Free Web NovelI watched Rooney’s reaction with great interest.
The fierce expression I remembered from the Rooney of my past life surfaced exactly as expected.
Good thing I’d set up the smoke screen earlier. A tiny push, and the effect was overwhelming.
I planted a little suspicion and then deliberately revealed Paul’s bribe request in front of Rooney.
“What? Fired? Rooney, you—!”
“Don’t think I don’t know anything just because I’m young. I know enough. And I’m not naïve. You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”
Rooney cut him off coldly.
“Rooney! What nonsense did you hear? They’re lying to buy you cheaply—trying to trick you! You don’t trust me? I did everything for yo—”
“Uncle. Don’t hide behind ‘doing everything for me.’ This is a business relationship.”
It was brutally cold. Paul looked stunned, unable to respond.
“I trusted you and left all my contracts in your hands. So tell me honestly. Have you ever taken money from a club behind my back?”
“...”
“...You can’t answer. Uncle. You’re really fired.”
Once trust breaks between a player and his agent, they cannot work together.
Players focus on playing; agents take care of everything else. That system only works because of mutual trust.
“Rooney. If you terminate the contract unilaterally, you’ll face penalties and other problems.”
Paul stared at Rooney for a moment, then spoke flatly.
The mask of “I care about you” came off. With a mocking smirk, he said:
“I’ll sue you endlessly. I’ll make sure no one can represent you ever again.”
“Paul!”
Rooney raised his voice.
“I’m the one who discovered you when you knew nothing! I sent you to Everton! I decide your worth! And you fire me? Go ahead, try.”
Then Paul turned his head toward me.
“And you. Be ready. Let’s see how well you sign players after making me your enemy.”
I curled my lip upward at him. I hadn’t heard that line in a long time.
If he wanted a fight, running wasn’t an option.
“A warning? I don’t know how much influence you think you have in English football. But you don’t seem to know who I am either. You really believe you can win against me?”
“What?”
Paul’s expression twisted viciously. I ignored him and looked at Rooney.
“Will you terminate your contract with him?”
Rooney bit his lip and nodded.
“Rooney, even if you don’t join our team, I will handle every lawsuit related to the contract termination. No matter what he tries, he won’t be able to harm you. So do whatever you want.”
I caused this mess. It was only right for me to fix it.
Rooney nodded weakly. He was still a kid; the situation must’ve scared him.
I turned back to Paul.
“You may leave now. You have no reason to stay. You’ll soon receive notice regarding the termination.”
“...We’ll see. You’ll regret this.”
Paul bit down hard on his lip. I gave him a cold smile.
“We’ll see who regrets it. I’ll dig up every illegal thing you’ve done and sue you thoroughly. Do your best.”
“What?”
“You seem to like the law. Good. Let’s do everything strictly by the book. I look forward to it.”
I finished speaking and signaled with my eyes to Chief Ma.
Chief Ma, who had been standing by the door, stepped forward. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
“Leave.”
“Tsk!”
Overwhelmed by Chief Ma’s pressure, Paul shot me one last glare and stormed out.
“Chief Ma, contact the law firm and prepare all lawsuits related to Rooney. And... look into that man. Everything.”
“Understood.”
After bowing, Chief Ma walked out, and I turned to Ellen.
“That guy seems pretty famous, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. He used to be a fairly well-known player, and he has considerable influence in the English FA.”
“Really? No wonder he acted like that.”
“In England, the football association’s power is no joke. That’s why he’s so confident.”
Meaning he had a lot to lose—so losing it would hurt him far more.
I nodded and told Rooney:
“Don’t worry about anything. If you can find another agent, do so. If not, we’ll arrange someone for you.”
“...Thank you.”
“Shall we finish our earlier conversation? I heard you say you want to come to Leeds. Do you still feel that way? Will you join us, Rooney?”
“Yes. I want to.”
Rooney nodded. I turned to Ellen.
“You’ll handle the negotiations with Everton. Paul will definitely interfere—by demanding ridiculous transfer fees or using other tactics.”
“...Understood.”
“Oh—set the maximum transfer fee at thirty million pounds.”
“What? Thirty million?”
Ellen’s eyes widened. Rooney’s too.
“It might seem big now. But Rooney, you’re worth every penny.”
In my past life, Rooney moved from Everton to Manchester United for around £27 million.
Plenty of players had higher fees.
But for a teenager, it was enormous. No teenager would break that record for at least another decade.
“I trust your negotiation skills.”
“Thirty million... Alright.”
“If you can reduce the fee, do so, and add the difference to Rooney’s salary.”
After finishing with Ellen, I turned to Rooney.
“Once negotiations finish, your weekly wage will be 80,000 pounds. We could give you more, but that would break the club’s wage structure. But as you grow and prove yourself, your salary will naturally rise. An ace deserves appropriate treatment.”
Even 80,000 wasn’t small. Rooney seemed to know that.
“Thank you. I’ll give everything for the team. I didn’t expect such good treatment.”
Knowing he would become a legendary player, his words sounded especially pleasing.
The more good feelings he had toward Leeds, the better.
“The best way to show respect to a player is through transfer fees and wages. We want to respect you, Rooney. Please take good care of us.”
I stood and extended my hand.
Rooney jumped up and shook it tightly.
“I’ll get going now. Discuss the details with Ellen here. I’ll arrange for a new agent and have them contact you.”
Just before turning away, I glanced at Rooney’s hair and added one last thing:
“Oh, and... this might be strange to say when we’ve just met, but start taking care of your hair from now on.”
“...What?”
Rooney stared blankly at me, touching his hair.
It was still richer than in his prime, but his hairline was already edging upward.
“Hair loss is easier to prevent than fix. Start early. Delay it as much as possible.”
“....”
Rooney turned pale and nodded.
I smiled and left.
I sent all documents to our law firm. As Rooney’s legal representative, they would gut Paul entirely.
A massive U.S. firm hardened in the country famous for lawsuits—no need to worry.
If you fight dogs, you bring bigger dogs.
Could Paul do that? Unlikely.
A few hours before departure, my phone rang.
— Myeonghun.
It was the President of Russia.
“Long time no see, sir.”
— Why ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) so stiff? We’re close, aren’t we? You’re hurting my feelings.
I chuckled lightly, and he sighed.
— Haa... you must’ve been very upset. After hearing the administrative director’s report, I thought hard. About your relationship with me, and about purging the siloviki. But no matter how I think about it, my relationship with you is more important. So let’s put this behind us.
I couldn’t help smiling.
“Thank you.”
— I’ll sign the contract soon. I’ve handled everyone who opposed it, so don’t worry.
Easy enough if the president decided it.
The opposition existed only because he hadn’t made his stance clear.
“Thank you again. We made this far too complicated. You know as well as I do—if I acquire Yukos, it relieves pressure from the U.S. and Western Europe. Now’s the time to look outside, not inside. Growth is already soaring; no one can compete with you. In this climate, losing foreign investors would be harmful.”
Russia’s booming growth was thanks to natural resources.
Oil prices and natural gas prices were skyrocketing.
Not that he caused that—but no reason to say that out loud.
“A president who revived the economy destroyed under Yeltsin—that alone commands overwhelming authority. Who could possibly question you?”
— Haha! You always know how to compliment me.
“Because it’s true.”
Just then, the door opened slightly and Myeongsoo peeked in.
He pointed to my phone. I nodded and he slipped back out.
— When are you coming to Russia? I hoped you’d stop by after returning from America.
“Well...”
— Difficult? I heard this U.S. trip will be good for us too, no? Did Medvedev tell me a lie?
I paused only to organize the story. Then I spoke clearly:
“No, it’s not bad for Russia. I’ll explain in person.”
— I look forward to it. Your gifts never disappoint.
“Yes. I’ll visit soon. Before that, please finish the contract cleanly.”
A soft laugh came through the receiver.
— You were upset. I already gave all orders. Everyone who opposed it has been dismissed. The Yukos management agreed as well. I imagine James has already been contacted by now.
I checked my watch and nodded.
“Thank you. I have to prepare for my flight to the U.S. I’ll call again.”
— Yes. Next time, let’s talk face-to-face.
The call ended. Immediately the phone rang again—it was Han Kyungyeong.
“Hey. I just got the call—they’re handing it over on our terms.”
— What the hell? You know more than me and I’m the one in Moscow? I called you as soon as I heard.
“I also just got the call. The president himself told me not to stay upset.”
— Seriously? Medvedev came to me personally. Apologized. Money really is great—getting an apology from the administrative director himself.
Han sounded delighted. He’d suffered a lot through this ordeal.
“Just take it under our terms. And we’ll need to completely replace the management... We can’t run it ourselves. Are there any good candidates?”
Of course we would put Russians in charge—but not blindly.
— Hmm... how about appointing someone capable from Joongwoo Chemical as vice president and sending him to Russia? Let him hold real authority, and put a figurehead chairman recommended by Medvedev on top.
It matched my own idea. There was no better method.
“Good. Do that. Contact Chairman Kim and get a list of candidates. We’ll interview them ourselves. Also, get recommendations for experts for the Siberian oil field project.”
— Okay. Got it. After this is done, I’m taking a few months off for real?
“Yeah. Do that. I’m heading out now—I’ll call when I arrive in the States.”
After ending the call with Han, I stepped out of the room.
Myeongsoo already had everything prepared.
“Why are you so busy? Let’s get moving. Everyone else is waiting.”
I nodded, and together we left the hotel.
