08.LUMINA

“Ms. Min Ji-ah is personally handling that matter.”

“Ji-ah is?”

Chairman Go Yeong-man looked displeased. A string of recent events—Go Muyeol’s murder of Jeon Seong-hyun, Seong-hyun’s brother’s assassination of the Chief Prosecutor, and now, Min Ji-ah taking it upon herself to deal with their family—seemed almost comedic to him.

Muyeol killing Seong-hyun was no issue. A direct line family member could kill someone from a collateral branch. Besides, hadn’t Seong-hyun tried to covet Muyeol’s female servant? If so, he deserved to die. That wasn’t a problem.

The problem was what came next.

Instead of accepting their fate for his brother’s crimes, Seong-hyun’s sibling retaliated by openly killing the Chief Prosecutor in a way that everyone could see. How dare a collateral family show such defiance against a direct line?

“What’s Ji-ah doing, managing her husband’s relatives so poorly? She should’ve had them under control ahead of time. Useless woman. Tsk, tsk.”@@@@

“...”

“Tell her to handle it thoroughly.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

The chairman crumpled the report detailing Ji-ah’s actions and tossed it aside. The secretary quickly retrieved it, smoothing it out before placing it back in the briefcase. To the chairman, Min Ji-ah was nothing. But to the secretary, even Ji-ah was a high authority.

“So, what’s that boy been up to? I doubt he’d be hiding away in fear.”

“Master Go Muyeol is the same as always, sir. Oh, and about the stock investment I mentioned before—it was a massive success.”

“A massive success?”

When he’d first heard about it, he’d scolded Muyeol. Since adolescence, all Muyeol had cared about was drugs and women, so what could he possibly know about stocks? And investing his entire fortune in Goryeo Entertainment?

He’d been annoyed but decided to indulge him, considering he’d quit drugs. But now it turned out to be a massive success?

“Yes, sir.”

The secretary handed over a new report.

“Master Muyeol sold all 9.3 million shares of Real Productions, generating a return of approximately 2.8 trillion won. That’s a 3,733% profit.”

The chairman’s eyes practically popped out of his head.

“What? T-Two trillion? 2.8 trillion won?!”

“Yes, sir.”

While billions weren’t a big deal to him, the profit rate was shocking. He’d invested 750 billion won and made 2.8 trillion won in just over a month?

“This... must’ve been a stroke of luck.”

“...”

The chairman, who had leapt from his seat, slowly sat back down.

“He’s also been short-selling recently. Same stock, and already 800 billion won worth.”

“2.8 trillion, with an 800 billion won short? Can the market handle that?”

“As of yesterday’s close, Real Productions’ stock price was 310,000 won, even higher than when Master Muyeol sold his 9.3 million shares.”

“What kind of company is this to be so resilient?”

“They recently launched a new game.”

“A game company... it shouldn’t be holding up this well.”

“With the entertainment sector plummeting, funds from there seem to have shifted into Real Productions, which was on the rise. The sums involved are nearly identical.”

If I called Ji-ah in, and she was nothing special, I’d just take the report. But if she were someone like Aunt Go Min-young, possessing overwhelming beauty, then I''d “enjoy” her.

But chances are, she’d be attractive enough, wouldn’t she? Even if she’s treated like a slave as a collateral branch member, that’s just within the Goryeo Group. From an outside perspective, even the collateral branches of Goryeo Group are incredibly wealthy and powerful. Take that worthless scum Seong-hyun, for instance. He didn’t even have anything to his name, yet the Incheon Chief Prosecutor was powerless to resist and ultimately followed his orders to summon In-ae.

Considering this, I doubt someone like Min Ji-ah, who has even closer blood ties, would be incapable of managing her appearance.

“Master, the short selling is underway. We''ve already sold 2.5 million shares worth 800 billion won, but Real Productions'' stock keeps rising.”

“It’s ridiculously resilient.”

I’ve already sunk 3.6 trillion won alone, yet even I can’t fully grasp the sheer scale of this amount. Could it withstand this level of supply? Just how many people are holding onto Real Productions? Even if the entertainment stocks have plummeted...

“Just keep going with it.”

“Yes, Master. Oh, and about the corporate establishment: we need to register finance experts and audit staff before the financial authorities can approve it.”

“Handle it as you see fit.”

“Yes, sir.”

As I prepared to leave for work, I called In-ae. She answered after about three rings.

“Yes, Master~ I was just about to report; the investigation target has been mostly confirmed for the time be-”

“You’re working on loosening up back there, right?”

“-B-Back there...?”

“Making sure your rear is ready. Your back entrance, your ass.”

I’d told her to start expanding it this week, so I could use it.

“...”

She went silent on the other end. She better not have neglected this.

Well, it’s her problem if she has. I’ll force it if I have to. This is partly a punishment, after all.

“It’s Friday morning now, and we have the regular Jojob meeting tomorrow. Just remember, it’s happening tomorrow.”

“M-Master, wait a sec-”

Ignoring her frantic voice, I hung up.

“She’s never sounded so desperate before. Kind of entertaining.”

“...Master, should I prepare as well?”

“You?”

“I was your first Jojob member...”

I looked at Soo-ah for a moment. There wouldn’t be any harm, but I’m only trying anal play out of curiosity and to assert some control.

“Well... you can prepare.”

“Yes, Master!”

She answered enthusiastically, clearly pleased. I find it strange that she’d be happy about this request, but it seems she’s taking it as a form of recognition.

“...My Lord, should I prepare as well?”

Baek Seol chimed in from the side. Luckily, Se-eun Mi didn’t say anything; she actually seemed uncomfortable with the idea. It made me want to force her more.

‘Next time I catch her spying, I’ll have her trained back there.’

“All right. You, too, get ready.”

“Yes, My Lord.”