Black Label [EN]: Chapter 288

Black Label Episode 39

It was a delightful banquet.

“Lee, I know you’re busy, but if you ever have some free time, I hope you can lend a hand to the younger generation….”

Mark Jacobs slurred, his face flushed and his speech thick from several glasses of strong liquor.

“The ‘war’ that our Parsons and F.I.T. [Fashion Institute of Technology] have been repeating every year is about to begin….”

He seemed to be referring to the rivalry between the prestigious American fashion schools, Parsons and F.I.T.

‘Come to think of it….’

Wasn’t it Mark Jacobs’ help that allowed Jaesung, who was unknown at the time, to become famous?

“Hmm….”

Now, practically every step he took was business.

Therefore, he couldn’t readily agree, but…

He had debuted in the mainstream market thanks to the school, so it felt awkward to refuse.

“This year’s competition is impossible for me.”

“Why!”

“My schedule is packed, I can’t make it.”

Jaesung pressed,

“You understand, right?”

At those words, Mark Jacobs pouted and muttered something sarcastically under his breath.

“Then what about the next competition?”

It wasn’t yet time to worry about next year’s schedule, but he suspected next year would be just as hectic.

“Well….”

When Jaesung hesitated, Mark Jacobs snapped again.

“You can adjust it at the end of the year!”

Well, that was true.

“Okay.”

Jaesung replied briefly, sighing as if he were giving in, and continued.

“I will definitely participate in next year’s competition.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’ll participate as a mentor, just like Mark did for me.”

It seemed necessary to keep the first half of the year’s schedule open, considering when the Parsons and F.I.T. competition would be held next year.

“Goodness, such coercion….”

Alexander King then spoke.

“Lee, don’t worry too much about it.”

“No, I….”

“He’ll forget everything when he sobers up, right?”

Alexander King muttered softly.

“You’re talking like you have a lot of pent-up resentment, but you yourself didn’t care about your juniors at all, did you?”

Just as Jaesung murmured, “Still…,” Alexander King interrupted again.

“Just look back at the competition, which was practically Lee’s dazzling debut.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know how many times Professor Edin Thomas asked you? You kept putting it off, pretending to be busy, and then you attended once in a long while….”

At those words, Jaesung smiled wryly.

“You *were* busy, weren’t you?”

“Everyone’s busy.”

“That’s true.”

At that moment, Mark Jacobs, who had poured the liquor from his glass into his mouth in one gulp, made a low groan, “Keuh…,” and frowned.

“What, were you guys talking about me behind my back?”

Alexander King replied smoothly.

“You’re quick to catch on….”

Jaesung interjected again.

“Anyway, I’ve always wanted to participate as a mentor to help Parsons’ prestige someday.”

“It’ll be terribly annoying, you know?”

“I also gained fame quickly thanks to the school’s help, so if there’s a junior who’s ready, I should help.”

He was sincere.

“Also….”

After a moment of silence.

“I want to see Professor too.”

Come to think of it, before returning to France after a long vacation, he had sent Professor Edin Thomas an email saying he would visit soon, hadn’t he?

‘I really should go sometime….’

And so, the atmosphere of the banquet grew more and more convivial.

* * *

Several days had passed since then.

The Cardo launch preparations were not as smooth as expected.

“There’s a board meeting.”

At the secretary’s words, Jaesung, who had been immersed in his work, frowned.

“A meeting?”

Jaesung’s personal secretary nodded and replied.

“There’s a growing opposition within the LVMH [Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy] board regarding the ‘Cardo’ project that you’re preparing….”

It wasn’t unexpected.

“They’re trying to find fault.”

She continued.

“It seems they feel that you’re proceeding a bit independently, regardless of the opinions of the board members who hold shares.”

Jaesung stared at the calendar and muttered softly.

“I’m already swamped….”

Even just dealing with the existing tasks, time was incredibly tight.

‘The board is holding me back.’

Jaesung nodded.

“When is it?”

At those words, the secretary replied.

“In three days.”

Three days would be just enough time to prepare for all the potential attacks they might launch.

“Okay, I understand.”

First, he had to deal with the emergency board meeting.

* * *

“How is the current progress?”

At reporter Tommy’s question, Jaesung replied briefly.

“All work has been stopped due to the board’s opposition. Depending on the outcome of today’s meeting, the project may be scrapped.”

At those words, Tommy was startled and asked back.

“Then all the documentary footage you’ve filmed so far will be for naught….”

Jaesung shook his head.

“We have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Then he added again.

“We *will* make it happen.”

Jaesung then entered the building alongside his secretary and began walking across the lobby.

The staff carrying the 8mm camera for the documentary followed behind Jaesung….

It was only natural that the attention of those present was focused on Jaesung.

“Have you thought of all the ways to respond?”

At the secretary’s question, Jaesung replied.

“Of course, I’ve thought of about 140 possible questions, and I’ve prepared two solutions for each.”

“So you’ve thought of 280 answers in advance?”

“I’m kidding. I know what they’re going to say, so I’ve only thought of responses to that.”

At those words, the secretary nodded.

‘Indeed….’

She knew better than anyone that it would be difficult to sway Lee with ordinary arguments.

No matter what was said at the board meeting, they would inevitably be swayed by Lee’s eloquent speech.

‘Because that’s who he is….’

Wasn’t he the type of person who would push through with a plan to the end, no matter what?

He had accomplished things that countless people said were impossible with that tenacity….

And he would continue to do things that countless people said were impossible.

Her trust was absolute.

At that moment, the elevator stopped at the floor where the meeting room was located….

Ding!

As soon as the pleasant chime rang out, Jaesung immediately stepped off.

“Let’s go.”

He began to stride forward….

Squeak-.

The moment he opened the door to the meeting room and stepped inside.

“Hmm….”

The gazes of countless people began to focus on Jaesung.

Overall, everyone’s eyes were filled with distrust and dissatisfaction….

“Nice to meet you all.”

Jaesung naturally took the head seat at the meeting room table.

“I heard that many of you are dissatisfied with the Cardo project.”

The murmuring grew louder….

“I’d like to say one thing first.”

Jaesung added again.

“The Cardo project will not be canceled. I plan to push it to the very end, no matter what.”

Jaesung’s secretary exclaimed, “Ah….”

It was because she hadn’t expected him to be so unyielding.

‘To win over the old men on the board, you need to demonstrate a solid revenue model….’

Convincing them with sheer force of will would be insufficient.

“Aren’t all the designers from LVMH’s affiliated brands tied up in the Cardo project?”

“The industry is smaller than you think, so the rumors are already widespread. It could lead to a drop in the group’s overall stock price….”

“That’s right, if this project fails, it will cause significant damage to the group’s stock price!”

Jaesung then asked back.

“So what do you want to do?”

Then he looked around the board.

“Maintain the status quo?”

Jaesung continued.

“There’s no way to expect a big return without risk. Conversely, what would happen if this Cardo project succeeds?”

One of the executives shouted.

“Management and design are different!”

Jaesung frowned.

“I’m the owner and designer of the number one brand in the industry. What do you think you know about this industry?”

Jaesung stood up from his seat.

“It’s just meaningless armchair discussion. You seem to be worried about falling, but what do you think is the minimum condition for falling?”

Silence fell.

“You have to get up. You have to get up, walk, gain momentum, and run. Only then can you stumble or trip and fall.”

Bang, a loud noise rang out.

It was because Jaesung….

had slammed the table.

“Why are you worrying about falling before you even get up? If you want a bigger return, you have to take a bigger risk!”

Jaesung continued to speak.

“I will proceed with this project even if you oppose it. If the results are not good, you can demand my resignation.”

At those words, the room stirred again.

“Think carefully.”

Jaesung added again.

“This project has a clear revenue model, but the additional value that will follow is also obvious.”

Wasn’t it a large-scale project that would go down in fashion history?

If he succeeded in finishing it well, it would surely….

be talked about for a long time and elevate the group’s status.

“I’d like to ask you in return.”

Jaesung challenged them.

“Everyone keeps talking about sales, sales, but is there even one of you who has sold more than I have?”

Most of them knew that Wallflower was the number one brand in sales, so no one could argue.

“I’m not asking you to do anything.”

The atmosphere turned icy at those words.

“I’ll take responsibility for the aftermath….”

Jaesung’s eyes flashed.

“Just stay still.”

At those words, everyone was completely overwhelmed by the aura emanating from Jaesung, a series of finesse, and could not open their mouths. Silence.