168: Chapter 168 Western Quarrel

Jessica Jung's body swayed, her expression extremely unsightly.

"I... I didn't think about it that much. I just wanted to become a bit stronger."

"And... it's already too late!"

Im Yoona was stunned and hurriedly asked, "Jessica Unnie, why?"

Jessica Jung's voice was suddenly very soft, and it was still trembling.

"I've invested all my savings and even took out a loan for 5 billion korean won in my own name."

Kim Taeyeon, Im Yoona, and the other eight were all looking at each other in disbelief; they hadn't expected Jessica Jung to be so reckless.

Im Yoona opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

Kim Taeyeon also lowered her head somewhat dejectedly.

Having reached this point, Jessica Jung leaving Girls Generation had become inevitable, otherwise, all her savings would vanish into thin air.

...

Liu Zijun saw that everyone was despondent and calmly walked into the conference room.

Im Yoona quickly went forward to grab Liu Zijun and said, "Oppa! Jessica Unnie didn't mean for it to be like this. She... she's just a bit too stubborn. Can we ask the company not to pursue Jessica Unnie's matter this time?"

Everyone looked at Liu Zijun and Im Yoona.

That the usually rational Im Yoona would proactively say such things proved that her love for Girls Generation was no less than that of Kim Taeyeon and the others.

"I don't need your pity! At worst, I'll handle it myself!"

The thought of yielding to the man in front of her made Jessica Jung feel uncomfortable all over, and she shouted at Liu Zijun with a cold, sour face.

Liu Zijun shook his head, quite speechless. I haven't even said anything yet!

He chuckled and said to Im Yoona, "You see, she wants to handle it herself, so let her!"

Kim Taeyeon suddenly barked, "Jessica Jung, have you gone mad? You think you're so capable? What exactly do the eight of us and Girls Generation mean to you?"

"Right now, the only one who can save you is Joon oppa!"

Jessica Jung, however, said stubbornly through tears, "Taeyeon, I'm sorry! Everyone, I'm sorry! But I just don't want him to interfere!"

Kwon Yuri wiped her tears and said, "Sica! Can we stop speaking out of anger? Joon oppa will definitely help us, right?"

When she said this, her tone was so soft and so lacking in confidence.

Im Yoona also persuaded, "Jessica Unnie! Whatever it is, we can talk it over properly. You can't be this selfish."

Jessica Jung was completely stung by those two words.

"Im Yoona, I'm selfish?"

"How am I selfish? I just want to prove that I can succeed without relying on others."

"On what basis?! Why are you and Choi Sulli the ones he takes care of like this? The company also prioritizes all resources for you. But what about us?"

"Liu Zijun, you are clearly a dog man, but why? Why is your tenderness only for Choi Sulli and Im Yoona?"

"After all these years, I also want to leave a way out for myself! Am I wrong?"

Everyone was stunned, including Liu Zijun.

Im Yoona stared blankly at Jessica Jung. When did this unnie fall for Liu Zijun?

"Jessica Unnie! You..."

Jessica Jung just looked at Liu Zijun indignantly.

Just then, when the door to the conference room was pushed open, everyone fell silent.

Lee Soo-man walked at the front, his black suit making his face look even more somber, clutching a stack of documents in his hand.

Jiang Hongshao followed closely behind, her wine-red curly hair tied up meticulously, her white professional suit outlining her perfect body lines.

Her eyes swept over everyone present, finally settling on Jessica Jung with an undisguised scrutiny.

The head of the Legal Department placed the documents on the conference table, and the top page was none other than the promotional poster for Jessica Jung's new brand.

In the background, Girls Generation's classic fan color balloons were faintly visible, and the logo design cleverly integrated elements from the group's early albums; even the name Girls Generation appeared.

Attached below was the cooperation agreement she signed with a Hong Kong Island distributor, which explicitly stated that it would rely on Girls Generation member Jessica Jung's personal influence and the group's brand value to expand into the China and Southeast Asian markets.

Everything was already self-evident.

Jiang Hongshao took over the conversation, her fingertips gliding over the key clauses in the documents, her voice as cold as ice.

"The channel resources the other party promised you, upon our verification, are simply empty promises. Kwon Young-il's so-called supply chain resources are involved in multiple illicit transactions behind the scenes. Did you think he was truly helping you?

He's just treating you as a tool to harvest profits."

"The legal representative is you, and the one contributing capital is also you. It seems your partner hasn't contributed anything, has he?"

"If he really wanted to develop a business with you, why didn't he put up any money? Instead, it's you who keeps pouring money into it?"

She looked up at Jessica Jung, her tone somewhat pitying.

"More seriously, you took out a loan for 5 billion korean won in your own name, but quietly linked it to SM's trademark categories during brand registration.

"Once a debt default occurs, the company will be passively dragged into litigation."

"Jessica Jung, why were you in such a hurry? Didn't the legal personnel you hired tell you about these things?"

All eyes were on her.

Jessica Jung was trembling all over, her fingertips clutching the corner of her clothes tightly, her nails almost sinking into her flesh.

She looked at those familiar documents, her vision going black in waves.

At the beginning, Kwon Young-il had solemnly promised to help her avoid all risks, saying that the Girls Generation label was just "supplementary promotion." Blinded by her obsession with success, she had never once carefully checked the details of the agreement.

Her voice was choked with sobs, and her tears finally couldn't help but fall.

"I... I didn't know it would be like this..."

Kim Taeyeon stood up, her eyes red. "Teacher Lee Soo-man, Sica didn't do it on purpose. Can we give Sica a chance?"

Jiang Hongshao raised an eyebrow and countered, "A chance? She's invested all her savings and taken on 5 billion in debt. Now, even before the brand has started, it's already fraught with crises. How can we give her a chance?

Either she immediately terminates all cooperation, bears the compensation for breach of contract, and repays the loan.

Or, according to the contract, terminate her artist contract with SM Entertainment, and from then on, Girls Generation will have nothing to do with her."

These words were like a thunderclap, leaving everyone present stunned.

Terminating the contract meant that Jessica Jung would completely leave Girls Generation. This group they had struggled together in for many years would face a situation where one was missing from the nine.

Im Yoona was so anxious that her tears fell, and she grabbed Liu Zijun's arm again.

"Oppa, please, think of something, okay? We can't be without Jessica Unnie. Girls Generation can't break up!"

Looking at Im Yoona's anxious appearance, Jessica Jung felt a mix of emotions.

She had always been jealous that Choi Sulli and Im Yoona could get Liu Zijun's favoritism, but at this moment, this younger sister she had secretly competed with countless times was desperately pleading for her.

Jessica Jung wiped away her tears, her voice still carrying stubbornness.

"Don't beg him! I'll handle the contract issues myself, I'll pay off the debts myself, and as for Girls Generation... I'll just leave!"

Sunny cried out, "Sica! Can you stop being so stubborn? If you leave the company and leave Girls Generation, how can you support your brand all by yourself?"

Jessica Jung's lips trembled, but she couldn't say anything to refute it.

She knew what Sunny said was the truth, but her pride wouldn't allow her to bow her head to Liu Zijun.

Over the years, she had grown used to using a hard shell to protect herself and used to striving for the best in everything. Even if she ended up battered and bruised, she was unwilling to admit her failure.