Black Label [EN]: Chapter 172

172. Covertly, Grandly

No sooner had he boarded the plane than Jae Seung downed several shots of vodka in quick succession.

He figured it would be far better to succumb to the haze of alcohol and pass out than to be tormented by distractions and impatience for hours.

One shot, two shots, three shots…

Perhaps it was because he was pouring strong liquor into an empty stomach, but he quickly began to feel the effects of the alcohol.

Was it just the alcohol? He could distinctly feel his emotions transforming into something more extreme.

Eventually, he couldn’t help but sob, overwhelmed by his emotions.

He muffled his mouth tightly, gritted his teeth, and tried to stifle his sobs as much as possible for a while.

Before long, he was overcome by a strange sensation, as if his body was being sucked into the seat.

When Jae Seung, who had fallen into a deep sleep, forced his swollen eyes open, the plane was preparing to land at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

* * *

The first person Jae Seung met after arriving in France was not Karl Lagerfeld lying in a hospital bed.

He was guided by a staff member from the Janel Group, who was waiting with a sign, and boarded a limousine waiting in front of the airport.

“Lee, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

A neatly dressed old gentleman, sitting cross-legged on the plush seat, offered his greetings in an exceedingly polite tone.

Although there was no formal introduction, Jae Seung recognized him immediately. He was a familiar face he had seen countless times through various media, including TV, internet news, columns, and magazines.

Chairman Wertheimer, the de facto owner of the Janel Group.

Soon, he handed over his business card, which was made of pure gold and finished with a special technique of sprinkling powdered ivory.

“I apologize for summoning you so urgently. I hope you understand, given the circumstances.”

“It’s alright. If I had heard about Karl’s condition, I would have returned early even without the Group’s summons.”

“I should probably tell you about Karl first. He took an overdose of sleeping pills. Miraculously, he was discovered early and taken to the hospital, where he immediately underwent gastric lavage [a procedure to clean out the stomach], but…”

“I heard the situation isn’t good.”

“That’s right. He’s past the critical point, but he’s still in a coma. Moreover, we later learned that his eyesight is also terrible. According to the doctor, he’s practically blind…”

Jae Seung let out a sigh, “Ah…” He hadn’t realized that Karl had kept the fact that his eyesight was deteriorating a secret even from the Janel Group, or even from Chairman Wertheimer, who was known to have a close friendship with Karl.

On the other hand, Chairman Wertheimer seemed to assume that Jae Seung was simply shocked by the fact that Karl’s eyesight had deteriorated to the point of blindness.

“If you think about what kind of friend Karl was, it’s not surprising. Whenever Karl drank, he would repeat that even death couldn’t drag him down from the top. He also said that a director who could replace him would never appear…”

“Yes. I think I’ve heard similar things a few times as well.”

“He probably couldn’t accept the sudden hardship easily. Perhaps this suicide attempt is also related to his deteriorating eyesight. The truth is only known to the person himself, but at least that’s what I’m guessing.”

After a moment of silence, Chairman Wertheimer reopened the conversation, saying, “Anyway.”

“He regained consciousness a few times, but he kept calling out Lee’s name before collapsing like a sick chicken [a common idiom for being weak or helpless]. He’s currently hospitalized in a VIP room at a hospital in Paris. We’ve also thoroughly blocked any information related to Karl’s suicide attempt from leaking out. We’ve entered a pseudonym instead of Karl Lagerfeld’s name on the hospital chart, and burly guards are guarding the room.”

Jae Seung replied once, “I see,” and then sank into deep thought.

Chairman Wertheimer and Karl Lagerfeld. The two had spent at least several decades together and dedicated their lives to building the brand value of Janel.

But is it because it’s a relationship derived from money? Or is it because he’s consciously trying to show the image of a thorough businessman?

He seemed to be thinking calmly and rationally, trying to minimize the losses that this incident would bring.

What should I say? The friendship between the two that the media had portrayed seemed endlessly murky.

Then, Chairman Wertheimer drove the wedge again.

“So, what I’m trying to say is… even if Karl is on the verge of death and can never return to us, it should be the same.”

“What do you mean?”

“At least until the preparation for the next season begins, that is… until the next director to succeed Karl is decided, Karl’s death must not be known.”

Chairman Wertheimer finished speaking and added in a sharp voice, “Absolutely.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Jae Seung remained silent as the limousine drove towards the city of Paris.

Has he not become an adult yet? Or is it that his cells themselves are completely incompatible with capitalism?

The situation unfolding before him felt not only uncomfortable but also disgusting.

Just as Jae Seung was staring intently out the car window.

“Lee, have you been drinking? I can smell alcohol.”

“Yes. It’s a tragedy I can’t handle sober.”

“Your friendship has grown quite deep in a short period of time.”

“I feel like a child who has seen Superman’s bare body. And it’s a bare body with only bones left.”

When Chairman Wertheimer tilted his head slightly as if he was curious, Jae Seung added again.

“Karl has been my hero since I was a child. Since I was a young boy who dreamed of becoming a designer. That’s why I joined Janel’s new season with such enthusiasm. If a child who admired Superman grew up and Superman came to him and offered to save the world together? Anyone would have made the same decision.”

Chairman Wertheimer nodded slowly as if he understood, and Jae Seung spoke in a rather cold tone.

“So please refrain from saying disgusting things related to money or interests. At least in front of me. I’m feeling an excessive amount of disillusionment as a result of this incident.”

After a moment of heavy silence in the car.

Chairman Wertheimer wore a bitter smile on his lips and replied in a slightly trembling voice.

“Thank you. I was worried that there should be at least one person who is genuinely worried. And I hope you understand to some extent. It may sound like an excuse, but… there are those who live in a position, place, and environment where it’s hard to be human.”

“…”

“Karl would probably rather have me move smartly and quickly to keep Janel from faltering than hold his hand and shed tears in the hospital room. If it’s the Karl I’ve known so far, he would definitely do that.”

Jae Seung nodded once and replied.

“Well, I have a feeling that the Karl I know might even want Janel to collapse under his influence.”

“That’s also a valid guess. My excuse must have sounded completely like an excuse.”

“Yes. To be honest, it is.”

* * *

“Damn it…”

Those were the words Jae Seung uttered as soon as he stepped into the VIP room, seeing Karl Lagerfeld slumped on the bed.

From the respirator attached to provide insufficient oxygen, to the baggy hospital gown, to the skinny and wrinkled body…

He looked too shabby to be a designer with world-renowned fame and influence.

It seemed that all the flaws that his wealth, fame, and fashionable sense had been covering up were now exposed. After all, everyone is equal before the god of death.

As Jae Seung took a seat on a chair next to the bed, Chairman Wertheimer continued to speak.

“He occasionally regains consciousness.”

“I see.”

“The situation is too hopeless.”

Chairman Wertheimer clicked his tongue once and began to speak again in a low voice.

“Karl decided and handled all the work himself. I only received the final reports. I have no idea where to start untangling the mess.”

It was a passage that immediately confirmed how much the Janel Group trusted the director named Karl Lagerfeld.

Jae Seung nodded once and rattled off the answer he wanted to hear.

“If we push forward, we can proceed with the season without any major setbacks. The product lineup preparation is almost finished. Karl’s designs are also almost complete.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Well, Karl’s designs that I said were almost complete are actually the core designs of the season. The problem is that they’re almost complete, not complete.”

“If Karl has set up more than just a draft, Lee can finish it off…”

“Unless Karl wants it, I can never do that at a stage where I can’t be sure! Karl knew that this season would be his last! That’s why he was so enthusiastic about the revision and supplementation work! If we release those designs as they are, it’s no different from insulting Karl!”

As soon as Jae Seung finished speaking, Chairman Wertheimer lowered his head.

Silence swept through the hospital room. Before long, Chairman Wertheimer left the hospital room.

The executive secretary who had been waiting outside the door came in, whispered something in his ear, and left the hospital room, saying that he would come back in the evening.

Time passed indifferently. Karl’s emaciated chest heaved slightly. Jae Seung sat next to him and sobbed.

Suddenly, he remembered what Alexander King had told him at a drinking party.

The fashion world is like a mirage. The beautiful things you see from afar don’t exist. It’s just a jungle where everyone has to eat each other. All friendships don’t last.

Pessimistic thoughts swirled around.

The grandfather clock announced that it was nine o’clock in the evening. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong…

It was then. A diseased voice, similar to the sound of metal, flew into his ear.

“…Lee.”

It was Karl Lagerfeld’s voice. Jae Seung widened his eyes and began to look at Karl Lagerfeld. Karl’s parched lips were moving slightly.

“Why are you sad? Is it because I’m lying here looking unsightly…?”

“I’ve learned too much because of you.”

“I’m okay.”

“I’m not okay.”

Karl Lagerfeld took a labored breath and slowly continued to say what he had to say.

“I’ve lost my sight. I can’t see anything. In fact, I’ve lost everything. I’ve decided to accept everything and put it into practice. The flame of my life is going out. The end of designer Karl Lagerfeld is approaching…”

“Karl, don’t you even know what situation you’re in right now? You won’t be able to die as you please until the season is over. Even if you die, no one will know. They’ll announce it after the season is over to prevent losses to the Group.”

“The great designers I knew all died like that. It’s a natural course and a happy death. The people I respected all died covertly and grandly like that…”

Karl Lagerfeld smiled weakly and reached out with difficulty to cup Jae Seung’s cheek.

“So don’t cry. For me.”

The Superman with only bones left is comforting him, facing death. Indescribable emotions swirled around.

It felt like his heart was melting. There was nothing he could do. Except to lower his head and hide the tears that were flowing.