Free Web NovelLeeds United’s finances were an absolute mess.
Not only were franchise players grossly overpaid, but even unproven players were receiving excessive wages.
And it didn’t stop there. Compared to other clubs, even the coaching staff and executives were being paid far more.
It was the very picture of reckless mismanagement.
I set down the documents detailing the wages of players, coaches, and staff, then lifted my glass.
Han Kyungyeong clinked his against mine and said,
“If you really want to buy them, the only way is to slash the price by taking on their debts. That is—if you still want the acquisition.”
“Mm...”
I let out a small sigh as our glasses touched.
“Money isn’t the problem. The problem is, owning this club will be a headache.”
Not just rebuilding the roster, but overhauling the coaching staff and even the management structure looked unavoidable.
If they were competent, paying them more wouldn’t matter. But with this kind of waste, their salaries were nothing but bloated beyond their abilities.
“It’s not just the wages. Look at this.”
Seeing my grim face, Han showed me a photo.
A fish tank full of goldfish.
“Goldfish? And what about it?”
“You’ll fall out of your chair when you hear how much it costs to maintain. The chairman’s goldfish eat better than people.”
“What? How much?”
If even Han, not easily shocked by money, said that, it had to be serious.
“Two hundred fifty thousand pounds. Over three hundred million won a year, just to maintain the chairman’s goldfish tank. Can you believe that?”
“What?”
Even I was stunned.
No matter how wasteful the club was, spending three hundred million won a year on a damn fish tank?
Seeing my disbelief, Han gave a hollow laugh.
“Sounds like a lie, right? I didn’t believe it at first either. But it’s not just that. The entire club is run this way.”
This wasn’t just bad management.
Someone was clearly siphoning money. Nothing else could explain it.
After a moment’s thought, I called in Manager Ma from outside.
“You called, Boss.”
“Contact Philip. I want everything on Leeds United’s owner and his circle. And check the accounts of the executives and staff too.”
“Understood.”
“Tell him I want it fast and accurate.”
As Ma left, I lifted my glass again, a smile tugging at my lips.
“This might be fun to dig into.”
Han shook his head.
“You have a talent for making trouble.”
“Isn’t it fun? I could buy another club, but something about this one pulls me in.”
I flicked the Leeds United emblem stamped on the documents.
“If you’ve set your mind on it, you’ll buy it no matter what. I’ll prepare accordingly.”
As always, Han knew me well. It really was easier having a capable man at your side.
I nodded with a satisfied grin.
“Good. Let’s wait and see what comes out.” freewebnøvel.com
Han chuckled lightly and raised his glass.
That night, our drinking together lasted late into the night.
Time passed, and Han and I left the estate for a meeting with Leeds United’s owner.
Our car sped toward Leeds in Yorkshire Humber, the club’s home.
On the way, we reviewed documents Black Bear’s UK branch had sent over.
“Well, Hyung? Smells rotten, doesn’t it?”
I asked once we finished going through the files.
Han shook his head in disbelief.
“Wow... tax evasion, embezzlement, illegal hiring. He’s dancing on the line between legal and illegal.”
The documents showed exactly why a storied club like Leeds United was run so wastefully.
Then my phone rang inside my suit pocket.
These days, most calls went through Manager Ma. It was rare for my personal line to ring.
Puzzled, I checked—caller ID withheld.
“This is Kim Muhyuk. Who is this?”
I asked in Korean. The reply came in English.
“Mr. Kim?”
“Who’s speaking?”
“CIA London Station Chief.”
The unexpected call from the CIA caught me off guard, but I kept my voice steady.
“What business does the CIA have with me?”
“Don’t make any more trouble in England. Consider this a warning. I’ll overlook it once, but if anything happens around Murdoch again, you won’t walk away clean.”
The blunt warning left me momentarily speechless. Irritation leaked into my voice.
“What did you say?”
“I said, don’t cause bigger problems.”
I hadn’t misheard. His tone was firm, unmistakably a warning.
“Are you threatening me?”
“Take it however you want. Just don’t forget my warning.”
The line cut.
I stared at the phone for a long time.
‘Wow... it’s been a while since something felt fresh.’
What a ridiculous experience. I knew Murdoch had serious clout in the UK, but I never thought even the CIA’s London Chief would call me to deliver a warning.
“They must not have understood me properly...”
I muttered under my breath. Han, beside me, asked cautiously,
“Why? Who was it? Do you know your face looks terrifying right now?”
Apparently I’d let a bit of killing intent leak. I forced my expression smooth and shook ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ my head.
“Nothing. Let’s focus on finalizing the Leeds acquisition.”
I forced a smile to ease him.
“He said something about the CIA. It’s nothing, right?”
“Really nothing. Just some London Station guy spouting nonsense. Don’t worry.”
Han still looked uneasy, but I waved it off.
“Let’s continue where we left off.”
I shook the documents in my hand.
“When we go in, just say you’re leaving everything to me.”
“You’re handling it yourself?”
“Yeah. Sounds fun. If I go in as your proxy, they won’t know who I really am anyway.”
“Do as you like. I’m curious too, how the owner will react.”
At last, the car rolled into Leeds.
We stepped out at Leeds United FC’s clubhouse.
“Mr. James Han?”
Instead of the owner, we were greeted by a blonde beauty.
Han looked a little surprised, then slipped into his business smile.
“To be welcomed by such a beauty, what an honor.”
“You flatter me. I’m Ailee, Chairman Peter’s personal secretary. Please follow me.”
I trailed a step behind Han as she led us through the clubhouse offices.
Along the way, she kept chatting with him.
“First time in Leeds?”
“Of course.”
“Then do you know our club’s history?”
“I studied when I considered buying the club. A club of real pedigree.”
Ailee’s face lit up at the praise.
“Exactly! A club of tradition. We haven’t lifted the Premier League trophy since its founding, but before that, we won the league three times. And twice we’ve won European competitions.”
She clearly loved Leeds United with all her heart.
Han matched her enthusiasm.
“Here we are. The chairman and board are waiting inside. I’ll leave you now...”
“Could I get your contact?”
Han spoke as she reached for the door handle.
‘Oh? He’s interested.’
Ailee paused, looked him in the eyes.
“My contact?”
Han handed her his card.
“Yes. This is mine.”
“If you buy the club...”
“I’d like to know you personally, not just professionally.”
“······.”
After a moment’s thought, she accepted his card and handed over hers.
Han smiled.
“I’ll call you later. Let’s go in.”
Without a word, Ailee turned, opened the door.
I leaned close to Han and whispered,
“Got your eye on her?”
He only shrugged.
I jabbed him in the ribs playfully before following him inside.
The three of us—Han, I, and Manager Ma—entered the clubhouse meeting room.
‘That must be Peter, the chairman and owner. And that one’s the general manager.’
All the key executives I’d already seen in photos were there. Even the head coach sat in.
As we stepped in, everyone rose.
Chairman Peter Ridsdale stepped forward to greet Han.
“Welcome. Welcome to Leeds.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Chairman Peter.”
“Please, have a seat.”
He guided us warmly.
We sat across from the board and exchanged small talk before the negotiations.
“I’ve heard much of your reputation, Mr. James.”
“All rumors.”
“A man called an investment genius for turning everything he touches into success, and yet so modest.”
“Thank you. Leeds United truly is a charming club.”
Han returned the compliment.
“It’s a club very dear to me.”
“I can see that.”
The conversation stayed cordial until the coffee on the table cooled.
“Now, I hear you’re interested in buying our club.”
“Ah! Not me. This friend will be handling everything. Let me introduce him—my friend from Korea, Kim Muhyuk.”
Finally, the board’s eyes turned to me.
“Pleasure. I’m Kim Muhyuk.”
“Kim...”
They fumbled over the name. I smiled.
“Call me Charlie.”
“Ah, Charlie! Good.”
I shook Peter’s hand lightly and sat down.
“Let me introduce the board—”
“No need. I already know. Chairman and owner Peter. Beside you, President Neil Taylor. And next to him, Sporting Director Stephen Coker, correct?”
I listed the names and positions I’d already memorized from documents. Peter’s eyes widened.
“How do you know us so well?”
“I’ve taken great interest in Leeds. It would be strange not to.”
“Oh-ho! A Leeds fan then?”
I left his assumption uncorrected and took the briefcase from Manager Ma.
“Let’s get to the acquisition talk. We can save the small talk for drinks afterward.”
“Young man, I like your style. Let’s do it.”
In England, football clubs were no different from corporations.
They sustained countless livelihoods, and there were many issues to weigh.
“Shall we begin with the financial state of the club?”
I spread several documents across the table.
