Free Web NovelLorenzo left about an hour later.
Left alone in the study, I opened the curtains when I saw the rain had stopped.
‘We cannot tell you the exact members. But if we wish it, leading you to ruin is something we can do at any time.’
His words tangled my thoughts in a knot.
Just then, the phone on the desk rang.
“Yes, this is Kim Muhyuk.”
― Mr. Kim, how was it?
It was Medvedev calling.
He must have received the report that Lorenzo had left.
“It was a better meeting than I expected.”
― Did you learn anything?
“When I brought up the group, the atmosphere suddenly changed. And he warned me. Even if I know, I must never say it out loud. Putin might be untouchable, but killing me would be nothing.”
I heard Medvedev swallow his breath on the other end of the line.
― I will head to your mansion now.
“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”
I rose from my seat and stepped out of the study.
Manager Ma, who had been waiting outside, followed behind me. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
The place I chose was the bedroom. Perhaps because it had become a habit since my days # Nоvеlight # at the Pyeongchang-dong house, I would sit on the bed and let my thoughts wander.
“Manager.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“There is a group formed for the purpose of protecting each other’s wealth. But do you think such people could truly trust one another?”
The answer was obvious.
Still, I was curious about Manager Ma’s reply.
“Some may trust sincerely, and others may not. But if the purpose is to protect wealth, won’t that trust shatter when that wealth is lost? Especially if it happens because of betrayal by one of their own members.”
His answer was not much different from my own thoughts.
“As expected, yes? I’ll rest for a bit. Let me know when Medvedev arrives.”
“Yes, Boss.”
I sat gazing out at the garden, trying to organize the jumble of thoughts in my head.
The rain had stopped, but the sky was still heavy with dark clouds, making it look like the dead of night.
“Yes, it’s obvious.”
The more one owns, the more one fears. With great power, weaknesses also become starkly visible.
I let out a smirk as I watched the ominous clouds shift.
Not long after, Manager Ma came in to inform me of Medvedev’s arrival.
When I headed to the mansion’s entrance, I saw Medvedev just stepping through the main doors.
“Welcome.”
“This is quite a fine house.”
Medvedev looked around curiously as he spoke.
“It was a fine mansion to begin with, so I put some effort into its upkeep.”
Now that the rain had stopped, I decided to walk with Medvedev in the garden. The scent of wet grass rose thick in the air.
“I’ve gained much during this East Asia tour.”
“Is that so? I’m glad the results were good.”
We crossed the garden and sat at the table in the summerhouse at its center.
The cool breeze felt as if it was cleansing my troubled mind.
“Having met him in person, what did you think of Lorenzo?”
“I expected a man from the shadows to be gloomy, but he acted like a typical Italian. He asked me how I could succeed without ever failing in investment.”
Medvedev nodded in agreement.
“He said he could not reveal the members. And he offered a truce.”
“A truce?”
“He asked me to liquidate all contracts with them.”
Medvedev stroked his beard and furrowed his brow.
“I’ve received reports that the Italian government is preparing to inject public funds into UT Investment Bank and the Medici family’s companies.”
“I see.”
“The Italian government must know that if the Medici family, which carries half the nation’s economy, collapses, it would be the end. I also heard that several European banks agreed to support them financially.”
“I see······ so that was the source of his confidence.”
The calm on Lorenzo’s face and in his behavior had its reason.
He had come to me after already preparing his countermeasures.
“Will you accept the truce?”
“I’m still considering what to do.”
Even if I liquidated everything now, I would still walk away with massive profit.
The question was whether to push it to the very end, or to stop here.
“My opinion is that you should stop here. His warning was true. If they wished, they could bring about your ruin at any time.”
“This wasn’t a fight I started. They were the ones who picked it.”
The collapse of the bubble had been far more delayed than I expected, and because of it, they had suffered massive losses.
It was the first time the word “defeat” had even crossed my mind.
Even though it had ultimately come back to me with far greater rewards.
Medvedev nodded, agreeing with my words.
“It doesn’t matter who started it. The victor is you, Mr. Kim.”
But worry was etched into his tone.
“This is a group that is practically the hidden power of Western Europe. When you don’t yet know exactly who the enemy is, it’s best to step back at the right time and prepare for the future. I will help you identify their precise members and influence.”
That was true as well.
I gave a small nod.
“Understood. Then let’s stop here. I’ve already earned more than enough.”
“A wise decision.”
Medvedev smiled, relieved.
A guard brought over his favorite tea to the table.
Medvedev lifted the cup and inhaled the aroma before asking,
“Did he say nothing else? Surely he wouldn’t have come in person just to settle contracts.”
What I had been mulling over until his arrival was this: just how much to tell Medvedev.
As Putin’s friend and political ally, my footing in Russia was solid.
But would they stand with me to the very end?
“He was their envoy. He wanted to meet me, to see what kind of man I was.”
I added, twisting my lips into a wry smile.
“They are vicious racists. A world for whites, by whites. That’s all that’s in their heads.”
According to Lorenzo, their group admitted only whites as members.
When Japan rose as an economic power, they had debated whether to admit Japanese members.
But unanimously, the proposal was struck down.
What they did instead was move America to drag Japan into over ten years of recession.
“They must have found Asia’s continued growth offensive.”
They had moved Wall Street’s hyenas to create the East Asian financial crisis.
Though in the end, I was the one who profited most from it.
Still, they had succeeded in stalling Asia’s growth.
“That sounds about right. Even here in Russia, there are many racists. A bitter reality, but reality nonetheless.”
“It seemed like they were only testing. Whether to make me their enemy, or their ally.”
While Lorenzo delivered his group’s message, he had also revealed his personal thoughts.
The ties that had bound them for centuries had weakened with time.
“But Putin will never acknowledge them. That’s why they haven’t tried to approach him.”
I gave a slight nod, and Medvedev reassured me.
“We’ll investigate further. Now that Lorenzo has shown himself, his actions can no longer escape our eyes.”
After finishing his tea, Medvedev set the cup down and said,
“Would you care to meet Berezovsky?”
“Berezovsky?”
“Yes. He asked me to relay his request. Putin also said, if you wish, he will allow it.”
Meeting Berezovsky would not change much.
But I was curious about his reasons for wanting to meet me.
“I’ll meet him.”
“Then tomorrow, go to Berezovsky’s mansion. I’ll inform the agents and soldiers.”
“Very well.”
“Then I must take my leave. I have other matters.”
After seeing Medvedev off, I returned to the study.
After long thought, I picked up the cell phone at my side.
― Hello.
“Hyung, can you talk?”
― Muhyuk? Yeah, I just ate and was resting.
“Liquidate all contracts Future Investment holds.”
― Liquidate them?
“Yes. Every single one. Clean it up without leaving a single thing.”
― ······.
There was no reply from Han Kyungyeong.
Puzzled, I asked him,
“Why?”
― Isn’t it too much of a waste to cash out now? You told me yourself. We won’t get an opportunity like this again for a while.
“You can’t squeeze profits like this with options and futures forever. And the bigger the funds you manage, the narrower your room to maneuver. Let’s rest for now.”
The New York market had not yet begun its fall. There were still many events ahead. But too many eyes were already on Han Kyungyeong.
Stepping back now was one way.
“Once you’ve liquidated, come back. Let’s finish things in Korea first.”
― Got it. I’ll settle everything quickly and return to Korea.
“Good. We’ll meet when you’re back.”
It might disappoint Han Kyungyeong, but once the decision was made, it was best to wrap it up fast.
I set down the phone and leaned back into the chair.
I began organizing in my head the events to come.
‘9/11, the declaration of the War on Terror······.’
For a moment, I thought of trying to prevent 9/11.
But I shook my head right away.
‘There’s no gain in that.’
In America, only the presidential election lay ahead.
Bush’s victory was virtually certain, and he was relatively less bound by Jewish influence.
‘The neocons moving with Bush are warmongers.’
Han Kyungyeong had already poured vast funds into Bush’s Republican campaign.
That connection was more than enough.
In the U.S., presidential candidates had to raise their own funds.
Han’s massive donations were a ray of light to Bush’s camp.
It would allow him to face the Democrats, whose coffers overflowed with Jewish funding.
‘Once the election is over, I’ll need to go to America. I also have to fulfill Kim Jongil’s request.’
The next morning, I set out early for Berezovsky’s mansion.
After about an hour’s drive, the mansion loomed, surrounded by armed soldiers and FSB agents.
Igor rolled down the car window, exchanged a few words, and soon the soldiers cleared the barricade and opened the mansion gates.
Even past the gates, the estate was so vast we still had to drive further.
Igor got out first, spoke briefly with the FSB agent guarding the main house, then returned to the car.
“They say only three people may enter.”
I nodded and stepped out of the car.
“Only Manager Ma and Igor will come with me.”
Escorted by agents, we entered the house.
Inside, guards stood at every corner. Though they called it house arrest, it was hardly different from prison.
Then, Berezovsky emerged into the reception room with an agent.
It had been some time since I last saw him. He looked worn, having lost much weight.
Slowly, I walked toward him.
“It’s been a while, Berezovsky.”
