Free Web NovelWith the handover to China approaching, Britain had already ceded much of its authority in Hong Kong.
It remained the financial and logistics hub of Asia.
Many foreign companies and banks had their headquarters or branches here.
HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation).
Before the handover, it acquired Midland Bank in the UK. Its headquarters moved to the UK, while HSBC remained in Hong Kong as a subsidiary.
The person I intended to recruit hadn’t yet made any major achievements at HSBC.
But after leaving HSBC and joining a private equity firm’s invasion force into Korea, what she accomplished defied belief.
Real estate, corporations—if it had value, she would obtain it by any means necessary. For her employer, she did everything she could.
Sometimes with money. Sometimes with power. And if that failed, even with her own body.
Her name was Eva Zhu.
A half-Korean, half-British woman, she spent part of her childhood in Korea, which made her fluent in Korean, Chinese, English, and Japanese—skills that caught the attention of private equity scouts.
Of course, her youthful beauty scored her extra points.
Her nickname: Miss Valentine.
Ten years from now, she would leave Korea, having delivered her employers a return twenty times their initial investment.
After arriving at Hong Kong International Airport and clearing immigration, I got into the rental car.
I had already arranged a meeting with Eva.
Chief Ma gave the location to the driver when he picked up the car.
There’s no one more perfect to play the “bad cop” than her. Hopefully, she hasn’t signed with someone else already.
As I sorted my thoughts, we arrived at the hotel—the same one I’d be staying at.
“Miss Zhu?”
I recognized her instantly.
Eva stood up and extended her hand.
She had her long hair tied up high and wore a pinstripe navy suit with faint vertical lines.
Her style gave off a cool, confident, trustworthy vibe—but her face still looked quite young.
After shaking hands, we sat down across from each other.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Kim Muhyuk. To meet such a stunning beauty the moment I land in Hong Kong—what a feast for the eyes.”
“Hohoho. Even if it’s just flattery, thank you. But how on earth did you find me?”
“Well, that’s not what matters, is it? What’s important is whether I can give you what you want.”
“You speak like you know exactly what I want. But this is our first meeting.”
“It’s not about how many times we’ve met. It’s about how much we commit, and what we stand to gain.”
The conversation danced around cautiously, like a mutual appraisal.
“Let’s eat first. It’s my first time in Hong Kong, so I’ll take your recommendation.”
“All hotel restaurants are the same. If we meet again, I’ll introduce you to real Hong Kong food.”
She called over the waiter and placed an order, then calmly crossed her arms and stared into my eyes.
I returned the gaze.
“Shall we get to the point, then? Tell me why you’ve come to see me.”
“You’re in the middle of a trial, aren’t you?”
Her expression hardened at my blunt words.
HSBC had long been suspected of laundering money for the global underworld.
Founded in the imperialistic 1800s, it was impossible to believe the bank had remained clean all this time.
Even after the fall of imperialism and the rise of democracy, their business practices hadn’t changed.
The color of money never mattered—only profit.
Eva was currently on trial for allegedly turning a blind eye to illegal client funds. A scapegoat, of course...
“What are you talking about?”
“Doesn’t seem like the bank intends to help you out.”
“Ha...”
Eva let out a long sigh, massaging her forehead.
“Mr. Kim, when bringing up someone’s weaknesses, at least pretend to look sorry. I don’t know who your boss is, but sending someone like you to negotiate—doesn’t seem worth continuing this conversation.”
“If I offended you, I apologize. But I’m not here because I care about your past mistakes. I reached out because of your unwavering professionalism—how you never questioned a client’s request. Of course, your knowledge of real estate was also a factor.”
Eva furrowed her brows and stared at me.
“And let me clarify—there’s no one above me. The reason I came here personally is because you’re that important to what comes next.”
She didn’t bother hiding her suspicion. I shrugged.
“It might sound hard to believe, but it’s true. I can assemble Hong Kong’s top legal defense team for your trial—if you agree to work with me.”
Eva’s hesitation didn’t last long.
“...I don’t believe it, but I’ll trust you. So what exactly do you want me to do? Use me as cannon fodder?”
She seemed angry—probably from how HSBC had discarded her.
After everything she had done for them, all she got in return was betrayal and silence.
“I can’t promise everything. But one thing I can swear—you’ll never be the first I abandon. As long as you don’t betray me. If anything happens while you’re following my orders, I’ll pull every string I have and bring in the best legal team to save you.”
Reading the sincerity in my eyes, Eva uncrossed her arms.
“What’s the job?”
“You’ll lead the vanguard of our invasion into Korea. You’re free to hire anyone you need.”
“Hm...”
“Soon, Korea will be selling everything—real estate, gold, companies, even people. Your job is to buy. Whatever’s good, grab it before the other hyenas do. Think of it as a full-blown shopping spree.”
Eva didn’t nod—but a charming smile spread across her face.
“Why did you choose me?”
“You want lip service or facts?”
“Facts.”
“Your looks. And how you kept your mouth shut throughout your trial. I don’t need someone clean—there are too many of those. I need someone like you. Someone who’ll do anything. I already know what you’re capable of. I just needed someone I could trust to deliver.”
Perfect timing—the food arrived.
“Eat and think it over. My schedule’s tight, so I can’t give you much time.”
I picked up my knife and fork and began cutting the steak in front of me.
Eva shook her head lightly, then started eating too.
For the next twenty minutes—short if short, long if long—we ate in °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° silence.
She only spoke again near the end of the meal.
After wiping her mouth with a napkin, she asked,
“What’s the company name?”
“It’ll be shared by five investment firms. You’ll name the Korean branch.”
“Nothing’s prepared? No company, no staff?”
“No. You’ll build it all. Hire whoever you want, buy a Korean investment company if you prefer. What I want is simple: acquire valuable assets before someone else does.”
“And the capital?” fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
“You won’t be short. Let’s just say—however much you want.”
“Show me proof.”
“I can—once you’re in Korea. But your trial makes that difficult, no?”
I couldn’t risk bringing sensitive documents to Hong Kong.
“Let’s focus on ending the trial quickly. By tomorrow, hire the best law firm in Hong Kong. Don’t worry about the cost. Best-case, we win; worst-case, you pay a fine and get it over with. Then you come to Korea.”
Eva stared at me silently—then suddenly said,
“A meal wasn’t enough. How about a drink? I want to talk more.”
“Of course, with a beauty like you.”
We left the restaurant and moved to the hotel bar.
Over drinks, we talked for hours.
The next morning.
When I sat up in bed, Eva stirred beside me.
“Muhyuk?”
“Go back to sleep.”
By the time I came out of the shower, Eva was perched on the bed, smoking.
“Muhyuk, are you flying straight back to Korea?”
“Yeah. It’s a busy time. Can’t stay long. You come as soon as you can.”
Eva shrugged and flashed a confident smile as she headed for the shower.
Over breakfast, we discussed the company formation we didn’t finish the night before.
“In Korea, we need to act like strangers. Always meet in secret.”
“Sure. What should we name the company?”
“Who cares about the name? Substance matters more.”
“Branding is everything! How about Future Investment?”
“Do whatever you want.”
Eva giggled playfully.
I shook my head.
“I won’t interfere. Buy up any assets that might bring profit—buildings, land, whatever. But if I tell you to buy something, you buy it—no matter the cost or method.”
Eva grinned with confidence.
“Then wrap up the trial and come to Korea. No later than fall. That’s when it all begins.”
“Yes, boss!”
I handed her a credit card.
“Use this until the corporate cards are issued. No spending limit—buy whatever you need.”
I had it made just for her. An Amex Black Card—the ultimate symbol of wealth.
Eva’s eyes locked on the card.
“This is mine?”
“No, it’s mine.”
“What the hell.”
“You’ll get an even bigger corporate card soon. Just use that one for now.”
“Thanks, boss.”
Eva took the card and inspected it gleefully.
At the hotel entrance, she leaned in and kissed me lightly on the lips.
“Muhyuk. See you in Korea.”
I nodded, and she turned back inside.
On the drive to the airport, Chief Ma asked from the passenger seat,
“Are you sure it’s wise to give her so much authority?”
“With that authority comes responsibility. I get why you’re concerned—but if I want a hundred, she’ll deliver two hundred.”
“Understood.”
I understood Chief Ma’s worries.
But with my knowledge of the future, Eva was an untouched jackpot.
Once Korea’s real estate market opened up and the regulations loosened, her talents would shine.
“How’s the PMC project going?”
“Han Kyungyeong and Eric are moving fast. We’re funding it as requested. Everything should be ready by June.”
“Think we can open a Korea branch?”
“Not yet. The laws aren’t in place. For now, we’ll register as a security firm to enter.”
“Good. Send A-class personnel to Korea. We’ll need them for the war against Cheongpunghoe and for personal protection.”
“Understood.”
Korea’s gun control laws meant mercenaries wouldn’t be much help in a war against the yakuza—but having trustworthy bodyguards watching over my people made all the difference.
Soon after, I boarded my flight back to Korea.
Even then, Korea charged forward like a runaway train with no brakes.
<Of Course, With a Beauty Like You> End.
