Free Web NovelThe United States was no different from Korea.
Supporting Wall Street under the pretext of a bailout, despite its reckless operations, only served to inflate the ticking time bomb that would later become the Lehman Brothers crisis.
The only difference between them and Korea was that the U.S. had the absurd ability to print as many dollars as it wanted.
From Washington’s perspective, however, choosing a bailout was a politically risky move, as it had to consider public opinion.
“This isn’t something I can decide alone. Can you give me some time?”
“Of course. But please decide within a week. The bad debts will only keep growing. Mass fund redemptions will continue, and the longer you delay, the greater the risk of bankruptcy.”
“I understand. I’ll consult with the Fed and get back to you. Next time we meet, let’s discuss it over a glass of wine.”
“It would be an honor.”
And just like that, we parted without reaching any agreement.
But I had thrown a small stone into the pond—the choice was theirs now.
Whether they went with the original plan—Wall Street banks forming a consortium to acquire 90% of LTCM’s shares while keeping its management—or handed everything over to me, the end result would be the same.
“They sure have a talent for asking for money. What they’re really saying is that they want to look good using our money, without putting up a dime themselves.”
That was Han Kyungyeong’s reaction after hearing about my conversation with Rubin.
I didn’t deny it—just laughed.
“LTCM’s assets aren’t something you can ignore. No one else could structure derivatives on that scale. Geniuses are geniuses for a reason.”
“How much leverage did they even use? Over a trillion dollars?”
I nodded, and Han Kyungyeong clicked his tongue.
“If that blows up, we could lose everything in one shot.”
“As long as we have enough capital to hold, the returns will easily surpass 100%. Don’t worry.”
“Well, you’ve never been wrong before, Muhyuk. Let’s wait and see. Want to grab a drink tonight?”
“No, I have another appointment tonight.”
“You live one busy life. What about the Wall Street old men?”
“Leave them to you.”
The Wall Street chairmen wanted to meet me, but there was nothing to gain by associating with them.
In every financial crisis, Wall Street bankers never take responsibility.
Even if they destroy a country, crash the New York financial market, or push the U.S. to the brink of bankruptcy.
‘Then again, I’m no different, am I?’
My own greed always came first.
“Do you meet Eric often?”
“Not really. Distance makes it hard—just once in a while.”
“Nothing left to support now, right?”
“Yeah, now that we’ve signed with the U.S. government, no more cash outflow. Do you know how much money we poured in already? It’s time to make some.”
I patted Han Kyungyeong on the shoulder as he grumbled.
“Once we’re done here in the U.S., let’s head back to Korea. After that, I’ll be going to Russia. You finalize negotiations with Joongwoo Group and wrap up the contract.”
“The framework’s already set. We’ll sell off a few subsidiaries and write off debt—hardly any real cash will go in.”
“The acquisition capital wasn’t the issue. The delisting cost a fortune. If it weren’t for the current situation, we never could’ve pulled off the delisting.”
After chatting with Han Kyungyeong for a while, I stood.
“You’re still buying Ilseong and Daehyeon stocks, right?”
“Yes, we’re diversifying. Buying everything listed.”
“Secure more than half of the circulating shares.”
“Got it. We’re working on it slowly.”
“Alright, see you at home later.”
Next, I headed to a restaurant run by Andrew Gigante.
“Hey! Brother!”
Andrew greeted me warmly.
“Andrew, it’s been a while. We talk sometimes, but how long has it been since we met face-to-face?”
“Over a year.”
“How’s business?”
“Same as always. Can’t do much with the FBI breathing down our necks.”
When I first met him, Andrew had been imposing and reserved, but now that we were close, he treated me casually.
“Sorry to keep you standing. Sit down.”
“Thanks.”
Once seated, Andrew called a waiter and ordered wine.
“Wine’s fine, right?”
“Yes, if it’s just a light drink.”
“Wine doesn’t even count as drinking. Next time, we’ll drink properly—real men drink vodka.”
Andrew laughed heartily, but then his smile faded as he looked at me.
“What did you do in Japan?”
“Just a little revenge. Did it cause you trouble? I used your name a bit.”
“Do you think some Japanese yakuza could touch us?”
Andrew sounded almost offended, and I smiled.
Both of us knew the American Mafia and the Japanese Yakuza had similar revenue levels, but Andrew hardly needed reminding.
“I got a call, though. Yamaguchi-gumi?”
“Yes. I split them in half—let them fight among themselves.”
“I heard they wanted to know why you interfered.”
“It’s hardly interference. I slipped them some money, and they tore each other apart. I just moved up the timetable.”
“They’re supposedly the most influential yakuza group in Japan. You’re quite resourceful.”
“You flatter me.”
I shrugged, unfazed, and Andrew chuckled.
“Don’t push too far. The Mafia might be about money, but if you hurt their pride, that’s war. I told them you won’t interfere further, so stay out of it.”
“Understood.”
“If you plan to take Japan, do it properly. I’ll help.”
“Thank you, but I only acted because they were causing trouble in Korea.”
Andrew sipped his wine, then suddenly said,
“Oh, right! My father wants to meet you. He said thanks—you saved him from the FBI’s trap and he wants to thank you in person.”
A meeting with Vincent Gigante—the very top of the American underworld.
The only one of the Five Families’ bosses who had never gone to prison.
Or rather, he’d narrowly avoided it because of me.
“It’s my friend’s ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ father—of course I’ll meet him.”
“Hahaha, ‘friend,’ huh? I like that. He’s actually on his way now. Sorry, I didn’t know he’d come suddenly. Don’t be too surprised, though—you know he pretends to be mentally unstable.”
A cover to fool the FBI, no doubt.
I just nodded. Even though this was Gigante’s restaurant, I couldn’t be sure it was entirely safe.
We’d been talking over wine for a while when a group of men entered. Chief Ma and Oliver tensed immediately.
Andrew waved a hand.
“Relax. That’s his security detail.”
A man entered, supported by bodyguards—Vincent Gigante, the Godfather of the American underworld.
His guards quickly shut the windows and drew the curtains.
At that moment, the vacant look in Vincent’s eyes shifted completely.
“You’re the Asian who warned me about the FBI trap?”
That was his first question.
“I just gave a little advice. I’m glad it helped.” freēwebnovel.com
“How the hell did you know? The FBI spent years setting that up. How could some Asian know? Unless you’re their informant.”
It was a reasonable suspicion.
But something about his tone felt off to me.
‘Just cautious, or something else?’
Andrew intervened.
“Father, he warned us for nothing in return. Please drop the suspicion.”
“We need to be clear. Isn’t it strange that some random Asian knew what even our organization didn’t? Is that possible, Asian?”
His stare felt like a test.
I smiled, amused.
“It was just a gift to celebrate my friendship with Andrew. I was looking forward to meeting you, but this feels no different from dealing with a street gang.”
“What?”
“And I’m not just some ‘Asian.’ My name is Charlie Kim. Would you like it if someone kept calling you ‘Whitey, Whitey’ all the time?”
The room went silent, everyone stunned.
“Andrew, I think our friendship ends here. You’ve helped me a lot, and I repaid the favor by settling things in Japan. Let’s call it even.”
I stood to leave.
Oliver and Chief Ma closed in protectively.
“Sit down. Do you take me lightly?”
Vincent growled, and his men glared threateningly.
The tension in the restaurant was thick enough to cut.
“This situation is what’s funny, really.”
I glanced at Andrew, who looked uncomfortable.
“I knew about a secret FBI operation, and you didn’t. You should understand what that means better than I do. Did you come here just to ask if I’m an informant?”
“...”
So this was a test—but if you’re going to test me, look me in the eye properly.
“I’ll be leaving now.”
I walked toward the door, but his guards blocked the way.
I raised my voice.
“Are you going to push this to the end?”
“...Stand down! All of you!”
At Vincent’s command, his men finally stepped aside.
“That was dangerous, Boss,” Oliver said once we were safely outside.
Given the Mafia’s reputation, he couldn’t help being tense.
“It’s fine. If he were someone who could act openly, he wouldn’t bother pretending to be insane to fool the FBI.”
“It was still his territory, Boss. America isn’t Korea.”
“I know. I’ll be careful.”
I understood Oliver’s worry, but this was a test.
If I had backed down after being treated like that, there’d be no future meetings with Vincent.
“Finished faster than expected. Let’s head to Han Kyungyeong’s place. I need a drink.”
Oliver gestured to his team, and the car started moving.
‘There must be a reason he acted that way.’
I recalled Vincent’s piercing gaze, lost in thought as the dark New York skyline passed by.
* * *
“Father, that was a mistake.”
Andrew reproached him, but Vincent kept staring at the door Kim Muhyuk had exited.
“Andy, how much do you know about Charlie?”
“What?”
“How much do you really know about him?”
“He’s a Korean businessman. But I know he controls his country’s underworld.”
Vincent smirked.
“He didn’t flinch under my gaze. No ordinary businessman does that.”
“A man who holds the shadows of an entire country wouldn’t be easy to shake.”
“I meant to test him, but it backfired. Wall Street and Washington are already watching him. Unlike us, he moves in legitimate circles.”
“He’s close to Steve too.”
“Stay out of family business, Andy. Move in the sunlight, like him. The money may come from the Mafia, but keep your hands clean.”
“I’ve told you I’m not interested in the family business.”
“That’s exactly why I’m warning you. If you don’t take my seat, someone who does will try to kill you.”
Harsh, but true.
“Father.”
“If I’d been arrested this time, you’d have had no choice but to take over. That man could be our lifeline.”
“Then why act like that earlier?”
“You can’t entrust your life to someone without knowing what kind of man he is.”
“He already seems uncomfortable with us.”
Vincent chuckled.
“No. Didn’t you hear him ask, ‘Did you come all this way just to ask if I’m an informant?’ He knew I was testing him. If he were the type to cut ties over this, I would’ve misjudged him.”
Vincent looked back at the door, his eyes gleaming with interest.
* * *
After that, my U.S. schedule went smoothly.
I even met Steve Jobs, who had recently returned to Apple.
The struggling company had no choice but to call him back. freewёbnoνel.com
“I should buy Apple stock.”
“Dreamhigh’s already the fourth-largest Apple shareholder.”
“I’m not satisfied with fourth. It’s obvious this will become the best company in America.”
Jobs’ return would revive Apple.
“I’d better stay on your good side, then. Wouldn’t want to be kicked out.”
Jobs grinned, completely different from the abrasive image people talked about.
“Just wait. Soon I’ll turn your imagination into reality. We can’t fit a computer in a phone yet, but I’ll make something that creates a new world.”
The confidence in his voice was infectious.
“If anyone can, it’s you, Steve.”
As my U.S. schedule wrapped up, Rubin finally contacted me.
— Let’s meet at the same place as before.
“Alright.”
It was time to take LTCM into my hands.
But Rubin came back with a result I hadn’t expected.
