God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 186

Hwang Tae-in looked Song Woo-yeon up and down.

Although he had seen her face on TV before, her appearance was much more youthful than he expected. This is practically a complete novice, isn't it?

'This might be easier than I thought.'

Hwang Tae-in smiled, concealing his dark intentions. As his lips curled up, he looked even more rat-like.

"I've been waiting. I hope your journey here wasn't uncomfortable?"

His words were polite, but his attitude was anything but. Hwang Tae-in didn't even make a move to stand up.

'But what are you going to do about it? I'm a director at Hyeonmu.'

Hwang Tae-in sneered inwardly, thinking that even sitting face-to-face was a great honor for Song Woo-yeon.

After all, how could Song Woo-yeon, merely at the level of a growing small to medium-sized enterprise, have the opportunity to meet privately with a director of such a large corporation?

'Besides, the younger they are, the less experience they have. They don't even realize when they're being disrespected, or when contract clauses are toxic.'

This is even more true for such a young, green kid.

Hwang Tae-in had decades of corporate experience, having been through thick and thin.

Manipulating one young woman fresh out of school was nothing to him.

To induce a sense of familiarity, Hwang Tae-in continued with a smile.

"Please, have a seat."

He gestured to the seat across from him.

'How do you like this VIP room?'

The most important thing is to break the other party's spirit from the start. In that sense, this VIP room with its grand chandelier, massive marble round table surrounded by leather chairs, was the perfect space.

While familiar to Hwang Tae-in, it would be entirely foreign to Song Woo-yeon.

Even the subtle scent of scented candles wafting through the room and the classical piano music playing at just the right volume were all part of Hwang Tae-in's calculations.

"Ah, before we begin our discussion, would you like a light drink?"

Hwang Tae-in called for the sommelier before Song Woo-yeon could even answer. It was an attitude that seemed considerate but actually showed no consideration at all.

"Yes, you called? I'll bring the wine list."

The sommelier carefully placed the wine list in front of Song Woo-yeon and Hwang Tae-in.

"Hmm. Do you have a wine you usually enjoy?"

Of course, that wouldn't be the case.

Most people find it difficult to even pronounce wine names correctly. Especially since the wine list here was entirely in English, making it incredibly challenging for beginners.

Hwang Tae-in pretended to look at the wine list while observing Song Woo-yeon's expression.

"...?"

Song Woo-yeon hadn't even touched the wine list.

'What's this? Is she frozen from nervousness?'

But her facial expression was too...

How should he put it?

Hwang Tae-in frowned for a moment, trying to gauge if this was the right expression. But there seemed to be no more appropriate word.

'Isn't she looking at me as if I'm ridiculous?'

With this thunderbolt of realization, Song Woo-yeon finally spoke.

"I'll have the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti 1999, please."

"!"

Ordering without even looking at the wine list?

Hwang Tae-in hurriedly scanned the wine list.

'It's there! It really is!'

How did she know this? Hwang Tae-in struggled to hide his bewilderment.

'Has she been here before? No, that's impossible. Do you know what kind of place this is!'

Hwang Tae-in quickly composed himself and muttered inwardly.

'It's a coincidence. She's lucky. Just as her name suggests, it's a perfect coincidence!'

She must have picked up the wine name from somewhere.

The sommelier praised Song Woo-yeon's choice.

"An excellent choice. That year produced a particularly fine vintage with high-quality grapes."

Although it was a typical flattery, it oddly irked Hwang Tae-in.

'Hmpf. As if she chose it knowing that? Praising her for a lucky guess, calling it an excellent choice.'

However, as if reading Hwang Tae-in's grumbling, Song Woo-yeon smoothly replied.

"Indeed, the 1999 vintage is especially unique. It was a year with frequent rain and high humidity, wasn't it?"

The sommelier's eyes widened.

"This allowed the grapes to ripen slowly, developing a more complex and deep flavor. The tannin structure formed densely yet elegantly, so by now, I imagine the soft texture and red fruit flavors should be in perfect harmony."

"You really know your wines. As you said, the Romanée-Conti 1999 is at its peak right now. It's an honor to serve it to such an esteemed guest."

The sommelier couldn't hide his satisfied smile as he spoke.

"You're too kind. I get to taste something precious thanks to Director Hwang. Have you made your choice, Director Hwang?"

"Ahem. Hem!"

Hwang Tae-in hurriedly turned his attention back to the wine list. He felt pressured to order an even better wine than Song Woo-yeon.

But having only heard bits and pieces, he lacked the skill to elaborate on the grapes of that year.

In the end, Hwang Tae-in evaded the situation in another way.

"I'll have the same."

"Yes, understood. Please wait a moment while I bring your wine."

He had a feeling that something was going wrong.

'Why do I feel like I'm dancing in the palm of her hand? Is it just my imagination?'

By now, Song Woo-yeon should have been intimidated and watching his every move. Instead, Song Woo-yeon looked as calm as if she were in her own living room.

"Oh, by the way, this place is famous for its cigar collection. I'm a non-smoker so it's fine, but if you'd like, Director Hwang, feel free to light up a cigar."

"...Pardon?"

"The Dominican cigars here are exquisite. Would you like to try one?"

Hwang Tae-in was completely ignorant about cigars. But he felt his pride wouldn't allow him to show such ignorance in front of Song Woo-yeon.

"Yes. I do enjoy them from time to time."

Then he brusquely ordered the departing sommelier.

"Bring a Dominican cigar as well."

"Yes, understood."

Shortly after, the wine and cigar arrived. As Hwang Tae-in hesitated over what to do with the cigar, Song Woo-yeon naturally took it.

"I guess you're not used to preparing it yourself, probably because someone always does it for you."

Song Woo-yeon skillfully prepared the cigar. While doing so, she added a comment to save face for Hwang Tae-in, but to anyone watching, it was clear that she had taken control of the situation.

'Oh no. My plan is completely falling apart!'

Hwang Tae-in found it difficult to hide his unease as he accepted the cigar.

'How can she appear so proficient? This isn't a place just anyone can enter, it's a VIP room! Even I can only use it after borrowing the young master's name...'

It's not a place where some orphan startup CEO could pretend to know things.

So Song Woo-yeon's attitude must be genuine.

'...Does she have some hidden background? A powerful backer? Perhaps the orphan story is just a smokescreen to hide her background.'

Hwang Tae-in's face paled.

'Have I chosen the wrong opponent?'

Hwang Tae-in bit his lip as he looked at Song Woo-yeon.

She seemed to be savoring the wine's aroma, swirling the glass nonchalantly, looking every bit like the scion of an upper-class family.

"Shall we get to the main point?"

Song Woo-yeon opened the conversation first.

"I was a bit surprised by the sudden proposal, but I'd like to hear the specific terms. If you have a prepared proposal, I'd like to read it."

"Yes. Here it is."

Hwang Tae-in pulled out documents from his bag. It was the merger and acquisition proposal he had prepared in advance.

"Hmm."

Song Woo-yeon read it slowly.

The longer the silence stretched, the more anxious Hwang Tae-in became. The contents of the proposal weren't bad for <The Song> either. He had planned to add a few toxic verbal clauses afterward if possible, but...

'Given the atmosphere, that seems difficult now. Should I just be satisfied with the prepared proposal? Damn it.'

It was while Hwang Tae-in was inwardly cursing that it happened.

Thud.

Song Woo-yeon put down the proposal she had finished reading on the table.

"I see. I've read through your proposed contents, and..."

Song Woo-yeon's gaze pierced sharply downward. Feeling like a mouse before a hawk, Hwang Tae-in flinched involuntarily.

"To be honest, it's a bit cliché."

"Pardon?"

Hwang Tae-in retorted, as if dumbfounded.

"Cliché, you say? Our terms are above the industry average. This proposal isn't bad for <The Song> either."

"Of course."

Song Woo-yeon smiled slightly.

"However, compared to proposals I've recently discussed with other partners, there are still many lacking aspects. For example, the terms of the joint investment proposed by JC Group, one of the global leaders in the F&B industry, were quite attractive."

JC Group?

Are those hyenas drooling over <The Song>? Hwang Tae-in slightly furrowed his brow.

JC Group was... one of the global companies fiercely competing with Hyeonmu.

"What terms did JC Group propose?"

"That's still confidential, so it's difficult for me to say. However, JC Group values <The Song> higher than your company does. They judged that we have potential beyond the acquisition price and proposed a joint investment."

Nonsense!

Hwang Tae-in wanted to shout if he could. That high-and-mighty company, proposing a 'joint investment' to this small enterprise?

Spouting nonsense about future potential?

'There's no reason for that! Even if this potential or whatever is true. What kind of insane group would teach you your true value instead of quickly buying an undervalued product?'

It defied logic. But Song Woo-yeon was staring straight at Hwang Tae-in even after saying such nonsense.

Her attitude suggested she saw no problem at all.

'...Wait a minute.'

Hwang Tae-in pieced together the puzzle so far.

Song Woo-yeon's strange familiarity with the VIP room.

The orphan background she claimed.

And JC Group's favorable proposal.

'Could it be.'

Hwang Tae-in's eyes widened.

'...Is she JC Group's illegitimate child?'