The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Chapter 33. Isn’t that what money is for in times like this?

Before I knew it, the two of us had become friends.

Whether it was because of the tequila he drank – I couldn’t drink because I was driving – or some other reason, I couldn’t tell.

“Ha ha, Yoon. I told you so.”

Cameron Smith said with a laugh.

“If I wrote a book about all the ridiculous things I’ve been through making that low-budget movie with that damn piranha or whatever it is, it would probably be at least ten volumes.”

“Still, it must be fun, right?”

“Of course. It’s my calling. I just can’t do anything else.”

I asked the question that had been on my mind.

“Can I ask what you’ve filmed so far? I’m curious if I know any of the movies.”

Cameron, who had been awkwardly smiling, suddenly lowered his voice.

He said he would share a secret.

He had written a script and had a feeling it was going to be a hit.

So now he was going around Hollywood studios, looking for someone to buy the rights for cheap in exchange for directing it.

“So that’s how you ended up meeting those guys.”

He was referring to the men who had been kicked out earlier. He chuckled.

“This is that kind of place.”

“It sure looks like it.”

“But Yoon, I noticed earlier that you speak Spanish well, but your English is even better. You seem Asian, so how do you know so many languages?”

He added that it was pure curiosity.

“I learned from books.”

“…Wow, incredible.”

He seemed quite drunk. He changed the subject. It was something he had wanted to talk about for a while.

“Cameron, can I take a look at that script?”

“Hmm, well…”

He didn’t seem too keen on the idea.

But soon he changed his mind.

“No, you’re my savior, Yoon, so I guess I can show you this much. But don’t throw a fit asking for it after you read it.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a wealthy person. I won’t be greedy.”

“Alright. Here.”

He pulled a bundle of papers from his bag and handed it to me.

‘Future Killer?’

That was the title.

I thought it was a bit cheesy, but anyway, I started flipping through the script he had given me while sitting there.

He ordered another burrito.

“Why?”

As I asked, peering over the paper,

“It’s going to take time to read. I figured I’d eat while I wait since I’m hungry.”

“Eating is fine, but there’s no need to wait. Anyway, I’ll finish reading it faster than the burrito comes out.”

“What? That’s ridiculous.”

He laughed, patting my shoulder. He didn’t seem to believe me.

Five minutes passed like that.

“Your burrito is here.”

The waitress approached. Cameron looked at me instead of the plate. It meant, “Did you read it all?”

“I read it all.”

“Really? You’re lying, right?”

“If I were lying, you could just ask me about the content.”

He asked, and I answered every question without missing a beat. Cameron eventually clicked his tongue.

“Wow, I thought you were just good with languages, but you’re a genius, Yoon! You read all over 200 pages that quickly? That’s insane.”

By the way,

After reading it, I felt like I understood.

Why he was still an unknown.

I’m sorry to say, but I could confidently say that the chances of Cameron succeeding in the future were close to zero.

“So, what do you think?”

He asked, taking a bite of his burrito. His voice was filled with anticipation.

“Hmm, not bad. No, it’s good.”

I lied.

“Just as I thought, it’s Yoon. You have a good eye, as expected of a genius. You must have realized, but I’m going to direct this and sit on a pile of money. Just wait and see.”

I nodded. I wanted to protect his fantasy.

Investing in that movie?

Even if it cost a few million dollars, it would all turn to scrap paper…

Wait a minute?

Could I not let that scrap paper be mine?

If only that were possible, my evaluation of Grandpa, built up until now, could come crashing down in an instant.

Why didn’t I think of that?

“Cameron. It seems like I’ll have to ask you for a favor.”

“Go ahead. I’m all ears.”

He said it readily.

“I’m fine with taking this film elsewhere, but I also want to invest in it.”

“What, what did you say?”

He was literally taken aback.

“That’s not possible. I can’t owe the same person twice. Besides, this film is going to cost a lot, so it’s a no-go. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll just take your goodwill.”

“That’s not true.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is that the person who should be grateful isn’t you, Cameron, but me.”

“What?”

“This time, I want to owe you a favor. I really want to invest in this film. You don’t have to worry about the money. I have more than you think.”

I said earnestly.

I couldn’t let this golden opportunity slip away, one that could lead to a grand failure in film investment and also ruin Grandpa’s reputation.

“Goodness. Am I dreaming, or am I just lucky…”

Cameron grumbled.

That was actually what I wanted to say.

I was lucky.

An opportunity had fallen right from the sky. As I had heard, America truly was the land of opportunity.

*

As expected.

“You’re saying you want to invest in a film? Out of the blue?”

Assistant Lee Beom-seok was genuinely shocked by my words.

It was understandable.

Even I thought it was quite sudden.

Instead of explaining in detail, I silently handed over the synopsis and project plan of Future Killer that Cameron Smith had given me.

His eyes, scanning the content, were filled with even greater disbelief than before.

“Sir.”

It was a low voice.

“Please, go ahead.”

“I won’t ask you to explain the circumstances in detail, but this seems a bit off.”

“Why is that?”

“Both the U.S. and Korea are barren lands for sci-fi films. Especially with a storyline depicting such a bleak future. Moreover, investing in a field you don’t know well is a risky endeavor. It’s nonsensical, young master.”

It’s absurd.

I know that. That’s why I’m doing it.

“I expected you would say that, Deputy.”

“······Then why on earth······.”

For a moment, I almost spoke.

‘If I fail in this investment, I can shatter my grandfather’s trust all at once.’

But that couldn’t happen.

I presented the fabricated reason I had prepared.

“That’s right. Sci-fi films don’t perform well.”

“As I mentioned.”

“To be precise, they haven’t performed well. Until now. It’s in the past tense.”

I continued to explain slowly.

“However, public tastes cycle and return. That means the time for sci-fi films to succeed is approaching. That’s the reason. I want to boldly bet on this film. I liked it, after all.”

But the Deputy didn’t seem inclined to concede.

“Yes, your prediction might be correct. I acknowledge that.”

“But you shouldn’t do this. Isn’t this not why you came to America, young master? If the chairman were to get angry······.”

“Wait a moment. Then what am I doing here?”

I retorted.

In that instant, he was at a loss for words.

Of course.

He had no response.

Because, in truth, I hadn’t come here for anything in particular.

When I told Chairman Hyun that I would be coming to America, the first thing I said was that I wanted to broaden my horizons.

While assisting the local corporation preparation team is my main task, that doesn’t mean I can’t engage in other activities.

This assistant knows that well.

In the end, he chose the final method.

“Do you really have to do this?”

It was a plea.

“Yes, I must.”

“If that’s the case, I won’t say anything more. How can I assist you?”

Once again, the speed of his attitude shift was remarkable.

He knows.

The responsibility that comes with the decision belongs to the leader.

Not to the subordinate.

After several attempts to persuade and change the superior’s mind, once it’s clear that it’s futile, it’s the subordinate’s virtue to follow the intent without complaint.

He’s not the ace of the secretary’s office for nothing.

For some reason, I felt a bit guilty.

‘But it has to be done.’

I can’t afford to be this weak.

I must remain steadfast until I achieve my ultimate goal.

The guilt I felt today can be repaid tenfold, a hundredfold later.

“Then listen carefully.”

Finally,

I began to explain the plan I had prepared step by step.

“First, let’s draft the contract. We need to secure Cameron Smith. After that, let’s gather the funds. We should have at least half of the production cost he demands, around two million dollars. The rest he can cover himself in Hollywood.”

The assistant listened intently.

Then,

“Sir, I’m sorry, but…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I understand that it’s a low budget for a Hollywood film. Still, investing half of the total production cost, two million dollars, is too great a risk.”

I admit it. It is a risk.

“The capital we invested to establish our local corporation is five million dollars. Considering the costs for building our office and the OS technology transfer needed for the Perscom project, it’s projected to be just under ten million dollars in total. That’s nearly 20%. It’s too much.”

The answer lies within his words.

“Well then, you have the money.”

“Excuse me?”

“Just take the money you’ll use next year and use it in advance. It’s simple, right?”

My intention was firm.

“It’s money you’ll spend eventually.”

“······.”

“I won’t touch the money you need right away. After all, isn’t money meant to be used in times like this? Besides, the production period is short. It’ll be released this year. Once it’s out, I’m sure we’ll at least recover the seed money. I guarantee it. Of course, more would be even better.”

Of course, neither would be possible, but I kept that last thought to myself.

The seed money was indeed correct.

But I planned to plant the seeds in barren land. So, there would be no growth. Recovery would be impossible.

I had aimed for that from the very beginning.

In response to my words,

‘Has he finally lost it?’

It felt like this assistant, gazing intently at me, was thinking just that.

“If any problems arise, I’ll take full responsibility. I’ll inform the chairman beforehand as well.”

I stated my final words firmly.

It was the most important statement.

All the responsibility is mine. I had no intention of sharing it with anyone.

How could I share the stake in an opportunity I had created?

From noble mtl dot com

“Who knows? That money might multiply tenfold.”

I tried to comfort this assistant instead.

“If that happens, we could raise our local corporation’s building from five stories to ten, and from ten to twenty, right? Just think how pleased the chairman would be! Don’t you agree?”

Of course, I didn’t believe my own words.

No, it wasn’t just disbelief; it couldn’t happen.

*

Convincing others was somewhat easier.

‘Of course, it’s a large sum, and it seems there are many risks, but since it’s something the young master is doing, I won’t oppose it.’

Above all, the absolute trust of Deputy Director So Byeong-hwa, the head of the local corporation’s preparation team, was unwavering.

It was almost embarrassing to bring it up after such difficulty.

The other employees were similar.

‘How exciting must it be for our current employee to make such a big decision? Ah, of course, I won’t oppose it either.’

“Let’s all go see it together when it’s released. I’m curious!”

It was enough to make Assistant Manager Lee shake his head in disbelief at that reaction.

Of course,

The fact that it didn’t require much capital yet, and that it was far from Korea, allowing for a relatively free atmosphere away from the group’s higher-ups, played a part.

Above all, all the responsibility rested on me.

That was the biggest reason.

“I’m really glad I’m the young master in times like this.”

I thought to myself.

A month of vacation passed like that.

Cameron Smith worked like a bull.

In the process, he sent me many messages as a co-investor.

“I’ve cast muscular star Arnold Schreier as the lead and the most important villain, Future Killer. Oh, by the way, he can hardly speak English. He’s very different from Yoon, ha, haha.”

“Unfortunately, NFL superstar Jake Thompson fell through because the guarantee didn’t match. I had no choice but to cast unknown actors for the remaining roles. But it’s okay. As long as the movie is fun, that’s all that matters.”

Every single word was to my liking.

A lead who can’t speak English.

Unknown actors.

I even went to watch the actress auditions in person. I attended the after-party, but it wasn’t as fun as I expected.

“I’m diligently paving the way for a disaster.”

That was all I wanted to confirm. It felt refreshing.

This is the end.

I just need to succeed once. Then everything will be over.

My heart swelled with anticipation.

Meanwhile,

On the other side of America, a secret phone call was taking place in New York.

“…Hmm, I see. Is that so?”

In a high-end studio apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side,

the sinister voice of Hyun Tae-yoon, the third generation of the Seonghyeon family, flowed through.

– I’m telling you. I saw it.

“Did you see him with women? You’re sure you saw it with your own eyes, right?”

– You don’t trust me? Even though I look like this, I once worked with star director Steven Wilkberg (in a minor role). What’s going on?

“Got it. I said I got it.”

Hyun Tae-yoon comforted the person on the other end of the line.

“What about the photos?”

That was the real important thing.

Without evidence, it’s not a fact.

– I told you. I’m a smart woman. Of course, I took some.

“Alright. Send it to me.”

– Just with words?

“······I’ll transfer the money to your account, so check it and send it over as soon as you can. I need it within a few days.”

A chuckle escaped.

Hyun Tae-yoon bit his lip tightly. Anger bubbled inside him.

‘That b*tch.’

But right now, the item was the priority. He could deal with his anger later.

– Fine. I’ll check the money and send it.

“Are you sure?”

– Of course.

Click.

With that, the call ended.

Hyun Tae-yoon set the phone down and stared into the darkness for a long time.

It felt as if Hyun Sang-yoon was right there within it.

‘Just wait. I’ll make sure to repay you for causing such a ruckus without knowing your place.’

After that, there would be no one left to interfere with him.

He couldn’t help but chuckle.

Finally, he had caught Hyun Sang-yoon’s weakness.

A moment later,

He dialed another number. It was an international call.

Beep, beep, beep.

– Is that you, Tae-yoon?

“Dad?”

He had some good news that he absolutely needed to share with his father, Hyun Seung-jae, the president of Seonghyeon Materials.

On the other hand, at the headquarters of Seonghyeon.

A conversation was taking place in the chairman’s office.

“The local corporation preparation team in the U.S. has submitted a report. The reporter is Young-sun. Shall I let him in?”

“Yes, hurry.”

The expression on Chairman Hyun’s face was filled solely with anticipation.

‘I wonder what interesting trouble he’s stirred up this time.’

He was simply curious.