Chapter 35. The Product Launch
The day of the new product launch arrived.
Yooa received items from a personal shopper.
From head to toe—even earrings and a necklace—everything was a gift from Lee Jun. It left her flustered from the morning.
“Lee Jun must be nervous too.”
The perception of GRIP Company, a subsidiary of Taegyeom Group, was split evenly in two.
Today would determine whether the outdoor business would evolve under youthful innovation or merely showcase the mediocre performance of a successor.
“We couldn’t even hold a product launch last time because of your aunt’s interference, but this time is different.”
Due to the company’s short history, it had yet to produce a globally renowned best-in-class camper van.
Lee Jun analyzed the reason behind their reliance on imports and focused all his efforts on launching a new camper van.
Though the product development cost ended up being twice the initial estimate, he pushed forward despite opposition from the finance and planning departments.
“Above all, I invested in making it safe and durable. You said it yourself: a camper van is a place where families become happy together.”
“You made that decision because of what I said?”
“Not entirely, but… your words did move me.”
He modified the camper’s interior to eliminate sharp corners at children’s eye level—even though he’d never raised a child himself.
Whenever Yooa, thinking like a mother, pointed out something he had overlooked, Lee Jun would be amazed.
“It’s not like you have actual experience. You’re suspicious, Yoon Yooa.”
As the launch date neared, Lee Jun struggled with digestion, relying on coffee like water to get through the day.
Yooa knew well that not all eyes on him were friendly.
From his aunt Joohee nearby to rival outdoor companies hoping for his failure, the pressure was immense.
“I won’t just stand by and watch.”
Her beige dress, elegant even without a brooch or any additional accessories, shimmered with sophistication.
Once she wore it, the graceful silhouette flowed beautifully.
With black shoes that were formal yet understated, Yooa looked stunningly poised.
✦✦✦
While the PR team gave the presentation, Lee Jun scanned each attendee’s face.
The flickering light from the screen occasionally lit up faces he didn’t want to see—faces that unsettled him.
“Where’s Yooa?”
“She said she’d arrive in three minutes. There was a small accident at a crosswalk on the way, so she’s been delayed.”
“Is she hurt?”
“She sounded fine. If she’s arriving soon, I don’t think it’s serious.”
When Lee Jun immediately asked about Yooa’s condition, Secretary Kim lowered his head in guilt—he hadn’t even thought to ask.
But Lee Jun simply gave a small nod, as if he understood.
“Whew…”
Perhaps prompted by his aunt, Seo Ji-hye’s endless stream of texts annoyed him.
Seeing Ji-hye sitting next to Joohee and her husband filled him with disgust.
With everyone around clearly on their side, their mocking smiles stifled even his breath.
“Damn it.”
A stabbing headache surged.
So many were just waiting for him to make a mistake. Even the small motion of adjusting his tie attracted too many eyes.
Their sticky, watchful stares made his vision blur.
He considered closing his eyes.
But the end of the presentation, which he had practiced countless times, arrived before he could.
“Lee Jun!”
Below the stage, Yooa was waving her hand.
Sitting below, she was looking up at him.
“…Yooa.”
The lights hadn’t even turned on, yet Lee Jun saw her face clearly and vividly.
She smiled brightly, childlike, still waving.
Her mouth moved as if she was speaking, perhaps knowing how nervous he was.
His eyes began to sting.
“I’m okay.”
Though she couldn’t hear it, Lee Jun murmured to himself—and it somehow made him feel that he truly was.
Come to think of it, Yooa had always been like that.
If you said things would be okay, they somehow would be.
That’s what she had told the fourteen-year-old Lee Jun during a panic attack.
She had always supported him when he was left to endure his aunt’s schemes alone.
How could he not fall in love with someone like that?
Lee Jun smiled toward her beaming face, finally feeling like he could breathe again.
“Please move to the hall where tea food is prepared and enjoy some light refreshments. New product brochures are available at the entrance.”
The press was buzzing—so much so that printed brochures ran out.
An event offering a lightweight tent to the first 500 camper buyers, along with promotions for a family camping trip to Mt. Yoonak, had drawn massive attention.
Application requests overwhelmed the servers, and camper inquiries poured in.
Lee Jun’s thorough preparation seemed to be paying off.
“Well done, Executive Director.”
He had changed the precedent of holding private press conferences asking for favorable coverage.
The launch was live-streamed, accessible to anyone interested in GRIP Company’s campers.
Sales and customer service teams responded professionally to comments in real time.
“Yes, our Executive Director Kang worked very hard.”
As everyone praised Lee Jun’s innovative marketing, Chairman Kang entered the banquet hall, looking pale.
GRIP Company executives rushed over from across the room to bow.
“Chairman! We didn’t expect you. It’s good to see you looking well.”
“Really? I have to be well. Otherwise, how could I try out the new products our director worked so hard on?”
“Oh—yes, of course!”
Behind him stood Taegyeom Group’s senior executives who had been by his side for years.
Bringing all of them together was rare, and the executives of GRIP Company exchanged wary glances.
The chairman had chosen Kang Lee Jun as his successor.
They worried that showing closeness with his daughter Joohee might now be a liability.
They wiped the sweat from their brows.
“Now then, shall we hear Director Kang’s explanation?”
The chairman walked over to the display camper van, smiling in satisfaction.
Executives took turns praising Lee Jun as the atmosphere warmed.
“Lee Jun.”
Yooa, still wanting to remain inconspicuous, kept her distance.
So when she tugged on his sleeve, Lee Jun jumped back in surprise.
“What is it? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Just then, Chairman Kang—walking while listening to Joohee and Baek Kyung—staggered slightly.
“Not me.”
Yooa lifted her hand and pointed.
Lee Jun turned in the direction she indicated—and saw the chairman.
“Grandfather doesn’t look well at all.”
Thud.
Even before she finished speaking, Chairman Kang stiffened and collapsed forward.
The vibration of his fall on the marble floor traveled up through everyone’s feet.
Shouts erupted around his crumpled body.
“Someone! Get the car ready, now!”
The screen’s comment section flooded too fast to read, while journalists instinctively lowered their cameras, unsure whether to film.
Lee Jun’s face turned pale—drained of all color.
