Free Web NovelXavier merely watched the two men argue, his eyes suggesting he knew everything.
"From what we've managed to grasp..."
"David. That's enough."
Nace reacted sharply.
Clicking his tongue at Nace's response, David said,
"You still haven't truly grasped the seriousness of this crisis. If it was merely investments, we could withdraw in moderation. But once you've become owners of banks, you can't just pull out whenever you like."
"..."
"Isn't the Rothschild Family in an even worse situation than mine? Do you think this will end with America? It'll spread from America to Europe, and then to Asia. So you'd better lay everything on the table and discuss countermeasures. Our two families will suffer the greatest losses."
Xavier, who had only been listening, joined the conversation.
"David. That's enough."
"But, Lord Leader..."
"The Rothschild Family effectively owns two banks holding Federal Reserve shares."
"Lord Leader!"
Nace stared at Xavier in shock.
But Xavier continued firmly.
"Isn't this no longer something we can hide? Now is the time for us to be honest and cooperate. The Rothschilds and Rockefellers are important families to us. So stop hiding secrets. We need to overcome this crisis together."
David looked at Nace with a tense expression.
"Two banks? Is that possible?"
"...I merely inherited it from my ancestors. They say our family was deeply involved when the Federal Reserve was created."
"I knew that much."
"The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve used every means possible to reduce our influence. Thanks to that, your Rockefeller Family was able to expand its own influence over the Fed."
David hurriedly defended himself.
"That wasn't intentional."
"I understand. Anyway, our family had no intention of giving it up, so we maintained ownership through methods similar to yours."
"...Amazing. Did you know this, Lord Leader?"
Xavier nodded.
"Naturally. I helped arrange it myself."
"I see..."
David nodded in understanding before turning to Nace.
"Now you understand, Nace? How serious our situation is? Just because the Rothschild Family owns two major banks with Federal Reserve shares doesn't mean you're safe. Those banks themselves could be in danger. Bear Stearns is only the beginning. This will become a global financial crisis."
After a moment of silence, Nace let out a deep sigh and nodded.
"Very well. Then let's discuss countermeasures."
Watching them with satisfaction, Xavier spoke again.
"First, I already have several plans."
He spent a long time explaining them.
After hearing everything, both men nodded.
After thinking for a moment, David asked first.
"Moving the Federal Reserve and obtaining support is fine. But without the government's approval, the Fed can't support only us independently."
"I know. We'll have to negotiate directly with the U.S. government. We need to honestly explain our situation and request every possible form of support."
"If the government learns that our family effectively owns banks through loopholes, they won't sit still."
The Rockefeller Family had begun with Standard Oil.
They amassed enormous wealth through oil.
Their business had become so successful that they practically monopolized the global oil market.
But the U.S. government didn't simply watch.
It enacted antitrust laws and made the Rockefeller Family the first victim.
Standard Oil was broken into numerous smaller companies, weakening their influence.
Since then, the Rockefellers publicly focused on philanthropy.
But behind the scenes, they entered Valtice and used its support to manipulate the American economy from the shadows.
"We're in the same situation. Our involvement in establishing the Federal Reserve was too extensive, so the U.S. government and politicians dislike us taking center stage."
Both David and Nace voiced their concerns.
The Rockefeller Family had lost the government's trust after violating antitrust laws.
The Rothschild Family was no different.
If it became public that the two families effectively controlled banks holding Federal Reserve shares, the government would undoubtedly attack them.
Naturally, Xavier understood their concerns.
But he insisted that negotiations with the government were necessary to overcome the crisis.
"We can't hide any longer. We must reveal everything and seek support if we wish to survive. Of course, we may not know what penalties we'll receive in return."
As Xavier said, if it became known that the two families had indirectly influenced the Federal Reserve, public opinion and government criticism would be unavoidable.
"We could pour in all our capital and endure this crisis ourselves. But why should we? If we can secure the complete support of the Federal Reserve and the government, we can minimize risk and even expand our influence by taking advantage of the crisis. Therefore, it's right to reveal the cards in our hands."
David let out a deep sigh before finally nodding.
"Very well. But the government might punish us. As the culprits behind this crisis."
Though still worried, both David and Nace showed their agreement with Xavier's proposal.
With satisfaction, Xavier continued.
"Of course, if you confess everything, the government won't leave us untouched. We won't avoid severe punishment after it becomes known that you've effectively owned banks holding Federal Reserve shares."
David muttered worriedly,
"Then we'll all suffer severe damage."
"But there is a way to minimize it. We simply throw someone else to the government as a sacrifice."
At the mention of another sacrifice, both men's eyes lit up.
"A sacrifice?"
"Yes. Dreamhigh, which constantly interferes with our affairs, and Kim Muhyuk, the true owner behind Dreamhigh. We throw him to the wolves."
"Dreamhigh..."
As the two fell into thought, Xavier's words slithered into them like a snake.
"We simply accuse them before the government of violating Federal Reserve guidelines and engaging in illegal activities. You confess that you owned those banks, but claim that this financial crisis wasn't caused by your families. Rather, Kim Muhyuk and Lorenze of the Medici Family conspired together..."
Xavier spent a long time explaining exactly how Dreamhigh would become the scapegoat.
"If it succeeds, attention will shift away from us. But it won't be easy. We've investigated Dreamhigh, Kim Muhyuk, and Dreamhigh's CEO James Han countless times. No matter how much we dug, there was never any dirt."
David considered himself the foremost expert on Dreamhigh.
Dreamhigh did nothing that could be used against it.
Whenever the IRS demanded taxes, they paid every cent without exception.
Numerous audits had only uncovered minor accounting issues. No major wrongdoing had ever surfaced.
"Everything has already been proceeding step by step. The beginning..."
As Xavier explained his plan, David and Nace's eyes widened.
* * *
The hearings continued, starting with the House of Representatives.
But after the first hearing, I stopped watching them live.
Eva's insurance claims under the CDS contracts were far more important.
Through five investment firms, she had requested confirmation from the ISDA that a credit event had occurred.
Once the ISDA's official determination came out, the auction process would begin immediately.
After the auction results, payment requests could be submitted.
"When do you think the ISDA will issue its decision?"
I visited Dreamhigh headquarters and sat with Han Kyungyeong.
"They're dragging their feet regarding Bear Stearns CDS contracts. Normally, it takes two to four weeks, but complicated cases like this can take over two months."
"What's complicated? The default sequence is already obvious."
"Bear Stearns is probably asking the ISDA to delay as much as possible. Politicians are already paying attention, so the ISDA can't make an easy decision."
Without taking his eyes off the documents, Han Kyungyeong shrugged.
"Unless Bear Stearns files for bankruptcy outright."
"So it's a question of which comes first, the chicken or the egg."
Whether Bear Stearns filed for bankruptcy first, or whether our insurance claims accelerated its collapse.
"I should meet the credit rating agencies."
Han Kyungyeong stopped working and looked at me.
"I don't think that's a good idea. They're one of the culprits behind this mess. It could become a problem later. Right now, it's best to let things unfold naturally."
I knew his advice was sound.
But after Lorenze's sudden attack, anxiety had been creeping up inside me.
Han Kyungyeong stood up and sat beside me on the sofa.
"You want them to downgrade Bear Stearns further, don't you?"
I nodded.
He frowned slightly.
"Muhyuk. Don't go looking for trouble. Artificially interfering now isn't good. People already hate the rating agencies enough."
His gentle voice was filled with concern.
I decided to follow his advice.
"All right. I guess I was getting impatient."
"Let things follow their natural course. Besides, this insurance claim has nothing to do with us. It's better not to get involved."
I gave a bitter smile.
Seeing that, concern deepened in his eyes.
"You've seemed impatient lately. What's wrong? This isn't like Kim Muhyuk."
I couldn't answer.
Too many futures I knew had already changed.
Perhaps because my greatest advantage was gradually disappearing, impatience had begun to grow inside me.
As Han Kyungyeong said, this wasn't like me.
"I think you've brought me back to my senses, hyung."
"Really? That's good. Want to go to a party today? When your head's full, it's good to enjoy yourself once in a while. You work too much. Hillary's holding a fundraising party tonight, and Wall Street's making a huge event out of it."
"Hillary?"
"Yeah. Most of Wall Street's major investors will attend. Whether they support Hillary or not."
I'd wanted to meet Hillary anyway.
This was a good opportunity.
When I nodded, Han Kyungyeong checked his watch.
"If we're going, we'd better get ready soon. Have you settled things in Europe?"
"No. I'm still thinking."
"Don't make it too complicated. Just do things the Kim Muhyuk way."
"My way..."
Every word of Han Kyungyeong's advice sank into my heart.
Wall Street Hotel in Manhattan, New York, was lively once again.
Luxury limousines lined the entrance, and bellboys welcomed guests politely.
Major figures and donors from Wall Street arrived one after another through the night to meet Hillary Clinton, who was being touted as the next president.
Han Kyungyeong and I also waited for a long time before finally getting out at the hotel entrance.
[Hillary Clinton Fundraising Party]
A dazzling sign decorated the entrance.
"That's a crazy crowd. Do you come to places like this all the time, hyung?"
"Wall Street desperately needs the Democrats' support, so naturally everyone's excited. The donations tonight are going to be enormous."
Talking with Han Kyungyeong, I entered the hotel.
