Black Label [EN]: Chapter 226

Black Label 226

227. Am I a Nouveau Riche? (3)

“We’ll be seeing each other again at dinner anyway… but it might be good to make a first impression before leaving. What do you think?”

Chairman Ardo spoke in a low whisper as the auction ended.

Jaeseung shook his head once and replied,

“No. I don’t think the time is right yet.”

Chairman Ardo, amused, smiled faintly and asked, stroking his chin,

“Why is that?”

After a moment of silence, Jaeseung stood up, put on his coat, and continued in a gentle tone.

“Most of the people guarding the banquet hall now are here solely to get acquainted with the watch tycoons, wouldn’t you agree?”

“So?”

“If I approach them now, they’ll only see me as another jackal [someone trying to take advantage of the situation]. We’ll be meeting again at dinner as you said, so there’s no need to appear so impatient, is there?”

Chairman Ardo, satisfied, chuckled as he picked up his coat and replied.

“A very wise choice. We have plenty of time, so let’s take our time and have a cup of coffee while we wait for the right moment.”

Just before leaving the banquet hall, he glanced at the area where the watch tycoons were standing.

Sure enough, a pack of jackals was swarming around them, responding to their trivial greetings with capitalist smiles.

Then he left the banquet hall immediately, thinking there was no point in staying any longer.

He had already made a strong impression by winning the final auction item, or at least piqued their curiosity.

* * *

The next destination was a coffee shop near the hotel.

After securing a table on the terrace where a cool breeze was constantly blowing, he waited for his coffee to arrive.

Chairman Ardo loosened the cuffs of his shirt and carefully began.

“By the way, I was really surprised. I never expected you to bid on the limited edition product on a whim.”

Unlike other designers who dominate the mainstream market, Jaeseung didn’t seem to care much about luxury.

He seemed quite bewildered that Jaeseung had bid billions of won [Korean currency, roughly millions of US dollars] for a limited edition watch that didn’t seem to have much practical value.

Jaeseung shrugged and replied.

“If they already see me as a nouveau riche [newly rich person], wouldn’t it be better to be seen as a nouveau riche who is making decent profits?”

“Hahaha! So that’s why you bid on the watch?”

“I’d say it’s a success if I’ve sparked even a little curiosity. As an investment for a smooth business, 4.5 million dollars isn’t a waste at all.”

After speaking, Jaeseung glanced through the catalog he had received from the agency staff just before leaving the auction house.

The watch was scheduled to be shipped to his home in Korea by air within fifteen days.

The recipient was his father.

The limited edition watch, of which only 12 exist in the world and which embodies all of the Richemont Group’s technology, would be given as a gift to the person who best suited it.

“So, what kind of plan do you have in mind?”

At Chairman Ardo’s question, Jaeseung lightly touched the cup in his hand and began to speak.

“I’m thinking of making an offer they can’t refuse.”

Chairman Ardo’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as he stared intently at Jaeseung.

Soon, Jaeseung began to lay out his plan, and the more he explained, the brighter Chairman Ardo’s expression became.

Finally, as Jaeseung finished his explanation,

Chairman Ardo burst into laughter and added.

“Hahaha! Only you could come up with such a bold and audacious proposal!”

* * *

Chairman Ardo smiled faintly at Jaeseung’s words.

He had expected to meet at a restaurant with a decent atmosphere and price range, but he was pleasantly mistaken.

The meeting place was none other than the private residence of ‘Jean-Claude,’ one of the watch tycoons.

Expensive works of art hung along the spacious corridor.

Jaeseung, admiring the works, shook his head and continued.

“I can’t tell if it’s a mansion or a museum. Look at that chandelier! I might go blind if I stare at it for too long.”

Chairman Ardo snorted at Jaeseung’s playful remark and replied gruffly.

“Those exhibits and furniture are all bought for tax evasion purposes.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. Most of the tycoons I know are practically ignorant when it comes to art. Claude is the same.”

After speaking, Chairman Ardo leaned in and added in a low voice to Jaeseung’s ear.

“If they had a deep understanding of art, would they treat artists like you as mere ‘nouveau riche’?”

As they walked and exchanged secret conversations, they soon arrived in front of a large door.

The staff member who was guiding them said in a very polite tone.

“Please go inside.”

Jaeseung responded with a nod, carefully grabbed the doorknob, and slowly began to open it.

As the door slowly began to open, a glimpse of what lay beyond the door began to appear.

“It’s been a while.”

An old gentleman sitting at the head of the long table stood up and greeted Chairman Ardo.

He was a figure he had seen countless times through famous magazines and TV news.

It was Johann Rupert, the owner of the Richemont Group, which monopolizes famous watch brands such as Cartier, Montblanc, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Panerai, and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

He was also an incredibly influential figure who was always ranked first when it came to watch tycoons.

He had met countless people so far, but the fact that he was actually facing him didn’t feel real.

Chairman Ardo exchanged a light hug with him and exchanged light greetings.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Very well, thank you. Please, have a seat.”

After speaking, Chairman Johann Rupert glanced at Jaeseung and spoke in a gentle but meaningful tone.

“Our esteemed guest who won the premium edition has also come.”

Esteemed guest.

Jaeseung’s brow furrowed for a moment, wondering if that meant he wouldn’t be seen as anything more than that.

His stomach was churning, but he suppressed the emotions that were about to erupt, thinking that it wasn’t the time to express them openly yet.

Jaeseung smiled nonchalantly and replied.

“It’s a wonderful watch that eliminates self-control.”

“Thank you for your kind words. Please, have a seat as well.”

It was becoming clear that he was being regarded as a nouveau riche, just as Chairman Ardo had hinted.

Even the seating arrangement showed that.

Chairman Ardo was seated in the middle, as guided, while Jaeseung had to take a seat at the end of the table.

Jaeseung couldn’t help but chuckle as he realized something interesting.

‘Did they arrange the seats according to wealth? How childish….’

It seemed certain that the seats were arranged according to the wealth rankings selected by various credible magazines.

Jean-Claude, the owner of the mansion, was pushed to the seat next to him, while Johann Rupert of the Richemont family, who was always ranked first, was occupying the head seat.

Soon, the dinner that had been temporarily interrupted resumed, and Chairman Ardo blended into the gathering without any sense of discomfort.

Throughout the meal, not a single person approached Jaeseung with a friendly attitude.

How long had it been? Chairman Johann Rupert picked up a napkin and began to wipe his mouth.

It was an implicit signal that the dinner was over.

Jaeseung picked up the water glass in front of him and took a few sips.

He had to bring up the main point before the meeting ended.

Moreover, based on various circumstances, this was the last chance.

Just as Jaeseung was about to open his mouth, Chairman Johann Rupert, the most powerful person in the room, suddenly spoke first.

“Lee, is it?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“I heard you’re the owner and designer of a premium brand.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After a moment of silence,

“If it weren’t for Chairman Ardo, I wouldn’t have allowed you to attend. As you can see, this is not a place for owner-designers of premium brands.”

Although the words were spoken in a gentle tone, they were sharp and full of meaning.

Jaeseung smiled leisurely and slowly began to look around.

The eyes of the people in the room were on him.

And their gazes contained a similar question.

Bitter eyes filled with blatant contempt, as if asking, ‘Why are you even here?’

Jaeseung tried his best to calm his mind and replied in a gentle tone.

“Yes, Chairman. I’m just grateful that you allowed me to attend.”

After speaking, Jaeseung picked up a whiskey bottle and began to pour it into his glass. Then he drank two glasses in a row.

As the high-proof alcohol flowed down his esophagus, he felt his heart, which had been pounding with discomfort, gradually calm down.

He took a deep breath, and a hot breath escaped.

Now, it was time to make the narcissistic and arrogant old men realize their situation.

Jaeseung slowly looked around at them and asked in a nonchalant tone.

“Do I look like just an owner-designer of a mere fashion brand?”

A moment of silence fell.

“Or do I look like a nouveau riche who has achieved a few paltry successes and is feeling conceited?”

Again, silence fell. The expressions of the people in the room began to distort as if they had made a promise.

On the other hand, Jaeseung?

He was simply raising the corners of his mouth and making eye contact with those watch tycoons one by one.

Jaeseung tapped the table with the glass of whiskey in his hand and continued.

“You’re all mistaken. It’s embarrassing for me to say this myself, but I’m a strong competitor who will take away a lot of the sweet pie you’re sharing.”

After speaking, Jaeseung took out a watch case that he had put in his inner pocket and placed it lightly on the table.

“I’m shamelessly squeezing into this dinner for a simple reason. I’m going to make an offer that all of you can’t refuse. Anyone who doesn’t like me is welcome to leave. But those who leave should prepare themselves in advance. Just because you leave this place early today, your brand value will be cut in half within a few years.”