Chapter 26 (2) - The Mysterious Art Museum
After the major shareholders' meeting.
Even though the meeting has ended, no one leaves their seat.
It's customary to provide time for the major shareholders to chat and share opinions over light refreshments.
Monica and Sooyoung move among the major shareholders, greeting them and listening to their critiques of the new product. Elderly shareholders seated at a large round table.
Sooyoung whispers to Monica as they approach the table.
"I'll introduce you starting from the man with the thinning hair on the left. He's Jung Ju-won, Vice Chairman of Jungwon Interiors, the industry leader. Next to him is Kim Sun-ja, a real estate magnate who owns six 42-story buildings in Cheongdam-dong. And next to her is Lee Chi-won, President of Chiwon Trust Investment, known as a big player in the stock market."
As Monica nods slightly and approaches the table, offering handshakes and calling their names, they respond with big smiles, appearing very pleased.
"Oh, this, this! It was a big hit. At first, I kept wondering where the refrigerator was."
"Oh, the president felt that way too? I did as well."
"Madam Kim too? Haha, MG Electronics made fools of us all. But I welcome being treated like a fool if it means making big money. Who would mind being called a fool for that?"
The people were all praises.
Most are satisfied with the innovative design of the new product.
Some, as major shareholders, even inquire about the possibility of getting the product in advance.
Sooyoung takes down their contact information separately, as instructed by the president of MG Electronics.
Monica carries a satisfied smile on her face as she observes the reactions of the shareholders.
Then, reaching one table, Monica spots a young woman and opens her eyes wide in surprise.
"Oh my, Anna?"
Monica, who knows no one in Korea, calls someone by name, and Sooyoung quickly steps in to whisper.
"Monica, that lady's name is Yoo Min-young. She's the youngest daughter of the chairman of the W Tree Hotel chain."
But Monica, unphased, approaches the woman and sits next to her, grabbing her hand.
"Anna! What are you doing here?"
Sooyoung, sensing the awkwardness, observes Min-young closely. As expected of the youngest daughter of one of South Korea's top 1% conglomerate families, her appearance is not overly flashy but everything she wears is of the highest quality.
Min-young, with her black straight hair and beautiful features, responds with a smile.
"It's been a long time, Monica."
Quick to correct the mistake, Sooyoung hastily retreats, realizing that the foreign name Monica called might be Min-young's English name and that the two have a close relationship.
Monica speaks with delight.
"How long has it been since we last met?"
"It's been about 10 years since you graduated from school, right?"
"No! You came to Milan for our brand event in 2019."
"Oh! Right. We did meet then, didn't we?"
"So, it's been 5 years?"
"Yes, that's right. Time flies, doesn't it?"
"It sure does."
"But you're a major shareholder of MG Electronics too?"
"Yes, my father gave me some shares."
"Wow, truly Korean nobility."
"Ah, people will criticize, don't say that."
Min-young, noticing Sooyoung standing awkwardly due to Monica settling down, gives her a slight nod.
Surprised, Sooyoung bows, and Monica introduces her.
"Sooyoung, this is my friend, Anna."
Sooyoung, carefully asks,
"You're friends with Yoo Min-young?"
Min-young interjects with a smile.
"We attended the Florence Academy of Art together."
"Ah..."
Being the youngest daughter of the chairman of one of South Korea's top hotel chains, it seems natural that she would have studied abroad. However, the Florence Academy of Art is a school where admission is difficult to secure based on talent alone, and with no system for admission through donations, it seems she did not get in through financial means.
After the introductions, Min-young again holds onto Monica.
"Monica."
"Yes?"
"I have just one question."
"About the new product?"
"Yes."
"Of course, it's fine. You're our major shareholder, after all."
Min-young, gesturing towards the Belle poque revealed after the event, quietly asks,
"Who painted that picture?"
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