I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 470

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 470
The Cannes Film Festival operated with ruthless capitalist logic.
To capture photographs on the Red Carpet, one had to pay the Cannes Film Festival organizers a substantial fee.
Yet the Cannes organizers had made me an unprecedented counter-offer: they wanted me to walk the Red Carpet and stand before the cameras. They even noted this was an exceptional case.
The door opened, and the moment I stepped out, camera flashes erupted from every direction in a dizzying frenzy.
I squeezed Secretary Kim Mi-so’s hand and whispered.
“There are quite a lot of cameras, aren’t there?”
“More than I expected, sir.”
Secretary Kim Mi-so appeared flustered, yet maintained her composure outwardly. She walked the Red Carpet beside me with her usual gentle smile and impeccable posture.
Dennis, holding Ji-hee’s hand, also faced the camera barrage.
At that moment, one reporter shouted.
“It’s Emma Watson!”
Everything was unfolding exactly as I’d anticipated.
The screening of my film “The Whip,” which I’d invested in and produced, being scheduled on the same day as Emma Watson’s new film premiere was no coincidence.
The Cannes organizers had clearly orchestrated this with calculated precision to generate buzz.
And they’d even timed the Red Carpet appearances to overlap!
Nothing in this world comes free.
I calmly whispered to Secretary Kim Mi-so while holding her hand.
“It seems I’m the target of today’s Red Carpet after all.”
“They want to capture you and Emma Watson in the same frame.”
“Perhaps.”
I shrugged.
Before coming to Cannes, I’d thoroughly searched for Emma Watson’s recent scandals. Things had been quiet since she’d dated that short Wall Street financier last year.
It seemed clear she’d be attending this Cannes Film Festival alone.
Because her FaceNote profile listed her status as single.
Finally, Emma Watson’s limousine came to a stop, and the rear door opened. She emerged in a dazzling golden dress, and….
At that moment, flashes and gasps erupted from the reporters.
“What? Isn’t that Prince Harris of England?”
“Is that really Prince Harris?”
“Is Emma dating Prince Harris?”
The reporters’ murmurs reached my ears.
“Prince Harris has always said he’s a fan of Emma Watson. Come on, get the shot. This is going to sell for a fortune!”
The reporters surged toward Emma Watson and Prince Harris, who was escorting her.
As a result, the Red Carpet around Secretary Kim Mi-so, Dennis, Ji-hee, and me fell silent.
Dennis grabbed my shoulder with an incredulous expression.
“Sung-guk, it looks like you lost this round.”
“Lost? What are you talking about, Dennis? I have no lingering feelings for Emma Watson. Whether she’s with Prince Harris or anyone else. Besides, Prince Harris is far down the line of succession. In other words, he’s destined to be a prince for life.”
And Prince Harris was notorious for being a womanizer.
In a few years, he’d marry some obscure American actress and waste his life peddling royal gossip.
[How dare anyone compare that pathetic fool to me!]
At that moment, one remaining camera journalist shouted.
“Look here, please! CEO Jeon Sung-guk! This is a historic day for all four of you. Let me take a photo!”
At those words, Jeon Tae-guk, Dennis, Secretary Kim Mi-so, and Ji-hee all turned toward the camera with bright smiles.
“Kimchi!”
* * *
Jeon Tae-guk, who had been waiting at the theater, was visibly suppressing laughter the moment he saw me.
Jeon Tae-guk hadn’t walked the Red Carpet with CEO Jeon Sun-hee, Director Bong Joon-ho, and us. But the moment his schedule ended, he rushed to the screening room for The Whip.
I had a pretty good idea why Jeon Tae-guk was holding back his laughter.
Emma Watson’s appearance on the Red Carpet with Prince Harris must have already spread everywhere.
And on top of that, my image of suddenly having the spotlight stolen from me.
Jeon Tae-guk quickly approached me and held out his phone.
“Sung-guk, look at this. Right now there are tons of comparison posts between you and Prince Harris.”
[Comparison posts? There can’t be a comparison if one side isn’t even in the same league. How could they possibly compare me to some guy who just happened to be born well?]
I glanced at the phone indifferently.
They were comparing everything from my wealth and Prince Harris’s to our social status and the privileges we could enjoy.
These were certainly things worth comparing.
I had more money, and Prince Harris had higher social status. Of course, in a few years he’d kick those things to the curb with his own two feet.
But when it came to appearance, the overwhelming consensus was that I had the advantage.
– Prince Harris wouldn’t look any different from some unemployed guy wandering around our neighborhood if he hadn’t been born a prince.
– CEO Jeon Sung-guk in that Tom Ford suit today was legendary. And the woman next to him was incredibly beautiful too….
– I didn’t even know it was CEO Jeon Sung-guk and almost started fangirling over a rookie actor.
– CEO Jeon Sung-guk, please just film one movie looking that beautiful. I’ll treasure it forever.
– Prince Harris doesn’t have a single thing better than his brother. Not popularity, not looks, not character…. Isn’t this just a scheme to gain some attention by using Emma Watson?
Jeon Tae-guk studied me carefully, then tilted his head.
“Sung-guk, are you… only reading comments that are favorable to you?”
I handed Jeon Tae-guk his phone back.
“Brother, there are plenty of malicious comments in the world. For the sake of mental health, it’s not so bad to only read favorable ones.”
“You really do live life easy.”
[Jeon Tae-guk, this is exactly how to live healthily as a celebrity.]
“Director Bong Joon-ho and CEO Jeon Sun-hee are inside, right?”
“Yeah, they already went in. I was waiting here to tease you a bit… but I failed.”
Jeon Tae-guk grumbled and headed into the screening room.
And I made my way to the screening room with Secretary Kim Mi-so.
* * *
The seat next to mine was naturally occupied by Secretary Kim Mi-so.
Secretary Kim Mi-so seemed quieter since Emma Watson’s appearance.
I whispered softly to Secretary Kim Mi-so in the darkened screening room.
“Secretary Kim, today must have been tiring for you.”
“A little, yes. But it was an enjoyable experience thanks to you, CEO.”
“Secretary Kim, there will be a party hosted by CEO Jeon Sun-hee this evening. Would you be able to go as my partner? Of course, I’ll add a special bonus.”
“I can’t turn down a special bonus.”
The moment Secretary Kim Mi-so finished speaking, the film began.
Secretary Kim Mi-so and I became completely absorbed in The Whip.
The moment the film ended, a standing ovation erupted.
A standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival was a courtesy to the film. Whether entertaining or not, everyone rose and applauded—it was a tribute to the filmmakers’ efforts.
However, the duration of the standing ovation could reveal something about how the film was received.
For instance, even if a film was an official selection, a mediocre one would receive a brief ovation, while a solid film would earn a longer one.
And The Whip drew the enthusiastic response we’d anticipated.
Beyond applause, exclamations of admiration and cheers echoed throughout the theater.
Dennis and the lead actors bowed toward the audience and raised their hands in acknowledgment.
Director Bong Joon-ho, seeing the film for the first time, was applauding enthusiastically as well.
I had a strong premonition that this year would belong to The Whip.
* * *
Jeon Sun-hee had rented a historic castle near Cannes and invited all the filmmakers attending the festival.
She introduced me to Reed Stings Jr., the CEO of Netflix.
“Jeon, this is Reed Stings Jr., the representative of Netflix.”
“Call me Reed, Sung-guk. I never imagined I’d meet the FaceNote CEO at a place like this.”
“Reed, Sung-guk asked me to arrange a meeting with you.”
“That’s even harder to believe, Sun-hee.”
The two seemed to have warmed to each other quickly, perhaps thanks to the champagne.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Reed.”
“Sung-guk, I heard you personally produced and invested in The Whip?”
“I run a small production company.”
“Honestly, I’ve heard so much about you. You’re behind practically every social media platform people use these days.”
“Not Twitter.”
I answered humbly.
“But you also make films? I watched The Whip today, and it was absolutely incredible. So why did someone who creates such brilliant films want to meet me?”
“I’m genuinely fascinated by Netflix’s system.”
“That’s surprising. Most people in the theatrical film business treat our Netflix model like garbage.”
“I’ve always been interested in new media.”
Reed’s eyes began to sparkle.
In truth, filmmakers still viewed Netflix negatively—a subscription service offering unlimited access to outdated content.
They saw it as distorting the film industry.
But like all industries, the tide was already turning toward Netflix.
“Sung-guk, honestly, it bothers me that people think of us as just a giant DVD rental service. That’s why we decided we need to develop our own content.”
“Are you planning to produce more original content in the future?”
“Since House of Cards was a commercial success, yes, we’re planning to.”
“Do you have any plans to create original content using Korean directors or talent?”
“If we work with talented directors, we won’t hesitate to invest heavily. Actually, I really enjoyed Snowpiercer, so when I heard Director Bong Joon-ho would be here, I came partly for that reason.”
Reed Stings Jr. certainly had an eye for quality.
And from today on, I realized I would need to buy a bit more Netflix stock.
I naturally guided Reed along.
“I’ve already contracted with Director Bong Joon-ho to work together on our next project after this one. Let’s go talk with him.”
“Every time the media sees you, I’ll be honest—I’ve been dismissive. I thought, ‘This guy’s definitely riding on hype,’ but seeing you in person… it’s not hype at all.”
[Of course it isn’t, Reed.]
Just then, I heard murmuring from the entrance. Who was that?
Soon after, a name I didn’t want to hear began circulating among the guests.
“Isn’t that Emma Watson and Prince Harris?”
“They look amazing together. Like a princess and prince.”
At those words, Reed pulled me along this time.
“Should we just go handle business?”
“That’s exactly what I want.”
Reed and I headed toward Director Bong Joon-ho.
At that moment, I caught sight of Prince Harris approaching Secretary Kim Mi-so, who was standing in a corner of the party venue.
* * *
Prince Harris spoke to Secretary Kim Mi-so in English with a strong British accent.
“You don’t seem to like parties?”
“I’m not used to parties like this.”
“To be honest, I don’t like parties like this either.”
“You’re Prince Harris who came with Emma Watson, right?”
At those words, Prince Harris pressed his palm lightly against his forehead.
“Ah, I’ve been caught. You’re Jeon Sung-guk’s partner, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Actually, Emma invited me, but there’s nothing between Emma and me.”
Then Prince Harris took another step closer to Secretary Kim Mi-so.
“This party venue is suffocating. Should we step outside together?”
When Secretary Kim Mi-so smiled instead of answering, Prince Harris seemed to interpret it as agreement and made his way through the crowd first. Secretary Kim Mi-so then quietly followed through the throng of people.
* * *
[What’s Harris up to?]
I watched Secretary Kim Mi-so move and quietly followed.
But Secretary Kim Mi-so didn’t go to Prince Harris—she approached Emma Watson instead.
Emma Watson’s expression hardened the moment she saw Secretary Kim Mi-so.
Regardless, Secretary Kim Mi-so approached Emma Watson with a gentle smile and whispered something to her.
I could see Emma Watson’s face grow pale, and she forced a smile back onto her lips.
What on earth did she say?
At that moment, Secretary Kim Mi-so spotted me and approached.
“CEO, what are you doing here?”
“What did you say to Emma, Secretary Kim?”
“Ah, well… Prince Harris came up to me and asked me to step outside with him. That’s not something a man with a partner should do, is it? So I gave Emma Watson a little heads-up. I told her not to get involved with a man who approaches another woman while he has a partner.”
A smile naturally spread across my face.
The absurd disrespect I’d endured on the Red Carpet today evaporated in an instant.
I leaned close to Secretary Kim Mi-so’s ear and whispered.
“Secretary Kim, thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. I have to earn my special bonus somehow!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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