steadied her arm, his confident smile easing her fears.
With the president's support, she could do it!!!
Shilla Hotel, Lee Boo-jin received an unexpected guest.
"Uncle, what brings you here?"
"To see my dear niece, hahaha…"
"Since you're here, here's the signed agreement. Please take it back."
Chairman Hong skimmed it, setting it on the armrest.
"Boo-jin, why help him? Something I don't know?"
Lee Jin-woo wasn't a stranger in their circle.
His choice to ditch the family business made waves.
Just when everyone thought he'd flatline, he stirred things up.
Lee Boo-jin's active help seemed odd.
"Jin-woo and I grew up together. Can't watch a friend fall."
Sipping coffee regally, she remained proud and confident.
"Aigoo, guess I, your uncle, overthought. Our Boo-jin's sentimental."
She smiled, clearly not answering further.
Hong didn't press. He got what he needed.
Unclear why she valued that family dropout.
But signs pointed to ties with the Jeonju Lee Clan.
Was it Lee Kyu's intent?
"Vice Chairman, Chairman Hong left with his people."
Hearing her aide, Lee Boo-jin said flatly, "He must've guessed something."
"Vice Chairman, betting on guesses—isn't that too risky?"
Her cards were finite; each play cost one.
Hong was a strong card. Was using it on Lee Jin-woo a waste?
"Besides him, who else has Chairman Lee personally inquired about, showing private concern?"
"You're right. I was shallow."
"Seems cut off from the family, but he's under the Chairman's watch.
And it's protective.
Heh… looks like our Chairman picked his heir years ago."
She spoke as if to her aide, but it was to bolster her own confidence.
One of her strongest cards, played on Lee Jin-woo.
If things didn't go as planned, she'd lose big!
"Oppa!" Bursting into the office, Lee Joo-bin raced to his familiar embrace.
Hugging him, she beamed. "Is it true? Really?"
She was now his artist—awesome!
"Stand properly. No 'oppa' here, only President." He kept a straight face.
She grinned playfully, standing tall. "Yes, President."
Winking cutely, sticking out her tongue, she wasn't scared.
Ignoring her, he waved to Han So-hee at the door. "Come in, don't just stand there."
Han So-hee entered, staring at him, dazed.
Everything changed so fast. She was SM's reserve just before.
Now, part of a new company…
What? She didn't know.
Her fate was in this man's hands.
Maybe his bond with Lee Joo-bin could help them.
"Let me introduce Yoon Hye-na, company representative, fully handling entertainment operations."
Yoon Hye-na, stunned for two seconds, poised her hands at her waist, bowing to greet them.
"Lee Joo-bin, Han So-hee, set to debut as actors… Rep Yoon, I want the company on track soon."
"Yes, President. Hiring will wrap in two days. Everything will be ready."
"Hm." He paused. "You all have places to stay?"
Son Yoon-joo could go home, same for Lee Joo-bin and Han So-hee, staying in company dorms during training.
"Turn the sixth floor into dorms, done before training. Any issues?"
Catching his gaze, Yoon Hye-na nodded. "No problem, President."
"Good. You can go for now. Son Yoon-joo, don't forget your schedule.
We'll get cars soon. For now, handle transport and expense it to Rep Yoon."
"Okay, President." Son Yoon-joo stood, smiling, more proactive than before.
Newcomers Lee Joo-bin and Han So-hee posed a huge threat.
Especially Joo-bin, clearly close to the president.
And he set them for actor debuts.
Models versus actors? No comparison.
If she stole all his attention, losing resources, could she still make it?
Top models and freelance models were worlds apart.
She didn't want to be a freelancer or hustle at convenience stores.
Ignoring her looks and figure, she slipped into a trainee mindset.
How "pure" that mindset was, only she knew.
Buzz…
"I'm Ha Joo-hee."
"Where are you?"
"Working, shooting a photo set."
"Address!"
Giving it, she closed her phone, uneasy.
"Joo-hee, trouble?" The photographer, Han Sang-hyun, asked.
"No, Han sunbae, can we start?"
She worried waiting too long would anger him.
She was still figuring him out.
Forty minutes later, done, she changed and rushed to the nearest parking lot.
The boxy Land Rover was easy to spot.
Thud~
Closing the door, she looked at him in the driver's seat, his perfect profile mesmerizing.
"Staring at what?" His question made her blurt, "Your perfect face."
Thick-skinned as he was, he didn't know how to respond.
So he showed his satisfaction with action.
Grabbing her high ponytail, he roughly pulled her close.
Pop~
The bottle cap flew, white foam gushing.
She leaned down, catching the foam with her mouth. "Cheers!"
Clinking with her, he laughed. "Trying to get drunk?"
"What's wrong with that? Jin-woo-ssi, who are you really?"
Liquid courage made her chatty, spilling all her bottled-up questions.
"Told you—entertainment company president."
"Can I… join your company?"
"Just a small outfit, can't afford big penalties."
"No penalties. I…" She patted her chest. "I'm solo, just me."
A freelance model—no wonder she used a rear-end to fish for a rich husband.
Clearly a believer in marrying well over working hard.
(End of Chapter)