Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 473: Jinseong Inc (3)

Jin Myung-Gyu shouted once again. "Why aren't you answering? Are you the one who promised to hand over the recipe or not?"

Since I had already chosen my side, I replied without blinking an eye. "Yes, I provided the recipe. But is that a problem?"

At that moment, Jin Myung-Gyu's face trembled with rage. "What? You little bastard... What did you just say?"

Most people would have lowered their heads before Jin Myung-Gyu. After all, Jinseong Inc was ranked 25th in the business world and he was the most likely candidate to become its next president.

But I didn't even blink as I glared back at him. "I may not be one of Jinseong's people, but why is that a problem? Even you have licensed snacks and drinks that were outsourced to Japan and the US. Isn't 'Sweet Bongbong' a prime example?"

When Jin Myung-Gyu was the president of Jinseong Foods, they had launched the 'Sweet Bongbong' product series in partnership with a Japanese license. However, the cocoa-based soda 'Sweet Bongbong' had failed miserably as it didn't suit Korean tastes.

Mentioning this failure made Jin Myung-Gyu's face flush red. "You... You insolent little..."

The sight of him yelling in anger reminded me of how he had cursed me out before my regression.

-Why does a lackey for entertainers have so much to say?

-Just do as you're told. Where did you learn to talk back like that?

-These useless actors have no sense of reality. Spoil them and they think they're untouchable. Hey, talent agent, be prepared to take the punishment for them!

Jin Myung-Gyu treating my stars like servants was still vivid in my memory.

That's when Jin Sung-Joon, who had been silently observing, stepped forward to block my path upon watching me reply firmly. "Mr. Jin, Mr. Jung's point is valid. Just like you, I also found a product superior to our own and simply signed a licensing contract."

Jin Sung-Joon put extra emphasis on the words 'Just like you.' At that moment, Jin Myung-Gyu's secretary leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

The furious Jin Myung-Gyu turned to Jin Sung-Joon and shouted. "Hey, Jin Sung-Joon! That's entirely different! I partnered with major corporations in Japan and the US, but you partnered with some lowly talent agent!"

"The scale of the partner doesn't determine a product's success, does it?"

"What?"

As the two raised their voices, the executives and researchers watching grew increasingly anxious.

Just then, Jin Ah-Ram intervened. "Mr. Jin, there are many eyes on us. Perhaps we should continue this discussion upstairs?"

Her attempt to calm the situation only added fuel to the fire, as Jin Myung-Hee, the president of Jinseong Hotels & Resorts, who had been eyeing Jin Ah-Ram disapprovingly since earlier, stepped in.

"Oh my, have you forgotten your manners after living in the US? Since when do you interrupt when your big brother is speaking?"

Jin Myung-Hee's sharp tone was dripping with venom, making even listening to her unbearable.

At that moment, a memory from before my regression surfaced. She had slapped me while shouting, 'A talent agent should just follow orders. How dare you talk back?'

As Jin Myung-Hee unjustly criticized her, Jin Ah-Ram became visibly flustered. "I... I wasn't interrupting. I was trying to mediate..."

But Jin Myung-Hee raised her voice. "Hey, Jin Ah-Ram! Didn't I tell you to stop drawing attention and just get married already?"

Jin Ah-Ram blushed with embarrassment and replied. "Ms. Jin... I think that's a bit too harsh."

"Too harsh? What's too harsh? You think you're all that because Dad dotes on you? Wake up! There's nothing left for you here."

After hurling those harsh words at her half-sister, Jin Myung-Hee turned her glare to me.

"And you, talent agent! Stop being cocky and cut ties with your little group if you want to keep getting even a sliver of advertising from Jinseong!"

Her brash words and behavior made it clear that she was not someone I wanted to associate with.

I answered, "I'm sorry, but even if my actors aren't affiliated with Jinseong, there are plenty of other offers for them."

"Wow~ This guy's a piece of work. Hey! Do you even understand who's offering you a hand right now?"

At that moment, Jin Myung-Gyu raised a hand. "Myung-Hee, hold on."

"What is it, oppa?"

"This talent agent seems to lack some basic understanding. Let's take this opportunity to knock some sense into that stubborn head of his."

As he spoke, Jin Myung-Gyu turned to me with a smirk.

"Hey, talent agent. You sure you won't regret this?"

"What regret are you referring to?"

"If you keep holding your head up like this, we might just cancel the coffee contract altogether."

"I must inform you that the contract is already signed."

"Oh, is that so?"

Jin Myung-Gyu let out a short laugh and looked at Jin Sung-Joon.

"Hey, Executive Director Jin. Cancel the contract with this guy immediately."

Jin Sung-Joon was startled and shouted, "Mr. Jin! The contract is already signed!"

"So? Bring in the legal team. What's a contract, anyway?"

"We can't. The penalties are substantial."

Jin Myung-Gyu clicked his tongue and responded, "That's nothing a few years of dragging things out can't fix. Surely, you can handle at least that much?"

Then, he turned to the lab director.

"Director Jung."

Jung Dae-Yoon bowed his head. "Yes, sir."

"Can we tweak the recipe this guy gave us to make a new product? Our lab should be capable of that, right?"

I hadn't expected such an audacious plan to steal my recipe in front of me, the contract holder.

Jung Dae-Yoon hesitated and glanced nervously at me before speaking reluctantly, "B-but if we do that, there will be a lawsuit."

"Why would you worry about that, Director Jung? Let the legal team handle it. That's their job."

Jung Dae-Yoon's entire body expressed his objection. "But still, this is..."

Jin Myung-Gyu's expression turned icy. "Why are so many bastards questioning me lately? Hey, Director Jung. You just got promoted to director, but do you want to start packing already?"

"S-sir."

"Think carefully. It won't just be you packing up but your entire department handling coffee will be replaced. No, scratch that. Let's replace everyone in the beverage division while we're at it. They're useless if they can't even make coffee without relying on an external recipe."

Faced with Jin Myung-Gyu's ruthless threat, Jung Dae-Yoon shut his eyes tightly. If he resisted, it wouldn't just be his job but it would also cost his subordinates their positions.

Jin Sung-Joon tried to step forward, but I stopped him and stepped in instead. This kind of dirty fight was something I handled better.

I took a deep breath and fixed my gaze on Jin Myung-Gyu. "Mr. Jun, do you think I'd stay silent if you steal my recipe to make your coffee?"

"And if you don't stay silent, what will you do? File a lawsuit against Jinseong?"

"I don't see why not."

Jin Myung-Gyu let out a mocking laugh. "What are you going to do? Rally public opinion? Dream on. Do you think the media would write anything for someone like you? Do you have any idea how much Jinseong spends on advertising annually?"

"Who said anything about relying on public opinion?"

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"Then what?"

"I'm planning to use LT Inc's legal team."

Jin Myung-Gyu's expression became puzzled. "LT Inc's legal team?"

"Yes. If this contract is voided, I'll hand over the recipe to LT Beverages right away. If it appealed to Jinseong researchers, why wouldn't LT Beverages like it?"

LT Beverages was the leading company in the RTD coffee market. On top of that, LT Inc ranked 5th, twenty spots higher than Jinseong Inc. For this reason, their legal team is at least three times stronger.

Jin Myung-Gyu's face stiffened, clearly caught off guard by the mention of LT Inc. "Where... where the fuck are you getting this nonsense?"

"If you don't believe me, I can show you."

I had received the phone number of LT Beverages' President Shin Jong-Min from Shin Jong-Ki during the Hwangryong Film Association. Shin Jong-Ki had told me to call his younger brother anytime I was interested in commercializing my coffee idea. If contacting Shin Jong-Min felt too intimidating, he even offered to handle it personally.

I took my phone out of my inner pocket, holding it firmly in my hand.

At that moment, Jin Sung-Joon hurriedly intervened to stop Jin Myung-Gyu. "Mr. Jin! Team Lead Jung has a close relationship with LT Entertainment's president, Shin Jong-Ki."

The fuming Jin Myung-Gyu sneered. "Don't feed me that crap! How could a mere talent agent be close to someone as meticulous as President Shin? Say something believable!"

"It's true, Mr. Jin!"

"Shut up!"

Jin Myung-Gyu glared at me furiously.

"Call him! Right now!"

Remaining calm, I dialed Shin Jong-Ki's number. Putting the phone on speaker, Shin Jong-Ki answered almost immediately.

-Hey, Team Lead Jung! What's going on?

"Sir, do you remember mentioning that I should contact you if I wanted to commercialize Jung Coffee?"

-Of course I remember. I wouldn't forget something like that. Why? Are you finally moving forward with it?

"Yes, sir. I signed a contract with Jinseong, but it seems they're planning to terminate it today."

-Ha ha ha! Is that so? Well, that's great news for me. Oh, and if there's any penalty involved, just let me know. I'll cover it.

"Mr. Shin, this is on speakerphone."

-So what? If they're throwing away Jung Coffee, does that mean Jinseong has lost its edge? It's obviously a money-maker, yet they're discarding it?

Jin Myung-Gyu's face contorted with shock. He hadn't expected me to have a genuine connection with LT Entertainment's president.

Caught off guard, Jin Myung-Gyu muttered under his breath. "Fuck...You've got to be kidding me..."

Hearing this, Shin Jong-Ki's tone sharpened.

-Who's cursing over there? Who is it?

"It's Mr. Jin Myung-Gyu."

At that moment, Shin Jong-Ki's voice exploded to my surprise.

-You little punk! How dare you curse while I'm speaking? Hey, Jin Myung-Gyu! Is this how your father raised you?

Even though they belonged to different conglomerates, Shin Jong-Ki was part of a royal family too. With frequent interactions between their circles, his scolding came across like an uncle disciplining his nephew.

"That's... a bit harsh, Mr. Shin."

-Harsh? If you want to avoid hearing harsh words, try showing some humility first! Got it?

As Jin Myung-Gyu endured the reprimand, the faces of Jin Myung-Hee and the other executives nearby were filled with embarrassment. What had started as an attempt to humiliate a mere talent agent had turned into a blow to the vice chairman of Jinseong's pride.

Jin Myung-Gyu grinded his teeth and bowed his head. After all, he couldn't disregard Shin Jong-Ki, who was at least twelve years older than him.

"I apologize... Mr. Shin."

Only after Jin Myung-Gyu forced an apology did Shin Jong-Ki soften his tone.

-Well... maybe I went overboard too. Let's discuss that joint project between Jinseong and our hotel division over a meal soon.

"Yes, Mr. Shin."

Shin Jong-Ki then addressed me.

-I can imagine how things are going there. If the contract is terminated, just give me a call. I'll coordinate with Dong-Min to offer you terms as close as possible to Jinseong's.

"Understood. I'll head straight to you if that happens."

-Great. Oh, and don't forget about the next movie. You promised it to us, remember?

LT Entertainment had already secured the rights to produce the film adaptation of Happy & Happy, with Haru as the lead. Even though Jiri Mountain hadn't been released yet, they were already pressing me for the next project.

"I'll visit soon, Mr. Shin."

-Alright then. Take care!

"Yes, sir."

I ended the call and slowly turned to face Jin Myung-Gyu. His face was a mixture of anger and humiliation as he stared daggers at me. He was visibly trembling as his pride was shattered by the very talent agent he had looked down on.

Unable to contain himself, Jin Myung-Gyu barked at his secretary. "Hey, Secretary Choi! When's my meeting with the chairman?"

His flustered secretary stammered before hastily replying. "Uh... it's... it's scheduled for right now, sir."

It seemed like he was inventing an excuse to help him escape the situation.

"Then why are we still standing here? Move!"

"Ah, yes. This way, please..."

Lashing out aimlessly, Jin Myung-Gyu stormed off with his secretary frantically pressing the elevator button. The elevator descending from the 8th floor soon arrived.

Ding.

When the doors opened, two employees inside bowed their heads. "Hello, Mr. Jin."

As soon as Jin Myung-Gyu frowned, his secretary urgently motioned for the two employees to step out of the elevator. "Get out!"

Startled, the two quickly exited the elevator. Only then did the still fuming Jin Myung-Gyu step into the now-empty elevator. He was followed by the executives and Jin Myung-Hee.

Ding.

The elevator doors closed. And the moment they were out of sight, cheers erupted from Jin Sung-Joon and the researchers.

"Wow! Mr. Jung, you're amazing!"

"Phew... Thanks to you, we're safe."

"I thought I was going to die back there."

Some of the researchers claimed their legs were trembling and collapsed into their chairs.

The ordeal had finally come to an end. However, the battle for Jinseong Inc's succession was only just beginning.

***

In the hallway outside the tasting room on the 7th floor, Jin Sung-Joon made a hurried phone call.

"Yes, yes, sir. Yes, I understand. Absolutely."

After ending the call, Jin Sung-Joon's expression brightened. "Mr. Jung, you don't need to worry. When the Chairman heard about the potential loss of the recipe to LT Beverages, he was furious. The contract will remain intact."

That was a relief, but knowing the personalities of Jin Myung-Gyu and his sister Jin Myung-Hee, it was clear they wouldn't let this go. They would almost certainly plot retaliation against me.

This meant my next course of action was obvious: strengthen Jin Sung-Joon's position in Jinseong Inc's succession battle. With the conflict out in the open, the only thing left was a contest of power.

Resolving myself, I turned to Jin Sung-Joon and spoke. "Mr. Jin, may I have a moment? I have something to discuss with you."

Jin Sung-Joon nodded. "Of course. Let's head to my office."

As Jin Sung-Joon led the way, Jin Ah-Ram followed him toward the elevator. Trailing behind them, I fiddled with my phone as I had detailed schedules and information about Jin Myung-Gyu in my planner.

'Jin Myung-Gyu, you've picked the wrong person to mess with!'