Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 538: Leaders Club (2)

I told the true leader of the Leaders Club, Jung In-Hwan, what was going to happen to Hong Seok-Joon.

"If you have any shares in HK Electronics, it'd be best to get rid of them. That place is going to collapse because of owner risk."

Jung In-Hwan and the other Leaders members widened their eyes.

"Are you serious?"

"Really, Chief Jung?"

The mocking expressions on the Leaders Club members' faces vanished in an instant. Because they had invested in each other's companies, if HK Electronics went down, they stood to lose a lot.

Suddenly, Hong Seok-Joon shot up from his seat and shouted, "This guy's completely insane! Why would our company go under!?"

He yelled and turned to the security guards.

"Hey! What are you guys doing? Get this lunatic out of here already!"

The security guards started to move, but Jung In-Hwan raised a hand and stopped them. "Wait. Hold it. Since we gave him a chance, let's hear him out till the end."

Hong Seok-Joon burst out in anger. "In-Hwan! Are you seriously believing this bastard?"

"I never said I believed him. I'm just saying we should hear him out. I mean, aren't you curious why he thinks solid HK Electronics will fall? Right? They say Chief Jung's known as a fortune teller in the industry. Let's just hear him."

Hong Seok-Joon clenched his teeth and barely held back his rage because going against Jung In-Hwan could get him kicked out as well.

"Fine... But if this turns out to be nonsense, he's mine. I'll tear this bastard apart today!"

"Sure. Let's listen to the story first."

Jung In-Hwan looked back at me and smiled.

"Please, go ahead, Mr. Jung."

With Jung In-Hwan stepping in, everyone except Hong Seok-Joon was now waiting to hear what I would say next.

Before answering, I recalled the schedule entry I had seen before coming down to Club Angel's basement.

[Everyday V12.1]

[Date: February 15, 2021]

-10:00 p.m <Entertainment Everywhere> "HK Electronics President Hong Seok-Joon. Prostitute entertainment video leaked by partner company." Under police investigation.

[Date: February 19, 2021]

-1:00 p.m: HK Electronics sued by Intels for $1 billion. Funds frozen. Massive illegal use of partner company patents. (Emergency meeting: Jo Min-Sung, HK Electronics, advertising fee unpaid—$1 billion.)

Hong Seok-Joon had been regularly receiving money and prostitution services from partner companies. But a few of those partners, holding a grudge, would leak the videos to the press the following month.

After that, Hong Seok-Joon would be investigated by the police. With the flood of testimonies, photos, and footage, he would become a national disgrace. And right at that moment, Intels, the top U.S. semiconductor company, would sue HK Electronics for patent infringement. In desperation, Hong Seok-Joon would beg the government for help, but they couldn't help someone so widely hated by the public.

In the end, Intels would easily win the massive patent lawsuit and acquire HK Electronics. To ease government backlash, they would transfer half the shares to Daechon Inc. and enter joint management.

And so HK Electronics would collapse and change its name to Daechon Electronics. But a year later, it would be revealed that the entire process had been orchestrated by Intels from the start. They had already known about Hong Seok-Joon's use of partner patents and bribes, and had preemptively acquired those key partner companies.

In other words, the executives who leaked the videos to the media were already presidents of Intels' subsidiaries. So even if I said all this now, the future wouldn't change. After all, Intels had already secured both the patents and the videos last year.

I calmly revealed the truth. "Intels has already begun the process for a hostile takeover of HK Electronics. And for the record, it's already too late to stop it."

What was going to happen would unfold in less than a month. No matter what countermeasures they tried, nothing would change.

As soon as I mentioned Intels, a name everyone recognized, Jung In-Hwan leaned in with deeper interest. "Are you saying Intels has really launched an operation?"

"Yes."

Jung In-Hwan's eyes grew wide. He was clearly wondering how I got such high-level information. "Where did you hear that?"

"As you know, our industry often meets with corporations due to advertising. While meeting with HK Electronics' partner companies, I found out they were already acquired by Intels."

"So they'll make their move soon?"

"I'm not sure about the timing. But those partner company presidents bore such a grudge against President Hong Seok-Joon that they even told us about his weaknesses during drinks. They were thrilled, saying Intels would take revenge for them."

Jung In-Hwan nodded as if it made sense. "Well, Seok-Joon hyung does have a lot of dirt on him and he doesn't hold a big ownership stake in HK Electronics, so it wouldn't be too hard for Intels to bring him down."

That's when Hong Seok-Joon could no longer hold back and shouted. "Jung In-Hwan! You really believe this nonsense? Huh? How would a talent agent bastard even know such high-level info!?"

Jung In-Hwan turned his head. "I don't know. But that's why I find it more believable. If even a talent agent knows, then it's not something he just made up, right?"

"He probably just made it up after watching some movie or something!"

"If he's that good of a writer, maybe we should scout him. That movie would be a blockbuster."

As Jung In-Hwan kept listening to me, the other Leaders Club members quickly changed their attitudes and nodded along.

"Well, it's true the HK Electronics share structure is kind of shaky."

"Even if it's not Intels, if someone sets their mind to it, HK wouldn't be that hard to take over."

"I heard Daechon's been eyeing it too."

The Leaders Club members glanced at one another, whispering.

With the tide suddenly turning against him, Hong Seok-Joon panicked and shouted, "Bullshit! You think our HK Inc. can't handle that? We're ranked 12th in the industry! That's why we banded together in the first place!"

Jung In-Hwan looked at Hong Seok-Joon with a faint smile. "Why would we help you if there's nothing in it for us? It's not like it's a minor issue—you're on the brink of collapse."

A look of growing desperation spread across Hong Seok-Joon's face. "In-Hwan, do you really believe what that bastard is saying? Huh?"

"No, I'm just saying, let's say, just hypothetically, that Chief Jung is telling the truth. Then why should we help you?"

Grinding his teeth, Hong Seok-Joon finally responded. "If... if that really happens, I'll give one-third of my shares to you guys!"

"One-third?"

"Yeah. If it really turns out he's right and we're on the brink, I'll do whatever it takes. But the shares will be sold with a premium and I'll buy them back within a year. I'll handle it no matter what."

Sensing a chance for huge profit, Jung In-Hwan seemed to seriously consider it. Taking that opportunity, Hong Seok-Joon moved to convince the other Leaders Club members. After glancing at one another, the members began to side with Hong Seok-Joon again.

"Well, when Intels sued Korea last time, they just left with a few scratches, right? Maybe it'll be the same this time."

"Yeah. There were other times when some foreign firms came in, and we all teamed up to beat them back."

"Now that I think about it, I'm more inclined to trust Seok-Joon hyung than some random talent agent I just met."

'These spineless bastards.'

Having already expected this, I played my second card. "Well, I wonder if you'll all be in a position to help."

Hong Seok-Joon scoffed. "Cut the crap. Your little bluff ends here, you bastard!"

Ignoring Hong Seok-Joon, I turned to Jung In-Hwan. "Oh, right. I almost forgot. You should drop that Food Factory business that Jung Sung Inc. is planning. The moment you bring it out, the government and local authorities will seriously get in the way to the point where you won't even be able to start."

Jung In-Hwan, who had only been thinking about profiting off HK Electronics, now looked as if he had been struck in the back of the head since the Food Factory project I mentioned was something he had been secretly working on.

The clearly shaken Jung In-Hwan stuttered, "You... how do you... know about that?"

'How? I know because I regressed.'

Currently, Jung Sung Inc. was involved in countless businesses—food distribution, department stores, construction, steel and more.

Looking for a new growth engine, Jung In-Hwan was trying to launch something called a Food Factory, an urban farming project he studied in the U.S. Simply put, it was a system where vegetables were grown in a building and delivered fresh to your doorstep upon order.

Before the regression, I had met Jung In-Hwan when he was planning to use Ju Yung-In as the advertising model, with the slogan: "365 Days of Fresh Vegetables on Your Table!"

Back then, he had signed a contract to have Ju Yung-In model for the Fresh 365 Salad series, which was still in the prototype stage. However, the moment the new business was announced, he faced a wave of protests from farmers. Eventually, the government and local authorities canceled the business license and the Food Factory project went up in smoke.

At the time, Ju Yung-In took the one billion won ad fee and disappeared, saying she had shaken off a stroke of bad luck, then went on a spree to buy five luxury bags. We had gone to five different department stores that day, and the memory was etched into the wrinkles of my feet.

'My soles were almost worn off that day.'

When I didn't immediately answer how I knew about the Food Factory, Jung In-Hwan called out again. "Chief Jung! I asked how you knew that!"

"JUSTEAT, the number one food factory company in the U.S., was preparing to enter the Korean market and was looking for an ad model. They made an offer to Yoo-Jin and I heard about it during that conversation."

"JUSTEAT, the number one in the U.S., was entering Korea? Why didn't I know about this?"

"I have no idea, but we heard it firsthand. And before they pulled out, they mentioned that one of Jung Sung Inc.'s heirs would go through the same thing they did."

I cleverly mixed a real event from a month ago with something from the future. But with no way to know the truth, Jung In-Hwan's face began to shift rapidly. The relaxed look disappeared, replaced by a clear sense of anxiety because he had been planning to use that business success to secure his spot as heir.

Then, the other Leaders Club members, noticing the sudden change in him, started asking.

"In-Hwan hyung. What is that?"

"What is it?"

"Food Factory? What, are you doing charity work?"

Jung In-Hwan clenched his teeth and snapped. "You don't need to know!"

The Leaders Club members grumbled but fell silent. Only now did Jung In-Hwan seem to fully believe me. He took a few short breaths, calming himself down.

Then he raised his voice again. "So Intels is really targeting HK Electronics, huh?"

"From what I've heard, yes."

"I see."

Jung In-Hwan turned to the other Leaders Club members. Though still visibly tense, his tone was calm. "I think Chief Jung has a point about HK Electronics going under. What do you all think? I've heard some things too."

Seeing his change in stance, the Leaders Club members began to mumble uncertainly.

"Well, if In-Hwan hyung says so... we're with you."

"Yeah, I agree. Now that I think about it, HK Electronics does have a lot of weaknesses."

"Right. Speaking of owner risk, if Intels is serious, they could easily exploit Seok-Joon hyung's women problems."

The consensus in the Leaders Club shifted completely toward the idea that HK Electronics would fail.

And at that moment, Jin Sung-Joon dropped a critical comment. "Also, I realized something recently. Talent agents actually have a lot of useful info for running a business. My promotion to president of Jinseong Foods this time was thanks to the intel Chief Jung gave me. You guys should get on his good side."

Most of the people here were younger sons, second or third in line, who wanted to take over what their fathers had built instead of their older brothers. Now that Jin Sung-Joon, a strong candidate for heir at Jinseong Inc., was vouching for me, my credibility skyrocketed.

Jung In-Hwan grinned. "Coming from a pain-in-the-ass like you, it actually sounds trustworthy."

Jin Sung-Joon shrugged. "You're not exactly charming yourself, man."

Jung In-Hwan nodded and addressed the group. "Then let's assume HK Electronics is going under and talk from there."

That's when Hong Seok-Joon could no longer hold it in and jumped to his feet. "Jung Yoon-Ho! You asshole! What kind of bullshit are you spewing!"

Hong Sung-Joon stomped across the sofa toward me. Out of control with rage, he swung his fist as he charged.

Whoosh!

The large punch flew at my face, but I stepped slightly aside and dodged it.

Whoom!

Hong Seok-Joon's fist brushed past my cheek. At that moment, I grabbed his arm mid-swing and threw him over with a shoulder throw.

Thud.

It was a soft sofa, but not enough to cushion the impact of the throw.

Hong Seok-Joon writhed like a worm and clutched his back. "Urgh..."

Jung In-Hwan clicked his tongue and spoke to the security guards. "What are you all standing around for? Get that bastard out of here right now. And from now on, don't ever let him into the club again. That guy's no longer a member of the Leaders Club."

In the eyes of the Leaders Club, a ruined royal family wasn't worth associating with. Because of that, Hong Seok-Joon was expelled from the club. Just as I had planned, Hong Seok-Joon was plummeting to rock bottom.

"Yes, sir!"

The security guards came over and lifted the groaning Hong Seok-Joon.

"Damn it! I'm gonna get back at all of you~~!"

Screaming at the top of his lungs, Hong Seok-Joon was carried toward the elevator by the guards.

Ding!

The elevator doors closed and Hong Seok-Joon vanished.

Jung In-Hwan looked around at everyone and spoke. "Just look at the way that guy acts. HK Electronics is finished. I'm going to have the prosecution tear the whole company apart, so sell off any shares you have in HK by the morning after tomorrow. If you're late, you're on your own."

The Leaders Club members nodded. "Okay. Got it."

"And while we're at it, all of you should report whatever dirt you've got on that bastard Hong Seok-Joon to the prosecution. We've got to make sure he goes down. Right?"

"Of course we do."

"Now then, before HK crashes completely, let's talk about what we can take from it."

With that, the eyes of Jung In-Hwan and the other Leaders Club members gleamed as they began strategizing to secure their gains.

Only then did I lean back on the sofa and ask the bartender for a soda with ice. A moment later, the bartender returned with a crystal glass filled with ice and soda. I took the cold soda and drank it all in one go.

Gulp gulp.

The prickling burn of carbonation sliding down my throat felt especially satisfying today.

"Ah~"

The frustration I had felt vanished in an instant.

'Farewell, Hong Seok-Joon!'

But just then, Jung In-Hwan stared right at me after the discussion ended and began making a ridiculous proposal.