Chapter 746: It’s Not as Easy as I Thought

George Soros, provoked, glared at me fiercely.

But I simply shrugged and turned away.

There was no reason to waste any more words on him.

George Soros was already a lackey of my enemy, with whom I had an irreconcilable feud.

Leaving George Soros standing there, I moved toward the center of the party.

Small groups of people were chatting and drinking wine.

Then, Han Gyeong-yeong spoke up.

“I’m going to go greet those old geezers on Wall Street. Don’t cause any trouble and stay quiet.”

“What do you think I am a kid? Don’t worry and go ahead.”

“Hmm…”

When I nodded as if telling her to go, Han Gyeong-yeong looked at me suspiciously.

Seriously. Who do they take me for? I pushed Han Gyeong-yeong away and gestured towards the crowd.

“I really won’t cause any trouble.”

“Alright. I’ll be nearby. I’ll be back soon.”

Han Gyeong-yeong, still looking doubtful, moved toward where Warren Buffett was.

I took a wine glass from a staff member’s tray as I wandered through the hall.

Spinning the wine glass, I looked around and spotted a few familiar faces.

I didn’t really feel like greeting anyone so I was just sipping my wine when I sensed someone behind me. Turning around I saw a familiar face.

“Charlie.”

“Jessica. It’s been a while.”

“Indeed. You were so eager to contact me when you needed something…”

“We’re not exactly close friends who exchange personal greetings.”

I chuckled as I replied to Jessica, who was pouting.

Then, as if she had nothing to say, Jessica sighed deeply instead of answering, came next to me, hooked her arm through mine and whispered.

“Can we talk somewhere quietly, just the two of us?”

“Talk?”

“It’s important.”

I nodded and followed her lead.

When we arrived at a secluded corner away from the crowd, Jessica let go of my arm and said,

“I heard your relations with China aren’t so good?”

“Everyone seems to know that.”

“Did you forget who I am? More importantly, do you know that the Korean Government asked for our help?”

I already knew that President Yoon Chang-ho had requested U.S. assistance in the diplomatic dispute with China.

When I nodded, Jessica rolled her eyes as if she was in a predicament.

“But…Washington probably won’t get involved this time.”

“Hmm…”

I’d already anticipated it.

As long as Valtiche was backing China, the U.S. Government wouldn’t be eager to make a move.

“And I heard lobbyists from Wall Street got involved. It’s probably the work of people who are hoping for Dream High’s downfall.”

“Dream High’s downfall…”

“You know Dream High is an outlier right? No one likes a nail that sticks out. Other places may be similar, but Wall Street is even worse.”

I knew how the established powers felt about wanting to remove the newcomer.

But was that really the only reason?

When I didn’t say anything, Jessica continued to speak.

“So unless there’s a military clash, the U.S. won’t side with Korea.”

“That’s probably true. The U.S. Government prioritizes U.S. interests.”

“Are you upset about that?”

Jessica asked cautiously when I responded bluntly.

“Not at all. I understand. And I don’t intend to ask for U.S. help this time.”

“You’re really something, Charlie. I expected as much, but you’re still calmer than I thought.”

“But why are you telling me all of this?”

“Because we’re partners. I don’t want to see your downfall, Charlie.”

After saying it so calmly Jessica looked around to make sure no one was nearby and whispered.

“Also, a few days ago, the French Ambassador to China was suddenly replaced. A man named Yorris, who has close ties with Jiang Zemin. They say he went to see Jiang Zemin first, not Hu Jintao, as soon as he arrived in China.”

Just learning this information I didn’t know was a big gain.

“It seems like France has sided with China. I thought you should know.”

“Thanks, I’ve got good information. My intelligence network in China has been having problems.”

“Really? Isn’t Black Bear’s intelligence team better than ours?”

It seems she thinks the information I’ve given her so far is thanks to the Black Bear’s intelligence gathering ability.

But since I gather information based on my past life memories, it only seems superior, and it was hard to overcome the US’s information gathering ability.

Being one step ahead and digging up things you already know was totally different from finding something you didn’t even know existed.

“You’re overanalyzing it.”

“Hmm… well, I’ll believe it since it’s you Charlie. Ah, is the recent wave of corruption articles about China your doing? The yellow press owned by Murdoch keeps releasing articles at this timing.”

“That’s right. I was trying to shake things up from the outside but it isn’t as easy as I thought.”

“It’s China after all. I’ll be rooting for your victory Charlie.”

I smiled quietly as I watched her clench her fist.

“Let’s go back. It’s not good to be away for too long.”

“Okay. Ah, Charlie.”

Just as I turned around, Jessica called out to me as I was about to return to the party.

“You said there’d be a terror attack in the UK right? I found the trail.”

“That’s good.”

“Thanks to you, we’ve managed to put the UK in our debt. Thank you.”

“It was a trade. But don’t let your guard down.”

Jessica smiled slyly, as if saying not to worry.

She really is an ambitious person.

When Jessica and I returned to the party, I saw Han Gyeong-yeong looking around.

She was looking around near where I had been standing earlier.

Han Gyeong-yeong ran towards me when she spotted me.

“Where did you go? And who’s the woman next to you?”

“Hello, I’m Jessica. You must be Dream High’s CEO, James?”

“Ah, yes, I am James.”

Han Gyeong-yeong shook hands with Jessica, who was extending her hand and asked me in a low voice.

“What’s going on? Who is she? Did you hit on her?”

It was Korean, but Jessica was someone who could speak some Korean.

Jessica laughed and replied in Korean.

“No, we were talking about work, James.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you could speak Korean.”

“A little. See you later. I still have people to greet.”

Jessica smiled brightly waved and disappeared and Han Gyeong-yeong poked my side.

“Who is she? Pretty?”

“It’s nothing like that. She is a staff member of the Department of Homeland Security.”

“What? Homeland Security?”

Han Gyeong-yeong looked back at the direction Jessica disappeared in and said.

“She looked young.”

“She’s good at what she does. She’s going to be joining the new National Intelligence Service, probably as a manager.”

“Oh, she must be really good. What were you guys talking about?”

“Let’s talk about the details later.”

It was not something I could easily talk about with so many people around.

Plus, I saw a familiar face walking towards us.

“Charlie.”

“National Security Advisor, it’s been a while.”

“Indeed. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other face to face, though I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I heard you’ve been nominated as Secretary of State. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Condoleezza Rice, after greeting me, shook hands with Han Gyeong-yeong and turned her body and said.

“Let’s go inside. They’re waiting for you.”

Han Gyeong-yeong and I left the party and went inside the mansion.

President Bush and all of his close aides were gathered in the drawing room on the second floor.

“Oh, Charlie! Welcome. Please, have a seat.”

Bush, who greeted us warmly, offered us seats.

“How have you been? I’ve heard news from time to time but it’s been a while since I’ve seen you face to face.”

“I’ve been well thanks to you. Congratulations on your reelection.”

President Bush’s face was full of leisure. It seems like the overwhelming vote difference in this election gave him room to relax.

“I won the first election by a hair, but the second was a landslide. The Democratic Party declared defeat early too.”

I nodded slightly and checked the faces of the people sitting there.

But a person who should have been there was missing.

“Where is Vice President Dick Cheney?”

At the mention of Dick Cheney’s name, Bush’s relaxed expression slightly faltered.

Bush coughed lightly and opened his mouth.

“…The Vice President will not be attending today.”

“That’s unexpected. Aren’t you running mates?”

“We were. But not anymore.”

Not anymore…?

Has he decided to break away from the Neocons?

I looked at Rice and then looked back at President Bush.

“Have you decided to break away from the Neocons?”

President Bush didn’t say anything but everything was clear from his expression.

But wasn’t Condoleezza Rice a Neocon too? Is he only distancing himself from Dick Cheney and not completely cutting all ties yet?

Bush was the one who pulled me out of the various theories I had in my head.

“Enough with the small talk. Why did you request to see me? What is it that you want?”

President Bush got straight to the point.

“What do you mean I want something? I just came to congratulate you.”

“Hah… Don’t play coy. Tell me what you want.”

He really doesn’t believe I came without an agenda.

I shrugged as I looked at President Bush.

“I plan to attack the New York Times. But…”

When I paused, Bush gestured for me to speak.

“It has to do with the Iraq War, so I came to tell you in advance.”

“It has to do with the Iraq War? What is it?”

“Yes. I plan to attack Judith Miller.”

“What?”

Shocked, Bush loosened his crossed legs and leaned towards me.

“It’s currently being investigated by a special prosecutor, right? I plan to escalate that further.”

“…How much do you know?”

“I know that Chief of Staff Lewis Libby was leading it. I don’t know if the President is involved, but at least the Vice President was aware.”

When I spoke calmly, President Bush ran a hand down his face.

It was an incident that would later be called the Leak Gate Scandal.

It was something that caused huge repercussions even in my previous life.

In both the American media and political circles.

“I know they’re currently investigating Matt Cooper and Judith Miller, asking them to reveal their sources.”

“…I’m going crazy.”

“Judith Miller is being portrayed as a journalist oppressed by the government. But that’s all lies. Miller is close to not only Libby but also…”

I said as I looked at the man sitting in front of me.

“She’s also a journalist who maintains a good relationship with Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove.”

Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, surprised that his name came up, stammered.

“W-What do you mean! What relation would I have with Judith Miller?”

“Didn’t you give several confidential things about the Iraq War to Judith Miller? And Judith Miller wrote articles about the Iraq War in return?”

“…”

“Or am I wrong?”

Then, Bush raised his hand to stop me.

“Enough.”

President Bush looked at me with a hardened expression.

“What do you want? You must be in a very urgent situation to threaten me like this.”

“I only want one thing. Don’t interfere with what I do. The administration will take a hit, but it’s also a good chance to let go of your alliance with the Neocons.”

“…We may have grown distant from the Neocons but it’s not like I’ve completely let go.”

I chuckled.

Even if Bush and Dick Cheney were in a relationship where they were in the same boat, there was no need to stay on a sinking ship.

“If this matter blows up, Vice President Dick Cheney will lose all his power. It’s not a bad thing for the President.”

“But I’ll be taking a hit too.”

“How long are you planning on being called a puppet President?”

The mask on Bush’s face broke at my blunt words.

The media was currently mocking Bush by calling him a figurehead and that Dick Cheney was the real White House.

In such a situation, the fact that the Vice President, his running mate, did not attend the President’s reelection party showed Bush’s will to reduce the power Dick Cheney held.

I had no intention of missing this small crack.

It was not a good choice to become on bad terms with the entire White House, so I planned on only touching the areas I needed to cut away.

“What did you say just now?”

“You can try to stop me but I’ll still blow it up. I’m not asking for permission, I’m telling you.”

“…So you’re saying that you’ll escalate this matter no matter what I say.”

“That’s right. I don’t know how far it will spread. But at the very least, Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and Chief of Staff Libby here will have to step down.”

President Bush’s gaze turned towards Karl Rove.

“Is what Charlie saying true? Karl?”

“No it’s a lie. Why would I…”

“Is that so? Then it’s alright if I blow it up. If you’re innocent, there won’t be any problems, right?”

Karl Rove was about to say something but President Bush stopped him with his hand.

“Think carefully before you open your mouth.”

“…”

Karl Rove closed his mouth tightly at the cold warning.

“Deputy Chief of Staff Karl. Go outside and wait.”

“Mr. President.”

“Do not speak of the conversation that took place here to anyone. If any of the conversation that took place here is leaked out, I will link you to treason.”

Karl Rove froze on the spot.

President Bush, clicking his tongue, spoke to his aides in the room.

“Everyone go out and wait. And Rice, you stay with Karl. He’s probably confused.”

It was a way of comforting him, but in reality, it meant that he was to keep an eye on Karl Rove.

Rice nodded and took Karl outside and the rest of the people also left.

After everyone left, President Bush looked at me with a sharp gaze and asked.

“Alright, let’s hear your plan. How do you plan to do it?”