Free Web NovelThere was no way local reporters would miss the uproar of thousands gathered.
Before long, they had swarmed the scene, shutters clicking nonstop, pens scribbling frantically into notepads.
“Any more questions?”
Harry, holding the microphone, asked.
“And if those promises aren’t kept?”
“In that case, I will gladly listen to your demands. But if I keep my word, then never again try to interfere in club affairs. Simply supporting the team is the best thing a fan can do.”
Now was the time for them to decide—take the hand I offered, or reject me to the end.
Peterson opened his mouth as if to speak, but the atmosphere had already turned in my favor.
“Manager, quietly seize the first guy who grabbed the mic. Find out who put him up to this. Most likely President Taylor is behind it.”
“Yes, boss.”
In front of the Hilton Hotel in Leeds, the massive crowd blocked the road, forcing the police to intervene. That was how the incident came to an end.
When the people dispersed, we returned to the suite.
“Ugh······ I’m dying here.”
Han Kyungyeong collapsed onto the sofa with a groan.
“Funny, I did all the talking. Why are you the one whining like you’re dying?”
I chuckled, following him into a seat.
“It’s nerves. Hey, Muhyuk. You could be a politician.”
The moment I sat, Han Kyungyeong lifted his glass and tossed the comment.
“Politics? Not interested. Myungsoo can handle that.”
“The way you spoke—you were moving people like puppets.”
He clicked his tongue. I clinked my glass to his and replied,
“It’s easy. Not everyone in that crowd gathered for the same reason. The ones who started the protest had clear intent. The others? They came to see what was happening and joined in because it was about the club they loved.”
“Still, overturning the feelings of those already riled up isn’t easy. That’s why, once people fall for a politician, they can’t get free no matter what that politician does.”
I just smiled. Not wrong.
Truthfully, today’s success owed a little to luck as well—Harry barging in at the right moment.
“Anyway, with this much attention on us, they won’t be able to pin down why we’re really in England, right?”
“Right.”
We talked a little longer, and before we knew it, midnight had passed.
Looking tired, Han Kyungyeong spoke up.
“Didn’t realize how late it got. Go ahead and sleep, Muhyuk. I’ll drink a bit more before bed.”
“Suit yourself. See you tomorrow, hyung.”
After a brief farewell, I headed to my room.
The next morning, Leeds’ regional paper ran my words on the front page.
[New ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) Owner of Leeds United Toying With Fans Through Empty Promises?]
[Oriental Claims He Will Prepare Over 100 Million Pounds in Transfer Funds.]
Korea, Europe—everywhere, sensational headlines to grab attention.
I smirked, flipping the page. The next spread had a piece on Han Kyungyeong.
They only described him as a wealthy American businessman.
In such a short time, local reporters couldn’t possibly uncover his true financial standing.
“Not a single favorable article.”
None of the newspapers provided by the hotel carried even one supportive line.
I put the paper down with a wry smile and lifted my coffee.
“Did you find out who was behind it? As expected, President Neil Taylor?”
“Yes. He stirred them up, saying if we take over, the club might collapse.”
“As expected, he never strays from script.”
“What shall we do?”
I sipped the coffee, then answered Manager Ma.
“He must think I’m a fool. There are gangs in Leeds, right?”
“Yes, boss.”
“Hire them. Make sure one of his arms is useless for life. Someone like him isn’t worth us dirtying our own hands. But make sure he’s not killed. Once the takeover is complete······.”
I drew my thumb across my throat. Just then, Han Kyungyeong shuffled out, still half-asleep.
“You’re already up, Muhyuk? Ah, my head’s killing me······.”
“How much did you drink?”
“Not that much.”
“Your face says otherwise.”
“You and your words.”
He reeked of alcohol as he plopped down in front of me.
“Today the staff for the takeover are flying in. We checked law firms, and the one we’ve contracted that has a London branch will draft the contract. The branch head himself will prepare the draft. As for the bank······ not thrilled about it, but in the UK we’ll have to use HSBC.”
“Here I thought you only drank all night.”
I joked lightly, pouring him a hot cup of coffee.
Taking it, he inhaled the aroma with a smile.
“With the boss right here, I have to work. But seriously—are you really going to spend over 100 million pounds?”
“Of course. I didn’t decide to buy a football club to half-ass it.”
“True. If you’re going to do it, you’ll want the best.”
He picked up a paper with his own photo.
“Damn, I look good.”
I shook my head at his self-praise.
“Not one supportive article.”
“Of course not. Why would ordinary people know us? To them, we’re just rich Orientals. And with you spouting outrageous sums right from the start, who’d believe it? We’re lucky they’re not openly mocking us.”
He sipped his coffee, looking worn out, then continued.
“But won’t the mood shift by afternoon? With the internet, information spreads fast. Or maybe the major press will bite.”
As he predicted, by afternoon the tide turned.
Though major outlets didn’t run supportive pieces, they no longer questioned Han Kyungyeong’s wealth.
Their criticism was that money alone couldn’t win the Premier League trophy.
Still, the atmosphere in Leeds itself was slowly turning favorable.
* * *
A pub in Leeds.
“Did you hear? The club’s being sold to an Oriental.”
Workers crowded in, ending their hard day over drinks.
“Bloody hell, how did our club come to this? This season we reached the Champions League semis!”
A bearded man swigged beer straight from the bottle, grumbling through foam-stained lips.
“They say the finances are wrecked. No wonder they’ve been selling off key players.”
“And Taylor, that bastard—what the hell was he doing? How do you ruin the club’s finances like that? Two straight years in the Champions League, strong results too.”
“Players were greedy too, demanding insane wages.”
Some genuinely worried for the team. Others······
“A yellow monkey buying our club? Passing Leeds to a ching-chong? No way.”
“Exactly. How did we get here?”
“Let’s storm the clubhouse! We can’t let them take it!”
“They say the chairman already decided. We’ll have to block it with our bodies.”
Some cared about nothing but race.
“But isn’t it worth trusting them once? They said over 100 million pounds, maybe more. That’s enough to bring in every player we want! When has Leeds ever spent like that?”
“And you believe that?”
“Forbes ranked James Han second richest in the world. If it’s him, maybe he will invest.”
“No! I still don’t believe it. Not some Oriental.”
Even fans who hadn’t protested yesterday debated over pints about the sale.
“If it’s real······ then maybe even winning the Champions League isn’t just a dream.”
Across Leeds, countless fans prayed the new owner would make their club the bearer of the Big Ears trophy.
Meanwhile, Neil Taylor and his co-conspirators, who had been siphoning club funds, gathered at his house.
“Taylor, what if the club really gets sold? What about us? Won’t all the money we embezzled be exposed?”
The administrative chief asked nervously, but Taylor just drank.
“Say something, Taylor. You said nothing would happen! We followed your lead—what about us?”
The PR head shouted. Taylor listened in silence, then hurled his glass at the wall.
It shattered into pieces with a dull crack.
“Shut up! You all lined your pockets too—why dump it all on me?”
His speech slurred—drunk.
“Dad, what do we do?”
His daughter asked worriedly.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Daddy will fix everything. Just go to the clubhouse like nothing’s wrong.”
“But······.”
“I said don’t worry!”
Taylor had never raised his voice at her before. Startled, she left in tears.
“Taylor, do you have a plan?”
The administrative chief asked calmly once Taylor quieted.
“A plan, huh······.”
“If you don’t, I’ll have to save myself. Take all the dirt we’ve done, beg forgiveness. I’ll be punished, but if I say it was all your orders······.”
Taylor sneered, eyes full of scorn. freēwebnovel.com
“Ha! Don’t kid yourself. You think I don’t know you’ve been skimming on the side? If I go down, so do you! So shut it and destroy all the evidence. Now.”
“······.”
“I’ll handle those Orientals myself. You just erase everything. Right now!”
“A-all right.”
Taylor’s eyes gleamed with madness. The administrative chief, cowed, nodded.
“And you—keep feeding reporters to churn out negative articles. Got it?”
“Y-yes.”
The PR head stammered, sensing the dangerous mood.
Taylor grabbed the whiskey bottle and drank straight from it, liquor spilling down his lips.
“I’ll kill them all. How dare they covet my kingdom······.”
He muttered, then burst into mad laughter.
The house echoed with his crazed voice.
* * *
Days passed. We rested, waiting for Chairman Peter’s call.
At last, he rang.
― Charlie, I persuaded all the shareholders.
“Well done. When will you transfer the club?”
― Uh······.
He hesitated.
“Speak.”
― Do you truly intend to invest such vast sums into the club?
“Yes. More, if necessary.”
― Ah······ understood. Then let’s sign tomorrow.
So he hadn’t trusted us. His tone was heavy with doubt.
“Then see you tomorrow.”
I hung up.
“What’d he say? He’s selling?”
Buried in a mountain of paperwork, Han Kyungyeong lifted his head.
“Yeah. Peter persuaded them all.”
“Oh, so we’re really going to own a football club. In England, no less! How cool is that?”
He joked, and I smiled genuinely.
The next day, we set off for the clubhouse to finalize the purchase.
Driving through central Leeds, I was pulled from my newspaper by Han Kyungyeong’s frantic shout.
“What the hell is that maniac doing?!”
