Chapter 12 : It’s a step to get to know each other

Unable to withstand SeongWon’s fierce and brutal pressure, Department Head Cha fainted and was even hospitalized.

“Fainting during a pressure interview… This is quite a unique case. We’ll need to run some detailed tests. The symptoms are similar to acute myocardial infarction, but there’s no relevant history.”

At the emergency room doctor’s words, David Kim glanced at SeongWon. She must have noticed his gaze because she was looking away, pretending to be occupied with something else.

“……”

What on earth did she do to make a person’s heart stop just with her gaze? Feeling a slight chill, David Kim quietly rubbed his arms.

“One thing is for sure, he needs to rest for the time being. We need to monitor his progress after admission.”

“I understand. Please take good care of him, Doctor.”

“Ah, yes. Haha.”

And so, Department Head Cha Eun-ho was admitted to the hospital.

While Miley went to the administration office to handle the paperwork, David Kim carefully asked SeongWon.

“What should we do now, Chairman?”

“What do you mean?”

“About Department Head Cha.”

David Kim glanced at the emergency room and said.

“Should we get rid of him? We can do that if you wish.”

At those words, SeongWon slightly raised her eyes.

“I thought firing someone was impossible because of the Labor Standards Act.”

“Haha. Well, that’s… if we strictly adhere to the principles. But, if we don’t limit ourselves to any means, it’s not that difficult for a company to fire an employee.”

David Kim replied with a chuckle.

Although he had been bickering with Miley and showing a comical side, David Kim was also a ruthless financier.

A man who had destroyed companies with a flick of his finger, squeezed salarymen until they cried tears of blood, and even wrecked a country by manipulating a hedge fund.

He was more than qualified to be a hunting dog that bites and tears people apart.

And SeongWon was the investor and benefactor who let David play with trillions of capital. What was a little blood on his hands for her?

Especially when it was just about cutting off a insignificant broadcasting station PD.

David Kim’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Just say the word, and I can fire him immediately. Without causing any damage to the company. Just give the order, and I will take care of it quietly right now.”

At those ominous, murderous words.

“Well, forget it.”

SeongWon waved her hand casually.

David Kim blinked at the unexpected answer.

“You mean to leave him be?”

“Yes.”

David Kim was about to say something, filled with questions, but he soon closed his mouth. Perhaps sensing his brief hesitation, SeongWon looked up at David Kim.

“Are you curious why I came to that conclusion?”

“…To be honest, yes. I am curious.”

David Kim asked, as if he couldn’t understand.

“Chairman, you clearly, genuinely want to become the best internet broadcaster.”

Then shouldn’t the work be entrusted to the most competent person, someone who can burn with passion towards that goal?

“Department Head Cha isn’t without ability, but I don’t think he’s the best. He even went against your wishes and failed to prove himself.”

So why?

To David Kim’s question, SeongWon answered.

“Still, we should give him a chance.”

“…A chance, you say?”

David Kim looked puzzled.

It was a reason he had never considered.

“Anyone can fail, right? Even talented people experience failure, so there’s no reason not to give another chance just because of one mistake.”

“But is there a reason to stay with someone who lacks ability? When there are other alternatives, I don’t see the need…”

Then, SeongWon slowly opened her mouth.

A beautiful voice that anyone would find melodious.

But, for some reason, David Kim felt that the voice was filled with a gloomy residue.

“Why do you decide that?”

As if struck by lightning, David Kim flinched.

Realizing he had overstepped, David Kim was about to apologize immediately, when SeongWon turned her head.

“Who dares to decide whether someone has talent or not?”

“……”

“I’m not denying talent. If they can’t prove it, then they might not have it. But isn’t it too arrogant to conclude based on just one aspect?”

She stared directly at David Kim.

“So, I will give him a chance to prove himself.”

Then, she spoke clearly and emphatically.

“A chance to try again.”

A low, but powerful voice.

“Whether he uses that chance to prove himself, or hits a wall and becomes frustrated, is none of my business and beyond my control. But, at least I can say that everyone who comes under my wing deserves another chance.”

David Kim swallowed hard.

“Why is that?”

To that foolish question, a wise answer returned.

“Because, I’m the one who took them in.”

This was an arrogant, even outrageous statement.

Something only a narcissist at the peak of self-love would say.

However, David Kim couldn’t even let out a chuckle despite hearing such an absurd statement. SeongWon’s eyes, her gaze, were clearly saying.

This doesn’t just apply to Department Head Cha.

Only then did David Kim realize.

That he, too, had just been given a chance.

He couldn’t possibly laugh.

*

“I don’t think there will be any progress on the broadcast until Department Head Cha is discharged. Miley, what do you think?”

“Hmm. I agree, Master.”

“Hmm. Then I’ll go in and practice the game, so you can rest today. I’ll eat at the restaurant downstairs for dinner.”

“I understand. Have a good night, Master.”

After confirming that SeongWon had entered the house, waving her hand, Miley headed to her own house on the lower floor.

In her heart, she wanted to live in the penthouse next door to serve SeongWon more diligently, but there was already a resident there. Miley’s wealth wasn’t enough to buy the place even with a premium.

Of course, if she told SeongWon, she would say, ‘Oh? Then, well, we can just buy the house next door,’ but how could she dare trouble the Proxy with such a trivial matter?

‘It’s all because I’m lacking.’

She had never resented her inability to manage money as much as she did now. Miley Saint-Rapier got off the elevator with a gloomy face and stopped in front of her house.

There, squatting, was a familiar, yet unpleasant and irritating face that she saw every time.

“…Representative Kim.”

Dressed in an overly neat suit that didn’t suit his status, with a wig that anyone with as much discernment as herself could recognize, David Kim slowly stood up as if he had been waiting for Miley to arrive.

Why on earth was this man here?

Wasn’t it obvious?

Miley Saint-Rapier spat out, not hiding the disgust that rose from the depths of her heart.

“Are you stalking me now? This is truly appalling. I knew you were a vulgar human from the start, but this… I will report this to Master.”

“…Please don’t shout such crazy things outside, Butler. Why wouldn’t I know your house is here? I’m the one who found the property in the first place.”

“If you’re not stalking, then why are you here?”

“I have something to discuss.”

David Kim opened his mouth with a complicated expression.

“From what I see… it seems like you understand the Chairman better than I do.”

“Of course, I…”

Ah, she almost made a mistake.

Miley quickly shut her mouth. Fortunately, David Kim didn’t seem to notice her momentary agitation.

“So, will you listen to my consultation?”

However, Miley soon regained her composure at David Kim’s words and twisted the corner of her mouth.

‘Ugly orc loan shark. You finally realized that you are incompetent and unworthy to be by the Proxy’s side. At least you’re smarter than an orc.’

Miley Saint-Rapier looked down at David Loan Shark Kim, raising her chin with a slightly excited voice.

“Why should I do you any favors?”

“…Ha, you really have a way with words. Would it be enough if I bought you dinner?”

“Ha, are you flirting with a coworker now?”

“Oh, shit. Are you really crazy?”

David Kim, who had burst out in anger, soon sighed.

“Damn, I really didn’t want to do this.”

Then, he clicked his tongue once and quietly raised his finger to point at the ceiling.

“I know you want to move into the house next to the Representative’s. But you can’t move due to financial problems, right?”

At those words, Miley’s face contorted.

“…Did you put someone on me?”

“Sigh. Everyone in our company, including Department Head Cha who’s currently hospitalized, knows that. It’s obvious from your expression, why would I need to put someone on you to find this out?”

When David Kim looked at her as if it was absurd, Miley felt slightly hurt. Was she that bad at controlling her expressions? That’s a disqualification for a butler.

“…So what are you getting at?”

Seeing that Miley’s spirit had slightly diminished, David Kim smiled subtly. Then, he threw out a proposal that she could never refuse.

“If you listen to my consultation, I will personally manage your assets as well. And without any fees, for free.”

At those words, Miley paused for a moment.

‘Got her.’

Knowing well what that hesitation meant, David Kim leisurely raised his chin and chuckled.

“You’ve heard the saying, ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch’, right? I’m offering you a free course meal. You won’t get this kind of offer anywhere else, so think carefully and answer.”

At those words, Miley bit her lip.

Why, couldn’t she manage money?

And why did everyone know about it?

Honestly, she wanted to handle stocks or something herself rather than be in this miserable situation.

But in the past, she had meddled with the Order’s finances and once brought it to the brink of bankruptcy.

「Miley Saint-Rapier. …You must never, ever! Please never get involved with money. Got it? Never, ever!」

The warning SeongWon had given her, gritting her teeth, when the ruined finances had forced them to borrow from the Imperial Family, seemed to ring in her head.

Miley clenched her teeth tightly, then relaxed her body.

“…Very well. I accept your proposal.”

“Thank you for your wise choice.”

At that, David Kim bowed his head slightly.

The corner of Kim’s mouth, which was lowered, was slightly twisted.

‘Heh, the Chairman’s new mansion has a separate building for you anyway. There’s no need to work hard for you.’

Hoping for a free lunch from a financier!

‘What a fool.’

David Kim smiled victoriously in his heart.

…There was a reason why these people were called precious ones.