Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 185

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 185

4 billion annually.

Ha-sung was well aware of what this amount meant.

‘The annual model fee for a boy group that becomes a global star in 10 years is about 5 billion.’

They were offering that amount a full 10 years earlier.

“The conditions of the model include restrictions on appearing in advertisements for competitors, and the promotional materials will be used globally.”

Lee Yong-jin’s words were, in short, an exclusive contract.

That’s why the amount was so large.

Even though Ohsung Electronics was a large corporation, readily offering this amount wasn’t easy.

They, too, were taking on a risk.

‘Athletes can decline in skill at any time. There’s also the risk of injury, and popularity can decline due to other issues.’

A clause allowing for claims for damages is included in the contract in case of involvement in a crime or severe damage to the image.

However, contract termination due to a decline in the player’s skill is not included.

In other words, the company was proceeding with the contract while also bearing a risk.

‘A 5-year contract would be a huge deal totaling 20 billion.’

He thought that Ohsung Electronics’ decisiveness in offering an amount similar to his annual salary was remarkable.

‘To be precise, is it Lee Yong-jin’s decisiveness?’

It was a decision that Lee Yong-jin, who would lead the future Ohsung Group, could make.

“I will discuss it positively with my agent.”

“Thank you.”

Ha-sung avoided giving an immediate answer and got up from his seat.

But his mind was already made up.

To join them.

* * *

Isabel checked the contract delivered to her and sighed.

“Haa…”

“Is something wrong?”

Her colleague Robert handed her coffee and asked.

“Thanks. It’s nothing much, but one of my clients suddenly sent me a contract.”

“A contract? Did they bring you a strange contract?”

“It’s not strange. It’s a $18 million contract.”

“Pfft!”

Robert, who was listening to the story, spat out the coffee he was drinking.

“Eigh… Eighteen million dollars?”

“Yeah. It’s a 5-year contract, which is about $4 million annually, but he brought it alone.”

“Al… Alone? Is that even possible?”

“Since the contract is right in front of me, I have to say it’s possible, right?”

“Huh… Is he a player who’s played in the major leagues for a long time? To have the connections to bring such a contract on his own.”

“It’s only been 3 years.”

“3 years? A 3-year rookie doing that… Could it be, Jung Ha-sung?”

“That’s right.”

Robert shook his head.

“That player is really unpredictable. He’s another level as a player. He even gets these contracts himself.”

“I know.”

“But why are you sighing like that?”

“I’m feeling a sense of futility, wondering if a player who gets this kind of contract even needs an agent.”

“Don’t be silly. Instead of feeling futile, you should be supporting him even more from the side.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Just because he gets the contract doesn’t mean it’s over. Our agent needs to be there to solve the other things.”

Isabel nodded at Robert’s advice.

She briefly wondered if her existence was unnecessary since he was a player who did so well on his own.

But as Robert said, a player can’t solve everything.

Even if he happens to get a contract, she would have to do everything else.

Contacting other companies was also something she had to do.

There was so much to do, there was no need to feel intimidated.

“It’s amazing to see you, who was so confident in your work, looking like this. What on earth did you bring back to make you like this?”

“Ohsung Electronics of Korea.”

“Huh? Ohsung Electronics? Are you talking about the one that released the Andromeda phone?”

“That’s right. They offered a global model contract.”

“And the player got that on his own?”

“Yeah.”

Robert shook his head.

“I understand how you feel, even for a moment.”

Isabel felt a little more relieved at Robert’s answer.

* * *

The contract sent by Ohsung Electronics was reasonable.

It was a sign that Lee Yong-jin accurately understood Ha-sung’s style.

The contract had almost no strange toxic clauses or parts that needed to be revised.

“You can sign the contract as it is right now without any major problems.”

“It seems Director Lee Yong-jin paid attention to it.”

“Certainly, the fact that such a clean contract came means that they have a good understanding of Ha-sung.”

“Then can we proceed with the contract right away?”

“Yes. There’s no problem at all. You can proceed right away.”

Isabel nodded.

“And since this contract was brought by Ha-sung, I’ll only deduct a 5 percent commission.”

“Is that okay?”

“The higher-ups have given the okay, so there’s no problem.”

Isabel understood Ha-sung well.

He’s not someone who causes big trouble usually.

But if he decides that something is harmful to him, he cuts it off at once.

‘In other words, if someone is beneficial to him, he tries to keep them by his side.’

It was important to score points with this kind of person.

That’s why she took the initiative to report to the higher-ups about this matter.

Reducing the commission was a burden for the agency.

It wasn’t just a matter of reducing the money received immediately.

If this matter leaked to the outside, it could cause problems with fairness with other players.

In addition, Ha-sung could bring similar cases in the future, not just this time.

If the commission was reduced then as well, it would inevitably be a burden for the company.

‘Nevertheless, the priority is to win Ha-sung’s heart.’

Isabel, as well as J.J. Agency, recognized that Ha-sung was a player who would grow bigger in the future, not just now.

‘There’s no coercion in our contract with Ha-sung.’

It would be different if they had given him a contract fee.

But now it’s hard to see that as a restriction.

Ha-sung was already a player earning astronomical amounts of money, so the penalty was not a big problem.

‘To keep this kind of person, we need to make sure they recognize that we are definitely on their side.’

That’s why Isabel chose to bow her head first.

And that was the right answer.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Ha-sung accepted Isabel’s offer with a smile.

That was enough.

She didn’t hear any answers, but she could understand that she had won his favor.

* * *

Hamels was waiting for Ha-sung in the car.

Next to him sat a beautiful blonde woman.

“But are you really giving me ten thousand dollars if I seduce Jung Ha-sung?”

“Yes. But when we’re rolling around together, the direction of this watch must be pointing exactly at the bed.”

“What is this watch?”

“A small camera.”

“What? You want me to film that? I’m in it too, what are you going to use it for?”

“Your face will all be blurred out. So you don’t have to worry.”

“No, how can I trust your words!”

“If your face comes out, you can report me to the police. And would I give you ten thousand dollars for nothing? You need this money to pay off your debts.”

Hamels showed the ten thousand dollars in the bag.

The woman’s eyes wavered when she saw the bundles of hundred-dollar bills.

“Hoo… You really have to blur my face.”

“Yes. So seduce him well and finish the night within today.”

“Humph! If that guy isn’t gay, he’ll fall for me right away.”

The woman said, pointing to her body.

As she said, most men would not be able to resist the temptation.

And that would be the same for Ha-sung.

“He’s here.”

Hamels said, spotting a sports car coming from afar.

She stared at the car entering the hotel with the eyes of a beast, got out of the car, and headed to the hotel.

* * *

After finishing the meeting, Ha-sung was sitting alone at the sky lounge bar.

‘It’s nice to have some leisurely time like this sometimes.’

It was also enjoyable to spend time relaxing while drinking whiskey.

If a person is just busy, they get too tired.

Then they inevitably become irritable and stressed.

Ha-sung knew how dangerous those things were, so he gave himself enough rest.

‘There’s nothing great about resting. Just drinking good alcohol and spending time relaxing is a kind of rest.’

It was a reality that was hard to do even if you knew how to rest.

There were problems with money or time.

But not anymore.

He could rest enough and had financial余裕 [financial leeway/discretion].

The price of just one glass of whiskey he was drinking was over a hundred dollars.

In Korean currency, it was 120,000 won.

Considering that it was the price of one glass, not a bottle, it was a very high price.

‘Well, I’m at a level where I can earn enough not to be bound by these things anymore.’

He had enough income to bring and drink it by the bottle.

Even if he retired right away, he wouldn’t have to worry about his old age.

Of course, he had no intention of doing so.

“Excuse me…”

A disturber came when he was enjoying his alone time.

Ha-sung raised his head and looked at the person who spoke to him.

He was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his 50s.

He was white, and his face was somehow familiar.

“So you’re Jung Ha-sung.”

Ha-sung made a puzzled expression at his greeting as if he knew him, and the man introduced himself.

“I’m Jack Sharp, the mayor of Oakland.”

“Ah~ Nice to meet you.”

The other person was the mayor of Oakland.

Ha-sung greeted him with pleasure at the appearance of an unexpected big shot.

“Haha! I’m so glad to meet Jung Ha-sung, the hero of Oakland, like this.”

“I’m honored to meet the mayor as well.”

“Thank you for saying that. If it’s not too much to ask, can I ask for an autograph?”

“Of course.”

Ha-sung signed the paper that Mayor Sharp handed him.

Then Mayor Sharp called an employee and presented Ha-sung with a bottle of whiskey.

“It’s my favorite drink. It’s nothing special, but I’d like to give it to you as a gift since we met like this. Please accept it.”

“I’ll drink it well.”

“Haha! Thank you. This is my business card. If you have any inconveniences, please feel free to contact me and I will provide you with convenience.”

“Thank you.”

Ha-sung received the business card and put it in his wallet.

To think he would have a connection with the mayor.

Actually, it wasn’t a strange thing.

Ha-sung, the best star in Major League Baseball, is one of the people that celebrities and politicians want to meet.

That’s what it meant to be at the top class in one field.

Ha-sung realized anew what position he was in and poured the liquor he received as a gift into his glass.

“Delicious.”

The taste of the whiskey he received as a gift was more delicious than what he had been drinking before.

He was enjoying the taste and looking at the night view when.

“Oh my, you’re Jung Ha-sung, right?”

This time, a voluptuous woman approached him and spoke to him.