Chapter 295: Wouldn’t It Be Great If It Had Been Like This From the Start?

I scrutinized Philip’s face. He looked slightly flustered but quickly masked it with a puzzled expression.

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m completely out of the loop on this matter. Although I receive reports, Alex orchestrates all the details. If you misunderstand that I sold the boss’s information…”

I interrupted Philip’s lengthy explanation by showing my open palm.

“Misunderstanding…”

Setting down my cup of black tea, I tapped my fingers rhythmically on the table.

An awkward silence filled the living room, broken only by the sound of my fingers drumming on the table.

“I already know you sold my information and movements. This isn’t mere suspicion—it’s certainty. If you continue to feign ignorance, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

Ignoring Philip’s panicked attempt to respond, I raised two fingers.

“Philip, I’m giving you two options.”

I folded one finger down.

“Either confess honestly about who approached you, when, how, and what information was passed, or you can take your own life right here.”

Philip’s face turned pale. I folded down the last finger.

“If you keep pretending you don’t know, you, along with your family, will all die.”

“You’re insane!”

Philip shot up from his seat, shouting.

Manager Ma placed a hand on his shoulder and firmly pressed down.

“Kuh, kuh!”

The pressure from Manager Ma’s grip made Philip involuntarily let out a small groan.

He had no choice but to sit back down without any resistance.

“It’s a simple problem.”

“…I have never sold anything.”

“That is not the answer you should be giving.”

I could see Philip’s eyes wavering. I asked again.

“What will it be?”

“I, I…”

“I hope you’re not saying you didn’t sell it.”

Biting his lip, Philip swallowed hard, his head hanging low.

“No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense. Someone like Alex should have been in charge. You seemed rational, so I thought you’d understand that.”

“…”

“Are you holding a grudge or something? If not, what reason do you have to hand over my information to someone else? I wondered if you were intending to come to Black Bear from the beginning. Observing your surroundings, I noticed several oddities.”

Philip’s once-pale hands trembled, now completely white.

“Come on, Philip. Make your choice. What are you going to do?”

I lifted my cup of black tea again, leaning back against the sofa.

Frowning, I watched as Philip remained silent for a long stretch.

I didn’t want to share space with a fool who couldn’t seize an opportunity when given it.

“You should leave. This was your choice, so don’t hold it against me later.”

I gestured towards Manager Ma, who was standing behind Philip.

“Boss, that…”

“There won’t be a second chance. If you have something to say, speak to Manager Ma.”

Manager Ma took Philip and exited the room.

While pondering over my black tea, the door opened once more, revealing Han Gyeong-yeong.

“Why does Philip look like he’s seen a ghost?”

In response to his puzzled question, I replied with an indifferent expression.

“No idea. Maybe he’s not feeling well.”

“Well, he should take better care of himself.”

Han Gyeong-yeong clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he took a seat.

“Care for a cup of black tea?”

“Nah, I just had one. By the way, I’ve heard Ellen is starting today—should I just let her go?”

“She’s starting already?”

“She said she wants to normalize the club as soon as possible. When I had dinner yesterday, she and Aili were discussing how to change the club.”

At least one person seemed to have been a good choice. If she cares about the team, she’ll manage it well unlike Taylor.

“Got it. Since we don’t know how Taylor will respond, send security personnel. I’ll go to the club house today and give some support.”

“Okay, boss. And you?”

“I have someone to meet today.”

“Oh? Who is it?”

I smiled coolly.

“Murdoch.”

After a bit of casual conversation, Han Gyeong-yeong headed off to the club house.

Left alone in the hotel, I tried to organize my chaotic thoughts. As the sun set and darkness deepened,

“Boss, Murdoch is here.”

“Oh, really? Let’s go.”

I set the documents I was looking through aside and stood up.

As I stepped outside with Manager Ma, I saw Murdoch waiting with his secretary.

“Murdoch, it’s been a while.”

I greeted him casually, prompting him to turn his head.

Upon realizing it was me, his face contorted into a grimace.

“Why do you look so terrifying? Aren’t you here to have a chat?”

I smiled and took the seat of honor. Almost immediately after sitting down, Murdoch opened his mouth.

“We’re not exactly on friendly terms, are we?”

“Is that so? I thought we could be friends, but it seems I was mistaken.”

“Heh, do you really think you have the right to say that? My son is hurt! He’s in a situation where I can’t determine if he’s alive or dead!”

“That happened?”

“What?”

Murdoch spoke like a ruffian, seemingly either dazed or had no intention of maintaining manners.

But I had no need to pick a fight with him over that. It was he, not I, who would be in trouble.

“I wasn’t aware such a thing occurred. I sincerely hope your son recovers swiftly.”

“Hey, Mr. Kim.”

I suppressed my smile in the face of Murdoch’s deathly glare.

Then, leaning slightly forward, I locked eyes with him as I spoke.

“I’m not sure what you want to hear, but don’t get too pushy. If you’re here to surrender, do it quietly. But if you’re thinking of maintaining your pride, you can just get up and leave. I won’t care either way.”

“…”

I could feel Murdoch stiffen. I needed to ensure he didn’t think he was in control.

“I warned you. Though I offered you a chance, you decided to continue playing games, didn’t you? Do you think heaven is punishing you now?”

I glared at him, smirking slightly.

As my chilling words continued, Murdoch swallowed hard.

“It was you who harassed and oppressed people using the weapon of media. I clearly stated that I didn’t want my story to circulate among others.”

“People have a right to know…”

His relentless chatter made me involuntarily chuckle.

“Listen, Murdoch. Don’t play word games with me. Right to know? What reason is there for people to know me? Am I a politician or a celebrity? What impact have I had on their lives that makes my identity worthy of their concern?”

That right to know seems to just be a common excuse used by media outlets worldwide.

Suddenly, the owner of Goryeo Daily flashed through my mind. He, too, was a person who manipulated public opinion for his own gain.

And in the end, that man had also collapsed at my feet.

“You can leave if you’re going to spout nonsense.”

My irritation surged because of Murdoch trying to justify himself with absurd rhetoric.

With contempt in my eyes, Murdoch couldn’t even meet my gaze properly.

“Just tell me if you’d like to be friends or enemies. That’s all I need to know.”

I adjusted my posture and awaited Murdoch’s reply.

“…I understand. I’ll delete all reports regarding Mr. Kim. And I won’t investigate him again.”

After a prolonged silence, Murdoch finally spoke up.

I couldn’t help but smile widely at his response.

“Wouldn’t it have been great if it had been like this from the start? I have no intention of becoming enemies with you, Murdoch.”

“…”

I lifted the warm teapot and filled both cups with black tea.

Handing one cup to Murdoch, I said,

“As a gesture of friendship, I’d like to give you a gift. Would you accept it?”

“A gift?”

“The only daily newspaper currently held in the U.S. is the New York Post, right? Am I correct?”

“That’s true, but…”

Murdoch accepted the cup with a hesitant expression. I met his gaze with a friendly smile.

“I’ll help you acquire the Wall Street Journal. If you need cash, I’ll provide it. If you need muscle, I’ll supply that too. If you need a politician, I can even arrange for one.”

“Is that true?”

Murdoch owned the New York Post, one of America’s leading daily newspapers.

However, it wasn’t exactly a reputable publication but rather a yellow press. There was a saying that if The Sun existed in the UK, then New York had the New York Post.

His inability to own a proper media outlet was Murdoch’s only weakness.

But owning the Wall Street Journal was a different matter.

Along with the New York Times and Washington Post, it was one of the three major powerhouses in the U.S. Its image and influence were incomparable.

Even though Murdoch managed to acquire it in 2007, I intended to expedite that timeline.

“Of course. Why would I need to boast against the chairman? If you need money, Dream High will provide sufficient funds. We have no interest in the media; you’ll manage that on your own.”

It seemed Murdoch had already abandoned thoughts of his child’s safety. His face now clearly displayed urgency.

“How are you planning to carry this out? The owner of the Wall Street Journal won’t just hand it over that easily, will he?”

His tone returned. Cautiously, he asked me, still maintaining his usual politeness.

“Currently, the three major media outlets are News Corporation owned by you, Time Warner, and Walt Disney Company, correct?”

“That’s right. And it’s true that News Corporation is the smallest of the three.”

Murdoch’s face reflected bitterness. It was a scale unworthy of someone labeled the media king.

Moreover, as time passed, he’d also lose the title of the three major media outlets.

“Though acquiring Walt Disney will be tough, we must at least snag Time Warner. Don’t you think?”

Teasing Murdoch’s ambitions poked the fired-up beast within him, revealing his desire.

“That’s right. Time Warner is definitely a catch we need!”

“Pump in whatever amount you need, mobilize all your resources to maximize your scale. Of course, you’ll receive shares commensurate with your investment. However, so long as you remain my friend, those shares will forever be a token of goodwill.”

This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. I took time to contemplate it after meeting Murdoch.

The power of media only grows over time.

Even as printed news fades and the plethora of online news outlets burgeon, the influential names of daily newspapers never disappear.

If I could freely sway Murdoch, there’d be no need to struggle to acquire a media outlet.

“If you do that, I’ll become your eternal friend.”

Murdoch spoke in a steady voice. He stood and reached out his hand to me.

“Will you take my hand?”

As Murdoch extended his hand while gazing at mine, he stood up. Our hands met, cold and clammy.

“I would, Mr. Kim.”

“From now on, just call me Charlie.”

“Okay. Charlie.”

Maintaining our handshake, I leaned closer to Murdoch, whispering in his ear, just like last time.

“Now that we’ve shaken hands, there’s no betrayal. If you disappoint me, you’ll find out this incident was just harmless compared to the suffering I inflict on betrayers.”

The expressionless words made Murdoch tremble.

I squeezed his trembling hand before letting it go, wearing a friendly smile.

“Now we’re friends. Why don’t we have a drink together and discuss the future?”

I looked over at Manager Ma.

“Bring the best and most expensive liquor the hotel has to offer.”

“Understood, boss.”

Manager Ma signaled to his waiting subordinate.

“Let’s sit again.”

“Yes, yes.”

Knowing I was revisiting my earlier warning, Murdoch’s entire body was taut.

How this timid old man intended to approach me remained unclear.

“You don’t look happy. Cheer up. It’s a nice day, isn’t it?”

Shortly after, the ordered liquor and the hotel manager entered.

“This is the finest wine we have in our hotel.”

“Is this the most expensive one?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“I’m not a big fan of wine, but since it’s your favorite, we’ll go with this today. Is that alright?”

Murdoch forced a smile, finally nodding.

“Set everything up and then leave.”

The manager placed the snacks on the table with his staff.

The accompanying sommelier uncorked the wine bottle and filled both my and Murdoch’s glasses.

Once they all left the room, I raised my wine glass first.

“The aroma is excellent. I may not know much about wine, but this definitely seems to be quality.”

Mimicking me, Murdoch also lifted his glass.

“It is indeed good wine. There aren’t even a hundred bottles left worldwide.”

“If that’s what you, the wine enthusiast Murdoch, say, then it must be true. Here’s to our future.”

Our glasses clinked together with a cheerful sound.