"Uncle, thank you."
"Ye~ I'll visit when I have time. Wishing you good health."
Hanging up, Lee Boo-jin flicked her hair back, exuding mature feminine charm.
"That's enough, right?" She glanced at the young man across, her eyes flickering.
His aggressive, possessive gaze unsettled her.
No one had ever dared to look at her so boldly.
Angry, yet a strange emotion stirred within.
Her heart raced, a faint sweat beading on her forehead.
Lee Boo-jin, are you insane?
Forcing herself to calm, she defiantly met his gaze.
But the wild possessiveness had vanished from Lee Jin-woo's face.
"Yes, that's enough."
He'd love to control all future trends.
If he could snag shares in Girls' Generation, his company's growth would be unstoppable.
But that was impossible.
Lee Soo-man would never let go of Girls' Generation.
Even a hint of interest would trigger a fierce counterattack.
It was his decade-long ambition, his greatest hope.
How could he let anyone touch it or steal his life's work?
Girls' Generation was out, but Lee Jin-woo thought of another.
The solo queen, single-handedly sustaining a company with her three-stage vocals—IU! (tln: the goat is here)
But Loen wasn't some small fry.
Backed by SK, it was Korea's top music brand, rivaling SM and YG.
They saw IU's unique voice early, paving her path. Her rise was expected.
Debuting in '08, gaining fame in '09, and exploding in '10, she secured her place in music.
Thus began IU's reign.
In an era of groups, she was a glitch.
The last solo female like her? Sexy dance queen Lee Hyori.
IU's debut was smooth.
Despite some backlash from "oppa" fans, who hadn't faced that?
In Korea, a female idol's biggest haters were always their "oppa" fans.
Girls' Generation's Black Oceans proved it.
But haters were still fans. Without those Black Oceans, would they have become the Nation's Girl Group?
Thinking of those sailor-skirted long legs, Lee Jin-woo wanted to salute.
"Jin-woo?"
Seeing him zone out, Lee Boo-jin waved her hand. "What's on your mind?"
His eyes refocused, and he grinned. "Noona~ Can you ask Uncle to help me again?"
"…" Lee Boo-jin was speechless. This guy's skin was thick.
Since when was Chairman Hong his uncle?
As JoongAng Ilbo's chairman and Samsung's Boss' brother-in-law, Hong had vast elite connections.
He doted on his niece, but that didn't mean limitless favors.
The first request let him feel needed, fulfilling an emotional craving.
But that craving was fleeting and rare.
Another ask, and Hong would demand business-like returns.
Simply put—what's in it for him?
"Five percent of Zy Plus shares. The land beneath is mine too." Lee Jin-woo named his price.
Five percent for IU? An absolute steal.
Real estate was dead until sold.
She was a living cash cow with limitless potential.
From what he knew, in 12 years, she'd earned at least 100 billion won.
And that wasn't her ceiling.
Her commercial value grew nearly as fast as her music industry status.
Plus, such a cute sister deserved his protection.
"Kid, do you like this little singer?"
Hearing he'd give up five percent, Lee Boo-jin was mad enough to curse.
But her words stopped, her face frozen in shock.
Why was she so worked up? Why?!
"Hm?" Lee Jin-woo's puzzled gaze followed.
Pretending calm, she sipped coffee, looking out the window.
Getting no direct answer, he explained, "I just see her potential. Heard her busking in Myeongdong."
"Oh, I see!"
After two seconds, she replied, "I'll discuss it with Uncle in person."
Calling again right after would be rude.
She decided to visit him tonight with gifts, handling it face-to-face.
I'm doing this to secure my future. The better he performs, the more influence he'll have, the more he can help.
Finding her justification, she felt at ease.
"Vice Chairman." Her secretary approached, glancing awkwardly at Lee Jin-woo.
Lee Boo-jin frowned. "Trouble in the U.S. again?"
"Ye~ Im Woo-seo is demanding to return again."
Her frown deepened.
"Your husband?" Lee Jin-woo smiled warmly. "He's handling U.S. business?"
"You didn't see the news?" She was stunned.
He shrugged, chuckling. "Haven't cared about family stuff in ages."
He knew that useless snack was sent to the U.S. for "training."
But it didn't help—instead, it crushed his fragile ego, showing him his limits.
The later slacking and divorce—were they tied to this? Hard to say without the full picture.
But Lee Boo-jin's attitude didn't scream the "deep love" the media claimed.
"Let him come back!" She waved impatiently, and the aide bowed and left.
"You saw my joke of a marriage. He couldn't hack it in the U.S., tried suicide twice… I'm letting him return."
Raising his brows, Lee Jin-woo exclaimed, "Whoa, suicide?!"
His faintly mocking tone made her close her eyes. "Yeah, you think my marriage is a joke too, don't you?"
He wagged his finger, smiling. "No way I'd mock Boo-jin noona's wisdom."
After all, it was her ticket to staying with Samsung.
To the elite, even a useless snack had its use.
With a strong in-law family, wouldn't she be stuck raising kids and serving in-laws?
That life, even in her mind, was suffocating.
(End of Chapter)