Black Label [EN]: Chapter 271

Black Label Extra 22

Leadersmith.

Leadersmith, one of the largest law firms in the U.S., is renowned for its reliable services, making its expensive fees worthwhile.

Their standards were incredibly strict.

It would be a mistake to think that simply having the ability to pay their fees would easily allow you to work with them.

They already had various sports stars, singers, actors, comedians, and venture or large companies as clients.

In short, they focused more on maintaining the trust they had built with existing clients rather than attracting new ones.

Referral system.

You could never become their client without a strong recommendation from an existing one.

Furthermore….

Even with a referral, it was impossible if you didn’t meet their conditions.

In other words.

No matter how skilled you were, it meant you couldn’t easily become a client of Leadersmith.

“Hmm.”

A man in a suit, sitting inside a Gulfstream jet, folded the newspaper he was reading and looked out the window.

“Arrival, is it….”

Starting with his arms and legs, his torso and neck were as thick as logs, making him resemble a well-trained ‘Pit Bull Terrier.’

Soon….

He tightened the tie he had slightly loosened and gently fiddled with the watch on his wrist.

“We have completed landing.”

The man nodded slightly at the flight attendant’s words, immediately rose his massive body, and stepped off the plane—.

Thud, thud.

As he strode confidently, he made a call and spoke in a terribly menacing tone.

“I have just arrived in Korea.”

He listened to the person on the other end of the line and then spoke softly.

“Don’t worry.”

Then he added.

“We at Leadersmith are always ready to lead any battle to victory for our clients.”

He took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it.

“Moreover, this kind of ‘amount negotiation’ is not difficult, so you don’t have to worry at all.”

He exhaled acrid smoke.

“No, it’s nothing.”

After finishing his words, he threw the cigarette down and extinguished it with his shoe, speaking politely.

“We at Leadersmith are grateful to the prestigious Wallflower.”

He added again.

“Yes, we will resolve it well.”

After speaking, he strode off again and quickly exited the airport.

His departing figure looked like a contract killer with an important mission at hand.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time.

In a hotel conference room.

‘I’m nervous….’

Kim Min-hyuk, an employee of Kubakuba Store and the first buyer of the For the Mom Edition, was sitting face to face with those who had contacted him.

“This is the product?”

Far more people had come than expected.

Starting with a woman in her late twenties who seemed to be a working-level employee….

‘An appraiser?’

An old white man constantly examining the product, and four bodyguards standing behind him.

Six in total.

On the other hand, Kim Min-hyuk, who had come alone to meet them, was feeling pressured by the atmosphere.

“Yes, take your time to look around.”

He took a sip of water and repeatedly chanted the same words in his head as if they were a mantra.

‘Don’t be intimidated….’

He had to keep his wits about him to get as much money as possible.

It was then.

The appraiser, who was wearing gloves and constantly examining the For the Mom Edition, suddenly spoke.

“Let me be objective.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on him.

“First of all, looking at the value of the product alone, it is excellent.”

“Is that so?”

“The lambskin fabric and the level of tailoring are truly perfect.”

He added explanations one after another.

“Saddle stitching, puzzle matching, edge coating, etc., all processes are nearly perfect. It’s hard to believe that Lee made this while in high school.”

For a moment, a deep sense of anticipation bloomed on Kim Min-hyuk’s face.

“However, that’s all.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s no different from other luxury goods.”

After speaking, he added again.

“In fact, if we exclude the other premiums attached to the product and only consider the cost of raw materials and the labor costs of the process, I think it would only be worth tens of thousands of dollars.”

Kim Min-hyuk’s eyes wavered.

‘Millions of won?’

He had been endlessly excited for days, thinking that this product would completely change his life.

But, millions of won?

He had expected that the price would be whatever he could get, but he had never anticipated such a low amount.

“That’s too little….”

The appraiser nodded and continued as if he were doing him a favor.

“However, there is a premium, isn’t there?”

“Then….”

“We can offer you much more.”

He began to list things off, folding his fingers one by one.

“First, considering that Lee made this premium handbag for the first time before globalizing the Wallflower brand….”

“Yes….”

“If we factor in the fact that the resale price of all Wallflower handbag products has skyrocketed thanks to the recently auctioned Devil Bag….”

Silence hung for a moment.

“How about a million dollars?”

Converted to Korean currency, that was approximately 1.14 billion won.

Considering that Kim Min-hyuk had purchased the product for only three million won at the time….

‘It’s definitely a large sum….’

Although he didn’t think it reached the amount he had been expecting, it was also an amount he couldn’t easily refuse.

‘What should I do….’

Just as he was hesitating.

“If our negotiations fall through, it won’t be easy to find the next buyer.”

“Pardon?”

“As I said, the price jumped to $1 million thanks to the storytelling inherent in the handbag, right?”

The female employee who had brought them along continued to persuade him.

“We are telling you that $1 million is not the true price of the handbag.”

“Then….”

“If you miss this opportunity and talk to the next prospective buyer, it may be much lower.”

At those words, Kim Min-hyuk began to bite his nails.

‘At this point….’

Wasn’t he already in a situation where he could make a huge profit?

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

‘Why isn’t the lawyer from the Wallflower side here yet?’

If there was even one person to discuss it with, he would have made a decision.

“What will you do?”

Just as Kim Min-hyuk was about to accept the sale with a ‘what the heck’ attitude in response to the repeated question.

“I’m sorry.”

The conference room door opened, and a large white man entered.

Thud, thud—.

He strode up, pushed the bodyguards aside with his shoulders, and complained.

“What’s so great that you’re standing guard?”

When the bodyguards glared at him with eyes hidden beneath sunglasses….

“Got a problem?”

He tilted his head and asked, and the female employee who had been leading the situation shook her head and replied.

“I apologize if we have offended you.”

“I am very offended.”

“We will have everyone dismissed immediately.”

“That would be best.”

After speaking, he continued in a tone that seemed to be sneering.

“My client didn’t come all the way here to be interrogated.”

“Client?”

“Yes, he came here to sell his bag for as much money as possible from you.”

Then, he slammed his briefcase on the table with a “thud!” and sat next to Kim Min-hyuk, handing him a business card.

“Kim?”

“Yes.”

He smiled, showing his teeth.

“I am your only friend.”

Then he took out a cigarette.

“Lee sent me, right?”

She realized that the negotiations had been disrupted and cautiously asked.

“Who are you?”

“I’m the lawyer.”

“So, you’re here to advise on the negotiation….”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After speaking, he added.

“I was worried that my client might be pressured into selling his valuable bag for an absurd amount, so I came all the way here after a long flight.”

Then he immediately handed over one of his business cards.

“This is who I am.”

Seeing the Leadersmith logo, she bit her lip.

Leadersmith of America, which leads all negotiations to an advantage.

A giant law firm that everyone is reluctant to turn into an enemy.

With them joining the negotiation, it was clear that the situation had become unfavorable.

‘Why….’

She forced a smile and asked again.

“By the way, I don’t think smoking is allowed inside the hotel.”

“I knew that, so I prepared a fine for smoking.”

After speaking, he showed his teeth and exhaled a lot of smoke….

“Considering the amount you were trying to deceive my client into taking, it’s just a small amount of money.”

Silence fell….

“Now, let’s start over from the beginning.”

As he took off his suit jacket, the outline of his muscular body was revealed through his thin dress shirt.

“Shall we start with twenty million dollars?”

As soon as he appeared….

The price….

Had increased twentyfold.

“Twenty million dollars?”

He asked back.

“You don’t like it?”

Silence hung for a moment.

“I have no intention of selling it for less than that.”

“But….”

“If you don’t want it, would you like to leave?”

He said in a firm tone.

“There’s no need to waste each other’s time.”

At those words, those who had come to purchase the For the Mom Edition silently exchanged glances and remained silent.

“If it’s not us, it may be difficult to find another buyer!”

He replied to those words.

“I don’t think it will be that difficult to find another buyer.”

“Who on earth….”

“Finding a new buyer is our job, so you don’t have to worry.”

He laid down the law and added.

“If all else fails, our Leadersmith will buy it.”

“Pardon?”

“We are considering an amount of fifteen million dollars.”

He dropped ashes into his water glass and continued in his unique confident tone.

“If you buy it at this meeting, we are willing to give you a special half-price discount.”

The female employee sighed.

‘From the beginning….’

Leadersmith….

‘Had set the price at ten million dollars.’

He asked again.

“If you don’t want it, leave.”

“But….”

“I’m not going to hold you back.”

Everyone had been drawn into his game.