The strategy meeting was the first meeting Sung Hyuk had directly convened since becoming the CEO of SL Entertainment.

Until now, he had actively participated in meetings necessary for understanding the business, such as weekly meetings, executive meetings, and team leader meetings, but had never called a meeting himself.

Convening a strategy meeting meant that the business assessment and planning were completely finished. For the employees, it was also an opportunity to confirm whether Cha Sung Hyuk had the qualities to lead SL Entertainment.

“From now on, we will focus all our capabilities on SL Entertainment’s leap to becoming a global company.”

After presenting the goal, Sung Hyuk pointed out the current situation.

“Until now, SL Entertainment has focused on the domestic market and management business. To put it nicely, we pursued stability, but to be honest, we’ve been comfortably falling behind by settling for the status quo.”

The executives, hit right on the mark, subtly avoided his gaze.

“I intend to fully dive into content planning and production. Currently, we are reviewing scripts suitable for production investment. Also, we plan to establish a new studio to enhance our content production capabilities. We are also considering acquiring existing production companies. I’d like to start discussions on establishing an OTT platform in the near future as well.”

The vice president, who had been quietly listening, chimed in.

“If we proceed according to your plan, sir, there will be no incoming money for a while, and the outgoing expenses will be enormous. Are you sure about this?”

The vice president harbored considerable resentment towards Sung Hyuk, who had suddenly become the CEO. Having dreamed of being promoted to CEO himself, he couldn’t help but feel bitter about Sung Hyuk’s presence.

Amidst all this, being criticized as if the company had been operated carelessly made him very displeased. So he meekly protested that it wasn’t that they didn’t know how to do it.

“Of course. I take full responsibility for both securing funds and any deficits.”

Sung Hyuk slowly scanned the executives as he continued speaking.

“I’m sure you all know that such bold investments are impossible without me, and if I can’t do it, no one else can.”

Everyone reflexively nodded.

Who else could do what Chairman Cha Hyun Woong’s son couldn’t?

The content Sung Hyuk declared was not on a scale that a salaried CEO, who might have to move elsewhere at any time, could pursue.

It was natural to feel burdened, even if it was a deficit due to aggressive investment. After all, no one would want to leave with the label of a CEO who struggled with deficits in a position that wasn’t even meant to be a lifelong commitment.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be at SL Entertainment, but even when I leave, I’ll make sure to properly build up its weight class.”

A faint smile spread across his previously expressionless face.

“I’ll take the hits, so all you need to do is trust me and follow along.”

Without exception, everyone, even the vice president, had to admit that he was a reliable CEO.

“We have finalized an investment partnership with Hollywood investment firm USI, and discussions are underway for strategic alliances with terrestrial broadcasters in China and Japan. Global Business Team Leader Yoon Ji Sang will provide more detailed explanations.”

Young In couldn’t take her eyes off Sung Hyuk, who had shown strong leadership and passed the floor to Ji Sang.

Today was the day she fell for CEO Cha Sung Hyuk, not the man Cha Sung Hyuk.

But there was another woman who had fallen for him.

It was Baek Hee Ran.

The glasses of Beom Jun and Chang Geun clinked together and then separated with a sharp sound. Then, two empty glasses were simultaneously placed on the table.

They hadn’t initially planned to meet just the two of them. Everyone else was too busy to come out, so it ended up being a small drinking session.

“Are you sure it was really your child?”

“I don’t know.”

Chang Geun frowned deeply and muttered as if spitting out the words.

The two were in the middle of discussing a woman who had come to Chang Geun claiming she was pregnant after spending a night together at a club.

“Did you handle it properly?”

“Of course. I took care of it perfectly.”

Chang Geun downed the glass Beom Jun had filled for him and changed the subject.

“By the way, how’s Chae Young In doing?”

“You’re still interested in Young In? Did you really intend to marry her?”

“Am I crazy? Marry an adopted child?”

“I thought you were serious since you even went as far as setting up a matchmaking meeting.”

“Serious? No way. I just got stubborn because the girl kept playing hard to get.”

“She’s always been arrogant despite having nothing to brag about.”

Beom Jun chuckled in agreement and belatedly answered Chang Geun’s question.

“Young In seems to have gotten busier since moving to SL Entertainment. The whole company seems to be in a frenzy, it’s even hard to see Sung Hyuk’s face.”

“She transferred to SL Entertainment? But why is Sung Hyuk suddenly mentioned?”

“Ah, you don’t know yet.”

Beom Jun informed Chang Geun that Sung Hyuk and Young In were currently working at SL Entertainment.

Chang Geun, who had been listening with a hardened expression, seemed to be seriously contemplating something before making a phone call to someone.

“It’s me. Let’s meet now.”

Beom Jun, who had been staring blankly at Chang Geun making the call, asked him in an incredulous tone after he hung up.

“You’re going now? Leaving me alone?”

“Something urgent came up.”

“Who are you going to meet?”

“Baek Hee Ran.”

Chang Geun left the room, saying he would pay the bill and that Beom Jun should drink slowly before leaving.

Hee Ran stood at the entrance with her arms crossed, greeting Chang Geun.

“Oppa, you know I don’t like it when you ask to meet so suddenly like this.”

The two had been introduced by an acquaintance and had maintained a secret relationship for over half a year. Hee Ran becoming a model for Sungmyung Construction was partly thanks to Chang Geun. However, recently, the two had grown rapidly indifferent towards each other.

“I won’t be asking to meet suddenly like this anymore, so could you do something about that annoyed expression?”

Hee Ran bit her inner lip hard and forced a smile.

“I must have woken up from a nap and gotten irritable. I’m sorry, oppa. Let’s go in.”

Chang Geun pretended to be dragged along by Hee Ran, who had linked arms with him, and sat on the living room sofa.

“What’s the sudden matter? What do you have to tell me?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Something to tell me?”

“Sungmyung won’t be renewing your contract.”

Hee Ran’s eyes widened.

“Why? What’s the reason?”

Although there wasn’t much time left on the six-month advertising model contract with Sungmyung Construction, Hee Ran had believed that renewal would be possible.

“Because you’re affiliated with SL Entertainment.”

“What are you talking about? When was I not affiliated with SL Entertainment?”

“I’ve come to dislike SL Entertainment. I don’t want to be involved with them in any way.”

“I don’t understand a word you’re saying. Explain it so I can understand.”

“Do you know Chae Young In?”

“I know her. Team leader of Team 5. What about Chae Young In?”

“Chae Young In really pissed me off. And why would I want to give advertising to a company she works for?”

“What does she have to do with me?”

Hee Ran’s eyes were as wide as they could possibly be.

“It matters to me. SL Entertainment will take a portion of the advertising fees, and that money will also pay Chae Young In’s salary. I can’t stand to see that.”

“This is absurd. Why should I suffer because of her?”

“If you want to blame someone, blame Chae Young In.”

It was a plan born from the certainty that the temperamental Baek Hee Ran wouldn’t simply accept it, thinking, “Oh, I couldn’t get my contract renewed because of Chae Young In, it’s unfortunate but it can’t be helped.”

Chang Geun still couldn’t forget Sung Hyuk’s words.

“Stop pestering Chae Young In. You filthy bastard, know your place.”

If Chae Young In hadn’t ignored his affections, there wouldn’t have been a need to set up a matchmaking meeting, and he wouldn’t have had to hear such insulting words. Thinking about this, all his resentment was directed at Young In.

Filled with an inferiority complex, he was convinced that Young In looked down on him because he was an illegitimate child.

Meanwhile, he deliberately ignored Sung Hyuk, who should have been the actual target of his anger, and instead chose Young In as an easier target to vent his frustrations on.

Oh Chang Geun was a man petty to the bone.

Beom Jun, sitting alone and pitifully drinking, picked up his mobile phone.

It was to look once more for someone to call.

As he scrolled down the address book for a while, he saw the name ‘Cha Sung Hyuk’. Suddenly, the image of Ah Rim crying her heart out came to mind.

“She’s still my sister, he should have gone easier on her…”

A complaint escaped his lips.

Even though they were busy bickering every day, he still cared about his sister.

He had scolded Ah Rim to know her place whenever she set her sights on Sung Hyuk, but hearing that she had been harshly rejected and sent away made him feel sympathetic.

Apart from being shocked at what his mother and sister had done in cahoots, he felt a bit resentful towards Sung Hyuk for hurling such harsh words at his only sister, saying he disliked her because she was so nasty.

Beom Jun filled a straight glass with whiskey, downed it in one go, and then called Young In.

The call kept ringing, but Young In didn’t answer even until it went to voicemail.

Feeling stubborn, he called three more times in a row. The result was the same.

About 10 minutes after sending a message with just three words, ‘Call me’, he received a call from Young In.

−What’s the matter?

“Hey, I’m at The New Palace now. Come pick me up.”

−I can’t come pick you up now. I’m at the company.

“I don’t care, just come right now!”

There was a sound of slight surprise from the other end of the phone, followed by a man’s voice.

−Team Leader Chae Young In is working right now.

“Who are you to answer someone else’s phone like that?”

−Chae Young In’s superior.

Realizing it was a familiar voice, Beom Jun momentarily hesitated.

“…Sung Hyuk?”

−Yes.

“Tell Young In to come pick me up as soon as she’s done with work. I’ll wait.”

−Can’t you go home alone?

“No, I can’t.”

Beom Jun hung up, being unnecessarily stubborn.

And about 20 minutes later, an unexpected face appeared before his eyes.

“Get up.”

It was Sung Hyuk, not Young In.