Just a Reminder, Eun-geon
Eun-geon waved his hand dismissively, as if the topic of Sera was boring him to death. He didn’t want to say another word about it.
“Hyung, when are you getting here?”
He steered the conversation toward the meeting with Se-hyun.
“Hyung Se-hyun? I got a call earlier. He said he’s almost here. Parking and heading up. But his voice sounded a bit off… he mentioned something important.”
Just as Gang-bin tilted his head in reply, the meeting-room door slid open. Se-hyun entered with Teo at his side.
Instead of a leather briefcase, Se-hyun held only a sleek tablet PC. The usual easy, friendly smile was gone; his expression was hard and grave.
The air in the room grew subtly heavier again.
“Ah, you’re all here already. Sorry I’m late.”
Se-hyun apologized briefly and took his seat. For a moment he seemed to gather himself, then he tapped the tablet and turned on the screen.
“Something serious enough to make you wear that face, hyung?”
Gang-bin asked, concern evident. Se-hyun didn’t answer his question. Instead he rotated the tablet and showed the screen to Eun-geon.
“Eun-geon, about the endorsement contract coming up for renewal this time…”
The three of them knew each other better than family. Se-hyun hadn’t needed to send Gang-bin and Teo out.
The screen displayed the crisp logo of one of the country’s top conglomerates: Taesan Group.
For the last six years Eun-geon had renewed his massive ambassador contract with Taesan every three years. His global visibility and polished, daring image had elevated the brand’s value, and in return he had been paid astronomical fees.
It was an open secret that “Baek Eun-geon equals Taesan Group.” And Taesan Group was also Myeongseong Group’s most formidable rival—the conglomerate chaired by Eun-geon’s biological father, Chairman Baek Han-soo.
In truth, Eun-geon’s exclusive contract with Taesan had been his silent rebellion against his father.
“No problem with Taesan, right? You were definitely renewing this time too, weren’t you?”
Eun-geon asked casually. He had always done things this way, so no real worry showed on his face.
“That’s the thing… it got complicated.”
Se-hyun let out a deep sigh. His expression darkened further.
“Myeongseong Group seems determined this time. Pressure is coming at us from every side.”
“Myeongseong Group?”
Eun-geon’s brows furrowed deeply. Although his biological father ran Myeongseong Group, he had always believed the company had no connection to him.
He had been an illegitimate child, barely entered into the registry, and never acknowledged by the man who claimed him.
“Yeah. You know how much effort Myeongseong put in over the years to make you their model? Every time they got beaten by Taesan, now they’re willing to cross every line. Even… they’re offering to make you their official model.”
“What? They’re treating me like their outcast again?”
Eun-geon let out a hollow laugh, the sound laced with disgust and icy contempt. The man and company that had once treated him as a nobody were now trying to exploit his value.
“That’s right. Eun-geon, I understand your feelings. But there’s another issue…”
Se-hyun watched Eun-geon’s eyes carefully before continuing.
“Myeongseong Group is the largest sponsor of the Korea Swimming Federation. You know they cover more than half the federation’s operating budget.”
A heavy silence settled back into the room.
Se-hyun’s words made Gang-bin realize the gravity. The influence of Myeongseong Group over Korean swimming was absolute.
“If you renew with Taesan again… Myeongseong is planning to put direct pressure on the federation. On the national-team selection process, training support, even international competition qualifications. In the worst case, it could cause serious harm to your entire athletic career.”
Se-hyun’s explanation was shocking.
It wasn’t just about a contract. It threatened Eun-geon’s very life as a national athlete. His father was trying to block his path in this way.
Perhaps it was the payback for his past defiance. The saying that blood is thicker than water clearly didn’t apply to him.
“So they’ve been waiting for the right moment…”
“Eun-geon, are you okay? This isn’t just a simple matter. I heard it’s a direct order from the chairman.”
Se-hyun asked with genuine worry in his eyes. No matter how much of a national athlete Eun-geon was, fighting a massive conglomerate with deep pockets felt reckless.
“I don’t care. You know that, hyung.”
Eun-geon met his gaze steadily. His voice was low and resolute.
“I’ve never been that man’s son.”
“…”
“No matter who lines up behind it or what pressure they put on, it doesn’t matter. The competition is live on TV. Tens of cameras, the entire world watching. How could they fake it? Buying a rival with a record close to mine and doping him would probably be faster.”
Eun-geon was the holder of the world’s top record. Not only would it be nearly impossible to break, but external pressure wouldn’t tarnish his name either.
Still, Se-hyun couldn’t hide his unease. Myeongseong Group might exert far stronger and more calculated pressure than anyone expected.
As the person running the company, Se-hyun had to protect Eun-geon as best he could while blocking the monstrous Myeongseong Group. Whether it was even possible, he wasn’t sure.
Se-hyun let out another deep sigh. The battle ahead would be messy and treacherous.
“I’ve heard your opinion, Eun-geon. I’ll cover everything at the company level. Just focus on training and don’t worry too much.”
Se-hyun said, forcing calm into his voice. But Eun-geon seemed lost in another world, staring blankly into empty space with unfocused eyes.
In his mind, the Myeongseong Group and the contract had long since vanished.
Only Yusom and the shocking photo she had shown him on her phone remained.
“Then, Teo and Gang-bin. You two handle something else.”
Se-hyun tried to lighten the mood and moved on to the next item.
A close friend, a famous film director, had asked for a cameo appearance by a national athlete in the upcoming music video.
Just ten seconds of high-impact screen time. A light request.
“A music video? What singer?”
Gang-bin’s eyes sparkled as he asked.
“I don’t know the details yet, but are you interested?”
“I love it. I’ll be able to rest by skipping training schedule.”
Gang-bin answered enthusiastically. Meanwhile Eun-geon remained in another world.
He leaned back deeply against the sofa, arms crossed.
The contract, the music video, the external pressure—none of it mattered now.
A day with Yusom a few days ago was still swirling through his head.
It had ruined his mood and shattered his calm completely.
***
After the meeting ended, the three of them walked out of the Legacy Enterprise building together.
Bright afternoon sunlight poured down, yet Eun-geon’s face remained shadowed.
Hands deep in his pockets, he walked forward staring blankly at nothing.
“Hey, Baek Eun-geon.”
Gang-bin couldn’t stand it anymore and tapped his shoulder.
“You’re not in good condition today, are you? Your face has been sour since the meeting. Are you sick? Or is it the contract?”
(END OF CHAPTER 16)