"Ji-hoon, I doubt you'd be satisfied with just one Gucci. What's next? Louis Vuitton on your back?"
How does he even guess the brand so accurately?
Of course, I couldn't exactly say, "Yes, you're absolutely right." So, I subtly changed the subject.
"But, Grandpa."
"…?"
"It's been months since we've seen each other. Shouldn't we be talking about things like how you've been doing or how my studies are going? Isn't that the usual conversation?"
"Do I look like an ordinary person to you?"
With that response, I couldn't really argue. Ahem!
"Will Capsulemon be enough?"
"I'll make it enough."
"Instead of just managing with it, why not expand the business while you're at it?"
Surely… he's not building up to talk about Hyungang Motors, right?
I glanced at Grandpa with suspicion, and he spoke again.
"Take rugby today, for example. Do you know how hard it is to make it popular nationwide?"
"It's practically impossible."
"If you've made the impossible possible, you need to reap the rewards."
Rewards, huh.
I thought successfully pulling off the UltimateXGucci collaboration was enough.
But Grandpa seemed to see far more potential for expansion.
Unless…
Could it be that he'd already figured out my little scheme to retire early and was now pushing me to take on more work?
Did he read the doubt in my eyes? Grandpa slowly continued.
"You like that story, don't you, Ji-hoon? About the time you beat an entire second-year team in a match? The whole nation knows about it. You're just going to let that fade away?"
Listening to Grandpa, you'd think I walked out of a store after buying a single piece of candy for 100,000 won, forgetting the change.
"With that sharp mind of yours, are you going to let this opportunity slip?"
"But, Grandpa."
"…?"
"On days I come back from a match, isn't the usual advice to stop thinking and just rest?"
"Why? Are you an ordinary kid?"
Normally, Grandpa's words wouldn't intimidate me, but lately, it felt like I'd been knocked down one too many times.
'Is it because of rugby?'
Just then, as if in perfect sync with Grandpa's argument, the TV started broadcasting news about us.
『It was an intensely watched match! Here's the story of the rugby game between the first and second years at Royal School.』
Grandpa's eyes seemed to say, Now, are you still against expanding the business?
"It must be because of the dinner party. I'm feeling really sleepy."
Thanks to that excuse, I managed to make a hasty escape from the living room.
***
At the same time, in Leona Harris's office.
Leona sat stiffly, her face frozen as she stared at the TV screen.
It was the main evening news from a prominent broadcasting station.
But seriously, how could something as trivial as an inter-year rugby match be making headlines?
As if that wasn't enough—
『Among the UltimateXGucci products revealed during today's match, the outfits worn by the players have already sold out, and…』
Ha!
The broadcast was practically a free advertisement for the brand.
The only consolation was that there hadn't been any mention of her son.
Leona's sharp focus on the news was entirely because of Carl.
She picked up the phone and connected to the head of her protocol team.
"How are the other broadcasters handling it?"
(They've kept their promise and haven't reported it.)
Damn it.
How much had she spent to block just one piece of news? What a waste!
After taking a deep, calming breath, she asked again.
"What about the newspapers?"
(Most of them have withheld their reports, but the London Times remains stubborn…)
"Offer them the highest ad rates for a year. Flood them with ads."
(We'll try our best, but they're being incredibly unyielding…)
"Then intimidate them if you have to!"
(…)
"For crying out loud, there's no evidence! None! What kind of nonsense is this—writing articles based on some unsubstantiated claims from a no-name PE teacher!"
Was it her pent-up frustration finally boiling over?
Leona shouted so loudly her face turned red.
"If push comes to shove, bribe the damn PE teacher. How much does a gym teacher even make? Hand him ten years' worth of salary, and he'll play along!"
(I'm sorry, but neither bribes nor threats seem to be effective.)
"And why not? What's the issue this time?"
(That Devon guy… He's the only son of the Director of the Royal Prosecution Service…)
Before the sentence was even finished—
Crash!
Leona slammed the receiver down with enough force to break it.
***
Although I had used sleepiness as an excuse to run away…
"Urgh."
Honestly, I wasn't sleepy at all.
"Ji-hoon, isn't this the kind of story you love? The whole nation knows you beat an entire second-year team. Are you really planning to let that just fade away?"
Grandpa's words echoed in my ears.
Capsulemon is a super IP that brings in enormous profits every year.
It's clear that its trajectory will continue to trend upwards.
But still!
Just because I have Capsulemon doesn't mean I need to shut down every other potential revenue stream.
More importantly.
An idea for boosting sales by leveraging the rugby story suddenly popped into my head.
And based on what I'd confirmed in my previous life… It looked like a business model that could be both lucrative and fun.
To be honest, I was feeling conflicted.
Ji-hoon, are you really not going to retire?
Why not take on even more work here? Do you think you'll ever retire if you keep this up?
Right. How many times have you told yourself, "just this much and no more"? Keep going like this, and you'll never…
But hey, isn't it a universal rule to quit smoking, go on a diet, or make any major changes starting tomorrow?
While an angel and a devil were wrestling in my head, I thought:
What's the point of agonizing over this?
The idea started with rugby anyway.
And since I'd already cast Tennessee as the protagonist of this story, I would inevitably need his help.
Might as well ask him first.
I glanced at the clock. It wasn't too late to call.
If he doesn't pick up, then oh well.
With that thought, I reluctantly picked up the phone and dialed.
(Yes?)
Tennessee's voice came through before I even had time to wait.
At that moment, I felt the weight of fate tipping the scales.
"You're not asleep?"
(It's only ten o'clock.)
I was about to ask if he had time tomorrow when he said something completely unexpected.
(You called because of my request, didn't you?)
Huh? Oh, that favor!
(What did your grandfather say?)
At the dinner party, Tennessee had mentioned that he was interested in business and had asked me to arrange a meeting with Grandpa.
He wanted to learn from the man who had built the Hyungang Empire from the ruins of Korea.
Along with his request, he'd even sent a bottle of wine exclusively allocated to noble families.
But in the end, I'd lost to Grandpa in our little war of words and retreated to my room without a chance to bring it up.
Oops.
Quickly shifting gears, I asked, "By the way, about that wine you gave me—Grandpa said it's ridiculously expensive?"
(That much is necessary to call it a proper gift.)
Since I'd received a bottle of wine worth as much as an S-Class car and even used up my favor card, I had to arrange the meeting somehow.
"He's here on a business trip, so he has plans tomorrow."
(It doesn't have to be tomorrow.)
"Hmm… alright. I'll try to set something up during the week."
As Tennessee seemed ready to hang up, I quickly added,
"Do you have time tomorrow?"
(…?)
"I've got a business idea, and I think I really need you for it."
(What kind of idea?)
"I'm planning to create an energy drink."
(An energy drink?)
"Think about everything that was on display during the rugby match."
The hunger for victory.
Unrelenting passion.
Unbreakable determination.
"I want to make a drink that embodies all of that."
(You think the story's too good to waste?)
As expected, he was quick to catch on.
"What do you think?"
(What do you need me to do?)
"How about we talk about the details in person?"
***
The next day.
Park Yong-hak had finished his early morning meeting with Rolls-Royce.
It was a discussion that revealed the gap in their perspectives.
Park sought a technical partnership, while Rolls-Royce wanted a massive investment.
However, the disparity between the technology they were willing to provide and the money Park was prepared to offer was significant.
As he was about to leave the building, feeling a bit disappointed, someone called out to him.
"Chairman Park?"
It was Carter, the CEO of Rolls-Royce.
"Are you heading to the Grosvenor Duke's estate by any chance?"
"Yes, I am."
"They've sent a helicopter for you. It should arrive in five minutes."
The estate was about an hour's drive away.
Sending a helicopter despite the relatively short distance was a clear gesture of utmost hospitality.
'They must really want to make an impression.'
While Park paused in thought, Carter asked, "Chairman, may I ask you something?"
"…?"
"Do you have a special connection with the Grosvenor Duke's estate?"
Park Yong-hak stared intently at the other man's face, his expression clearly indicating that today's negotiation results could change drastically depending on the answer he received.
'It seems Grosvenor truly is extraordinary.'
A bitter smile formed on Park's lips.
The helicopter landed in the yard of the Grosvenor estate.
"We'll escort you to the annex."
It appeared even getting to the building required a car.
Two vehicles were prepared: a McLaren sports car and an Aston Martin sports sedan.
Since both were two-seaters, Park took the lead car, while Jo So-deok rode in the one behind.
Vrooooom!
Even with such powerful vehicles, it took a good drive to reach the building.
As expected of Europe's most prestigious family—it felt almost like visiting a king of a sovereign nation.
Their destination turned out to be a kind of banquet hall.
The building spanned three floors.
It was the sort of place you'd imagine hosting an elite masquerade ball, as seen in high-society films.
A perfect setting for grandeur and exclusivity.
After walking another five minutes, they arrived at the dining hall.
The first thing that caught the eye was the massive dining table, over 10 meters long.
Encircling the table like silent sentinels were world-renowned masterpieces:
paintings by Raphael, Van Gogh, Munch, Monet, Cézanne, and Picasso, each displayed as if guarding its own territory.
Yet, one spot stood conspicuously empty.
Only the head seat was left bare, without any artwork adorning it.
Perhaps it was reserved for a Da Vinci piece yet to be acquired.
Just then—
Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps echoed as a tall, distinguished middle-aged man approached.
"Was your journey exhausting?"
Although fluent in English, Park chose to communicate through Jo So-deok, ensuring a layer of protection should any misunderstandings arise later, which he could attribute to translation errors.
"He says your hospitality made the journey very comfortable."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Taking a step closer to Park, the man introduced himself.
"I am Grosvenor."
"And I am Park Yong-hak."
The two shook hands and then moved to their respective seats.
During the meal, not much conversation took place.
After all, this was merely a formal introduction, and the physical distance between their seats made engaging in meaningful dialogue challenging.
Perhaps that was why.
Even as dessert wine was served, the Duke never once mentioned Da Vinci.
And yet—
This space, reminiscent of an art gallery…
That conspicuously empty spot above the head seat…
It all seemed to speak in unison for the silent Duke.
"Sensitive topics are left to the space and atmosphere to convey?"
It was likely the product of meticulous diplomatic training.
Perhaps it was the thought that he'd finally met a worthy adversary after such a long time that brought it about.
Smirk.
A bright smile spread across Park Yong-hak's lips.