Free Web NovelThere was definitely someone among the core White House staff who was connected to Valletze.
I only had circumstantial evidence, not proof—but I was certain. I only hoped that person wasn’t Bush himself.
“Valletze? Why bring up that group all of a sudden?”
“So you do know about them?”
“How could I not? They’re the money-grubbing parasites who control Wall Street.”
Bush summarized them with the single word “parasites.”
His expression was openly displeased.
But he was a politician—one at the very top of Washington. Masking his expression was child’s play for him.
“Parasites. I didn’t realize there was such a simple term for them.”
Bush still looked puzzled.
I spoke slowly.
“Among your closest aides, there’s someone receiving orders from Valletze—or at least collaborating with them.”
“...Do you have proof? If not, this is an insult to my administration.”
Bush frowned immediately.
But I didn’t stop.
“I have no hard evidence. But I’m certain. Information from the White House was reaching them in less than a day. And some White House policies have clearly moved in ways that benefited them.”
“Lobbying is ordinary in America.”
Bush seemed unbothered.
“They may try to interfere with me.”
“Hm.”
“To them, my existence is inconvenient. Dreamhigh made the biggest profit from the East Asian Financial Crisis, the attack on Japan’s currency reserves, and the collapse of the Nasdaq bubble.”
They had designed and executed those operations. But then I suddenly appeared, and Dreamhigh took a massive portion of the profits they would’ve taken.
Those schemes were carried out with the quiet consent of the Clinton administration. No—consent isn’t the right word. Cooperation.
It wasn’t hard to understand.
Because it benefited the U.S.
From Mexico, to Southeast Asia, to Korea and Japan, and finally to Russia—America had subdued them through Wall Street, not bullets.
“For over a hundred years, they dominated Wall Street. Then someone new appeared. And that person devoured everything. No wonder I’m a thorn in their eye.”
“That may be true. But we can’t avoid exchanging opinions with the staff just because of that. This is America. I don’t rule alone.”
“I know. But after I persuade China and Russia to support the strengthened resolution, anything that happens afterward must remain only between you and me.”
“A secret between the two of us.”
“I want your reelection more than anyone. I’m preparing several gifts for it.”
Bush thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Fine. I won’t reveal everything we discussed.”
That was the answer I wanted. I smiled.
“But do you know every member of Valletze?”
Bush shook his head.
“No. I’ve never tried to find out, and I don’t know. As long as they don’t act against American interests, I have no reason to care.”
A vague answer—but it meant he had no clear understanding.
Still, I was certain their influence had played some role in the Iraq War.
Because it had benefited them.
“Understood. Then I will assume you have no relation to Valletze.”
“Are you planning to fight them?”
“Well... I don’t have much choice, do I? I’m basically an outsider on Wall Street.”
“I should look into Valletze. Find out exactly who they are. Interesting. And you—do you know all the members?”
I shook my head.
“Not all. But I know the core members.”
“Oh?”
Bush didn’t ask who. He probably trusted the American intelligence agencies.
But could the U.S. identify a group Russia couldn’t even track?
I doubted it. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
“Let’s wrap this up.”
Bush checked the time.
I decided to mention the main reason I had come to the U.S.
“President Yoon Changho will visit America next month.”
“That’s right. We’ve been coordinating that trip since before he took office.”
“There are many obstacles in the South Korea–U.S. relationship. I came early to help coordinate them. But North Korea caused a mess and disrupted the order of events.”
“I’ll speak to Secretary Powell separately. I was told the ruling party’s Secretary General arrived in Washington as a presidential envoy to coordinate President Yoon’s schedule and agenda for next month.”
“Yes. I’ll be there as well. As Secretary General Lee Myungsoo’s aide.”
Bush then spoke with an interested expression.
“I heard a rumor that you ‘made’ President Yoon Changho. Looks like it’s true.”
“Please don’t say something that dangerous. We’re just long-time acquaintances.”
“...Korea is a fascinating country. How does someone like you come out of such a small nation? And how did it develop so quickly after such a devastating war?”
“It’s thanks to the people’s efforts.”
Bush shrugged, saying he meant nothing by it.
“Who knows what issues will be brought to the table, but I hope both sides can compromise as much as possible. It will benefit everyone.”
“In business, politics, and international relations, the rule is simple: give one, take one. If we yield something, America must yield something too.”
Bush nodded as if making a promise.
“That’s enough for now.”
“Understood.”
Bush pressed the bell beside him to call the staff back in.
The door opened and the people who had gathered earlier returned.
At the same time, I rose from my seat.
“It was a pleasure speaking with you. I’ll take my leave now.”
I extended my hand first.
Bush shook it firmly.
* * *
Silence filled the Oval Office after Kim Muhyuk left.
“Bush, what on earth did you two discuss?”
Dick Cheney broke the silence.
“He said he’ll help us.”
“Help us?”
“We can’t keep this war going any longer, Dick. You may want a war, but—”
“I don’t want war. It’s only a last resort.”
“I know you’re not a warmonger. But with the election next year, we can’t start another war.”
“So what now? Are you saying we should submit that childish resolution to the UN?” freewёbnoνel.com
When Dick Cheney spoke with irritation, Bush laughed.
“No. We’ll submit a much stronger one.”
“A stronger resolution?”
“Yes. We’ll impose a full economic blockade on North Korea. Seal the country completely. No North Korean ships leaving, no foreign ships entering.”
Powell intervened nervously.
“Mr. President, China and Russia will oppose that. A General Assembly recommendation can’t force compliance. It would be non-binding.”
Bush had expected that.
He smiled gently at Powell.
“I know. But Charlie said he’ll handle that. He’ll persuade China and Russia by any means.”
“Charlie? Really?”
The staff murmured in shock.
“He’ll persuade them directly. It’ll be easier for him than for us. He persuaded Russia during the Iraq War, didn’t he? Secretary Powell, didn’t you negotiate with him personally?”
“Yes. I met him myself. And he kept his word.”
“It turned out to be a great gift for us. When was the last time we got a UN Security Council resolution passed?”
Bush’s smile deepened. Just imagining it delighted him.
“Bush... can you trust him?”
John Bolton inserted himself into the conversation.
“Trust? There’s nothing to trust. We just exchange what we need.”
“So what did you promise him? After sending us all out of the room?”
Bush responded, amused.
“John, must I tell you everything?”
“Bush! We’re comrades! You didn’t become president alone. Do you remember how much we neocons supported you? Without us, do you think you could’ve won?”
“......”
The room grew cold.
Bush still smiled, but his eyes were ice as he stared at Bolton.
“So you want the puppet to behave like a puppet?”
“That’s not what I meant. We’re comrades. We support each other. But excluding us and entrusting something so important to an outsider—how does that make sense?”
“Fine. Then I’ll appoint you ambassador to the UN. You go persuade China and Russia.”
“Come on, Bush.”
Bush’s smile sharpened.
“Then offer an alternative. What do you want to say? That war is the only answer? That we should send more American youths to the battlefield «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» again?”
“North Korea would fall in a day! It’s nothing like Iraq or Afghanistan. With the U.S. forces in Korea and the carrier fleet in Okinawa, it would be over instantly!”
“And China and Russia will just sit by? Why repeat the same nonsense?”
“If we promise them a share of North Korea afterward—”
Bush cut Bolton off sharply.
“How much money and manpower do you think has gone into North Korea already? And why should we give Russia and China anything? You clearly don’t care about next year’s election.”
“That election is guaranteed! We’ll make sure you win!”
“There’s no such thing as guaranteed. Did you forget what happened to my father? As Clinton said: it’s the economy, stupid.”
“The economy is booming!”
“No. Oil prices are spiraling out of control. Because of the Iraq War you insisted on.”
“That wasn’t because of Iraq. That was Russia’s madness! How is that our fault? And besides, we weren’t the only ones who wanted that war—you did too!”
As the argument heated and the atmosphere grew tense, Dick Cheney stepped in.
“John. Enough.”
“No, Dick, you saw what he—”
Cheney shook his head. Bolton shut his mouth. Cheney sighed.
“Fine. If that’s your decision, we’ll go with it. But if the resolution doesn’t pass, we do it our way.”
“No war.”
“You said we could do it in a day. Then stake it on that. If you fail, we launch war immediately. What, are you afraid?”
Cheney raised the corner of his mouth.
