Dmitri sat nervously in front of the TV.
Today was the day of the European Cup final!
According to Park Ji-hoon, the ad would air during prime time.
Which meant…
Most Europeans would now know the name "Red Bull."
'This is nerve-wracking.'
With the broadcast preview, commercials started airing one by one.
Iconic American jeans, hamburger franchises, and sports drinks.
Then came Europe's leading car brands and famous coffee companies.
Among these giants… is it really okay for our Red Bull to be here?
And then, it happened.
A screen with exceptionally vibrant visuals!
Here it comes, it's coming…
Robust men sprinting relentlessly, chasing only the ball.
Maybe it was their radiant looks.
Just watching them felt refreshing.
In the middle, Ralph nailed it with his facial acting!
Park Ji-hoon's close-up shots from the bust to his face—no complaints there!
And finally.
Gulp, gulp.
Tennessee drinking cola just like Red Bull.
"Ahhh!"
Whoever made this commercial… it's absolutely brilliant!
Dmitri was dazed, almost like he was drunk.
Apparently, the ad would air again during halftime.
Here's hoping the game stays exciting and the ratings soar.
『Today, we bring you the match between PSV and FC Porto.』
Ah, if there was one regret, it was the matchup for the final.
It would've been better if Real Madrid had made it.
『PSV Eindhoven, under coach Guus Hiddink, is aiming for a treble this season.』
Hmm.
Was there a coach named Hiddink?
He sounded unfamiliar.
'But the name kind of gives off an aura of greatness.'
Something about it…
He felt like Hiddink might make history, not just in the Champions League but someday in the Euros or the World Cup.
Was it just that subtle intuition?
"Alright, let's go, PSV."
Dmitri decided to cheer for the Dutch team he had no ties to.
***
On the release day of Super Family.
Game shops all over Britain had long lines starting early in the morning.
There weren't even any restaurants open at that hour.
Everyone seemed to be making do with bread for breakfast.
Maybe it was the shared hobby, but…
"Excuse me."
Even though they were strangers, they hesitantly struck up conversations.
"Which one did you get?"
"The horned one."
"Ah, I got a duplicate. If you don't mind, would you be open to trading…?"
Since there's ample time, everyone focused on trading to pass the boredom.
After carefully sorting out their stickers, they began eating their bread one by one.
Thanks to meticulous preparation, the product was both cheap and delicious.
However, no matter how well-made, bread inherently has a dry texture that's hard to swallow!
In such moments—click—they drank Red Bull.
Because buying it as a set offered a discount, most people who chose Capsulemon bread also purchased Red Bull.
After enduring this waiting game, the long-anticipated moment finally arrived.
"Please enter in order of your ticket numbers."
The moment they had been dreaming of had come.
"Super Family and Super Mario, please. And Capsulemon too."
Most people bundled their purchase of the console with the two launch titles.
"By the way, is the DQ x Capsulemon second collaboration available too?"
Those with extra budget even bought the card game on impulse.
Around three hours later, a large sign was posted in front of the store: "ALL SUPER FAMILY PRODUCTS SOLD OUT."
***
The next morning in Italy.
For the past few days, Park Yong-hak had been thoroughly exploring Italian car brands.
From Fiat, the people's car of Italy.
To Maserati and Alfa Romeo, seasoned veterans of the racing world.
Lamborghini, a latecomer that carved its unique niche.
And Ferrari, the epitome of sports cars, the quintessential classic.
Being in the birthplace of automobiles seemed to ignite an unyielding determination not to give up on Hyungang cars!
At that moment, Jo Soo-deok subtly approached to quell Chairman Park's impulses.
"Chairman, the documents you requested are ready."
"Already done?"
The paperwork was, of course, prepared by the Future Strategy Planning Office; Jo merely delivered it.
"This is the projected revenue for Capsulemon and Red Bull. I also got a briefing, but…"
Chairman Park skimmed the documents, a smile forming on his lips.
"Not bad."
"Pardon?"
"After months of preparation, we're reaping a year's harvest; this much should sell."
"Ch-chairman."
"What?"
"Well… it's not an annual harvest…"
"…?"
"It's the monthly revenue."
"What did you say?"
"It's exactly as I said. Not a year, but a month…"
"You're telling me we're making this much in a month?"
His expression suddenly turned to shock!
No wonder.
"If selling drinks makes this much money, who would bother painstakingly building cars?"
"Y-you're right, Chairman. The development costs are worlds apart, and the margins here are far better…"
How about folding or downsizing the car business this time? That was the narrative Jo Soo-deok was carefully building up to propose.
But what happened next was unexpected.
"No way."
Park Yong-hak suddenly took a sharp turn, seemingly making a U-turn in his thoughts.
"Some insignificant beverage company gets acquired and ends up making this much money?"
"..."
"Now imagine putting a car company in his hands. Just think how much more we could earn!"
Chairman, your way of thinking is completely different from mine.
'Boss… I'm sorry!'
Jo Soo-deok's plans were foiled once again.
***
While Capsulemon and Red Bull were performing exceptionally well, the fashion division was also producing impressive results.
The standout was undoubtedly Gucci.
When Jo Soo-deok was sent to the U.S., he had been instructed to scout talented Parsons Design School graduates.
In truth, the order was meant to focus on just two individuals.
Jo Soo-deok successfully recruited both of them.
One of them was none other than the legendary Tom Hood of Gucci.
The legendary designer who revived a dying brand with his modern sensibilities—Tom Hood!
Although he was set to join as a junior designer five years later…
Knowing Tom Hood's capabilities, I made a bold proposal.
"Please take on the role of Creative Director at Gucci."
It was essentially equivalent to the position of CEO.
"Even if you fail, it's okay. I'll take full responsibility. Just create the most Italian, elegant fashion possible."
A young man in his early twenties, brimming with creativity.
I gave him full authority but absolved him of responsibility.
Perhaps that's why Tom Hood soared.
Even to industry leaders like Faber, his designs were so impressive that they left them speechless.
He could churn out ten jaw-dropping designs daily.
What was even more remarkable was his talent for both menswear and womenswear!
In short—
"He's a real gem."
As a result, shortly after the release of Tom Hood's first collection, Gucci's stock price surged by more than 50 percent.
Naturally, shareholders were in a festive mood.
Having discovered both Faber and Tom Hood in quick succession, my name became a hot topic in the fashion industry.
"Was this also Park Ji-hoon's doing?"
"What's with that guy? How does he trust these rookies so much?"
Although I preferred not to be in the spotlight, my reputation was soaring.
The reason for elevating my name, however, was singular.
To complete Hyungang's design portfolio with the final puzzle—
Acquiring Louis Vuitton.
Hearing my plan, Tennessee's expression turned slightly tense.
"When you say acquisition… does that mean opening their hearts again or… something like that?"
Perhaps he was still traumatized by the Red Bull negotiation ordeal.
Tennessee looked clearly reluctant.
"Don't worry. This time, it can be settled with money."
"Really?"
"Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—Louis Vuitton is currently in the midst of a shareholder war."
You know the type.
The kind of battle fought to defend managerial control.
If history unfolds as it did…
The chairman of Louis Vuitton, in his struggle against internal opposition, seeks aid from Christian Dior.
Dior extends a helping hand.
But in the process, Dior's leader takes over Louis Vuitton.
In the end, the so-called 'Black Knight' who came to help ends up devouring the castle—a complete disaster.
Thus,
'Wouldn't it be better to take my hand?'
As these thoughts swirled in my mind, Tennessee asked with a surprisingly serious expression.
"Since they're in a shareholder war, can't you just show up with bags of money?"
"If I only wanted Louis Vuitton, that would suffice."
"But considering the acquisition of Harris too, we need to save as much money as possible."
I nodded.
"So, what's your plan this time?"
At Tennessee's question, I simply smiled faintly.
***
That evening, Paris, Louis Vuitton Headquarters.
The company had been passed down through four generations since its founder.
Perhaps because of that, Chairman Henri Vuitton's face radiated pride.
Though I'd heard he was in a desperate situation, he didn't bring up money easily.
Of course, he didn't have to say it outright.
"..."
The slight tremble in his eyes revealed the gravity of the situation.
"I've been following your moves with great interest, Mr. Park Ji-hoon."
"It's an honor."
"I also found your interview in the London Times quite inspiring."
While the interview content gained attention, the outfit I wore that day became an even hotter topic.
"There seems to be considerable interest in the rings and bracelets you wore."
Henri Vuitton's gaze drifted to my wrist.
"Could it be that what you're wearing now is…"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Is it a brand you run?"
"No. I just hold some shares in it."
"As expected, anything Mr. Park Ji-hoon touches turns hot."
The ice-breaking seemed sufficient at this point.
Now was the time to broach the main topic.
After Henri Vuitton gave a faint smile, he asked,
"So, what brings you here today?"
"I came to help pull Louis Vuitton out of the quagmire."
"Most people phrase it as coming to help, dressing it up nicely."
"Packaging always gets unwrapped eventually."
After a brief pause, I continued.
"You're defending your managerial control, aren't you?"
"..."
"Buying shares endlessly won't solve the problem."
This is essentially a vote.
Buying shares is equivalent to purchasing voting rights.
"Naturally, this approach requires significant expense. But there's a way to outmaneuver your opponents without spending a dime."
Henri Vuitton raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"You prove that you're the most capable candidate and rally overwhelming support from the shareholders."
He nodded slightly, though his skepticism was evident.
"Of course, I understand that in theory. But… that's easier said than done. If it were easy, it would already have been…"
Yet before he could finish his sentence, his eyes widened.
"Wait. Are you saying, Mr. Park Ji-hoon, that you're willing to help with this?"
"I'm not helping. I'm proposing a deal."
"A deal?"
"I'll recommend a designer for you. Hire them, and mass-produce the bags they design. Work your factories around the clock if you have to. Acquire new ones if necessary. But you don't stop production."
Gulp.
Henri swallowed hard, his Adam's apple moving noticeably.
"And in return, what do you gain from this, Mr. Park?"
"The shareholders' overwhelming trust."
"...!"
"My goal is to make Louis Vuitton a company that simply cannot function without Park Ji-hoon."
Henri frowned slightly.
"That sounds no different from the wolves chasing after my managerial control."
"But have those wolves ever sat down with you like this? Have they ever suggested wisdom, saying that earning the shareholders' trust is the key?"
Of course not.
All they ever do is scheme from behind the scenes.
"I'm being honest about my ambitions. You can either take my hand and defeat your opponents, or you can bleed yourself dry fighting and face even greater risks. The choice is entirely yours."
Henri's eyes wavered briefly, but soon, they steadied. He seemed to have made up his mind, and his voice grew heavy as he asked,
"So, in the end, you're asking me to hand over my shares?"
"Not at all."
"...?"
"I'm asking you to issue new shares."
"But that will anger the shareholders…"
"The shareholders won't oppose it. Because I will break your past year's revenue in a single month."