The Master's Bargain: Eden's Shadowy Expansion
"Ms. Eugene... I'd like to take her under my wing. Is there any way?"
"How am I supposed to know if you deserve to have Eugene? The world is full of men with nothing but money."
Choi Minjun's pride stung at the master's attitude. Flustered by the fact that his wealth and status weren't working, he felt an intense desire to possess Eugene, the mysterious creation of this enigmatic master.
As the tension rose, Seonwoo stepped forward. "The master doesn't hand over her children to just anyone. Especially Eugene... she's one of the master's most cherished."
His words only fanned Choi Minjun's competitive spirit and possessiveness.
Yoo Sori turned her gaze to Lee Seoyeoun. "Eugene, what do you think? Do you want to go with this man?"
Following Seonwoo's instructions, Lee Seoyeoun gazed at Choi Minjun with longing eyes while perfectly acting out a tremble of fear. She approached Yoo Sori's feet and whispered, clinging like a desperate child. "I... I'll follow the master's will... But... the representative seems like a good man..."
She shot Choi Minjun a pitiful look, as if begging him to save her from this hell. Her performance pushed his conquest lust to the extreme. He fell into the delusion that he could be this可怜 girl's savior.
Cornered, Choi Minjun finally pleaded with Yoo Sori. "Master, please, I beg you. Eugene is just too perfect. Considering this is a club like this, I figured you have some grasp on members' personal info, so... I have no wife, and I'm confident I can treat her well."
Yoo Sori pretended to ponder for a moment, then spoke firmly from behind her mask. "Fine. But there are conditions."
"Conditions?"
"First, don't abandon Eugene. At least not until you've paid off all her debts."
"D-Debt...?"
"Eugene's debt is 10 billion won. Normally, per club rules, the penalty is twenty times that, but since she's not leaving voluntarily and you want the transfer, we'll make it half: 100 billion."
"A-A hundred billion...!"
Choi Minjun's face hardened. Even for him, 100 billion was no small sum.
Reading his expression, Yoo Sori continued. "Of course, I won't take it upfront. Instead, we'll deduct it from the profits generated by the 60 billion you invested. I guarantee K's investment skills—you'll get your profit distributions back soon enough."
Choi Minjun tapped at his calculator for a moment. It wasn't 'free money' leaving his pocket; it was handled via future profits. He saw no downside.
"Ha... If that's the method, then I have no issue. I agree."
"Second condition."
Yoo Sori's voice rang out again. "Three people. Bring in at least three new members. Not street randos—people as trustworthy as yourself."
Choi Minjun replied confidently. "That's easy. I have reliable friends I party with regularly."
Yoo Sori nodded slightly in satisfaction.
Then, Seonwoo, standing behind her, stepped up. "Smart choice, Representative Choi. That girl is one the master put real effort into. She's handing her over with a heavy heart."
His words planted a sense of superiority in Choi Minjun, as if he were receiving special treatment.
"Haha, thank you. Then let's draw up the contract right away."
Seonwoo tapped the small radio on his chest, and the room door opened. Han Chae-a entered holding the VVIP special transfer contract.
The deal wrapped up smoothly, and Yoo Sori approached Lee Seoyeoun for a final farewell. "Eugene. Who knows if we'll meet again, but take care."
Lee Seoyeoun kept up her act to the end, rushing to Yoo Sori, hugging her, and shedding tears. "Master... I won't forget you... sob..."
Choi Minjun left the room contentedly, leading the ever-committed actress. Behind his back, the masked Seonwoo and Yoo Sori exchanged meaningful smiles.
Once Choi Minjun was gone, Seonwoo gently removed Yoo Sori's fox mask. Her revealed face glowed with a mischievous smile.
"Oppa, did I act well?"
"Perfect. I almost thought you were the real master."
Seonwoo lightly kissed her nose in praise. "Good thing Choi Minjun's even more hooked on Lee Seoyeoun than expected. Now he's chained with that 100 billion debt—he'll fetch us new customers."
A satisfied smile played on Seonwoo's lips. Choi Minjun had become the first VVIP to recognize Club Eden's value and an important partner for expanding outward.
"And Representative Choi will spread the word about Sori to the new members he brings. About the amazing, charismatic, mysterious master. We'll let the rumors do the work—should thank him for the free promo."
"So that old guy's on our side now?" Yoo Sori asked, tilting her head.
"Not 'side' exactly... more like a high-paying regular. One who shelled out top dollar to become one."
Seonwoo pulled Yoo Sori into his arms and began envisioning the club's future amid the observation room's darkness.
After that day, true to his word, Choi Minjun brought in his connections to Eden. They were young entrepreneurs and legal figures. Drawn to Eden's bold services and K's godlike investment prowess, they eagerly shelled out for memberships and became loyal patrons.
In the club's VIP room, Choi Minjun boasted to a young CEO he'd brought. "See? I wasn't exaggerating to make your mouth water."
On stage, Park Yuna was putting on a shocking show, training Do Dayul and Do Jina—the sibling pair—simultaneously.
The new VIP muttered in awe. "Holy shit... where do they even find stuff like this? Those twin maids—are they really siblings?"
"Of course. That's Eden's level. It's not something you can just buy with cash."
Choi Minjun replied arrogantly, as if he'd planned the show himself.
"Ahem. And this is a secret, but... there's someone above that K head manager you saw."
"What? Earlier, that head manager talked like he owned the place."
"Well, he does handle operations. But he answers to someone else. Oh, and don't go probing. I've only met her briefly, but she seems like someone extraordinary."
At the same time, at a glamorous post-film-festival afterparty, Lee Sira—in a pure white dress—skillfully deflected a middle-aged director's advances with a smile.
"Sira, how about round two?"
"Hehe, Director, mind your age."
She smoothly brushed down his jacket while slipping an anonymous business card into his pocket unnoticed. It bore only Eden's logo and Han Chae-a's contact.
Meanwhile, Yoo Sori was training newbies in the soundproofed 'training room.' A woman freshly supplied by the o피 manager eyed her anxiously. She'd come for the promise of big money, but the vibe turned eerie the moment she entered.
"Um... what exactly is this 'training'? I thought it was just basic manners?"
The woman backed away as she asked.
Yoo Sori approached slowly. "Unnie, scared?"
She whispered in her ear. "It's okay. Everyone's like that at first. But you'll learn soon enough. This place is way better than anywhere you've been."
As the woman's eyes wavered, Yoo Sori's fingers gently trailed her shoulder. A strange thrill spread wherever they touched.
"Ah...!"
A moan escaped the woman's lips unbidden. Before long, she'd forgotten resistance, surrendering fully to Yoo Sori's touch.
The club swiftly established itself as Gangnam's secret elite social hub.
Seonwoo managed the hundreds of billions in VIP investments, multiplying the money effortlessly like a game. Just 10 minutes of trading per day sufficed for profit distributions.
His assets ballooned at a terrifying rate. He delegated most operations to his women.
Han Chae-a oversaw all practical matters as manager, earning unwavering trust from VIPs.
Kang Jihyeon served as Seonwoo's personal secretary, handling VIP funds, real estate, and external assets.
Park Yuna, as 'Queen Yuna,' planned the shows, styled new arrivals, and handled basic training. Her performances and the sibling maids became Eden's icons.
Lee Sira discreetly left cards for industry execs and lecherous directors, scouting talent flawlessly.
And Yoo Sori... in the penthouse's inner 'training room,' she handled the women supplied by the o피 manager or occasionally sourced by Seonwoo. Those who passed through her hands emerged flawless slaves, reborn as Eden's new commodities.
Everything was perfect. So perfect it bordered on boring.
Then one night, in Club Eden's VVIP room, Seonwoo—wolf mask on, as head manager K—met privately with a man. Woo Jincheol, the senior prosecutor from Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, introduced by Choi Minjun.
Since becoming a regular, Woo Jincheol had persistently requested one-on-ones with Seonwoo.
"Head Manager, I have something to say."
Woo Jincheol shed his stern prosecutor's facade, lowering himself obsequiously. "I've just been promoted to chief prosecutor."
"Oh! Congratulations, member."
Seonwoo tilted his wine glass in toast.
"So here's the thing."
Woo Jincheol leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I can watch your back from now on. Any unsavory incidents here, I can handle to some extent."
He caught his breath and continued. "So... isn't there any 'special service' just for me?"
Greed and lust flickered in Woo Jincheol's eyes.
A genuine smile crept onto Seonwoo's lips for the first time in ages.
"Special service... What exactly are you craving?"
In his monotonous routine, a new kind of toy had finally appeared.