Chapter 227: Leave No Detail Unattended

Lorenze returned about an hour later.

Left alone in the study, I opened the curtains, noticing the rain had stopped.

“I can’t reveal the exact members. But if we choose to, we could easily lead you to your ruin at any time.”

His words tangled in my mind, causing chaos.

Just then, the phone on my desk rang.

“Hello, this is Kim Mu-hyeok.”

— Boss Kim. How did it go?

It was Medvedev on the line.

He’d likely received a report that Lorenze had left.

“It was better than I expected.”

— Did you find out anything?

“Mentioning the meeting changed the atmosphere instantly. They warned me not to say a word, even if I knew. Killing me would be a piece of cake, at least as far as Putin is concerned.”

I could hear Medvedev swallowing hard on the other end.

— I’ll head to your mansion now.

“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”

I stood up and left the study.

Manager Ma, who had been waiting outside the door, followed me.

I chose the bedroom. Perhaps due to the memories from my Pyeongchang-dong home, I had developed a habit of sitting on the bed, lost in thought.

“Manager.”

“Yes, Boss?”

“There’s a gathering aimed at protecting each other’s wealth. Do you think they truly trust one another?”

The answer was already clear.

But I was curious about Manager Ma’s response.

“Some might truly believe, while others won’t. If they gathered to protect their wealth, wouldn’t that trust shatter if they faced a loss? Especially if it’s due to betrayal from one of their own?”

Manager Ma’s answer wasn’t far off from my own thoughts.

“Just as I suspected. I’ll take a break, let me know when Medvedev arrives.”

“Understood, Boss.”

I gazed out at the garden, trying to untangle my muddled thoughts.

The rain had ceased, but the sky remained heavy with dark clouds, making it look nearly like midnight.

“Yeah, thinking’s a given, isn’t it?”

The more one possesses, the more there is to fear, and with great power comes obvious weaknesses.

I stared at the ominously shifting clouds and let out a sigh.

After a moment, Manager Ma came in to inform me that Medvedev had arrived.

As I made my way to the mansion’s entrance, I saw Medvedev just entering the foyer.

“Welcome.”

“What a lovely home you have.”

Medvedev marveled at his surroundings.

“It was quite a nice mansion to begin with, so I put a bit of effort into decorating it.”

With the rain gone, I decided to stroll through the garden with Medvedev. The fresh smell of wet grass filled the air.

“I gained a great deal during this East Asia trip.”

“Really? I’m glad to hear it went well.”

We crossed the garden and settled at a table in the summer house.

A cool breeze washed over my thoughts, clearing my mind.

“What was Lorenze like in person?”

“I expected the gathering behind the shadows to be sinister, but he acted just like a typical Italian. He asked me how I could succeed without a single investment failing.”

Medvedev nodded in agreement.

“He said he couldn’t disclose the members. For now, I received a proposal for a ceasefire.”

“A ceasefire?”

“He asked me to dissolve all contracts we had with them.”

Medvedev stroked his chin thoughtfully and furrowed his brow.

“I heard the Italian government plans to inject public funds into companies owned by UT Investment Bank and the Medici family.”

“I see.”

“The Italian government is well aware that if the Medici family, which accounts for 50% of the national economy, collapses, it’s the end. I also heard various European banks have agreed to provide financial support.”

“No wonder they seemed so confident.”

There was a reason for the composure Lorenze displayed in his demeanor.

He had likely prepared strategies before coming to see me.

“Are you considering a ceasefire?”

“I’m still pondering my options.”

I could reap significant benefits if I dissolved all current contracts.

To push forward until the end or to finish it here.

“I think it might be wise to stop here. His warning holds truth. They can lead you to your ruin any time, should they choose.”

“This isn’t a fight I started. They picked a fight with me first.”

I suffered enormous losses due to the delayed burst of the bubble, far more than I had anticipated.

I had even begun to entertain the thought of ‘defeat’ for the first time.

Though I had returned with more substantial rewards…

Medvedev seemed to agree with me, nodding.

“It doesn’t matter who started this fight. The winner is still you, Boss Kim.”

Yet, there was concern laced in his voice.

“This group is like a shadowy organization operating in Western Europe. When you don’t know who your enemy is, it’s best to retreat strategically and plan for the future. I will help you ascertain their true members and the scope of their influence.”

He was right.

I nodded slightly.

“Understood. Let’s halt here for now. I’ve already made substantial gains.”

“Wise decision.”

Medvedev smiled, appearing relieved.

The bodyguard brought over the black tea that Medvedev favored.

Medvedev lifted the cup in front of him, inhaling its aroma before asking.

“Was there anything else? It seems unlikely that he would personally act just for the sake of dissolving contracts.”

As I pondered that question until Medvedev arrived at the mansion, I wondered how much I should reveal to him.

With Putin as a friend and political ally, my standing in Russia was solid.

But would they remain with me until the end?

“He was a messenger from that organization. He suggested we meet, likely wanting to know about me.”

I scrunched my face in amusement as I added.

“They’re notorious racists, living in a world dominated by whites. That’s all that occupies their minds.”

According to Lorenze, only whites were part of their group.

When Japan became a global economic power, they discussed whether to add Japanese members to their group.

However, unanimously, they agreed against admitting Japanese individuals.

Instead, they decided to manipulate the U.S. into putting Japan into a recession for over a decade.

‘The constant growth of Asia must have irked them.’

They maneuvered Wall Street’s hyenas to create a currency crisis in East Asia.

Of course, I was the one who reaped the benefits.

In any case, they succeeded in stalling East Asia’s growth.

“That’s certainly true. Just looking at Russia, there are plenty of racists. It’s a bitter reality, but that’s how it is.”

“For now, it felt like reconnaissance. Would they turn me into a complete enemy or bring me to their side?”

Lorenze conveyed his organization’s intentions while subtly expressing his own views.

The ties between them have weakened over time.

“But Putin will never recognize them. That’s likely why they haven’t approached him.”

I nodded subtly as Medvedev reassured me.

“For now, we’ll investigate further. With their identities revealed, Lorenze’s movements can’t escape our scrutiny.”

As Medvedev finished his tea, he set the cup down and remarked.

“Would you like to meet Berezovsky?”

“Berezovsky?”

“Yes. He hopes to meet you. Putin also mentioned he would arrange a meeting if you desired.”

Meeting Berezovsky wouldn’t change much.

Still, I was curious about what he was thinking by requesting to meet.

“I’ll agree to meet once.”

“You can visit Berezovsky’s mansion tomorrow. I’ll inform the agents and soldiers.”

“Understood.”

“Then, I must attend to other matters.”

After escorting Medvedev out, I returned to the study.

After much contemplation, I picked up the mobile phone beside me.

— Hello.

“Brother, are you available to talk?”

— Is that you, Mu-hyeok? Oh, I’m just having a meal and resting.

“Dissolve all contracts held by Future Investment.”

— You want me to tidy up?

“Yes. Everything. Leave no detail unattended.”

— ……….

Han Gyeong-yeong didn’t respond.

Confused, I asked him.

“Why not?”

— Isn’t it a waste to liquidate now? You said there wouldn’t be another opportunity like this for some time.

“You can’t achieve this level of profit in the stock market through options and futures. But the larger the capital you manage, the narrower your margin for movement becomes. Let’s just take a break for now.”

The decline of the New York stock market hadn’t even begun yet. While there were numerous events ahead, too many eyes were focused on Han Gyeong-yeong.

Taking a step back at this point seemed like a good strategy.

“Once you liquidate, come back in. Let’s finish this decisively in Korea.”

— Understood. I’ll liquidate as quickly as possible and head back to Korea.

“Alright. We’ll see each other soon.”

Though Han Gyeong-yeong would be disappointed, this was a matter that needed swift resolution.

I set the mobile phone down and sank back into my chair.

I tried to organize my thoughts regarding the upcoming events.

‘9/11, declaration of war on terror…’

For a moment, I even considered preventing the 9/11 attacks.

But I quickly shook my head.

‘There’s nothing to gain from that.’

The U.S. was just on the cusp of the presidential election.

Bush was almost certain to be the next president, and he was among the lesser influenced by the Jews.

‘The neocons around Bush longed for war.’

Han Gyeong-yeong had contributed a massive sum to the presidential campaign for the Republican candidate, Bush.

There were plenty of connections.

In the U.S. presidential elections, the candidates must raise their own campaign funds.

Han Gyeong-yeong’s generous donations were like a ray of hope for Bush’s campaign.

Thanks to Jewish support, the Democrats would have no concern over campaign funds, allowing me to challenge them.

‘Once the elections are over, I have to visit the U.S. as well. Can’t forget Kim Jong-il’s request.’

The next day, I set off early for Berezovsky’s mansion.

After an hour’s drive, I found armed soldiers and FSB agents lining the exterior of Berezovsky’s residence.

Igor rolled down the car window, exchanged a few words, and the soldiers removed the barricade in front of the mansion’s entrance.

Berezovsky’s estate was large enough that we needed to stay in the car to move beyond the main gate.

Igor exited first, conversing with the FSB agent guarding the main building before returning to the car.

“Only three can enter,” he said.

I nodded and stepped out of the car.

“Manager Ma and Igor, you both come with me.”

We followed the agents inside the house.

Inside the house, there were watchful eyes in every corner. Though it was termed house arrest, it was little different from a prison.

At that moment, Berezovsky appeared from the sitting room, accompanied by an agent.

Berezovsky, after our long separation, looked frail as if he had endured much hardship.