Free Web NovelGeorge Soros, clearly provoked, shot me a sharp glare.
I merely shrugged and turned away.
There was no reason to exchange another word with him.
George Soros was nothing more than a lackey of an enemy who had once become my sworn adversary.
Leaving him standing there, I walked toward the center of the party hall.
Small groups of people were gathered here and there, sipping wine and chatting in low voices.
That was when Han Kyungyeong spoke.
“I’ll go greet the old men from Wall Street. Don’t cause trouble. Stay quiet.”
“I’m not a kid. Don’t worry and go.”
“Hm......”
When I nodded as if to say go on, Han Kyungyeong studied me with suspicion.
Unbelievable. Did he really think I was some reckless child?
I nudged him lightly and gestured toward the crowd.
“I told you, I won’t cause trouble.”
“Fine. Stay nearby. I’ll be back.”
Still looking unconvinced, Han Kyungyeong headed toward Warren Buffett.
I took a glass of wine from a passing tray and slowly rotated it in my hand, scanning the room.
There were a few familiar faces scattered about.
I had no intention of greeting any of them. I simply sipped my wine.
Then I sensed someone behind me.
I turned.
A familiar face.
“Charlie.”
“Jessica. It’s been a while.”
“It has. You contact me whenever you need something......”
“We’re not exactly the kind of people who exchange warm personal greetings.”
I answered with a smile.
Jessica pursed her lips, then sighed deeply instead of responding. She stepped beside me, looped her arm through mine, and whispered:
“Can we talk somewhere quiet? Just the two of us?”
“Talk?”
“It’s important.”
I nodded and followed her.
When we reached a secluded corner away from the crowd, she released my arm.
“I hear things aren’t going well between you and China.”
“Apparently everyone knows.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Did you forget what I do? More importantly, are you aware that the Korean government asked us for help this time?”
I already knew that President Yoon Changho had requested U.S. support regarding the diplomatic conflict with China.
I nodded.
Jessica exhaled.
“Washington probably won’t intervene.”
“Hm......”
As expected.
As long as Baltiche was firmly backing China, the U.S. government wouldn’t move easily.
“And I heard there’s lobbying happening on Wall Street. Some people are hoping Dream High collapses during this opportunity.”
“Dream High collapses......”
“You know Dream High is an irregular, right? No one likes a nail that sticks out. Wall Street especially.”
I understood the psychology of the stone embedded in place wanting to remove the one that rolled in.
But was that truly the reason?
When I remained silent, Jessica continued.
“Unless there’s an actual military clash, the U.S. won’t take Korea’s side.”
“Of course not. The U.S. government prioritizes American interests.”
She studied my face.
“You’re not upset, are you?”
“Not at all. I understand. And I don’t intend to rely on American help this time.”
Jessica smiled faintly.
“Still Charlie. I expected that, but you’re calmer than I thought.”
“Then why are you telling me this?”
“Because we’re partners. I don’t want to see you fall.”
She glanced around again to confirm no one was listening, then lowered her voice.
“And a few days ago, the French ambassador to China was suddenly replaced. His name is Joris. He’s close to Jiang Zemin. As soon as he arrived in China, he visited Jiang before Hu Jintao.”
That was new information.
Valuable information.
“It looks like France may be siding with China. I thought you should know.”
“You’ve given me something useful. There’s been a disruption in our Chinese intelligence network.”
“Really? I thought Black Bear’s intelligence team was better than ours.”
So she assumed the information I’d provided in the past came from Black Bear’s collection capability.
In reality, it was simply that I possessed knowledge from a previous life.
Being one step ahead because you already know the outcome is different from uncovering something entirely unknown.
“An overestimation.”
“Hm...... I’ll take your word for it. Oh, and the recent flood of corruption articles about China—that’s your work, right? Murdoch’s yellow press outlets have been running them nonstop.”
“That’s correct. I tried shaking things from the outside first, but it’s harder than I expected.”
“It’s China, after all. I’ll root for your victory.”
She clenched ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) her fist playfully.
I smiled.
“We should return. Being absent too long isn’t wise.”
“Right. Oh, Charlie.”
As I turned, she called me again.
“You said there would be a terrorist attack in the UK. We caught the tail.”
“Good.”
“We’ll be able to put the UK in our debt. Thank you.”
“It was a transaction. Still, don’t lower your guard.”
Jessica gave a sly smile.
Ambitious, as always.
We returned to the main hall.
Han Kyungyeong was looking around near where I had been standing.
When he spotted me, he hurried over.
“Where’d you go? And who’s that woman?”
“Hello. I’m Jessica. You must be James, the CEO of Dream High.”
“Ah, yes. James.”
They shook hands.
Han leaned toward me and whispered in Korean:
“What’s this? Who is she? Did you hook her?”
Jessica smiled—and answered in Korean.
“No. We were discussing business, James.”
Han blinked.
“Oh—sorry. You speak Korean.”
“A little. See you next time. I still have people to greet.” ƒгeewёbnovel.com
She waved and disappeared into the crowd.
Han jabbed my side.
“Who is she? She’s pretty.”
“It’s not what you think. She’s with the Department of Homeland Security.”
“What? Homeland Security?”
He looked again toward where she’d gone.
“She looks young.”
“She’s capable. She’ll be joining the newly established Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Likely at bureau-chief level.”
“Oh. Impressive. What did you talk about?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
Not something to discuss in a crowded room.
And someone familiar was approaching.
“Charlie.”
“National Security Advisor. It’s been a while.”
“Indeed. We haven’t seen each other in person for some time. Though I’ve heard plenty.”
“I heard you’ve been nominated for Secretary of State. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
After greeting Han, Condoleezza Rice turned.
“Come inside. He’s waiting.”
Han and I left the party hall and entered the residence.
In the second-floor reception room, President Bush and his inner circle were gathered.
“Charlie! Come in, come in. Have a seat.”
Bush welcomed us warmly.
“How’ve you been? I’ve heard updates here and there, but it’s been a while since we’ve spoken face to face.”
“Very well. Congratulations on your re-election.”
There was ease on his face.
The overwhelming margin in the election had clearly given him confidence.
“The first one was tough. The second? A landslide. The Democrats conceded early.”
I nodded lightly and scanned the room.
One person was missing.
“Where is Vice President Dick Cheney?”
At the mention of Dick Cheney, Bush’s relaxed expression tightened slightly.
He cleared his throat.
“......The Vice President is not attending tonight.”
“That’s unexpected. Wasn’t he your running mate?”
“He was. Not anymore.”
Not anymore.
So he’d decided to distance himself from the neocons?
I glanced at Rice, then back at Bush.
“Have you decided to part ways with the neocons?”
Bush said nothing.
But his expression answered clearly enough.
Yet Rice herself had been considered part of that camp.
So Cheney was being isolated—but not entirely severed.
Before I could explore further, Bush cut to the point.
“Enough small talk. What are you asking for?”
“Asking? I came to congratulate you.”
“Ha...... Don’t play coy. Say what you want.”
Of course he didn’t believe I came empty-handed.
I shrugged.
“I intend to attack The New York Times. But......”
I paused deliberately.
Bush gestured for me to continue.
“It relates to the Iraq War. I thought it appropriate to inform you first.”
“What does that mean?”
“I intend to target Judith Miller.”
“What?”
Bush uncrossed his legs and leaned forward sharply.
“The matter currently under investigation by the special prosecutor. I plan to amplify it.”
“How much do you know?”
“I know Chief of Staff Lewis Libby led it. I don’t know whether you were directly involved, Mr. President. But the Vice President certainly was.”
Bush rubbed his face with both hands.
The future would call it the “Leakgate” scandal.
In my previous life, it had shaken American media and politics alike.
“I’m aware the investigation is focusing on Matthew Cooper and Judith Miller. They’re being pressured to reveal their sources.”
“......This is insane.”
“Judith Miller is being framed as a journalist oppressed by government overreach. But that’s false. She maintained close relations not only with Chief of Staff Libby......”
I looked at the man seated before me.
“But also with Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove.”
Karl Rove stiffened.
“That—that’s absurd! What relationship would I have with Judith Miller?”
“Did you not provide her classified information regarding Iraq? In exchange, she published articles supportive of the war.”
Silence.
“Am I mistaken?”
Bush raised his hand.
“That’s enough.”
He stared at me.
“What do you want? If you’re threatening me with this, you must be desperate.”
“I want one thing. Do not obstruct me. The administration will take a hit, but it will also be an opportunity to loosen your ties with the neocons.”
“I may have distanced myself, but I have not severed all ties.”
I let out a faint laugh.
Even if you’re tied together, you don’t stay on a sinking ship.
“If this explodes properly, Vice President Dick Cheney will lose all influence. That’s not bad for you.”
“I’ll take damage too.”
“How long do you intend to endure being mocked as a puppet president?”
The mask cracked.
Media outlets had long mocked Bush as merely a figurehead, claiming Cheney was the true White House power.
And Cheney’s absence from a re-election celebration was no accident.
It was a signal.
A fracture.
I had no intention of missing it.
I didn’t want the entire White House as an enemy.
Just the part that needed cutting.
“What did you just say?”
“Even if you try to block me, I’ll proceed. I’m not asking permission. I’m informing you out of courtesy.”
“So you’ll escalate it regardless of my stance.”
“Yes. I don’t know how far it will spread. But at minimum, Karl Rove and Lewis Libby will have to resign.”
Bush turned toward Rove.
“Is what he says true, Karl?”
“It’s false! Why would I—”
“If that’s so, then there’s no problem if it comes out, is there? If you’re innocent.”
Rove opened his mouth again, but Bush stopped him.
“Think carefully before you speak.”
Rove fell silent.
“Karl. Step outside.”
“Mr. President—”
“Nothing discussed here leaves this room. If it does, I will charge you with treason.”
Rove froze.
Bush clicked his tongue and addressed the others.
“Everyone wait outside. Rice, stay with Karl. He may need... reassurance.”
Reassurance meant surveillance.
Rice nodded and escorted Rove out.
Once the room emptied, Bush fixed me with a sharp gaze.
“Alright. Let’s hear the plan.”
