The Youngest Son of Sunyang

The invited customers enjoyed the courses, appreciating every aspect of their meal - what they were eating, the plates they were using, the silverware, and the table itself. They knew all these items had been flown in from France. Since this event only took place twice a year, they seemed to take their time and carefully examined everything.

"Do you want to order the dishes and plates?"

"Of course. If you find something you like, call one of our staff to order it."

Surveying the banquet hall, I noticed a few staff members already explaining things to the guests.

While it might not be a choice for everyone, these luxury items were for those who received Sunyang's exclusive invitation. Such luxury items wouldn't be available at department stores in the future, making them unattainable for anyone other than the invitees.

Thanks to this exclusivity, the invitations held substantial value.

Receiving an invitation from Sunyang was practically equivalent to being at the top of Korean society. Most people like my aunt were not concerned about such things.

After the long dinner concluded, the lights in the banquet hall went out, and a young, handsome man appeared in the center.

He would explain the characteristics, merits, and rarity of various brands showcased at the event, as well as the integrated concept behind gathering numerous brands in one place.

"An obsession for beauty holds significant importance. It's because within it lies the way Sunyang expresses its brand identity."

A video started playing on the main screen, showcasing the runway of the S/S collection.

"From the Vintage Sensation Wide Lapel Half Canvas Heritage Line to the classic-fit, shoulder-emphasized Sinoria line, we present a lineup of seven silhouettes, each using unique materials."

As the presentation, filled with abstract and clouded terms, concluded, everyone slowly rose to commence their shopping in earnest.

They exchanged greetings and discussed their thoughts in small groups. Though it might not be visible, the women's eyes and smiles concealed the beginning of a subtle competition.

The way to display one's superiority over others is by spending money.

It's a blind shopping.

The luxury items on display don't have price tags. The blouse you're pointing at with your finger might cost millions of won, and the summer slippers for the beach could well exceed a million won.

If you're not confident, you wouldn't even think about touching the jewelry. Asking the price, even if you want to buy something, is something unimaginable.

The moment you ask, "How much is this?" all eyes around you are on you. These looks carry disdain for the crassness of converting luxury into money, and they also seem to convey a sense of condescension as to why someone so poor as to need to ask the price has come here.

Within all this, there was another strategy by my aunt.

Out of about two hundred items, as many as 10% and as few as 5% were very inexpensive products. Wallets worth tens of thousands of won, high heels that cost just over a hundred thousand won...

Sunyang's collection isn't just composed of expensive products. It was about revealing that it was put together as a true luxury collection regardless of price.

Because of this, asking about prices here is considered a crude action that reduces value to mere money.

My aunt, with sharp eyes, suddenly began moving around the banquet hall. She simply made eye contact with others and made a full circle, but the atmosphere of the banquet hall changed.

As if wanting to not miss my aunt's gaze, people's pace quickened as they said, "Get this reserved." It seemed like they believed that marking their presence was essential to securing an invitation for the F/W season.

My aunt, who had created such a remarkable effect, gestured for me and quickly left the banquet hall.

"That's enough. If we stay longer, the prices will drop. Let's go."

Is this a mystical strategy?

It's a bit disappointing to end it like this. Among the more than a hundred customers, there would surely be some households that could be of help if we established rapport.

My aunt, sensing my thoughts, said, "Hold off on greetings with those people for later. We'll need to do a full circle to express our gratitude, but I'll list the households that might be useful to you. Having influence in duty-free shops will help with your liquor permit."

"So you're giving me plenty of opportunities to expand my connections."

"Don't misunderstand. I'm doing it for myself, not for you."

"So, you prefer your nephew over your brother?"

"No, you have more composure than my brothers."

"Composure?"

"Yes, I suppose it's self-confidence? If it's the eldest or the second, they would have already chased me out to some provincial golf course. They'd probably have even kept me completely out of the business." My aunt smiled knowingly as she looked at me. "But you let me keep my  position, and you even told me that it was fine for me to offer advice while you defeated your competitors. That's what I had in mind."

"You think expanding my connections would give me an advantage in the competition with the uncles."

"Of course. Be careful of your elder cousins too. The longer you've lived, the more connections you've built. Father is your shield for now... but watch and see." My aunt looked directly into my eyes and spoke as if giving a warning. "Once he's gone, from that day on, the National Tax Service and the Financial Supervisory Service will pounce on Miracle. They'll use every means, even involving the U.S. headquarters, to scrutinize."

"Do you mean that I should find people who can become a shield in preparation for that time?"

"Yes. If you collapse, I won't be able to avoid going into exile either. So this is all for my benefit."

Hope is a good thing.

Hope is not good for the person who holds it but for the person who moves as I want them to because they have it.

Plans are better than hope.

"For those with less than 100 million, don't send out invitations from the next season."

"Yes."

After reviewing the reservation status, my aunt decisively made the cut. Those with less than 100 million meant they didn't touch jewelry at all.

Jewelry is the final touch in fashion.

If you're wearing a dress that costs tens of millions, the jewelry on your body should easily exceed 100 million to match. If you haven't purchased jewelry, it's a way of indicating that you lacked the money from the beginning.

It means the reasons for treating you as a VVIP will disappear in the future, so they are removed from the invitation list.

"Wait, let me see that list for a moment."

The employee, who was about to leave, hurriedly handed over the list.

I carefully examined the list of customers with less than 100 million, noting their reservation purchase history, husbands' occupations, and personal details of their household members.