Chapter 126
Chapter 126
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Playing the Part
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 126.
I walked into the office carrying a cake and a gift, items that hardly matched the grim atmosphere.
A few employees managed a bitter smile as they saw the cake in my hands.
I held out the cake and the shopping bag to Choi Yoo-jun, who was staring at me with a blank expression.
“Hold this. We’re going to cut it in celebration.”
“…Celebration…?”
Choi Yoo-jun repeated the word, devoid of meaning.
For a moment, I was reminded of the tale of Guan Yu, who, before a one-on-one duel with an enemy general, promised to return before his wine grew cold.
The director emerged from the planning office and walked toward me. It seemed their fruitless meeting was still ongoing.
“You didn’t mistake ‘lawyer’ for ‘legal advisor,’ did you?”
The director asked again. He had no way of knowing what I was thinking, so it was a natural question.
“Either would be fine, but lawyers are more expensive. I have something to consult them on regarding a corporate matter.”
Thanks to my past life, where I’d tried to sue Gyeon Sang-jin, I knew the difference between a lawyer and a legal advisor.
“…What are you planning to do?”
The director asked as he scrolled through his phone contacts.
“I believe the reporter made a deal worth risking his entire career over. And I’m certain it was SJ Enter stock.”
“…I don’t see how that helps us. In any case, we’ve decided to retain a law firm.”
Hiring a law firm wouldn’t do any good. The reporter had cut off all contact and gone off the grid, so what was the use?
The director made a call.
“Yes, hello. We have something we’d like to consult you on. I’ll put one of my staff on the line.”
The director handed me the phone, and I put it on speaker so he could hear.
“Hello, this is the manager for JD Enter’s group, Answer.”
-Ah, a pleasure to speak with you. If you’re Answer’s manager, you must be the person from the news, right?
The legal advisor, whom I’d never met, spoke in a friendly tone.
“Yes. I’m calling to inquire about viewing a shareholder register.”
At the mention of a shareholder register, the director’s expression turned to one of confusion.
-Ah, are you requesting JD Enter’s shareholder register? If the director approves, we can immediately…
“No, not ours. We’d like to see SJ Enter’s shareholder register.”
-SJ Enter? Hmmm… That’s not something I can handle.
“Then what do we need to do?”
-SJ Enter is also a private company, so it’s highly likely they haven’t appointed a separate share transfer agent. You’ll have to request a viewing of the shareholder register from the legal partner who handled their capital increase, but they probably… won’t do it.
They won’t do it? That would throw a wrench in my plans. My intuition was screaming that the answer lay in that shareholder register.
“Then how can we view the shareholder register?”
-Hmm… It’s a sensitive matter… If you really want to view it, you’ll have to find a shareholder of SJ Enter.
“A shareholder? Someone who owns SJ Enter stock?”
-Yes. If a shareholder makes the request, the lawyer or legal advisor in charge will likely help them view the register. Probably.
“Probably?”
His words left a lingering sense of uncertainty.
-Legally, they are required to disclose it to shareholders, but they’re often reluctant to do so. It’s not unheard of for these things to end up in court.
“So, in the end, it’s up to the discretion of their lawyer or legal advisor.”
-Yes, that’s right. And even if they agree, you’ll have to pay a fee.
“Thank you. You’ve been a great help.”
-Ah, have I? Well, I’m glad I could be of assistance.
The legal advisor hung up, sounding somewhat bewildered.
“…What part of that was a great help? Do you know a shareholder?”
“I’m a shareholder.”
The director’s lips parted slightly in disbelief.
“I have my hand in everything, don’t I?”
“It seems you do.”
If they were reluctant to show the shareholder register, I would just have to make them not reluctant.
My mind, spinning like a supercomputer, ran a virtual simulation based on reality. Without delay, I called Ro-si and Sung-hoon-hyung.
I had to set the stage perfectly to ensure SJ Enter’s legal team would disclose the shareholder register. I would only get one shot.
One wrong move, and I could end up just stirring a hornet’s nest for nothing.
* * *
Vrooom.
Whoosh.
The faint hum of the engine and the quiet scenery speeding past the window.
So this is what they mean by an expensive car.
“Wow… To think the great Kim Sung-hoon is playing chauffeur.”
“You must have been bored anyway, hyung. You only take on the big-ticket schedules.”
“Hah… You’re the first person to insult me like this.”
“Are you starting to sound like CEO Park Jae-yong?”
“Hehe. But how did you know I had a Maybach? Not even Jae-yong-hyung or my sister know about it.”
“The walls have ears.”
“Pfft! That’s so old-fashioned, man! Even I don’t talk like that.”
Kim Sung-hoon-hyung’s laughter made even Ro-si crack a smile.
“That aside, Ro-si, that look is perfect on you. You really look like the only daughter of a British tycoon.”
Ro-si’s heiress look, decked out in expensive items, suited her perfectly.
“Ah! No, I’m not, Seonbae-nim.”
“Ro-si, in times like these, you just say, ‘Thank youuu.’”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Thank youuu.”
“Ahh. Ro-si, isn’t she the cutest?”
I just chuckled at Sung-hoon-hyung’s words.
“But… I’m really not confident in my acting.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be doing most of the talking anyway.”
“Wow… I’m so curious about this, but I can’t exactly follow you inside.”
As we neared our destination, I could feel the eyes of passersby on us.
“Don’t get out yet. I’ll open the door for you.”
“Okay!”
Ro-si, who had been about to open the door, answered with a start.
“But Ro-si’s practically in disguise, so that’s one thing. Min-jun, you’re pretty recognizable now, aren’t you? What if someone recognizes you?”
“I’ve styled my hair up and I’m wearing glasses. What are the chances some lawyer would know a former member of Fire Emblem or recognize a face that flashed by on the news?”
“That’s true. Break a leg! I’ll be waiting.”
“Okay. Hah… Whoo.”
I took a deep breath, composing myself.
[Trait ‘Star Maker’ has been activated.]
[Trait ‘Charisma Lv2’ has been activated.]
[Seul-bi and Ro-si’s unique trait, ‘Soulmates,’ has been activated.]
[‘Soulmates’ is creating a synergistic effect with you.]
[Ro-si’s acting ability is temporarily awakened.]
[Ro-si’s personal trait, ‘Transformation (B),’ has been activated.]
Connected to me by a chain of light, Ro-si’s eyes twitched for a moment before instantly turning vacant.
I got out of the car first and opened the rear passenger door.
Click.
Leaning on my hand, Ro-si stepped out, radiating a brilliant aura.
A white, wide-brimmed hat adorned with a ribbon, so large it permitted not a single ray of sunlight.
Orange-tinted sunglasses that gave her a look of benevolent pity for all mankind.
A white flare dress with a subtle sheen that seemed to dare even a speck of dust from approaching.
Pumps of a modest height, shimmering with pearl, that shifted between pink and ivory white depending on the angle.
Click, clack, click, clack.
And the light yet commanding gait transmitted through the heels of those pumps.
People might feel a sense of guilt, as if committing a crime, just by glancing at the calves partially visible beneath her dress.
Wearing red lipstick, Ro-si walked into the building with her posture ramrod straight, as if oblivious to the stares around her. I maintained a half-step distance, keeping to her side.
We must have looked exactly like a tycoon and her secretary.
“…Wow, how much must all that cost…”
It seemed someone in the crowd knew their luxury brands.
Including the outfits and accessories on loan from Elegang, the items Ro-si was wearing were worth over 50 million won.
“Welcome. How may I help you?”
The employee at the information desk asked, her expression tense.
“The staff in front asks you what’s going on.”
A wave of embarrassment washed over me as I spoke English to Ro-si.
I really need to study English in my spare time.
Ro-si nodded at my words, and I addressed the employee.
“We’re here for a consultation regarding SJ Enter’s IPO review.”
“Ah, yes… I see. Please wait a moment.”
The employee, looking surprised, made a call somewhere, and we were soon led away by another staff member.
A strange thrill ran through me as people parted to either side, like the Red Sea for Moses, with Ro-si at the center.
A neatly dressed man in his thirties greeted us politely in front of the reception room.
“Welcome. Please, this way.”
“He wants you to come to the parlor.”
“I understand that much.”
Ro-si shot me down without a change in her expression. My face, already warm with embarrassment over my English skills, grew hotter.
I shouldn’t have been worried about Ro-si’s acting; I needed to worry about my own flustered performance.
Ro-si walked gracefully to a chair and stood beside it, looking at me.
She wanted me to pull it out for her.
As I pulled out her chair, I marveled inwardly at how natural her acting was. Right now, Ro-si looked every bit the part of a tycoon’s only daughter.
“I’m Jung Min-seok, from the finance and tax team.”
“I’m Min-jun.”
The lawyer glanced at Ro-si, but when I didn’t introduce her, he nodded as if he understood.
“You must be from the UK.”
“Yes.”
He’d picked up the British accent from Ro-si’s single word. Not wanting to elaborate, I kept my answer short.
A long tail is easy to step on, but it’s more advantageous to let the other party’s imagination run wild.
“Are you here regarding an investment in SJ Enter?”
“Yes. We’re here to consult about SJ Enter and also to find a legal partner for ourselves here in Korea.”
“Haha! You’ve come to the right place. As it happens, we are SJ Enter’s legal partner, and I’m scheduled to be their share transfer agent…”
“We came here knowing that.”
“Ah, yes, yes, of course.”
The lawyer, sensing a major contract, beamed.
“We need to determine if the new share price offered by SJ is reasonable, and also…”
I relayed our words back and forth as if I were interpreting between Ro-si and the lawyer. Ro-si played along, asking questions about the Korean cultural content market in a natural performance.
Coffee was served soon after, but Ro-si, after sniffing the aroma, didn’t so much as touch her cup, her expression screaming, ‘I don’t drink such cheap coffee.’ It was a masterful detail.
The lawyer tried to maintain his composure after his initial excitement, but I could easily tell his spirits were soaring as our conversation continued.
Landing a major client meant a huge incentive for him as well.
“In fact, we’ve already signed a contract to be the legal advisor for SJ Enter’s listing. When it comes to Hallyu content, it goes without saying that our firm, Law Firm Durian, is a powerhouse.”
“Hearing you say that, it certainly seems so. In that case, we’d also like to see SJ’s situation before deciding on the new share acquisition.”
“What… situation…”
“We’d like to view the shareholder register. It’s a crucial matter to see if there have been any internal shenanigans.”
The lawyer’s pleasant expression turned troubled.
“Ah… about that… Legally, you cannot view the shareholder register unless you are a shareholder.”
The corner of my mouth lifted into a slight smirk.
“The shareholder register cannot be viewed by non-shareholders. Can I say the name of the boss?”
Ro-si’s cold gaze turned to me.
It was a look that seemed to brand me a complete fool.
“Are you an idiot? You know the stock I gave you.”
Ro-si’s red lips parted, releasing words dripping with arrogance and irritation. Even I, the one who proposed this act, was in awe of how perfectly she was immersed in her role.
“Aha! Of course. It doesn’t matter which of you is the shareholder.”
Taken in by Ro-si’s perfect atmosphere and acting, the lawyer replied as if he had understood her English.
Hook, line, and sinker! This is easier than I thought.
I glanced at Ro-si’s face, but she was still maintaining her poker face.