But the problem was—Rupert had sole authority to appoint the chairman.
This was the very bait Rupert had dangled in front of both Harold and Patricia for years.
And it was the position Patricia had dedicated eight years to attaining.
Now, Ha Si-heon said with a smile—
“If you accept my offer, you’ll beco soone who can speak directly with the next president. And you won’t need Rupert or anyone else’s help. It will be entirely by your own power. So… are you still not interested in hearing more?”
"A position where you can connect directly to the president without going through secretaries or advisors. Don't you want sothing like that?"
At Ha Si-heon’s confident declaration, Patricia’s lips twisted.
"Even the Marquis family has to cross countless barriers just to speak with the president."
The position Ha Si-heon referred to was a privilege enjoyed by only a handful of people at the pinnacle of power.
Even the Marquis family, which had invested massive political funds for decades, had failed to obtain it.
And yet, he spoke as if he could offer such a position imdiately.
It could only be seen as bluster.
However, Ha Si-heon’s expression remained relaxed.
"I’m well aware. But if you accept the role of director at the policy institute I ntioned, such privileges will naturally follow."
"A policy institute… you're talking about a think tank, aren’t you?"
There was a hint of mockery in Patricia’s voice.
"Let guess—you’re going to claim that if it becos known for its sharp insight, the president will co to you for advice?"
"That’s correct."
"You’re very naive."
Patricia sighed lightly and continued in a lecturing tone.
"There are about twenty think tanks that can truly influence the president. They’ve built trust over decades and secured unrivaled positions in their fields. It's impossible for a newly founded organization to break into that circle."
A firm statent.
But hearing it, Ha Si-heon’s lips curled into a smooth smile.
"That would be true for your average newcor. But haven’t you overlooked one thing?"
"...?"
"I’ve already predicted several black swans."
Patricia hesitated.
What Ha Si-heon just ntioned was that famous ‘algorithm.’
His algorithm had proven its worth by accurately predicting the Genesis surge and the Ebola outbreak.
However.
"There’s no guarantee that algorithm will continue to hit the mark."
"Hmm. Let’s suppose for a mont that this think tank publishes a report predicting a crash in the Chinese stock market."
The crash of China’s stock market was one of the black swans Ha Si-heon had already disclosed.
A forecast that the world’s economic engine would temporarily co to a halt.
"That would be valuable information for funds and corporations, but..."
Ha Si-heon’s voice grew quieter.
"It would also be critical information for the president. Wouldn’t you agree?"
Patricia’s gaze wavered.
China was Arica’s biggest competitor and a central pillar of the global economy.
If a crisis were expected there, the president would naturally want to be the first to know.
Ha Si-heon didn’t miss her reaction.
"This is just the beginning. This think tank will continue to foresee black swans. Events like Greece applying for a bailout due to national debt, or a key mber of the European Union announcing its withdrawal."
"Those unrealistic scenarios couldn’t possibly..."
"Yes, they seem impossible. But put realism aside for a second and imagine it. Suppose a core country in Europe, like the UK, declares it’s leaving the EU. Or Russia invades a neighboring country?"
A hollow laugh escaped her.
All of it sounded utterly implausible.
Yet Ha Si-heon continued, his soft voice almost hypnotic.
"Just imagine. If there were an institute that churned out these kinds of predictions—how would the world respond?"
At first, a think tank making such outrageous forecasts would undoubtedly be mocked.
But what if those outlandish predictions began coming true one by one?
Patricia unconsciously swallowed hard.
Even though her rational mind told her it didn’t make sense, the future Ha Si-heon was painting vividly surfaced in her mind.
‘If such an institute really existed...?’
A chill ran down her spine.
That would no longer be just a regular think tank.
In a way, it would be sothing far beyond that.
Then, Ha Si-heon’s words echoed in her ear.
"In ancient Greece, there was the Oracle of Delphi. Kings from all nations would seek her counsel."
A being akin to a prophet who could see all—Delphi’s priestess.
If his predictions kept coming true, not only the U.S. president but world leaders would line up at their door.
And she... would be the one in that position?
The dizzying thought made her head spin, but Patricia clung to reason.
"Naturally, this offer doesn’t co without a price."
There’s always a cost to such a groundbreaking proposal.
To this, Ha Si-heon quietly nodded.
"The condition is simple. In the next family council, vote in favor of appointing Gerrard as permanent CEO. Not just you, but with 20% of the extended relatives’ voting rights as well."
The implication of this offer was clear.
"Was this Raymond’s idea?"
"It was."
Ha Si-heon admitted without hesitation.
However, that only deepened Patricia’s confusion.
‘Why…?’
Even if they scraped together external votes, a majority was still out of reach.
Above all, to trade a seat this valuable just for the Marquis family’s voting rights?
The math didn’t add up.
‘There must be another reason—one they’re not telling ...’
Maybe a ploy prearranged between Raymond and Ha Si-heon.
But when her thoughts reached Raymond, she belatedly rembered sothing.
Her original mission.
Though the surprising offer had shaken her, the reason she contacted Ha Si-heon in the first place was to disrupt his alliance with Raymond.
"You’d do well not to trust Raymond too much."
She intended to list out Raymond’s past betrayals and deception.
But Ha Si-heon raised a hand to stop her.
"Raymond and I don’t operate on trust. We’re simply trading favors for mutual gain—at arm’s length. That’s exactly why I’m offering this director position to you, not him."
By expressing wariness toward Raymond, Ha Si-heon blocked her attempts at persuasion, then posed his final question.
"So, will you accept my offer?"
Patricia couldn’t answer right away.
Her mind was tangled with conflicting thoughts.
The temptation of the position Ha Si-heon offered, her original orders to follow Rupert, and the gnawing fear that this might be a trap...
But what concerned her the most was her relationship with Rupert.
If she accepted Ha Si-heon’s proposal, it would effectively sever all ties with Rupert.
Eight years of dedication would go up in smoke.
‘However...’
What she had originally wanted from Rupert was a line to the president.
She had planned to use that as a stepping stone to gradually build her influence and enter politics.
Maybe even run for governor one day.
But the role Ha Si-heon proposed… was on an entirely different level.
The Oracle of Delphi.
A position sought after by world leaders.
Even if only half of his predictions ca true, the think tank would beco one-of-a-kind on the global stage.
And so far, Ha Si-heon’s predictions had never missed.
The temptation was overwhelming.
Yet, it was so imnse that it made her hesitate.
Eventually, she spoke.
"I need ti to think."
"You an you're putting it on hold."
"It’s too sudden, and it’s a major decision."
Ha Si-heon studied her quietly, then nodded slowly.
"I understand. But in that case, I’ll have no choice but to make the sa offer to the next candidate. I hope you understand that ti is short."
Patricia instinctively swallowed hard.
"The next candidate... it’s not Harold, is it?"
"It is."
Her fists clenched.
Regardless of whether this director role was a trap, she couldn’t bear to see it go to Harold.
As if reading her thoughts, Ha Si-heon chuckled softly and continued.
"I’ll give you until this evening. Please let know your decision before the dinner party."
***
On the way to rejoin the group.
Patricia hadn’t accepted my proposal imdiately, but I wasn’t the least bit disappointed.
'It’s better to be cautious.'
The director I was looking for needed to be just that type of person.
If she had accepted the position too readily, I’d have been more reluctant.
It would’ve ant she didn’t fully understand what it entailed.
'Ah, but I forgot to ntion—she’s supposed to start next week.'
I had already decided to establish the think tank and finished all the paperwork months ago.
Now, all that remained was hiring.
Especially, deciding who would take the director position.
From the beginning, I intended to fill that seat with soone from the Marquis family.
The reason was simple.
The ideal person for the position was soone who could utilize existing political connections.
'If I’m going to appoint a priestess, might as well choose one with royal blood.'
The director I had in mind would quite literally beco a modern-day Oracle of Delphi.
But I had absolutely no intention of taking the position myself.
It might look glamorous on the surface, but in truth, it was a grueling job.
'Especially when thinking about the next president.'
The next U.S. president was an impulsive, terrifying headache who would hurl offensive remarks one after another, without ever considering their global impact.
I wanted no part in dealing with that man directly.
More importantly, as soone with black hair, it would be better for many reasons to have a white person in that seat.
I thought about appointing Gerrard...
But I rejected the idea.
Even the CEO position was already overwhelming for Gerrard, and as I said, this one was an extre job.
It would be better for Gerrard to focus on leadership and leave the tedious work to others.
In the end, the list of candidates narrowed to two.
Patricia and Harold.
And Judy strongly recomnded Patricia.
—Patricia is cautious. Above all, since she’s always been excluded from major posts simply because she’s a woman, she has a strong desire to prove herself.
But there was an even more decisive reason why Judy was pushing for Patricia.
—Harold is absolutely not an option. He was born with everything and is arrogant, plus he lacks the ability to read the room. He simply can’t handle sensitive issues.
In short, Harold was just too incompetent.
Still, Judy’s opinion was just a reference.
I planned to judge for myself whether Harold was really as incompetent as she said.
And as it happened, I had the perfect opportunity that afternoon.
I was scheduled to join the first hunting group after lunch.
By lunchti, a spectacular scene unfolded before my eyes.
White canopies lined up neatly across the wide lawn, and underneath them, elegantly set tables had been arranged for a buffet.
The food was a little cold, but not bad.
People were enjoying their als, sharing tales of their morning's challenges like heroic adventures.
To stay in character, I moved with Raymond.
And just as expected, Harold approached near the end of the al.
"Well? How does it feel to join the first group this afternoon?"
"I’d like to, but I’m not sure my skills are up to par."
"No worries. I’ll be your buddy and personally guide you."
Harold volunteered to be my guide himself.
But...
'Here we go again.'
I could see Raymond and Gerrard beside nodding obediently at Harold’s words.
Aren’t they going to stop him?
Shouldn’t they at least look displeased?
Of course, even if they opposed, they couldn’t override Harold’s decision as the master.
Still, they should have voiced at least so objection.
'They’re not usually this dumb.'
It was probably habit.
Following the master was second nature to them now, and they didn’t even pause to think.
Just as I was about to give them a warning glance—
"Then may I also be a buddy?"
Rachel suddenly chid in.
"That won’t be necessary."
Harold replied firmly, but Rachel smiled shyly and added gently,
"Being a buddy cos with a lot of responsibility, and I don’t want to burden you. I’m also a bit tired, so I’d prefer to take it slow. Is that okay?"
Rachel gave a slightly playful look, sothing unusual for her.
It was the kind of look that most n would find hard to say no to.
'But it won’t work.'
Like Patricia, Harold likely had a clear stance.
There was no way he’d accept such a suggestion.
And yet—
"Alright then, let’s have just Rachel co along."
Harold... actually agreed.
Honestly, I was a little stunned.
'He actually allowed it? Did he underestimate Rachel?'
Even if that were the case, it was still an incomprehensible decision.
'Could Judy have been right?'
Her words about Harold’s extre incompetence echoed in my mind.
Until then, I wasn’t entirely convinced...
But that theory hit the mark during the afternoon hunt.
The first group’s hunt was on a whole different level compared to the second group.
The speed was like a sprint, and there were nurous obstacles.
Just keeping up with the pace on horseback after so long was exhausting.
"Rachel should only co near when necessary."
Harold wasn’t a complete fool—he tried to separate Rachel and .
He ordered her to only approach when needed.
But...
'You’re just going to leave like that?'
Despite being the one assigned to watch , Harold kept disappearing, leaving alone.
The most absurd mont ca when he left by a stream.
My horse, which usually obeyed , froze at the edge of the water.
No matter how much I urged it, it wouldn’t budge, and there wasn’t a soul in sight.
'Harold—he’s supposed to be the master? Even a the park employee would show more responsibility…'
I was muttering inwardly when, thankfully, Rachel showed up after realizing I was missing.
"Horses instinctively fear water. In situations like this, the rider needs to help the horse relax and feel safe. Especially when crossing water—the horse might lose balance, and if you sway too, it could be very dangerous."
Judging by her words, it seed like a really risky situation.
Thanks to Rachel’s calm guidance, I narrowly avoided injury...
But then ca Harold’s crowning remark.
"Haha! You really are gifted! Most beginners break a leg trying to cross a stream like that!"
At that, I was even more dumbfounded.
'So you knew—and still left ?'
"So people are just born with talent!"
He was probably trying to flatter and earn favor, but to , it was just ridiculous.
'Is he actually stupid?'
If soone like him ended up beside the next president...
'Absolutely not.'
It would be a disaster.
Judy’s assessnt had been spot on.
Patricia was clearly the better choice for director.
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