Free Web Novel“You’re not asking why I’m attacking The New York Times.”
“Because they jumped into Murdoch’s bid for The Wall Street Journal, didn’t they?”
On the surface, yes.
But from the ease of his reply, it was clear President Bush knew more than what was visible.
“How much do you know?”
“I know this entire matter is connected to China.”
“And the people behind it?”
“The old men of Wall Street? Or those scheming figures in Europe?”
He knew quite a bit.
Bush hesitated briefly, then spoke with a faintly troubled expression.
“I can’t help you with this. You’re not asking me to, either. You already know that.”
“That’s correct. It would certainly be easier with your support. But even if I won that way, it wouldn’t be my victory. It would only be America’s.”
At my refusal to borrow power, Bush studied me with interest.
I met his gaze directly.
“I still don’t know what they want. My downfall? Or simple submission? Either way, I won’t avoid a fight I’ve already stepped into. If I retreat once, they’ll shake me whenever they please.”
Bush nodded slightly and lowered his voice.
“Charlie. Do you know I never intended to become president?”
“Excuse me?”
The sudden confession caught me off guard.
“I entered politics under my father’s shadow. And before I knew it, I was President.”
What kind of political bombshell was that?
Not something you’d expect from a man who had just secured re-election.
“Dick Cheney and the neocons knew my nature very well. They used me to push through most of their policies. Frankly, it was tiresome.”
Tiresome.
That word fit him.
There was a well-known anecdote from the Iraq invasion planning meetings.
While senior officials and military commanders discussed war strategy, Bush reportedly yawned through the briefing. Rumsfeld pressured the generals. Cheney dozed off.
A farce.
It showed he wasn’t a president obsessed with statecraft.
“And then someone refreshing appeared before me. Someone who wasn’t afraid of me. Someone who demanded what he wanted and tried to overturn the neocon agenda. That was you.”
Bush’s face was serious.
What exactly was he leading up to?
“It was a transaction. I offered what I could give and took what I needed. And what I told you then °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° was simply common sense. If you had invaded North Korea at that time, you would’ve suffered dearly.”
“I knew it. My advisers knew it. Only the neocons didn’t. Watching those sly men get blindsided was... satisfying.”
A faint smile crossed his face.
“I intended to reduce neocon influence in my second term. Then you appeared—thinking along similar lines.”
Our goals weren’t identical. I was shaking the neocons to destabilize The New York Times from outside.
Bush laughed, as if reading my expression.
“I know weakening the neocons isn’t your core objective. But if different motives lead to the same outcome, does it matter?”
“Correct. Intent and process may differ, but the result is one.”
Ultimately, this was about damaging the credibility of The New York Times.
In my previous life, the Leakgate scandal had significantly weakened neocon influence.
Looking back, one could almost suspect it had served Bush’s interests.
“Would you consider becoming my gun, Charlie? I’ll resolve your dispute with China.”
It was a sweet offer.
If the Bush administration intervened, China at its current stage would have no effective countermeasure.
But I had to think beyond the enemy in front of me.
China might retreat under American pressure now.
In a few years, it wouldn’t.
To face a stronger China in the future, I needed to win this battle with my own strength.
“I’m sorry. I have no intention of becoming someone’s expendable tool.”
“Hmm......”
Bush leaned back, crossing his legs, his foot tapping lightly.
“You’re abandoning the easy path for a harder one.”
“I’ve never taken the easy path. If I do it once, I might keep doing it.”
“Tsk.”
He clicked his tongue, but his expression softened.
“So what’s your plan?”
I explained how I intended to destabilize The New York Times.
Black Bear’s U.S. intelligence teams were gathering evidence.
“Insufficient. The hard proof is lacking. You have circumstantial evidence.”
“Some facts are already partially exposed. Vice President Dick Cheney will try to block it by any means necessary. But he won’t succeed. And you don’t intend to let him block it, do you?”
Bush shrugged.
“Perhaps. But it’s still a scandal that could hurt me. The board only needs to expand enough to reduce neocon influence......”
“I intend to expand it further. I’ve already arranged meetings with Wilson and Plame.”
“Hmm......”
Bush considered. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
“Fine. Do as you wish. I won’t stop you. But I won’t help either.”
“That’s sufficient.”
I checked my watch.
I’d gotten what I came for.
“There are others waiting to meet you. I won’t take more of your time.”
Bush nodded.
I stood and bowed lightly.
Han Kyungyeong rose as well.
“Congratulations again on your re-election.”
“Thank you.”
As I reached the door, something came to mind.
With my hand on the doorknob, I turned slightly.
“Mr. President. The one who leaked Valerie Plame’s identity... was Deputy Secretary Richard. Though I imagine you already know.”
Bush’s eyes widened.
I smiled faintly.
“Of course, what one believes to be the truth isn’t always the truth. Until next time.”
I opened the door and stepped out.
Outside, Bush’s aides were divided into small groups, conversing quietly.
“You may go back in.”
They filed inside.
Karl Rove was the last.
He stopped and glared at me.
“Charlie. I will repay this humiliation.”
“If you can. I’ll be waiting.”
His face turned crimson.
“You—!”
“Shouldn’t you hurry? You must have much to say. It wouldn’t be good if you were pushed out of the White House. You’ll want to keep your position.”
He bit his lip and went inside.
I looked at the closed door and smiled.
That should prevent Baltiche from using the U.S. government against me.
I had warned Bush.
And he understood.
I knew everything.
And if I were obstructed, I would expose it all.
That was why I named Richard—the original source of the leak.
Still... I didn’t expect him to consider sacrificing Karl Rove.
Rove had been Bush’s closest aide since his days as Texas governor.
Politics was ruthless.
“Hey, Muhyuk. Let’s go.”
Han Kyungyeong clapped my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Sorry. Must’ve been boring just listening.”
“Boring? That was fascinating. I had no idea Bush thought like that. As expected of Kim Muhyuk!”
His playful tone lightened the mood.
Back at the party, Han guided me somewhere.
“Chairman Buffett.”
There stood Warren Buffett.
“James!”
They shook hands warmly.
Then Han abruptly introduced me.
“This is the owner of Dream High—Kim Muhyuk.”
Warren Buffett regarded me with an intrigued expression before extending his hand.
“Chairman Buffett. It’s an honor.”
Warren Buffett—the Sage of Omaha.
He began investing at eleven. By his late teens, he was fully immersed.
His philosophy centered on long-term and value investing—buy undervalued companies and hold them.
That didn’t mean he lacked aggression. frёewebηovel.cѳm
He had once attempted to acquire LTCM at a bargain—only for Dream High and me to intercept it.
“Ha ha! To meet the owner of Dream High like this—what a pleasure.”
Despite losing a target company to us, he showed no resentment.
We spoke at length.
Eventually, the Dow Jones acquisition battle surfaced.
“James. Aren’t you overextending?”
“You mean Dow Jones?”
“Murdoch’s News Corporation is the front. But everyone knows Dream High is behind it.”
James nodded.
“From a pure investor’s standpoint, it’s not ideal.”
“You understand that, then. Forty-five times operating profit—even for The Wall Street Journal...”
I listened, sipping my wine.
Their debate stretched on.
“Charlie, what’s your view?”
“My view is James’s view.”
“Hmm... surprising. I thought you’d prioritize money.”
“Money matters. But it’s a tool, not an end.”
Money protects me.
It allows me to obtain what I want.
The more I have, the easier my path.
But it should never become the goal.
“Chairman Murdoch’s dream cannot be measured in dollars. And being able to buy the object of his lifelong desire—that’s fascinating. I don’t particularly care about Dow Jones or The Wall Street Journal. I care about Murdoch’s dream of becoming the Emperor of Media.”
Buffett laughed heartily.
“Interesting. Very interesting. Wall Street hasn’t had such an entertaining event in years. I’ve heard rumors George Soros is sharpening his knife against Dream High. Here’s my advice: the Sulzberger family and Soros alliance will likely just raise the price and withdraw.”
That aligned with my expectations.
But how long their loose alliance would hold was uncertain.
We were unified.
They were not.
Even if we acquired The Wall Street Journal, they would ensure we paid dearly.
“I anticipated as much. I have no intention of withdrawing.”
Buffett’s smile deepened.
* * *
The Dow Jones acquisition battle remained uncertain until the end.
The Sulzberger family and George Soros alliance raised their offer to $65 per share.
Murdoch and I escalated to $75.
Dow Jones stock surged past $60.
On Wall Street, whispers spread:
No matter who won—
the winner’s curse would follow.
