Chapter 119: Am I Just a Fool?

The U.S. was no different from Korea.

In the name of bailouts, they propped up Wall Street, which had been operating recklessly, ultimately inflating the time bomb of the impending Lehman crisis.

The only difference between them and Korea was that they had the ridiculous ability to print dollars at will.

For Washington, choosing bailouts was a politically burdensome move due to public opinion.

“This is not a decision I can make alone. Can you give me some time?”

“Sure. But please make a decision within a week. The losses will only keep piling up. Mass redemptions from the fund will continue, and the longer you delay, the greater the risk of bankruptcy will become.”

“I understand. I’ll contact you after consulting with the Federal Reserve. Next time we meet, let’s have a glass of wine and discuss this more.”

“It’ll be my pleasure.”

In the end, they parted without reaching any agreement.

But I had thrown a small stone into their pond, leaving the eventual choice in their hands.

Whether the banks’ consortium acquired 90% of the shares and guaranteed management rights or handed everything over to me, the outcome would be the same.

“You really know how to ask for money in an interesting way. They make it sound like they’re taking credit using our funds without bearing any burdens.”

That was Han Gyeong-yeong’s reaction after hearing the conversation with Rubin.

It wasn’t entirely wrong, and I just laughed.

“LTCM’s assets are not something to be overlooked. Contracting derivative products is not that simple. Geniuses will always be geniuses.”

“Just how much leverage have they applied? Over a trillion dollars?”

Nodding, Han Gyeong-yeong clicked his tongue.

“If that goes wrong, we could all be facing quite a disaster.”

“As long as we have enough capital to endure, we’ll easily surpass a 100% return, so don’t worry.”

“True, you’ve never been wrong before, Mu-hyeok. Let’s see how it goes. Want to grab a drink tonight?”

“No, I have plans for dinner.”

“You really do live a busy life. What about the old-timers at Wall Street?”

“They can handle it themselves.”

Although the Wall Street chairs expressed a desire to meet me, they were people with nothing good to gain from entangling with me.

No matter what financial crisis occurred, the people of Wall Street never took responsibility.

Even if a nation fell into ruin or the New York financial market collapsed or if the U.S. teetered on the brink of bankruptcy.

‘Right, I’m no different.’

Their own greed always took precedence.

“Do you meet with Eric often?”

“We don’t see each other often because of the distance, just occasionally?”

“You don’t have any support left now, right?”

“Now that we have a contract with the U.S. government, the money flow has come to an end. Considering how much went in there, it’s time to earn some back.”

I patted Han Gyeong-yeong’s shoulder as he grumbled.

“Once the schedule in the U.S. is over, let’s head to Korea. After that, I’ll take a trip to Russia, so finish the negotiations with Jungwoo Group and wrap up the main contract.”

“I’ve got a rough outline. If I sell off a few subsidiaries and get some debts written off, the actual money going in will be almost nothing.”

“Wasn’t the acquisition fund the issue? It’s just that there was a lot of money spent on delisting. If the situation hadn’t been like this, delisting would have been impossible.”

After chatting with Han Gyeong-yeong for a while, I got up.

“You’re still buying stocks in Il-sung and Daehyeon, rightt?”

“I’m diversifying. I’m buying shares wherever they’re listed.”

“Make sure you secure over half of the liquid supply.”

“Got it. I’m working on it slowly.”

“Then see you at home later.”

Next, I headed to the restaurant run by Andrew Gigante for our meeting.

“Hey! Brother!”

Andrew welcomed me warmly.

“Andrew, it’s been a while. We’ve spoken on the phone occasionally but it’s been a while since we met like this?”

“It’s been over a year.”

“How’s business been treating you?”

“We’re always the same. Can’t really do business with the FBI watching over us.”

When I first met Andrew, he had a heavy and imposing demeanor, but now he treated me more casually since we had become friends.

“You’ve been parked for too long. Just sit down already.”

“Sure.”

As I sat, Andrew summoned a waiter to order wine.

“Is wine okay with you?”

“Yes, if it’s just a casual drink.”

“Wine is no real drink. We’ll have to drink properly next time. A man should drink vodka.”

Andrew, who had been laughing heartily, suddenly sobered and looked at me.

“What kind of work did you do in Japan?”

“Just a small revenge. Did it cause you any trouble? I might have dropped your name a bit.”

“Do you think the Japanese mob could cause us harm?”

Andrew said that with a mock offensive tone, and I just laughed.

While the incomes of the American mob and the Japanese Yakuza may be similar, Andrew probably knew all that without needing to say.

“I did get a contact from them. The Yamaguchi-gumi?”

“Yes. I cut them in half. They’ll end up fighting among themselves.”

“Nevertheless, they reached out. Asking why I intervened.”

“Intervened? Not at all. I slipped them some cash, and they started fighting on their own. All I did was speed up the process.”

“I’ve heard they’re the most influential mafia in Japan. Quite skillful too, I see.”

“You’re too kind.”

As I casually shrugged, Andrew chuckled.

“Just be careful. The mafia ultimately seeks money, but if pride gets hurt, that’s when real war breaks out. I told them that I won’t intervene anymore, so you should back off too.”

“Understood.”

“If you’re thinking of taking on Japan, do it properly. I’ll assist you if you need help.”

“Thank you even for just the offer. I merely showed them an example for coming to Korea and causing a mess.”

While drinking, Andrew suddenly recalled something.

“Oh! My father said he wanted to meet you. He mentioned you helped him escape the FBI’s clutches and wanted to say hello.”

Meeting Vincent Gigante, who was at the pinnacle of the American mafia.

He was the only boss of the Five Families who hadn’t gone to prison.

Or rather, I should say he narrowly avoided jail because of me.

“If he’s a friend of yours, I should meet him.”

“Hahaha, a friend, huh? That’s a kind way to put it. In fact, he’s about to arrive soon. Sorry for the sudden visit. I hope you won’t be too surprised. As you know, his mental state isn’t quite stable.”

It was likely him pretending to be mentally ill to deceive the FBI.

But I simply nodded to agree. While it was a restaurant owned by the Gigante family, I couldn’t guarantee its complete safety.

I wondered how long we had been talking over glasses of wine.

Suddenly, a crowd of men entered the previously empty restaurant. Manager Ma and Oliver were on high alert around us.

Andrew waved his hand dismissively.

“Looks like he’s arrived. Relax. He’s just my father’s bodyguard.”

Amidst a palpable tension, a man entered, being supported by someone.

That man was Vincent Gigante, the apex of the American underworld and a father figure to the mafia.

The bodyguards swiftly closed all restaurant windows and drew the curtains.

In that moment, the vacant look in Vincent’s eyes shifted dramatically.

“Are you the Oriental who warned me of my crisis?”

That was Vincent’s first question upon seeing me.

“I only offered a small piece of advice. If it helped, I’m glad to hear it.”

“How did you even know? The FBI took years to prepare for this. How could an Oriental like you know this? You’re not one of their puppets, are you?”

It could be seen as a rational suspicion.

But I felt an odd sense of unease.

‘Is he just overly suspicious?’

Andrew stepped in to mediate.

“Father, he’s the one who warned us without expecting any return. It’s better to drop the suspicion…”

“We have to get to the bottom of this. It’s strange that a stranger like him knew something our organization didn’t. Is that even possible? Don’t you think so, Oriental?”

Did Vincent’s gaze really feel like an exam, or was it just my imagination?

I remarked with interest.

“It was merely a gift of friendship to celebrate my bond with Andrew. I was looking forward to meeting you, but this resembles a local gang more closely than I expected.”

“What did you say?”

“And I’m not just an Oriental; I’m Charlie Kim. Who would feel good being called a white guy all the time?”

The onlookers were taken aback, but I didn’t mind.

“Andrew, I think our friendship might end here. I’ve received plenty of help. Because of you, things with Japan went easily, so let’s just call it a day on this.”

With that, I stood up to leave.

Oliver and Manager Ma surrounded me, keeping watch.

“Sit down. Do you think this is a joke?”

Vincent growled. The bodyguards’ fierce gazes turned toward me.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was so tense you could hear a pin drop.

“It’s quite amusing, this situation.”

From the corner of my eye, I could see Andrew looking distraught.

“I knew about the FBI’s secret operation, but you didn’t. I think you understand what this means better than anyone. You’ve come all the way here just to ask if I’m one of their puppets?”

“······.”

He might have intended to test me, but if he was going to do that, he should look his opponent in the eye.

“I’ll be on my way now.”

Thinking it wise to leave it at that, I turned to exit.

But the bodyguards blocking the restaurant entrance refused to budge.

I shouted toward the back.

“Are you insisting on going all the way with this?”

“······Get out of the way!”

Only after Vincent’s command did the bodyguards part to either side.

“That was a dangerous move, boss.”

Only after I distanced myself from the restaurant did Oliver finally speak up.

Knowing Oliver was all too familiar with the infamous reputation of the American mafia, he had no choice but to be on edge.

“It’s fine. If someone could do something to me in such a public place, they wouldn’t be acting so cautiously while pretending to be mentally ill.”

“That was their establishment, boss. The U.S. is different from Korea.”

“I get it. I’ll be more cautious.”

I understood Oliver’s concerns, but it was merely a test.

Had I stayed silent under that treatment, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Vincent again.

“That ended quicker than expected. Let’s head to Han Gyeong-yeong’s place for a drink.”

Oliver nodded to his team, and the car slowly rolled out.

‘There must be a reason for why it happened like that.’

I recalled the look in Vincent’s eyes as I fell into contemplation.

Outside the window, the darkened cityscape of the U.S. blurred past.

* * *

“Father, you made a mistake.”

Andrew chided, but Vincent stared silently at the entrance of the restaurant where Kim Mu-hyeok had exited.

“Andy, how much do you know about Charlie?”

“Pardon?”

“How much do you know about that fellow?”

“He’s a businessman from a country called Korea. But all I know is that he has a grip on the underworld there.”

Vincent snorted.

“He didn’t even flinch at my gaze. A man like that can’t just be an ordinary businessman.”

“Someone who holds the dark side of a nation can’t be easily dealt with.”

“I intended to test him, but it backfired. They say Wall Street and Washington are keeping an eye on him. Unlike us, he’s moving even within legitimate circles.”

“He seems to be quite close to Steve too.”

“You should steer clear of family matters and move with that man in the open as much as possible. The money may come from the mafia, but don’t get your hands dirty.”

“How many times have I told you I have no interest in these organization affairs?”

Andrew had no intention of inheriting the mafia’s work.

“That’s why it’s necessary to prepare. If you don’t inherit my position, someone else who sits this place will likely try to kill you.”

Though Vincent’s words were cruel, they were reality.

“Father.”

“If I get caught this time, whether you like it or not, you’ll have to take charge of the organization. That man could become a lifeline for us.”

“But why did you act that way just now?”

Andrew utterly failed to understand his father’s contradictory nature.

“Before entrusting your life, you need to understand who he is first.”

“It’s already awkward between us now.”

In response, Vincent chuckled softly and shook his head.

“No, you said, ‘Did you come all the way here to ask if I’m just a puppet?’. You already knew I was testing you. If something like that could cut off our link, I must’ve misjudged you.”

Vincent once again gazed towards the entrance where Kim Mu-hyeok had left. His eyes leamed with interest.

* * *

After that, my schedule in the U.S. went by smoothly.

I even met Steve Jobs, who had just returned to Apple.

Apple, on the brink of collapse, had ultimately reached out to Steve Jobs for help.

“I guess it’s time to invest in Apple stock?”

“Dream High is already one of Apple’s top four shareholders.”

“Being one of the top shareholders isn’t enough. It’s bound to become the best company in the U.S.”

Jobs’s return would no doubt lead Apple to recovery.

“I need to impress you with this. If you don’t want to be chased out, that is.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Jobs, who was joking around.

The prickly persona commonly associated with him was nowhere to be seen.

“Just wait. I’ll soon turn your imagination into reality. I may not be able to fit a computer into a phone right now, but I’ll create something that opens up a new world.”

Confidence radiated from Jobs as he spoke boldly.

“If it’s you, Steve, you’ll be able to make anything happen.”

Just as my schedule in the U.S. neared its end, I finally got a message from Secretary Rubin.

― Today, I’d like to meet at the place where we met last time.

“Certainly.”

It was time to bring LTCM into my grasp.

But he returned with results that exceeded my expectations.