Heo Sang-gi, the New Room Manager
Heo Sang-gi and the room manager were muttering back and forth in conversation when the door creaked open. Kim Minseo peeked her face out from the room.
"...What are you two doing?"
Her eyes reminded him of a cat's—suspicious, flicking between Shin Jaewoo and Nyanbyeol.
"Just talking."
"Really?"
"What else would we be doing?"
"Something naughty?"
Shin Jaewoo shot her an incredulous look at Kim Minseo's words. She giggled, "Heehee."
"Unnie! I'm all clean now. Your turn."
Come to think of it, Kim Minseo did look even more dewy than before. Her hair was still damp, and her skin glistened with moisture.
"Uh, uh-huh...."
Nyanbyeol, mid-conversation, finally scooted off to the bathroom. Once she vanished into the room like that, Kim Minseo slid over to Shin Jaewoo's side.
"Wow. I wanna live in a place like this too."
Muttering that, she gazed out at the night view as well. Looking down from the 70th floor. Seoul's city lights sparkled in sharp clarity, the vertigo-inducing vista stretching out below.
"The view's amazing."
"...Yeah."
Shin Jaewoo's agreement to her exclamation was flat, contrary to his words. In truth, he wasn't all that fond of this view.
Too unreal.
Personally, he preferred the vista from his Seongbuk-dong mansion. It felt more alive, more human. This one lacked that warmth. The night lights were a different story, though.
The twinkling fires from up high are pretty, sure.
That was about it.
"...Oppa, you're so emotionally dry."
"And you're overflowing with it."
"Hmph. Hey, Oppa... No games here?"
Shin Jaewoo tilted his head at her sudden question.
"Games? Why?"
"I'm bored, duh. Not even Blue Marble?"
Instead of answering, he flicked her forehead with his knuckle.
"As if. Quit yapping and go to sleep."
He scolded her and turned away himself. Heading straight for the master bedroom.
"...Tch."
He ignored the sound of Kim Minseo rubbing her head and pouting behind him. More than that, Nyanbyeol's earlier words lingered in his mind.
Baekje University.
He'd look into acquiring it first. And the method was simple. It was still daytime there.
As he headed to the master zone, he made the call.
"......I have something I'd like to pursue."
-Is this related to the man you mentioned earlier?
"Oh, right—that guy's still out there, huh."
He'd forgotten for a moment.
"Sorry, but no. I didn't expect you'd find him this quickly anyway."
The order had gone out just hours ago. Not even a full night had passed here.
"This time, what I need is......"
Shin Jaewoo explained calmly. Acquiring a university.
"...Is that feasible?"
-Of course. The procedures are complex, so it might not be quick in Korea, but don't worry—we'll handle it immediately.
Money wasn't an issue. Universities always had enrollment shortfalls anyway.
Just reduce the capacity.
He had no intention of squeezing operating funds from the students. The real cash flow came from elsewhere. No need to dip into his own pockets.
The foundation had to spend trillions annually on public welfare.
-Education is a prime public service. Running one deficit university won't even burn through half the budget.
They needed to spend even more.
Shin Jaewoo made an awkward face at that.
I figured as much.
In the US, private foundations had to allocate 5% of their assets yearly to public welfare—not income. Assets. If revenue was uncertain, that meant 5% of total value outflow every year. And only expenditures on US-recognized "public welfare" counted.
Foundation operating costs don't qualify as public welfare.
At least overseas welfare spending counted, which was a relief. Anyway, the mandatory budget was trillions. Annually. Next year, another chunk.
"So...... how should we go about it?"
The orchestra he'd shelved. Shame to dismantle it entirely. The burned concert hall needed rebuilding too. The campus would need expansion....
He mulled it over like that. Might be fun to grow it.
But university wasn't the first operation falling under his control. Something else came his way first.
Lumière Hospitality. Its general manager for Lumière Seoul was Go Seong-gyun. But the corporation's CEO was Go Seong-gil, not him.
The reason their names were similar? Simple—they were brothers.
"......You want to acquire our hotel's shares?"
"Yes. Our client desires Lumière Hospitality's equity."
The two brothers were meeting with Jeong Junyoung right now. Go Seong-gyun looked uncomfortable. It was his hotel as GM. His life's work.
"Ahem."
An uneasy cough escaped him. Jeong Junyoung ignored it.
"This isn't a losing proposition for you either. From our side, we want experienced hands continuing to run the hotel and company."
"You mean......?"
Go Seong-gil's eyes lit up.
"If you're not planning to step down, we intend to guarantee your management rights and positions."
Go Seong-gil looked tempted at that. Management rights secured.
"Until when, exactly?"
"Until retirement. Sell your shares for a fortune, and keep managing as before."
Not a bad deal. Go Seong-gyun's expression softened a bit too.
"That... the acquirer approved this?"
"He knows nothing about hotel management. But...... we guarantee only up to your level."
Other directors? Only the proven ones. Staff inherited as-is. No layoffs. But contract executives? Jeong Junyoung planned to cull them.
"Of course, your input will heavily influence other executives' re-contracts."
No reason to refuse. Especially with the sum on the contract Jeong Junyoung presented.
"Ahem."
"Ahem. For me, as long as my position's secure......"
"See the special clauses here......"
Jail time over gold, health issues preventing work, retirement at 75.
"Plenty of runway to work with."
Go Seong-gyun signed first. His 7% stake transferred to Panta Trust.
"Ahem. If Seong-gyun signed, how can I not?"
Go Seong-gil followed. His 15% now Panta Trust's.
For reference, neither sold their full holdings. But,
That'll do.
Panta Trust (Shin Jaewoo) now held 54.1%. More than expected, but absolute control secured.
"Looking forward to working together."
Jeong Junyoung shook hands with them.
"Heh heh. The pleasure's ours."
"Ahem. Now that it's done, will you tell us who our new owner is?"
Go Seong-gyun showed interest first. Owner. They'd heard Panta Bank's top VIP. Little else.
Jeong Junyoung shook his head about the mysterious figure again.
"Our client prefers anonymity. But if you wish to meet, I can convey that."
"Ahem. Gotta know the face of who we work with......"
Jeong Junyoung just smiled. Then his face turned serious.
"More importantly...... as I said, guarantees stop at you two."
That was when it happened. At Lumière Seoul, a notice went up for a new room manager.
"Congrats, Manager Heo!"
"Knew it—our Manager Heo... no, Room Manager Heo!"
"Right? Who else for the spot?"
"Time for Manager Heo to treat us!"
Congrats poured in. Heo Sang-gi laughed heartily. It was done. He'd snagged the room manager spot.
He glanced at Oh Miyoung, who'd been on duty yesterday.
Heh. How's that?
Oh Miyoung showed little reaction. Swallowing her bitterness inside. Still, she was a pro.
"...Congrats on the promotion, Manager."
Years in the hotel biz didn't fade. She hid her feelings behind a smile.
Heo Sang-gi, drunk on victory, patted her shoulder.
"Haha, thanks. You'll have to help me out a lot, Manager Oh."
It sounded like well-wishes, but the gesture and tone screamed superiority.
He looked at her and said,
"Manager Oh seems too stiff. Bow a bit more—then I know you're showing respect. Right?"
"You're right. I'll correct it."
"Give a proper greeting. I'll watch."
Heo Sang-gi savored the triumph. An executive role, no less!
Heh heh.
His good mood lasted precisely until that afternoon.
Due to our corporation's acquisition by Panta Trust, restructuring will proceed for executive-level and above...(excerpt)... There will be no layoffs for staff, so please continue devoting your best efforts to your duties without disruption.
"...What?"
Managers weren't executives. But now as room manager...
I'm restructuring fodder?
Heo Sang-gi's face twisted. Just one day. He hadn't even enjoyed it. No way they'd fire him day one.
He shot to his feet. Heading straight for the general manager's office.