Chapter 132: I Never Invest in a Failing Business
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 132: I Never Invest in a Failing Business
Unlike me, whose jaw was hanging wide open, Olivia sipped her tea with perfect composure.
"Did you just say thirty million dollars?"
"Yes. Thirty million dollars."
If I were to do a rough calculation of how much that was...
It was nearly 36 billion won.
It was a sum only 10 billion won shy of the prize money in that famous drama where people play games for their lives.
She had just declared her intention to invest such a staggering amount of money.
"What about the two million dollars from earlier?"
"That was the testing fee before the actual investment. Think of it as an interview fee; it might be easier to wrap your head around it that way."
"What on earth are you trusting to make such an investment?"
"I told you earlier. I trust your massage skills. With your talent, people will be lining up to see you. If even I feel this way, imagine how others will react."
"……."
As expected of the wealthy—their scale of spending was on another level.
"I never invest in a failing business."
Olivia crossed her legs.
The sight of a foreigner in sweat-soaked green cotton gym wear, cooling off on a bed while crossing her legs, was a bit of an odd contrast. However, the words she spoke were far more systematic than I had expected.
"First, what I’m planning is a membership service. We provide your services to a select few of the ultra-wealthy. Whether or not they can receive a session from you will be determined by how much they pay."
A business plan flowed effortlessly from Olivia’s lips.
"The wealthy want a premium experience that only they can enjoy. Something special, not something mundane. This kind of pleasure and satisfaction… it’s something that simply cannot be obtained with drugs or money alone."
"So, you’re saying you’ll sell my services for a price? Is that it?"
"Exactly. Of course, we also need massage services for ordinary customers. That’s inevitable. I believe that’s possible if you pass on some of your know-how to a few employees. Even if you don't..."
Olivia continued as she finished the jasmine tea I had brought.
"Just the news that the top billionaires and stars enjoy your services will make people flock to find your massages. It doesn't even have to be a massage. As you mentioned, it can be replaced with PT. I saw your broadcast the other day. You introduced an exercise method good for fatigue recovery, didn't you? Providing services like that wouldn't be a bad idea either."
Olivia had already constructed a business proposal in her head.
In other words.
This thirty million dollars wasn't just a price tag on me personally, but a valuation focused on the various business opportunities I could generate.
"Don't worry about recruiting the wealthy and the stars. Once word gets out that I’ve invested and am receiving treatments, they’ll be tripping over each other to get in line."
"You sound very certain."
"Of course. It will be 120 percent successful."
"Isn't it a risky investment?"
"Thirty million dollars? It’s not a small amount, of course. But..."
The corners of Olivia’s mouth curled up slightly.
"As the one running Rhino Company, it’s not a particularly burdensome amount for me. If the vision and prospects turn out better than I expect, I’m even considering additional investment. So, please think over the proposal I just made."
After speaking boldly, Olivia stood up from her seat.
"Ugh!"
She still wobbled because her legs were weak, but it didn't diminish her dignity.
"You’ll need time to organize your thoughts. Please contact me within three days. Only while I’m still in Korea for the investment in the Korean business."
Leaving a smile behind, she walked out with Clarice, who had been waiting in the living room.
Two briefcases containing two million dollars were left sitting alone in the living room.
"This is insane."
Thirty million dollars.
It was such a massive sum that I was still dazed.
The annual revenue of the business my father ran was 8 billion won. I had heard the company's total valuation was around 40 billion won.
Through a single massage technique enhanced by the system's help, I was about to acquire an amount of money nearly equal to the size of that company.
It didn't feel real.
Was this really okay?
"Is this a dream?"
I pinched myself. It hurt.
The sweat Olivia had left on the bed was also very real.
*
"Is something bothering you?"
Yeong-eun asked.
Today was the day I had agreed to accompany her to a script reading. It was a favor she had asked for, wanting help with her acting practice.
'I need someone to help me during the reading practice. Are you available?' she had asked.
Someone to help her.
Chief Park was there, so there was no logical reason why I was needed. It wasn't even an official filming day; it was just a script reading. It was practically a date invitation to hang out together.
'I can't focus on my acting well if you're not there, Jae-ho.'
For that reason, we were heading to the studio where the reading practice was held.
I had boldly said I would follow her, but my mind was still a mess because of Olivia's proposal from yesterday.
I guess it showed.
"It's nothing."
"Really? Hmm..."
Yeong-eun swallowed a dissatisfied groan. She looked like she had a lot she wanted to say, but she seemed to be keeping it inside.
"Oh, and have you thought about it?"
"About what?"
"About whether you'll keep going to school. No matter how I look at it, I don't think it's right to let your talent go to waste while attending school."
"Ah, that. I'll probably quit. I'm going to quit."
I had to quit.
With an opportunity to receive a thirty-million-dollar investment right in front of me, how could I possibly stay in school?
"That's good to hear."
Yeong-eun looked genuinely happy.
"I figured you'd say that, so I've been preparing as well."
"Huh?"
After she finished speaking, Yeong-eun held out her bankbook to me.
The balance in the book was a staggering 10 billion won.
"I'm going to invest this money in you."
"What?"
"If you had said you were staying in school, I was going to drop it. But if you're really planning to quit and seriously take charge of the gym and PT, you'll need a lot of money. This is my investment in you. Because I believe you can succeed, Jae-ho. This isn't Jeil Group investing; it's Yoo Yeong-eun."
The moment I saw Yeong-eun holding out the bankbook with a proud smile, I couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh.
Of course, it was a good thing. I was touched that a woman who liked me trusted and supported me this much. A lump formed in my throat.
The problem was...
'I've already seen the thirty million dollars.'
I appreciated her sincerity with all my heart, but it seemed it wasn't enough to satisfy Yeong-eun's pride.
"There really is something going on, isn't there?"
Since things had come this far, I couldn't hide it anymore.
"Well, you see..."
I told her everything—how Olivia had visited me yesterday, how she had received a massage, and even her offer to invest thirty million dollars.
"Whaaaat?!!!"
Screeeech!
Yeong-eun’s lion-like roar was so loud that even the composed Chief Park slammed on the brakes.
"M-Miss? Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry. Please keep driving."
Yeong-eun’s face was full of fury.
"That woman, Olivia, came to see you?"
"Yeah. She said she’d invest."
"How does she even know about your massages?"
"Well, when I went to the US, something happened briefly."
"I knew I shouldn't have sent you to America..."
"Noona?"
Yeong-eun rolled her eyes, her lips pressed firmly together.
"She said she’d invest thirty million dollars? So that’s about 36 billion won in Korean money?"
"That's right."
"36 billion, huh..."
After staring at me for a moment, Yeong-eun spoke up urgently.
"Jae-ho, are you free this Saturday?"
"Saturday?"
"Yes, there's a place I want us to go together. I've secured a good spot. I was originally planning to go with my grandfather, but I want you to come too."
If it was her grandfather, only one person came to mind.
The Chairman of Jeil Group, Chairman Yoo Taek-soo.
"You mean with the Chairman?"
"Yes. Is it too much pressure?"
"It's not that, but... why so suddenly?"
"It's a place I've wanted to go with you but couldn't. Not just anyone can go there easily, so I want you to come."
"It's summer break, so I have time, but..."
"Then it's a yes?"
"Yeah."
Saturday was only two days away. It happened to be the day Olivia asked for my final decision.
Could it be? Was she planning to meet the Chairman and get an investment promise? This felt like things were getting way too big.
"Good. Then please head straight there."
The car moved smoothly. Until we arrived at the site, Yeong-eun kept fiddling with her phone.
*
—Yes, Grandfather. I’m planning to visit you that day with Jae-ho. Yes, that’s right. It’s for the reason you mentioned back then.
"Ho-ho, I thought it would take a bit more time for you two to coordinate your schedules, but you've made up your mind faster than I expected."
—The sooner, the better, right?
"That is true. But are you two of the same mind?"
Chairman Yoo Taek-soo’s voice was bright. His stubborn granddaughter, who took after him, was finally following his advice for once, so he couldn't help but be pleased.
"You did tell that young man it’s a meeting for a potential marriage prospect, right?"
—Well...
"Don't tell me you haven't told him?"
—…….
At the silence from the other end of the line, Chairman Yoo let out a sigh.
"To think you’d be so flustered, Yeong-eun. It’s surprising."
—I’m not flustered. It’s just...
"Just?"
—It’s just my first time doing something like this. I’ll be fine once I get used to it. Don’t worry.
"Tsk, tsk. All right. I’ll be waiting for you the day after tomorrow in the evening."
—Okay. I’ll hang up now. I have to start working.
"Go ahead."
As soon as Chairman Yoo hung up on his granddaughter, he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! It seems Yeong-eun has finally made up her mind. For that bold girl to be so shy, that fellow’s charm must be quite something."
"Did something good happen, sir?"
At Secretary Choi’s question, Chairman Yoo chuckled lowly.
"Something good? Of course it’s good. She says she’s bringing her future husband to see me. Well, it bothers me a bit that she hasn't told him it’s a marriage meeting... but well, there isn't a man alive who could reject that girl."
It would be fine.
Chairman Yoo thought of Choi Jae-ho with a low chuckle. He was a fellow with clear confidence. On top of that, he had his own unique weapon. At first, he wondered if he was just some loafer trying to use his granddaughter to climb the social ladder, but that wasn't the case.
The fact that he had no background was a bit concerning, but...
'Actually, it's better.'
It meant there would be no unnecessary conflicts due to interference from his paternal family. Even if Jae-ho’s father was running a small business, it was a mere drop in the bucket compared to Jeil.
'I don't need to worry about it.'
The reason Chairman Yoo was trying to push this marriage.
'Yeong-eun needs to start preparing as a successor, doesn't she?'
She herself claimed she wasn't qualified, but in Chairman Yoo’s eyes, she was more suited to be the group's leader than anyone else. He harbored the expectation that once she married, started a family, and found stability, she would naturally turn her eyes toward the family business.
She would do it. He believed she was the granddaughter who resembled him the most. He believed she would make that choice.
"Hehehe."
Chairman Yoo let out a pleasant smile, imagining the Jeil Group that his granddaughter, Yeong-eun, would grow.