The Daughter of a Conglomerate Family Has Debuted - Chapter 277
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Oh! A collaboration with all of Flora? Of course, we’d absolutely love that!”
A more readily agreeable tone than expected. But as I anticipated, unhesitating answers in business relationships are typical.
“We’d love to work together anytime with a good song next time. We’re always waiting.”
It’s a rejection.
In other words, let’s do this song with you, and if the response is good, we’ll look for opportunities to work together on other songs later—or just empty words.
But if that’s the case, we can’t give a positive answer either.
“I see. Then I’m sorry, but as I mentioned earlier, this collaboration might be difficult. Since our next comeback will be an important timing for us, any individual schedules that might disrupt our teamwork even slightly are… difficult. It’s unfortunate though.”
“Hmm…”
The expressions of Cael Arden’s staff changed. They didn’t show much panic outwardly, but this rejection seemed very, extremely unwelcome to them.
‘Looks like they’re quite disappointed too.’
From their reaction, it wasn’t just a “K-pop is trending so let’s collaborate for buzz!” level, but they seemed to consider it quite an important collaboration.
Since it’s Cael Arden’s new album after a long time, they probably don’t want to miss even a bit of buzz, which makes collaborating with Flora even better.
When they saw us genuinely trying to refuse despite the delay, Cael Arden’s staff finally spoke up again.
“If the comeback schedule is the problem, we could adjust that much on our end.”
Huh? This reaction is… I glanced at our staff, and the employee didn’t even look at me, just shook their head with drooping eyebrows.
“How could that work? You must have your own planned schedule too, so it wouldn’t be right to ask you to accommodate us.”
Actually, we know. Cael Arden’s new album schedule was very flexible.
Before coming here, we asked about his album release schedule when setting up the meeting with Cael Arden’s staff, and heard that they had plenty of time since they were just entering the production phase.
They even let us set the meeting schedule.
But after all their superiority complex and looking down on us until now, they’d never be able to say they have plenty of time and would wait until our comeback.
So it was easy for us to be coy.
“Unfortunately, the timing isn’t good this time. How about we work together when there’s a better opportunity next time?”
It was a rejection for now. But we know. If we firmly reject like this, they’ll be disappointed but eventually accept the rejection and look for other singers rather than try to hold onto us.
However, Cael Arden’s staff would know. If he’s decided to bring a K-pop singer for music production work, he’d want things to go according to plan without changes, and he’s someone who carefully decides on singers to collaborate with after hearing them sing directly.
Opportunities for Cael Arden to hear Korean singers perform live wouldn’t be that frequent.
He had decided to work on music production with me and was acting as if we’d already signed a contract, so he must have entered production considering this in advance.
If Cael Arden was impressed enough with my vocals to want me to feature on his song, then everyone including Cael Arden would know that losing me here would be a bigger loss than swallowing their pride and letting me go.
‘Time to bring out what we prepared.’
I gave our staff a look. It would be much better for the staff with persuasion skill buffs to say this.
“How about this then?”
Given the high-handed attitude of Cael Arden’s team staff we saw in Korea and Cael Arden’s condescending gaze, we had already expected to be rejected.
But in a meeting where we came to negotiate and make deals, we shouldn’t act superior and give nothing while power-playing just because we have one persuasion skill.
The basics of negotiation are fair trades balanced enough to be weighed on scales, aren’t they?
Of course, appearing fair but subtly benefiting us…
Our staff member spoke.
“One of our members has a song she’s currently working on.”
“A song in progress?”
“Yes, would you like to listen to it first?”
At Cael Arden’s side’s puzzled nod, our staff immediately played the prepared music source.
It was one of the songs Han Da-min made while taking a break. A sweet yet bright pop song that would suit occasions like weddings well.
Naturally, as soon as it was completed, we played it for the company family and members, but despite being good, it didn’t suit Flora’s color so it was rejected for inclusion in the next album.
But the song itself was so good that there had been discussions about Han Da-min releasing it separately as a solo song after the comeback.
I brought this song as our trump card. Of course, with proper permission from Han Da-min.
I thought of it while preparing for this meeting—this song is in the genre Cael Arden likes most.
It seems like a song Han Da-min got inspired to make while excitedly researching Cael Arden and Lyla Bale before the collaboration filming.
Anyway, Han Da-min’s self-composed song spread through the meeting room.
The puzzled staff had somehow become serious and started listening to Han Da-min’s song.
“A member made this song?”
When the employee looked at me, I hurriedly shook my head indicating it wasn’t me.
“It’s a song by a member named Han Da-min.”
“This is really good?”
“Is it country?”
“Oh, it does have a bit of a country feel. The acoustic guitar sound.”
I’d say this was the most favorable and enthusiastic reaction from the staff I’d seen today.
They seemed quite pleased with it, and the employee said with a triumphant smile.
“How about including this song on the album? Working on it together with all our members. If the tracks are already decided, that would be unfortunate… We only worked on it since it didn’t suit our album.”
“Oh…”
A quite positive reaction came out. A song that clearly suits Cael Arden well, and an extremely good one at that.
Since they’re in the album composition stage, it would be worth considering.
While having five people crowding onto a song they personally put effort into making might be difficult for part distribution and feel awkward, when someone else offers it, this would be worth considering.
And as expected, Cael Arden didn’t immediately refuse but lowered his gaze and fell into thought. Then he soon said.
“I’ll think about that. Anyway, if we work on this song together, you’ll adjust the schedule so I can also work on my song with Ryu Ji-ye?”
“Of course!”
That would be good for me, Han Da-min would be happy that her song went to Cael Arden, and Flora would obviously be happy too.
Cael Arden nodded roughly with his characteristic bored and reluctant expression.
“Understood. I’ll think about it and contact you separately.”
“Yes, understood. Please think it over carefully and contact us. We know this is an important and precious album for you.”
The meeting ended with Cael Arden’s final nod.
As soon as we got in the car returning to the hotel with the staff’s farewell, we all simultaneously chuckled.
“Think he’ll do it?”
“Seems likely? Cael Arden’s expression was transparent?”
“Exactly. Da-min will be happy.”
“Let’s not tell her yet. It might not work out.”
“Yes.”
But the staff’s satisfied smiles wouldn’t stop. As the staff said, Cael Arden’s expression was transparent and he clearly seemed to like Han Da-min’s song.
Though he might not like losing control of the meeting, with a song he likes plus collaboration with the singer he wanted, there seemed no reason for him to refuse.
And a few days later, as we expected, Cael Arden said he would accept the proposal.
This time I was certain. This is it. The big event the mission was talking about.
The opportunity for us to break through the invisible ceiling and rise up had arrived.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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