The Reborn Genius of an Arts High School - Chapter 93

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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 93.
That evening, at Hyun Min’s family home in Pyeongchang-dong.
Having worked late in preparation for Yeonsilzong, Hyun Min shuffled slowly through the front entrance.
He couldn’t even be bothered to wash up.
But he did want to check his mobile phone.
With that thought, Hyun Min stopped short.
“When did you get back?”
A man was sprawled across the living room sofa, absorbed in a tablet.
His older brother and heir to SS Group—Gang Hyun Seung.
“Today. You’re back late?”
Hyun Min shrugged at his brother’s leisurely tone, noting how occupied he seemed.
“…Most high school students usually come home around now.”
Just as Hyun Min turned to head upstairs to his room, Hyun Seung looked up.
He set down his tablet and spoke.
“Before that, there’s something we need to talk about.”
The two brothers had a nine-year age gap between them.
Such a significant difference made genuine closeness difficult.
Chatting after school was naturally out of the question.
“……This is an internal data leak.”
But when there was business to discuss, things changed.
When Hyun Seung gestured for him to sit down, Hyun Min obediently took the seat across from him.
“What I told you was official announcement, wasn’t it?”
At his brother’s sharp words, Hyun Min let out a sigh.
The fact that Hyun Min had informed Ye Ji about Pradel and Julien’s collaboration.
Since he’d learned it through Hyun Seung, he couldn’t deny it.
If you gain something, you should give something in return.
“Sylvie and Go Yo are planning to hold further consultations.”
Sharing this much wouldn’t cause problems for Ye Ji.
“Julien seems to be planning to set up a stage where it’s clear to compare the results and prove he’s a fake.”
At Hyun Min’s words, Hyun Seung picked up the tablet again.
“So it’s clear which side needs backing.”
Hyun Seung nodded with a slight sneer.
“Recently, I noticed Pradel’s artistic sense has declined quite a bit.”
Luxury goods were truly amusing products.
A product’s value came from the superiority of its craftsmen and designers.
But sometimes those involved in the business made a mistake.
Believing they themselves had become luxury goods.
At his brother’s attitude, Hyun Min’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Why? Did something happen in Paris?”
Hyun Min even set down his bag and sat closer to his brother’s side.
To be honest, Hyun Seung was quite fond of his younger brother.
Though Hyun Min probably didn’t realize it, nine years was more significant than one might think.
Born when his older brother’s mind was already well-formed, a tiny younger sibling.
If one didn’t find their existence endearing as they grew and developed, wouldn’t that suggest a serious character flaw?
But as always, the awkwardness between the brothers stemmed largely from circumstance.
When Hyun Min was learning to walk and run, Hyun Seung had become a middle schooler—too old to play with a small child.
Moreover, he’d constantly heard from those around him that his younger brother might one day take what was his.
So he found no reason to dote on a younger brother waddling about.
And as they grew older, he couldn’t quite see why two men should be affectionate with each other…
But that was only Hyun Seung’s perspective.
Because he’d kept his distance first, his younger brother also felt distant from him.
In fact, Hyun Min had even begun to hide his own identity and live quietly.
Seeing his younger brother maintain such secrecy, Hyun Seung felt a pang of guilt.
Yet he was still just a man in his late twenties.
How to untangle such complicated feelings was something he’d been avoiding thinking about.
‘Hyun, could you look into something for me?’
And then came his younger brother’s outstretched hand across the border.
Hyun Seung felt a surge of joy at his younger brother’s unexpected call.
It was the first time he’d asked him for anything.
All that talk about leaks was just him teasing his brother.
The confidential information had been leaked first by Pradel’s side, and he himself wasn’t even under contract, so there was no real problem.
But even if it had been a serious legal breach, Hyun Seung would have gladly shared the information simply because it was his brother’s request.
Again, a meek and clever younger brother nine years his junior was far more endearing than one might expect.
“So what happened?”
At his brother’s quiet stare, Hyun Min furrowed his brow and asked again.
Finding his younger brother’s impatience endearing, Hyun Seung set down the tablet once more.
“Pradel’s HR department needs to do some personnel management.”
***
A few days earlier in Paris, the city was still bustling in the days following Fashion Week’s conclusion.
Especially with prominent figures gathered, various events were taking place almost daily without fail.
SS Group, led by Chairman Shin Myung Hee, was no exception.
A corporation with a distinctive identity unmatched in Korea.
Possessing numerous business ventures primarily oriented toward culture and consumption, it wielded considerable influence.
It would be no exaggeration to say the company—which operated department stores, large shopping malls, and supermarkets—led trends throughout Korea’s entire cultural landscape.
Naturally, senior executives of SS Group were sought-after invitees to major international events.
“Thank you for attending. Mister Gang.”
“With such an excellent event, I had to attend.”
Hyun Seung entered the venue with customary pleasantries.
He had come to a gala featuring a premium charity auction.
Moreover, this particular event was organized by a foundation supporting research or aid for rare diseases—a worthy cause.
As a major corporation executive and heir, Hyun Seung had to exchange greetings with numerous guests.
Even in the crowded venue, he scanned his surroundings discreetly, searching for someone specific.
‘There they are.’
Information his younger brother had phoned to request.
Details regarding Pradel’s collaboration.
Since the matter was sensitive,
Hyun Min had briefed him on Go Yo as well.
“….”
Presently, his gaze met that of Pradel’s marketing director at the venue.
Hyun Seung pretended their eyes had merely crossed by chance, nodding slightly before looking away.
Despite being from a small nation, Korean cultural business held significant weight.
Without him having to initiate contact, they would recognize the brief eye contact as an opportunity and approach him.
Just like this.
“Hello. I’m Sylvie, Pradel’s marketing director.”
As expected, she offered a greeting, and Hyun Seung extended his hand for a composed handshake.
As befitted an heir to a major corporation, Hyun Seung was fluent in five languages.
“Yes, pleased to meet you. I’m Hyun Seung, director of SS Group headquarters.”
Responding smoothly in French, she continued with evident enthusiasm.
How fortunate to meet him at such a wonderful event, how long she’d wanted to meet him, how the Korean market was growing significantly these days…
The usual bland and tedious small talk.
But from the first impression, Hyun Seung didn’t think much of her.
This was, after all, a charity event.
Yet,
‘…her appearance.’
She was dressed in excessively flashy colors and heavy ornamentation.
Her exposure was quite pronounced, making it awkward to know where to look during their close conversation.
Elaborate makeup, earrings, necklaces.
Draped entirely in Pradel luxury goods—undeniably off-putting.
Under normal circumstances, he would have thought nothing of it either way.
But wasn’t there a purpose to this event?
Compared even to the other women present, the difference was stark.
‘Excessive.’
Sylvie, Pradel’s representative, stood out unmistakably among them.
True to that first impression, her boastful chatter consisted almost entirely of tedious topics.
Pradel’s growth trajectory and potential, and ultimately, how it would be mutually beneficial if Korea lowered their commission—hollow flattery throughout.
She appeared to lack any sense of awareness.
As she droned on tediously, his secretary subtly nudged him with her bag.
The signal to stop listening.
But Hyun Seung had another reason for hearing her out.
“Actually, I did hear something.”
His secretary looked confused when he suddenly engaged with Sylvie, but Hyun Seung continued.
“I heard you’re collaborating with Go Yo. Is that correct?”
At his probing, Sylvie’s visible alarm was telling.
“Ah.”
She hesitated, lips fidgeting.
Her expression was so obvious it was almost laughable.
Was this woman really Pradel’s marketing director?
A political appointee, perhaps?
“Well, not exactly.”
True to form, Sylvie didn’t deliberate long.
She began chattering like a magpie.
“Actually, it’s better than that. That’s a fake name they’re hiding behind—we’re doing the collaboration under their real name and actual identity.”
She leaned in as though sharing a secret.
At her gossiping posture, Hyun Seung turned his head away in discomfort.
Not the most likable person, but fortunate nonetheless.
He’d obtained the information his brother requested so easily.
Hyun Seung feigned interest as he asked back.
“Who is that?”
“A French artist named Julien Valmont.”
Now Hyun Min’s hypothesis had become confirmed fact.
Hyun Seung wanted to inform his younger brother immediately, but Sylvie continued.
“I mean, honestly, it doesn’t make sense.”
The moment her smirking attitude struck him as distasteful,
her subsequent remarks proved that instinct right.
“How could an Asian newcomer possibly produce work like that?”
“…….”
“The artist Julien is using a fake name to deceive others, to hide their identity.”
At Sylvie’s words, Hyun Seung took a sip of champagne.
He noticed his secretary’s composure slip as well.
Or rather, she was deliberately letting it show.
Was this woman an idiot?
“I see.”
Hyun Seung made no effort to hide his displeasure.
What did this woman think his own race was?
Belatedly realizing her mistake, she stammered.
“Well, of course. You’re different, Mister Gang.”
Top 1% transcends race or some such nonsense.
Even in her flawed apology, discriminatory remarks continued to slip out.
Having no need to listen further, Hyun Seung cut her off sharply.
“Ah, I see. So you don’t have much need for ordinary Asian consumers.”
He’d learned what he came to learn, and her misstep had conveniently provided an exit.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
Hyun Seung ended the conversation cleanly and walked away.
Behind him, he heard Sylvie’s flustered voice, but if the commotion grew, it would draw attention.
She lacked awareness in many ways, but apparently not enough to let that happen.
In Europe, racism was a crime.
If she caused too much of a scene, she’d be in serious trouble, so she had no choice but to stay silent.
As Hyun Seung moved to another part of the venue, his secretary watched him with evident curiosity.
What scheme was the director plotting this time?
Anticipating that look, Hyun Seung spoke first.
“My younger brother asked me to look into something. That’s what that was about.”
“……Young Master Hyun Min?”
Was he the sort to ask his brother for favors?
Hyun Seung’s mood lifted at his secretary’s surprised expression.
At least he was useful as an older brother.
But separately, the Pradel director’s conduct was truly regrettable.

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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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