Chapter 79: Chapter 79

LUMINA’s turn finally arrived after a series of idol groups and singers took their turns on the show. The members, visibly tense, took a deep breath before starting their performance as the music began.

"The response isn’t bad for their debut," I mused.

Though they had made an effort, releasing teasers, pushing SNS virality, media promotions, and music previews, they hadn’t amassed a huge fan following yet—not to the point where fans would flock to the music show for them. There were a few here and there, but their voices were largely drowned out, and compared to other groups, they seemed modest at best.

But as LUMINA danced, I could feel the energy in the room heating up. Their choreography was hitting the mark.

“Mm. This is good.”

Most importantly, it was pleasing to my eyes.

"Idols have to be sexy, after all."

Soo-ah liked that Nokonoko Girls’ music for its catchiness, but my tastes couldn’t be more opposite. Sure, the girls were pretty, but their dance? Completely uninspired.

And yet, somehow, their nonsensical concept had triggered a whole syndrome.

“Soo-ah, start preparing to acquire Rainbow Miracle when we return. Let Emilia know, too. Also, which company is Nokonoko Girls under?”

“Nokonoko Headquarters.”

“What a name…”

Seriously, they should have named it with more flair, like I would have.

"Prepare for an acquisition there, too. I think we can leave Emilia and Nokonoko’s CEO to handle it."

“You’re stepping back from entertainment?”

“More like I need to focus and prioritize with the increasing workload. The company needs to operate independently without my constant attention—I’m no expert to begin with.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once we began discussing business, the topics seemed endless: Real Production’s stock price was losing momentum, Jang Kyung-soo refused to make a one-trillion-won drug purchase, and so on.

As our conversation went on and the performances wrapped up, LUMINA’s stage ended.

'Nothing worth watching left.'

+++

LUMINA ranked fourth in today’s show. Nokonoko Girls took first place, with two unknown boy groups taking second and third. But the LUMINA members were ecstatic, celebrating their fourth place as if they’d won.

“I-I can’t believe it…! It’s our debut, and we’re already fourth place…!!”

“What’s so impressive about fourth place?”

Someday, you’ll shake the world.

“B-but… considering our album release was much later, and our SNS and MeTube scores aren’t great…! Next week, we might…!!”

Seong Yeji was speaking three times more than usual, and the other members were the same. The ones who used to be terrified of me couldn’t stop smiling.

‘They’ll make it big with Emilia and Nokonoko’s CEO managing them.’

Emilia, a capable manager with a small but solid agency, had proven her ability. Meanwhile, Nokonoko’s CEO had somehow kept their quirky concept at the top for three consecutive weeks. They’d surely know how to nurture LUMINA.

“You’ll be the world’s most famous idols in two years, so don’t get too excited over fourth place.”

“Huh? W-world’s most famous idols…?”

“Yeah. Why do you think I specifically picked you all?”

“Uh…”

They clearly didn’t believe me.

Well, it’s understandable. Barely a month ago, they were mere trainees at Rainbow Miracle, an agency that didn’t even pay them much attention. It made sense they were overjoyed about reaching fourth place today.

I turned to Seo Eun-mi.

“These girls are going into hell mode starting tomorrow, so take them out today and buy them whatever they want. Clothes, bags, whatever.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Being shy, they might not say what they want directly. So, if they choose something, buy that and the top item in that category. Make it two.”

“Yes, young master.”

Leaving Seo Eun-mi with LUMINA, I boarded my AV. It was about 6:30 PM, time for dinner, the start of the Jojob meeting, and Min Ji-ah’s scheduled visit to report at my mansion.

“Has Min Ji-ah arrived?”

“Yes, she got here about 30 minutes ago.”

“Oh.”

Min Ji-ah. I wondered what she looked like.

“Tell the Jojob meeting to go ahead with their dinner in the public dining hall.”

“Oh, in that case…”

“Yeah, only you and Seol are joining me to meet Min Ji-ah. Prepare dinner in the private dining hall.”

“Yes, I’ll pass along the message.”

Even if she’s just a collateral family member, I should at least maintain appearances. It wouldn’t look good to embarrass her publicly.

‘Please be beautiful, Min Ji-ah.’

I purposely hadn’t looked at her photo, hoping she wouldn’t disappoint my anticipation.

+++

I arrived at the Songdo mansion just before 7 PM, excited for some reason, even feeling a little aroused.

“You’re back, young master.”

I entered the mansion, greeted by the staff. I considered freshening up before heading to the private dining hall but decided to go straight there instead.

‘Come to think of it, Seong-hyun’s mother said she’d come, too.’

She must be quite a beauty, but strangely, I wasn’t as interested.

It wasn’t a matter of conscience—my anticipation for Min Ji-ah simply outweighed it.

‘Am I…? Am I into this?’

This intense anticipation was unexpected, even for me.

‘No, I’m not into that. It’s just… something about Min Ji-ah’s personality makes me feel this way.’

Lost in my thoughts, I reached the private dining hall, where the chefs had already laid out a luxurious spread of delicacies.

“Everyone out.”@@novelbin@@

“Yes, young master.”

Except for Soo-ah and Baek Seol, I dismissed everyone else. When Min Ji-ah arrived, there would be four of us, and if Seong-hyun’s mother joined, five. This was more than courteous.

I walked down the central aisle and sat in my seat, which allowed me to view every corner of the room like a king.

I stationed Soo-ah and Baek Seol behind me. Normally, they’d sit at the far seats, but today, Min Ji-ah was the star.

“Tell Min Ji-ah to come in.”

“Yes, master.”

+++

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!

“...!”

Min Ji-ah couldn’t calm down from the moment she stepped into the mansion. She felt like she’d faint if she lost focus, even for a moment.

But she couldn’t afford that.

‘If I do…!!’

Collateral family members must show absolute obedience to direct descendants. If they were ordered to do something, they had to do it; if forbidden, they couldn’t.

Since Go Muyeol had requested an in-person report by today, she had to comply. Failing to do so would leave her open to any consequences.

“Huff… huff…”

Taking deep breaths, she tried to calm herself, but when that didn’t work, she summoned Chief Yi.

A composed man entered through the door.

“B-bring me the calming pills…! Hurry!”

“Yes, Director.”

He retrieved the medicine from his pocket and handed it to her. Min Ji-ah swallowed it without water.

“Huff… puff…”

Her racing heart calmed down like magic.

“Siiigh…”

Her vision returned to normal as her mind settled.

Just then—

“Director, the young master has summoned you.”

“Eek!”

Her heart resumed its earthquake-like pounding.

+++

“D-do-do-d-do-do-do-d-do-young, master…!!!”

Min Ji-ah finally entered. She walked down the hallway, visibly trembling from tension, and bowed at a 90-degree angle halfway through.

‘She’s gorgeous.’

Even I found myself unconsciously reaching for a clichéd compliment. Min Ji-ah was an absolute beauty, just like my other aunts.

As I watched, I felt my excitement harden.

‘But… she’s so oblivious.’

She entered with two others—a woman who looked like Seong-hyun’s mother and a man who appeared to be her assistant. Oddly, Seong-hyun’s mother was slumped in his arms like a lifeless doll.

‘She’s kind of clueless, isn’t she? It was clear from her report, but this is extreme.’

“What if I had them undressed already?”

“Y-yes?”

“Such a lack of awareness.”

“!!”

Min Ji-ah’s face filled with horror, and she began trembling, resembling a startled deer.

“I-I… I didn’t…”

“You don’t even know what you did wrong.”

“Ah…”

“Why would you bring a man when meeting me? Are you insane?”

“Gasp! F-forgive me!!”

Her face went white as she quickly nodded to the assistant, signaling him to leave. The assistant hurriedly put down Seong-hyun’s mother, bowed to me, and exited the hall in a rush.