Chapter 81: The Power Play
The VIP lounge of the restaurant was a cocoon of gold-leafed walls and deep velvet chairs, designed to insulate the elite from the noise of the world. Jun sat relaxed in a plush armchair, one leg crossed over the other, casually sipping a black coffee. On his tablet, he was scrolling through the NetFuk interface, his expression one of clinical detachment.
Beside him, Hana was a bundle of nervous energy. She was fidgeting with the hem of her dress, her eyes darting around the room. She looked like a startled kitten, a stark contrast to the confident “Nation’s Sweetheart” persona she projected to millions of followers.
The silence was broken by the sharp buzz of Sora’s phone. Sora glanced at the screen and looked up, her expression neutral. “Angela has arrived in the lobby,” she announced.
Hana let out a small, shaky exhale, her shoulders tensing. “I can’t believe this is actually happening,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Sora reached over, placing a gentle, reassuring hand on Hana’s shoulder. “Just breathe, Hana. You’ve handled a million viewers at once; a couple of executives are nothing.”
“It’s different,” Hana murmured, looking down at her lap. “When it’s fans, it’s about love. But when it’s meetings like this… it’s all about targets, demographics, and money. I hate feeling like I’m just a… a product being negotiated. Like I’m just a set of statistics they’re trying to optimize for a profit margin."
Sora’s expression softened, a flicker of old memories crossing her eyes. She squeezed Hana’s shoulder, her voice dropping to a more intimate, honest tone. “Believe me, Hana, I know exactly how that feels. For years, in the boardrooms of the Tsukama Group and the salons of the nobility, I wasn’t ‘Sora.’ I was a strategic asset. I was a ‘crown jewel’ to be traded, a bloodline to be managed, or a corporate image to be leveraged.”
Hana looked up, surprised by the vulnerability in Sora’s voice.
“I spent my entire youth being looked at by men and women who saw me as a target,” Sora continued, her gaze drifting for a moment. “They didn’t see a girl; they saw a merger. They didn’t see a person; they saw a percentage of market share. I learned very early on that when predators enter a room, they don’t see you—they see what they can take from you.”
Sora looked back at Hana, her eyes regaining their sharp, CEO intensity. “But that’s the secret, Hana. Once you realize they’re just predators, you stop being the prey. You start realizing that you are the prize. They aren’t negotiating for a product; they are begging for access to you. You hold the influence. You hold the connection. They are the ones who have to prove they are worthy of your time.”
Hana swallowed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. She had always seen Sora as an untouchable pillar of strength, but hearing that Sora had also felt like a “product” made the situation feel manageable.
“So,” Sora added with a small, encouraging smile, “don’t let them treat you like a statistic. Treat them like applicants. They aren’t here to tell you what you’re worth; they’re here to tell us how much they’re willing to pay for the privilege of working with you.”
Jun didn’t look up from his tablet, but his voice cut through the tension, calm and steady. “Relax, Hana. You’re with me and Sora. No one is going to push you into anything you aren’t comfortable with.”
Hana looked at Jun, a small, grateful smile touching her lips. “I know, Oppa. It’s just… I want it to be perfect.”
“It will be,” Jun replied, finally setting the tablet aside. He leaned back, his eyes narrowing. “Which is why I suggested you move to a monthly contract with NEXUS. I’ve seen their latest email. They’ve already sniffed out that we’re planning a livestream. They’re acting arrogant, claiming they’re doing you a ‘favor’ by offering a so-called premium contract.”
Hana blinked, confused. “A favor? But I didn’t even ask—”
“That’s the game,” Jun interrupted, his voice cool. “They want to lock you in before NetFuk makes a move. They think they’re the only game in town. That’s why we’re having this meeting. I want to see if the Director of NetFuk is as visionary as she claims to be, or if she’s just another corporate suit who thinks they can buy a Prime’s cooperation.”
He paused, his gaze shifting to Hana, his expression serious. “Most streamers make the mistake of signing long-term ‘premium’ contracts because the upfront money looks impressive. But those contracts are predatory. They’re designed to strip away your agency. Once you sign for three or five years, NEXUS owns your image, your schedule, and your soul. They can force you into shows you hate, take a massive cut of your earnings, and penalize you if you want to pivot your brand. You become a golden bird in a cage—well-fed, but with no say in where you fly.”
Jun leaned forward, his voice becoming more pointed. “NEXUS knows your value is skyrocketing. They aren’t offering a ‘premium’ contract because they love you; they’re offering it because they’re terrified of losing you. A monthly contract keeps the power in your hands. It means every thirty days, they have to prove they are still the best option for you. It forces them to keep the offers high and the terms flexible.”
Hana listened, her eyes wide. She had always trusted her agency, but hearing Jun break down the mechanics of the “trap” made her realize how vulnerable she had been.
“I don’t want you to be another ‘talent’ who wakes up in three years wondering where her freedom went,” Jun added, his voice softening slightly. “I want you to be the one holding the leash. That’s how we’ll handle NetFuk, too. We’ll let them think they’re the ones making the offer, while we’re the ones setting the price.”
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The door opened, and the air seemed to crackle with a sudden surge of electricity.
Angela and Valentina stepped into the room. Angela was a whirlwind of power, her presence filling the space. She wore a tailored suit that hugged her curves, her eyes immediately locking onto Jun with a predatory curiosity. Valentina followed, her expression one of cool, professional poise, though her eyes scanned the room with a sharp, analytical gaze.
“Sora,” Angela greeted, her voice a smooth, commanding purr. “It’s been too long.”
“Angela,” Sora responded, standing up with the grace of a queen. “Welcome to the island.”
The initial pleasantries were brief and polished, the kind of social dance performed by people who used to the highest circles of power. Angela’s gaze flickered briefly to Hana, her expression softening into a practiced, welcoming smile.
“And you must be Hana,” Angela said, her voice warm and inviting. “The ‘Nation’s Sweetheart.’ I’ve seen your streams, dear. Your charisma is truly remarkable. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the girl who has all of Korea in the palm of her hand.”
Hana, still feeling the lingering effects of her nerves, gave a shy, polite bow. “Thank you, Ms. Ross. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Angela chuckled, a light, melodic sound. “Please, ‘Angela’ is fine. We’re in the Academy now; let’s leave the stiff formalities to the professors.”
Then, Angela turned her attention to Jun. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The warmth remained, but it was now laced with a heavy, electric curiosity. She didn’t offer a hand to shake; instead, she leaned slightly forward, her eyes scanning Jun’s face with a predatory intensity, as if she were trying to peel back the layers of his composure.
“And you,” Angela murmured, her voice dropping an octave, “must be Jun. I’ve heard a great deal about you. Some say you’re a miracle, others say you’re a mystery.” She let a slow, knowing smile spread across her lips. “I’ve always found that the most interesting things in life are the ones that refuse to be explained.”
Jun didn’t stand. He remained in his chair, his gaze steady and unblinking, meeting Angela’s eyes with a confidence that didn’t need to shout. He could feel the curiosity radiating off her—the way she was assessing him, not as a student or a candidate, but as a peer.
Valentina, who had remained silent, watched the exchange with a flicker of amusement. She could see the sparks flying between the two—a silent collision of egos and desires.
“A pleasure to meet you, Angela,” Jun replied, his voice a low, steady rumble. “I trust your flight was comfortable.”
Angela let out a soft, hummed laugh, her eyes never leaving his. “It was… adequate. But I suspect the real excitement is only just beginning.”
“Enough with the small talk,” Jun said, his voice a low, commanding rumble that cut through the polite atmosphere. He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Angela’s. “Let’s cut to the chase. We’re here to discuss the livestream. I have a very specific vision for how this will go, and I expect NetFuk to be able to execute it perfectly.”