Free Web NovelI knew that man.
Unlike the other members of the Bechtel family who avoided media exposure, he appeared in interviews fairly often.
He was also the one slated to succeed his father, Riley Bechtel, as chairman of Bechtel.
I thought he was still in his early twenties······. Was he already receiving successor training?
“What are you doing here.”
Riley Bechtel frowned the moment he saw Brendon Bechtel.
“I came to see you, Father, but I was told you were in an important meeting. When I heard the names of the people inside, I thought I’d stop by to say hello after a long time.”
“If you’re done with greetings, then leave. You’re not qualified to be here yet.”
Riley Bechtel said coldly.
Something felt off. To my eyes, it looked like Riley Bechtel was wary of Brendon Bechtel.
“Brendon! It’s been a while.”
But contrary to Riley Bechtel’s dismissal, George Shultz warmly greeted Brendon.
“Director Shultz. It’s been a long time.”
“You’ve grown into quite a fine young man. So, what have you been up to lately?”
Unlike the way he spoke to Riley Bechtel, George Shultz’s voice carried a gentle warmth.
“I graduated from university last year.”
“Oh? You already graduated?”
Caspar Weinberger also welcomed Brendon Bechtel.
“Was it when you were fourteen? I remember you working as an intern, laying cables at headquarters. To think that young kid has grown this much. Time really does fly.”
“Haha, it’s already been ten years.”
Brendon Bechtel replied lightly, then glanced at Caspar Weinberger’s complexion.
Then, in a voice filled with concern, he asked,
“Director Weinberger, you don’t look well. Is your health in bad shape?”
“It’s about time for me to go. I’ve lived long enough.”
“Please don’t say that. You need to live a long time and watch me make Bechtel even bigger.”
“Heh heh. Is that so? If you say it like that, I suppose I really must.”
Unlike with Riley Bechtel, everyone was friendly toward Brendon Bechtel.
Where did this difference come from?
Was it Riley Bechtel’s incompetence? Or was there something about Brendon Bechtel that I didn’t know?
I’d have to find out.
“That’s enough. Leave now.”
Apparently displeased by the scene, Riley Bechtel cleared his throat and spoke to Brendon Bechtel.
“Yes. I’ll take my leave now. I’ll visit again next time.”
Despite being scolded, Brendon Bechtel merely wore a good-natured smile.
Brendon Bechtel bowed lightly and turned around, but at that moment, George ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Shultz stopped him.
“Brendon. I’d like to hear your thoughts.”
“Director Shultz! Brendon hasn’t even properly received management training yet. You know the rules of the Bechtel family.”
“I know them well. Still, what’s wrong with hearing a young man’s opinion? Why are you so sensitive about it? In the end, Brendon is the one who’ll succeed you, isn’t he? Asking a question or two should be fine.”
“Even so······.”
As Riley Bechtel hesitated, Brendon Bechtel turned back again.
“You wanted to hear my thoughts? May I ask what the matter is?”
George Shultz asked Brendon the exact same question he had posed to Riley Bechtel.
“Hmm······.”
Brendon closed his eyes as if thinking, rubbing his chin.
But only for a moment. He quickly arrived at an answer.
“Is Bechtel supposed to take everything except the businesses already allocated to others?”
“Most of the business rights would be led by Bechtel.”
“Then shouldn’t we do it? This is a project the U.S. government is directly involved in.”
“That’s your answer?”
“Yes. I think we absolutely should.”
George Shultz looked at Riley Bechtel.
“That’s what he says. Do you still feel the same way?”
“······Brendon simply doesn’t understand management yet.”
At that moment, Brendon Bechtel cut into their conversation.
“Father, are you opposed to this?”
Riley Bechtel glared at Brendon Bechtel and said,
“Yes. This is a matter of Bechtel’s pride. It’s not about money.”
“You’ve always told me this, Father. A businessman looks only at money. Nothing else matters besides money. But right now, you’re saying something completely different from what you taught me. Isn’t the foremost principle of our family money above all else?”
“What does that have to do with this!”
“Your decision could put our family in danger. If the family finds out about this, it won’t just be you who’s in trouble—I will be as well. This isn’t something you can decide on your own.”
Only then did I realize the source of the déjà vu I’d been feeling.
A conflict between father and son. Without realizing it, I pulled up one corner of my mouth.
Unlike Riley Bechtel, Brendon Bechtel understood the core of the issue.
The U.S. government had already made up its mind, and if Bechtel rejected this out of pride, another competitor would take the business rights that should have gone to Bechtel. He seemed to have grasped that clearly.
“Brendon! What do you think you’re saying right now!”
Riley Bechtel raised his voice. But Brendon Bechtel continued calmly.
“Father, the moment you reject this project, Bechtel will inevitably fall out with the U.S. government. My grandfather once told me this before he passed away. A businessman looks only at money. But sometimes, there are businesses you must do even at a loss. This is exactly that case. And this isn’t even a losing business—it’s a project that brings enormous benefits to Bechtel.”
“You little punk! Get out, right now!”
Riley Bechtel sprang up from his seat and pointed at the door.
‘That place is a real mess too.’
Father and son clashing over opposing views.
And yet George Shultz and Caspar Weinberger, who were watching it all, didn’t stop them.
Their hearts were probably already leaning toward Brendon Bechtel.
“If the only reason you oppose this agreement is your personal pride, then you’re making a grave mistake. Or do you think you lost to some unknown investment firm? Father. This is a completely different era from the one you lived in. Now, those with money are effectively those with power.”
Riley Bechtel bit down on his lips, glaring at Brendon Bechtel.
“Do you think Wall Street’s power is weaker than Bechtel’s? It isn’t. They’re already stronger and more solid than Bechtel. Father, face reality.”
Riley Bechtel’s face flushed even more. Just as he was about to say something—
“Enough!”
George Shultz stepped between them. With a firm voice, he halted the argument and spoke again.
“Brendon. I understand your position well. That’s enough. In the end, the decision-maker is Chairman Riley.”
“Yes.”
Brendon Bechtel nodded and obediently fell silent.
The way he followed George Shultz more readily than his own father was rather amusing.
“Now then, Chairman Riley. Make your choice. Will you accept this agreement, or will you reject it?”
George Shultz issued his ultimatum. Riley Bechtel glared at Brendon Bechtel, then spoke.
“If you agree to one condition, I’ll accept it.”
“A condition? What is it? Let’s hear it.”
“If you hire Brendon Bechtel as a regular employee in the consortium led by Dream High, I’ll agree.”
“What?”
George Shultz asked in surprise. Riley Bechtel shamelessly repeated himself.
“Hire Brendon Bechtel as a regular employee.”
“Hah. Are you serious, Chairman Riley?”
“Yes. I’m serious.”
Riley Bechtel said firmly. George Shultz then turned toward me and asked carefully,
“Charlie, can you accept that condition?”
I smiled as I looked at Brendon Bechtel.
“I’m fine with it. In fact, I welcome it. If I can hire talent like him. But will he accept?”
I deliberately handed the choice to Brendon Bechtel, intending to fan the flames between the two.
Brendon Bechtel caught my gaze and grinned.
“I’m fine with it. I’ll do as you say. As you probably know, members of our family must work as regular employees at another company for two years before joining Bechtel. If I can join the company handling the Iraq reconstruction project, I think I’ll have a lot to learn.”
Brendon Bechtel finished smoothly and bowed his head toward Riley Bechtel.
“Father. Thank you for giving me such a good opportunity.”
Riley Bechtel narrowed his brow even further, clearly displeased by Brendon Bechtel’s behavior.
George Shultz lightly clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Then let’s wrap this up. For the Iraq reconstruction project, the energy infrastructure will be led by KBR, the housing and transportation infrastructure by the consortium created by Dream High, and the remaining projects by Bechtel. Does everyone agree?”
Tim Bert, Riley Bechtel, and I all nodded.
“Today’s agreement is an unbreakable one. Due to the nature of the work, it cannot be documented, but any company that breaks this agreement will be crushed using the full power of the U.S. government. Keep that in mind.”
After issuing his final warning, George Shultz looked at Caspar Weinberger.
“Let’s get up now. You should head back to the hospital. You’ve overexerted yourself.”
Caspar Weinberger nodded and stood up.
“It was good to see you all. Until next time.”
Starting with Caspar Weinberger, the others gradually left the conference room.
The ones left behind were Henry Kissinger, the Bechtel father and son, Han Kyungyeong, and me.
“Chairman Bechtel. Are you serious about entrusting your son to us?”
I asked Riley once more.
“Why would I say something I don’t mean? Take him and train him properly.”
“Well, if that’s what you want, Chairman Bechtel, we’ll do as you ask.”
Did he think I couldn’t? I replied with a smile, pulling up one corner of my mouth.
Apparently displeased by my smile, Riley Bechtel rose roughly.
“Then I’ll be on my way as well.”
Riley Bechtel left the conference room. I turned to Henry Kissinger and asked,
“Doctor, aren’t you leaving?”
“My goodness. Why are you so eager to chase me away? I’ll handle it myself.”
Henry Kissinger replied curtly. I let out a deep sigh.
“Doctor, this is stalking. You’re a busy man—why do you keep following me around?”
“Didn’t I tell you? You’ve piqued my interest. I’ll just watch without interfering, so don’t worry about it. And today, I helped more than I interfered, didn’t I? Am I wrong?”
He wasn’t wrong. Henry Kissinger had been a big help.
I nodded reluctantly.
“Well, that’s true.”
“Then that’s enough. A businessman only needs to judge whether something is profitable or not. Isn’t that right, Charlie?”
What a shameless old man. I shook my head and asked, freēwēbnovel.com
“Then do you know why the plan suddenly changed like this? I heard it had to do with the EU and the UN, but I don’t fully understand.”
Henry Kissinger thought for a moment, shrugged, and answered,
“Iraq is stabilizing faster than expected. Because of that, the EU has already started talking about reconstruction. That’s why things moved so quickly. If it weren’t election season, it wouldn’t have been rushed like this.”
“There’s no chance the Democrats will win, is there?”
“Politics is unpredictable, isn’t it? The neocons are probably afraid of losing the gains from the Iraq War. Does that answer your question?”
It didn’t resolve everything, but I accepted it for now.
Lastly, I looked at Brendon Bechtel, who had been standing quietly.
“Brendon Bechtel. Are you sure about this? It won’t compare to Bechtel. It might be lacking in many ways. Do you still want to work with us?”
Brendon Bechtel smiled deeply.
“I have to work somewhere for two years anyway. In that case, I want to work at Dream High. I want to learn what kind of magic you used to grow so suddenly, and how you managed to become one of the pillars of the U.S.-led Iraq reconstruction project.”
Brendon Bechtel declared his ambitions confidently.
He was completely different from Riley Bechtel. I nodded, stood up, and extended my hand.
“It’ll be a short time, but let’s do our best while we work together. If we can build a good relationship with Bechtel through you, we have nothing to lose.”
Brendon Bechtel took my hand and replied,
“Of course. Bechtel also wants a good relationship with Dream High. I’ll make sure of it.”
Brendon Bechtel wore a confident smile. I wondered how long that smile would last once the real work began.
I fully intended to put Brendon Bechtel to work.
Bringing in talent like that and letting him sit idle in an office would have been foolish.
