Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 490: Switching Sides (4)

"The chairman sent us."

Jin Dae-Woon, the giant of the business world, had practically built Jinseong Inc from the ground up. And that very man was calling for me.

"Mr. Jin Dae-Woon sent you?"

"Yes. And I am Park Sang-Gu, Chief of Security Team 2 under Mr. Jin Dae-Woon."

Park Sang-Gu greeted me politely. However, his body was tense and ready to use force if necessary. The same went for the six men who had accompanied him.

I had taken every precaution to keep my identity hidden while handling this situation. However, rescuing Park Hee-Joon and the sheer scale of this incident had inevitably drawn Jin Dae-Woon's attention.

I wasn't afraid of Jin Dae-Woon's summons as I knew about Jinseong Inc's future. However, that didn't mean I was about to go along without knowing the reason.

"Why does the chairman want to see me?"

Park Sang-Gu looked troubled. "I'm sorry. I just follow orders. Even if I knew the reason, I wouldn't be able to tell you."

"Then I'm afraid I can't go with you."

I made my refusal clear and leaned against one of the parking lot's concrete pillars. I needed to hold out until Lee Soo-Chan and my brothers arrived.

Park Sang-Gu furrowed his brow and let out a short sigh. "I know you can fight. I don't want to do this, but I'm not the type to act on bravado..."

At his signal, the six men in suits advanced toward me. I couldn't even tell which one I should take down first as they were all formidable fighters. They must have heard about my fighting skills because they were carefully guarding their chins as they approached.

I tightened my grip, preparing to endure until Lee Soo-Chan arrived.

Just then, the automatic door connecting to the underground parking lot slid open.

Buzz.

"Hyung-nim!"

With quick steps, Lee Soo-Chan and eight of the boys rushed to my side.

"Are you alright, hyung-nim?"

"Soo-Chan, you came at a perfect time."

They had arrived much faster than I expected. Glancing at their feet, I realized why—they had come running without even putting on their shoes, wearing only socks.

'These guys are reliable as always.'

Thanks to them, Park Sang-Gu and his security team halted in their tracks. None of the boys looked the least bit weak. In fact, they were once known as the elite combat unit of the Kanghan gang.

The tension in the air was thick.

Lee Soo-Chan and I exchanged a glance.

'Soo-Chan. If this turns into a fight, I'll take the leader. You guys handle the rest.'

'Okay, hyung-nim. We'll take care of the others.'

We nodded silently, understanding each other without the need for words.

At that moment, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Buzz, buzz.

I wanted to check it, but I couldn't afford to take my eyes off the men in front of me.

Beep.

The call ended when I ignored it.

However, Park Sang-Gu's phone rang right after. He stepped back slightly and answered with his expression changing as the call continued.

"Yes. Yes. I understand."

Park Sang-Gu repeatedly bowed while listening to the call. Finally, he turned to the suited men beside him and gave them an order.

"Everyone, step back!"

"Yes, sir."

The suited men retreated in perfect sync. Then, Park Sang-Gu switched his phone to speaker mode.

-Mr. Jung?

It was Jin Sung-Joon's voice.

"Mr. Jin?"

-You can come along with them.

"What exactly is going on?"

-I'll explain when you get here. We've reached an agreement.

'An agreement?'

I didn't know the details, but it seemed Jin Sung-Joon had worked something out with Jin Dae-Woon. His voice sounded upbeat, so things must have gone well.

Since I had already decided to support Jin Sung-Joon in the succession war, I had to consider his position.

"Understood. I'll go with them."

-I'll be waiting.

Click.

As soon as the call ended, Park Sang-Gu's demeanor changed completely.

Park Sang-Gu bowed deeply and said, "My apologies, Mr. Jung. Please allow us to escort you."

At his cue, the other suited men also bowed in unison.

Only then did I relax my stance and turn to Lee Soo-Chan. "Soo-Chan, I'll go with them."

Lee Soo-Chan looked worried. "Will you be alright?"

"Judging by the situation, it seems Executive Director Jin has made his move. It should be fine. Chairman Jin Dae-Woon isn't the type to play petty tricks like the vice chairman."

Jin Dae-Woon was a man who used his power to bulldoze obstacles rather than relying on underhanded schemes.

"Understood. But keep in touch."

"Of course. Let Mr. Seo know I'll contact him once I leave Jinseong Inc."

After giving a few more instructions, I headed toward Park Sang-Gu's car.

Just then, the sound of tires screeching echoed from the parking lot entrance.

Screeech!

A commotion followed as loud voices approached.

"Hey! I said let us in!"

"I'm sorry, but only resident vehicles are allowed inside."

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"Do you even know who we are?! We were sent by the vice president of Jinseong Inc!"

"I don't care if you were sent by Jinseong or the Seven Stars. Rules are rules."

It seemed Jin Myung-Gyu had sent his men.

Hearing this, Park Sang-Gu chuckled. "They really don't know that non-residents can't enter here, do they?"

That reminded me of something.

I asked, "Then how did you get in? I heard security here is tight."

Park Sang-Gu pointed at the windshields of the two cars they had arrived in. Both had a special HQ Villa's hologram sticker, something only residents could have.

"I happen to live here. That's why I only brought staff members who are registered on the entry list."

That explained how he got in.

Lee Soo-Chan scoffed in disbelief. "Hyung-nim, let's move Mr. Hee-Joon's family to a different villa."

"No, let's meet Mr. Jin first and then discuss it."

"Alright... In the meantime, we'll deal with those guys at the entrance."

Lee Soo-Chan clenched his fists and signaled to the others. "Alright, boys. Let's go welcome our guests."

"Yes, hyung-nim!"

The group, still in their socks, cracked their knuckles and marched toward the entrance.

"Shall we go, then?"

"Yes."

As Park Sang-Gu's car drove past the parking lot entrance, I glanced out the window.

The men sent by Jin Myung-Gyu were already pale-faced, getting completely overwhelmed by Lee Soo-Chan and the others.

***

Jin Dae-Woon sat in a dark brown leather armchair at the head of the seating arrangement in Jinseong Inc's Chairman's office.

Despite being seventy-two-years-old, Jin Dae-Woon was still sharp and commanding. He was a legendary figure who had transformed a small food distribution company passed down from the previous generation into Jinseong Inc, now ranked 25th in the business world.

Because of this, he was never satisfied with his children whom he deemed weak and lacking ambition. He hoped this succession war would toughen them up.

On either side of Jin Dae-Woon sat Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Myung-Gyu.

Their expressions couldn't have been more different. While Jin Sung-Joon wore a light smile, Jin Myung-Gyu scowled deeply.

At that moment, Park Sang-Gu escorted me inside and bowed his head. "I have brought him, Mr. Jin."

Jin Dae-Woon spoke in his deep voice. "Good work."

After bowing once more, Park Sang-Gu left the office. Now, only the four of us remained.

I greeted Jin Dae-Woon. "Hello, Mr. Chairman. I'm Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment."

However, Jin Dae-Woon barely acknowledged my greeting and responded curtly. "Take a seat."

His attitude was understandable. His eldest son's name and Jinseong Inc were topping the real-time search rankings, and it was natural he couldn't be in a good mood.

I took my seat next to Jin Sung-Joon.

Jin Myung-Gyu ground his teeth and spat out, "You bastard... You set me up, huh?"

It seemed Jin Myung-Gyu had figured out I was behind this. Yet I wasn't particularly concerned since I assumed that would be revealed the moment I was summoned here. After all, this wasn't the only move I had against him.

Just then, Jin Dae-Woon spoke in a low voice to reprimand Jin Myung-Gyu. "You're too impatient. Hold on. I have something to say first."

"But Mr. Chairman!"

Jin Dae-Woon's thick tiger-like eyebrows twitched as he warned, "Did you not hear me? Wait, Vice Chairman."

Only then did Jin Myung-Gyu finally shut his mouth. "..."

Jin Dae-Woon clicked his tongue in disappointment. "If you don't fix that rash temper of yours, you'll never accomplish anything significant."

Having scolded his eldest son, Jin Dae-Woon turned to me. "Team Lead Jung, you certainly stirred up quite a commotion. Thanks to you, Jinseong has taken a major hit."

'What's this about?'

Jin Sung-Joon had told me that he had already reached an agreement with Jin Dae-Woon. That meant the outcome of this situation had already been decided in a favorable way. Moreover, Jin Dae-Woon didn't seem to be stopping things.

At that moment, I recalled what I knew about Jin Dae-Woon's personality from before the regression.

'Right... This old man was a bit eccentric.'

It was clear that he was testing me.

Jin Dae-Woon despised weak or servile people. Knowing this, I chose to respond with unwavering confidence and even bordered on audacity.

"Wasn't this what you wanted?"

"You think I wanted this?"

"If Jinseong's heirs are fighting, the battle was bound to escalate. I assumed you wanted them to fight big."

"But that doesn't mean tarnishing Jinseong's name is acceptable!"

Jin Dae-Woon raised his voice slightly and glared at me.

"So, how do you plan to take responsibility for this?"

Jin Dae-Woon spoke as if he were reprimanding an employee, but I remained unfazed. "Why should I take responsibility?"

"...What?"

"I'm not part of Jinseong. If you want someone to take the blame, hold your employees accountable."

Jin Dae-Woon suddenly chuckled. "You've got quite the backbone."

His white tiger-like eyebrows relaxed slightly and a grin spread across his face. As expected, Jin Dae-Woon had been testing me.

"Team Lead Jung, was it?"

"Yes, Mr. Chairman."

"I apologize for testing you. I've heard nothing but praise for you from Executive Director Jin, so I wanted to see for myself. And don't worry. Neither you nor your company will face any repercussions from this. I personally guarantee that the coffee license you secured will remain intact as well."

'So this is what Jin Sung-Joon had negotiated.'

Even though I had attacked Jin Dae-Woon's first son, the vice chairman of Jinseong, I would walk away unscathed.

Jin Myung-Gyu suddenly shouted in protest. "Mr. Chairman! What do you mean by that?! This bastard dragged Jinseong's name through the mud and you're just letting him off?!"

Jin Dae-Woon slowly turned his head. The amusement that had been on his face moments ago vanished and was replaced by deep, simmering anger. "It wasn't Team Lead Jung who tarnished Jinseong's name. It was you. Why are you blaming him?"

"N-no, that's not what I meant..."

Jin Dae-Woon's thunderous voice echoed through the office. "And I told you before that I will pass the successor's position to the strongest, didn't I? I warned you not to show weakness. But instead of feeling ashamed that a young outsider outmaneuvered you, you choose to act like this?!"

"That's... I just..."

"You're pathetic! Myung-Gyu, you will step down as vice chairman for now and reflect on your actions."

"Father!"

Jin Dae-Woon pressed the intercom button and summoned his secretary.

"Chief Park, get in here and remove Myung-Gyu from my sight! Also, call in the Legal Director. Inform him that the vice chairman will be taking moral responsibility and resigning voluntarily, so they should make the necessary preparations."

-Yes, sir.

As soon as the intercom was cut off, Jin Myung-Gyu exploded in frustration. "You're forcing me to step down over this?! Does that even make sense?"

"Then what, you refuse to step down even in this mess?"

"No! My subordinates will take the fall. Everything is already arranged."

"You're old enough to know better, yet you still can't see the situation clearly? The media and prosecution are all over this. You think staying in your position makes it easier to handle?!"

"Father! If you use your influence..."

Before he could finish, Jin Dae-Woon roared. "Jin Myung-Gyu! If you don't step down voluntarily, I will fire you myself! Do you want your resignation to become a dismissal? Do you want to lose your position permanently?!"

Only then did Jin Myung-Gyu clamp his mouth shut.

At that moment, the office door swung open and Park Sang-Gu entered.

Bang!

Jin Dae-Woon ordered coldly, "I don't want to see this disgrace any longer. Take him out of here."

"Yes, sir."

Park Sang-Gu and his men surrounded Jin Myung-Gyu.

"Let's go, Mr. Jin."

Grinding his teeth, Jin Myung-Gyu rose to his feet. His eyes burned with pure hostility as he glared at both me and Jin Sung-Joon. "You two... Just wait and see."

Slam!

Jin Myung-Gyu stormed out without so much as a word to Jin Dae-Woon.

***

With only three of us left in the office, Jin Dae-Woon turned to Jin Sung-Joon. "The vice chairman will officially resign for about three months. Be aware of that."

'Only three months?'

For everything he had done, that was a laughably light punishment.

Jin Sung-Joon barely held back his anger. "You mean... you're planning to reinstate him?"

"Of course. If the master's seat is empty, others will start eyeing it. And you're not ready to take that position yet. It's unavoidable."

Jin Dae-Woon had made it clear that Jin Sung-Joon was not yet fit to be vice chairman. So instead, he would have Jin Myung-Gyu step down for a short reflection period before quietly bringing him back.

"But I'll take this opportunity to promote you to president of Jinseong Foods. Keep that in mind and don't escalate things further. I'll handle everything else, so there's no point in pushing any harder."

"...Understood."

Then, Jin Dae-Woon turned to me. "Team Lead Jung, you should also step back from this matter. You've already dealt a serious blow to the vice chairman."

However, I didn't respond. I had been prepared for exactly this moment. A mere three-month suspension was far too lenient, and I had one last card to play.