Free Web NovelJohn and his mercenary team arrived near where Lorenze was hiding.
It was a building located about five kilometers away from the Medici estate.
“The conditions aren't ideal.”
John muttered as he spread out a map and planned an escape route.
There wasn't a single house nearby. A mountain blocked the rear of the building, and just beyond it stretched an open highway.
And in a position overlooking the building, two suspicious men were keeping watch.
“Take care of them first.”
“Yes, sir.”
Scott led the mercenaries around behind them.
In an instant, the two men were subdued, and John and his team quickly entered the building.
The inside looked as though it had been abandoned and neglected for years.
In the deepest room, surrounded by dust and cobwebs, was Lorenze.
John reached for the door, but it was firmly locked.
“Lorenze, it's John.”
The sudden voice startled Lorenze.
Inside the small room, Lorenze exchanged glances with Antonio.
The old walls and floor were painted in gloomy gray tones, reflecting his anxious state of mind.
Antonio carefully drew his gun and approached the door.
“Is it really John?”
“Yes. Please open up.”
Antonio turned to look at Lorenze.
But Lorenze was in no condition to make proper decisions.
The sudden attack, Alberto's betrayal, and the news that Giuliano had masterminded everything had left him deeply shaken.
Eventually, Antonio made the decision himself and unlocked the door.
The door opened, and John stepped inside.
Looking around, he said,
“I'm glad you're safe.”
“How are things outside?”
At Antonio's question, John answered honestly.
“I think we need to get out of Italy.”
“Out of Italy?”
“Yes. Since we don't know how far Giuliano prepared things, that's the best option.”
“Leave Italy and go where exactly...?”
At that moment, Lorenze suddenly stood up and staggered forward.
“Thank you for coming to save me. But I will not leave Italy.”
John frowned.
The order he had received from the boss was clear.
Get Lorenze out of Italy.
But Lorenze had declared that he would stay. The entire plan was about to collapse.
As a mercenary, John hated deviations from operational plans.
His profession was one where even the smallest mistake could mean life or death. He preferred things to proceed exactly according to plan.
When John didn't answer, Lorenze spoke again.
“I have to reclaim my family.”
“......”
“I can settle this. Italy—no, Florence. The moment I leave, I'll lose everything.”
His voice trembled, but his eyes remained resolute.
Only Cosimo could settle this matter.
And to do that, they had to reclaim the Medici estate.
Because that place was both the beginning and the end of the Medici family.
“Please help me, John.”
Lorenze lowered his head in a plea.
A flustered Antonio grabbed him and pulled him upright.
“Lorenze! What are you doing?”
“Antonio, I can't give up.”
“Get a grip. We need to survive first!”
“If you take the Medici family away from me, then even if I live, it won't be living.”
Listening to the two, John fell into deep thought.
'The order was to kill them if I couldn't rescue them, wasn't it?'
He wondered whether he should simply kill Lorenze and Antonio and leave Italy.
“John, if you help me, I'll do anything. I'll pay whatever amount you want.”
“We only take Black Bear's money.”
“Then let me speak with Charlie. I'll convince him.”
Just then, Scott entered.
“Colonel, we're out of time.”
John let out a deep sigh and turned around.
For now, he decided to postpone the option of killing them.
“Let's move. Giuliano and his men will be here soon. We need to get out first.”
“Understood, John. What's the plan?”
Originally, they had planned to head south immediately.
But since Lorenze refused to leave Italy, they couldn't go that way.
As John hesitated, Lorenze made a suggestion instead.
“If we head north from here, there's a small village some distance away. Let's go there first. There's one of the Medici safe houses there.”
John nodded and addressed the mercenaries who were preparing for combat while keeping watch.
“We're moving north.”
“Yes, Colonel!”
The mercenaries surrounded Lorenze and moved out.
Safely reaching the vehicles, they began preparing to leave.
While some maintained vigilance, others drove around noisily to erase their tracks.
Before getting into the car, Lorenze briefly looked up at the sky.
Thinking of how all of this had been orchestrated by Giuliano, he shouted inwardly toward the heavens.
'I will definitely return. I will definitely come back and reclaim everything that belongs to me.'
Having reaffirmed his resolve, Lorenze climbed into the vehicle.
They quickly left the building behind.
Several cars disappeared, leaving only clouds of dust.
A short while later, Giuliano and his men arrived at the isolated building, pushing through the dust.
Giuliano looked around and laughed.
“A place like this existed?”
He had never heard or seen anything like this so close to the Medici estate.
“Search. Tear the place apart.”
“Yes, sir.”
His subordinates entered the building.
Noisy sounds of searching echoed for a while, but the report that came back was disappointing.
“No one's here.”
“What?”
“Mr. Giuliano! There are tire tracks here!”
Giuliano hurried over.
“It looks like they went south.”
“They ran. Go after them immediately! We have to catch them no matter what!”
“Yes, Mr. Giuliano!”
The men got back into their cars.
Giuliano hurried into his own vehicle as well.
* * *
I picked up the remote to watch the House hearing on television.
When I switched to the news channel, the camera was just panning around the hearing room.
The House Financial Services Committee chamber where the hearing was being held was filled with tension.
Even through the television screen, I could feel it, so the atmosphere on site was undoubtedly heavier.
Han Kyungyeong whistled softly.
“The mood is brutal. Makes sense. The framework of the bill is going to depend heavily on today's hearing.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Right. Today will be the turning point.”
This wasn't the final hearing.
There were more than five hearings scheduled in both the Senate and the House.
But beginnings were always the most important.
That was why today's hearing mattered the most.
Every news channel, including CNN, was broadcasting it live.
Chairman Barney Frank struck the gavel and announced the start of the hearing.
—Today, we have gathered to discuss the causes of the Bear Stearns crisis and the response to it. This hearing is an important opportunity to prevent the collapse of the financial system and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
After his remarks, the first witness called was Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
With heavy steps, he took the witness seat and completed the oath.
Fatigue and tension were clearly written across his face.
“He's suddenly aged overnight.”
Han Kyungyeong laughed, and I laughed with him.
—Secretary Paulson, how would you explain the collapse of Bear Stearns?
Congressman Frank asked.
Paulson adjusted the microphone and answered calmly.
—Bear Stearns faced a severe liquidity crisis due to the collapse of the subprime mortgage market. They attempted to secure cash through massive asset sales, but they lost market confidence and their stock price plummeted.
Frank nodded.
—Then why did the Treasury decide to rescue Bear Stearns?
After a brief pause, Paulson answered.
—The collapse of Bear Stearns could have had severe repercussions across the entire financial system. Had we not intervened, other financial institutions could have collapsed in succession. Therefore, we mediated JPMorgan Chase's acquisition of Bear Stearns. Though ultimately, it failed.
After his testimony, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was called.
He placed his prepared statement on the table, completed the oath, and sat down.
—Chairman Bernanke, could you explain the role of the Federal Reserve?
—The Federal Reserve's primary mission is to maintain the stability of the financial system.
He spent a long time explaining the significance of the Federal Reserve.
—Doesn't the Federal Reserve bear responsibility for Bear Stearns' bankruptcy risk?
—When Bear Stearns first encountered liquidity problems, we provided liquidity and worked to restore confidence in the markets. But there is no longer anything the Federal Reserve can do alone.
Only Bernanke's calm voice echoed through the room.
—We must respond swiftly to prevent the collapse of Bear Stearns from spreading to other major financial institutions. This is only a short-term solution, but it will play an important role in preventing the collapse of the financial system. After putting out the immediate fire, legislation must be organized and passed...
After Bernanke, New York Federal Reserve President Tim Geithner and numerous related officials also testified.
As testimony continued, lawmakers fired sharp questions, examining the severity of the crisis and the appropriateness of the response.
The tension in the hearing room only intensified.
Looking at the face of Bear Stearns Chairman and CEO Jimmy Cayne as he entered the witness stand, I said,
“Now the real game begins.”
If everything up until now had been the preliminary round, this was the true start.
Cayne sat down with a grim expression and completed the oath.
—Mr. Cayne, could you explain the internal situation at Bear Stearns?
At Frank's question, Cayne answered heavily.
—Bear Stearns had excessive exposure to the subprime mortgage market and failed to secure sufficient capital. This led to the liquidity crisis. We attempted multiple asset sales, but the market turned its back on us.
Frank asked sternly,
—Then why did you take on so much risk?
After a moment of silence, Cayne answered.
—...We believed the upward trend in the market would continue, and we accepted risk in pursuit of higher returns. Ultimately, that judgment proved wrong.
The room fell silent for a moment.
It was testimony acknowledging that this wasn't merely a problem with the financial system—it was ultimately the result of their own failed investments.
The questioning continued, digging even deeper.
Cayne didn't avoid any of it and answered honestly.
“What the hell? He's being way too honest. Muhyuk, is this really right?”
“I don't think it's a bad choice. At times like this, it's better to confess everything honestly and hope for salvation.”
I could understand his choice.
The moment they claimed they had done nothing wrong, even public sympathy would turn against them.
—Mr. Cayne, who do you believe bears responsibility for the collapse of Bear Stearns?
Cayne remained silent for a moment.
Then, after a deep sigh, he answered.
—I believe that as Chairman of Bear Stearns, I must bear ultimate responsibility for this crisis. Our decisions and management brought about this disaster, and that responsibility lies with me.
The room fell silent.
In a heavy voice, Cayne continued.
—Therefore, I have decided to step down as Chairman of Bear Stearns. This will be the first step toward providing a better future for the company, the markets, and our shareholders.
The hearing room became deathly quiet.
Cayne's declaration shocked everyone.
Reporters hurriedly scribbled notes, and lawmakers began whispering among themselves.
“Trying some cheap trick to run away.”
He said he was taking responsibility and resigning, but that was no different from announcing that he was abandoning a sinking ship.
