Black Label [EN]: Chapter 227

Black Label 226

227. So, Who’s in a Higher Position Now?

Over the table, undisguised displeasure began to show on the faces of the clock tycoons gathered.

It was clear that everyone regarded Jae-seung’s words as nothing more than the ’empty boasting of a greenhorn.’

Some even glared at Chairman Ardo for no reason.

On the other hand, Chairman Ardo remained nonchalant.

He simply sipped his wine with a faint smile.

As a heavy silence continued, it was Chairman Johan Luper who spoke first.

“An offer I can’t refuse…”

After muttering quietly, he added with a chilling smile.

“Let’s hear it. But if it’s a trivial proposal, I’ll teach you that a moment’s bravado can change your destiny entirely.”

It was an outright threat.

And the one who made those words was someone who could certainly take responsibility for what he said.

Wasn’t he someone who possessed both money and power?

He was a person who knew how to mix those two appropriately and use them in the right places.

Moreover, being at odds with Chairman Johan Luper meant turning the entire group of clock tycoons, who enjoyed sticking together, into enemies.

Although the ominous words were uttered in an utterly eerie tone, Jae-seung’s reaction was lukewarm.

“Since everyone is busy, I think it’s best to get straight to the point. The condition I’m offering you is the ‘license’ for the technology contained in that watch.”

After finishing speaking, Jae-seung looked down at his wristwatch and added.

“Now, I’ll give you exactly one hour. You should call your Meister [master craftsman] and researchers as soon as possible. You can examine the watch on the outside, or even take it apart and look inside. The rest of the story can be discussed after you’ve confirmed the value of the item.”

After delivering the notice, Jae-seung got up from his seat and added.

“I’ll be back in an hour. The rest of the negotiation will only proceed with those who remain until then.”

The clock tycoons, left alone, began to let out hollow laughs in turn, as if they had made a promise.

They seemed to be seething inside, but they were people who considered it taboo to act disgracefully or raise their voices. No one was honestly revealing their true feelings.

No, to be precise, they all seemed too busy trying to read Chairman Johan Luper’s expression.

Soon, Chairman Johan Luper began to fidget with the watch case that Jae-seung had placed on the table.

The luxurious watch case with the brand name ‘Wallflower’ neatly engraved on it.

After repeatedly muttering ‘Wallflower, Wallflower…’ several times, he turned to Chairman Ardo and asked.

“You’ve been boasting through all sorts of media that you’re about to establish a watch line, so you must be really confident to be so assertive.”

“Yes. If you examine the product, you’ll be able to fully understand Lee’s confidence.”

“Good. Let’s take a look first. But if it contains a lackluster product, Lee will pay dearly for the discourtesy he has committed today.”

“That won’t happen, but if meaningless competition arises, I’ll side with Lee. I want to be remembered as an investor who looks further ahead and moves.”

“That seems to contain many implications?”

Chairman Ardo shrugged his shoulders and replied.

“I can say with certainty that the contents inside are more solid and beautiful than any watch made by any brand.”

After finishing speaking, Chairman Ardo looked around at everyone in the room and added.

“That goes for all of your brands here as well.”

Did Chairman Ardo’s words irritate Chairman Johan Luper?

He smiled mockingly and began to open the watch case with careful and skillful hands.

At the moment when the contents were revealed with the soft sound of hinges.

Chairman Johan Luper’s brow furrowed deeply.

The product inside was just a plain-looking watch, as if no additional options were installed.

But, what should I say? It’s just that the exterior isn’t flashy, but the internal mechanism glimpsed through the glass seemed extremely solid.

After examining the watch with a dazed look for a long time, Chairman Johan Luper hurriedly took out his cell phone.

Then, he immediately started calling someone.

Soon.

“Come to the address I’m calling you to right now! One minute, no! Even a second faster!”

Other clock tycoons, realizing the seriousness of the situation, also got up from their seats and began to gather around the watch case.

Anxiety, anticipation, and an indescribable amount of curiosity were mixed together.

What’s so special about that watch?

Even if their eye for appraising other items may be lacking, they were second to none when it came to discerning the true value of a watch.

Soon, everyone started calling somewhere in a hurry, as if their feet were on fire.

Of course, they were all calling researchers or chief Meisters from their brand’s research institute.

Soon, Chairman Ardo smiled and got up from his seat.

* * *

Jae-seung was standing on the outskirts of the mansion’s garden, smoking while fiddling with his smartphone.

“Hahaha, thanks to you, I had a very interesting sight. The old penguins were busy waddling around. Researchers and Meisters will be running with their feet torn.”

At the words of Chairman Ardo, who had approached Jae-seung, Jae-seung raised his head and replied playfully.

“Is it that much? I’m just sorry I couldn’t see it in person.”

“It looks like one is coming in over there.”

A hatchback was entering through the mansion’s main gate.

Whether the person in the driver’s seat was impatient, or whether there was really something urgent, they didn’t seem to be slowing down even after entering the narrow garden path.

The person who got out was a middle-aged man in a gown.

At a glance, it was clear that he was a researcher called by one of the clock tycoons inside.

Soon, Jae-seung smiled and looked down at his wristwatch.

About 30 minutes left.

When the time given to the clock tycoons had passed and he entered the mansion again, he was so curious about their reactions that his chest was tingling.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time. The interior of the mansion was crowded with clock tycoons, researchers, and Meisters.

Everyone was busy examining the dissected watch and giving their own appraisals.

“It’s an aggregation of innovative technology. The mechanism is so solid that I want to meet the developer in person. Are you really going to sell this level of technology for just ‘money’?”

It is rare for the modifier ‘just’ to be attached to money.

At the words of the middle-aged researcher, who spoke in a very serious tone, Chairman Johan Luper nodded his head and asked.

“Yes. What do you think? How much value do you think this license has?”

“It’s a technology that’s at least 10 years ahead. To put it bluntly, it’s like a goose that lays golden eggs [a valuable asset]. It’s a watch that operates based on a perfect automatic technique. There’s no way there can be any errors, and I can say with certainty that it surpasses all existing technology. If the owner of this license was my acquaintance, I would have persuaded them to stop selling it no matter what.”

Soon, Chairman Johan Luper began to bite his fingernails for no reason.

When he first examined it, he thought it was just a watch made with a special technique.

Unique, but not special. But he thought it was a level of technology that he could buy without hesitation if he could buy it cheaply.

But after listening to the chief researcher’s explanation, he felt dizzy. A technology that’s at least 10 years ahead?

How did the owner designer of a mere fashion brand get his hands on such technology?

Soon, Chairman Johan Luper glanced at the clock on the wall.

The one-hour time limit that the young owner designer had thrown at them was almost exhausted.

With the negotiation time approaching, he couldn’t help but suffer from an indescribable anxiety.

‘Yes, he certainly didn’t say he would sell it for money. What kind of conditions is he trying to demand…?’

He couldn’t possibly not know that the technology contained in this watch was a goose that lays golden eggs.

Moreover, if he was dominating all sorts of media ahead of establishing a watch line, even more so.

While he was filled with the thought that he had to buy it no matter what, there was a high probability that the young owner designer would demand something other than money.

Something much more difficult and harder to satisfy than money….

At that moment.

Click-.

Jae-seung, the culprit who caused the uproar, entered as the door opened.

“It seems you liked the ‘product’ I prepared. Judging by the fact that everyone is sitting in their seats.”

Jae-seung, who emphasized the word ‘product’ in particular, naturally took the seat of honor at the empty table and opened his mouth again.

“Then, can I assume that everyone is fully willing to negotiate and reveal the conditions?”

It was rude behavior, but no one dared to scold him.

The guest and host were completely reversed. Thanks to the fact that everyone was quick to calculate, they realized that the one with absolute power at this moment was not them, but the young owner designer.

Soon, Chairman Johan Luper nodded his head and continued in a slightly trembling tone.

“What are the conditions you want?”

“It’s simple.”

After finishing speaking, Jae-seung smiled once and added again.

“Everyone here will wear only Wallflower watches for the next two years. If you do that, I will distribute the license for free after two years.”

Soon, Chairman ‘Harry Bor’ who was mixed in with the clock tycoons, suddenly shouted.

“That’s ridiculous…!”

“Mr. Chairman is disqualified.”

“What, what did you say?”

Jae-seung smiled bitterly and picked up a whiskey bottle, adding an explanation again.

“No matter what conditions you offer, I will never hand over the license to you, Mr. Chairman.”

Soon, the venue became as quiet as a mouse.

It was a calculated silence, a feast of silence to prepare for the impact of a single mistake.

The condition that Jae-seung presented was truly absurd.

How could the owners of brands representing the global watch market wear watches from other brands for two years?

But this is by no means a technology that can uncover all the secrets within two years.

Moreover, even if they uncover the secrets of the technology, wouldn’t they have to modify it so that it doesn’t violate the law before applying it to their products?

Following Jae-seung’s conditions and receiving the license after two years was the safest option.

Just as everyone was busy calculating in their heads, Jae-seung smiled once, shrugged his shoulders lightly, and added.

“I’ll give you one last minute. After finishing the final consultation with the researchers and Meisters you brought, please decide and tell me.”

The atmosphere completely changed.

All of the clock tycoons gathered in the venue had gloomy expressions and were busy searching for ways to overcome the dilemma given to them.