The United States was no different from Korea.
Supporting Wall Street under the pretext of a bailout, despite its reckless operations, only served to inflate the ticking ti bomb that would later beco the Lehman Brothers crisis.
The only difference between them and Korea was that the U.S. had the absurd ability to print as many dollars as it wanted.
From Washington’s perspective, however, choosing a bailout was a politically risky move, as it had to consider public opinion.
“This isn’t sothing I can decide alone. Can you give so ti?”
“Of course. But please decide within a week. The bad debts will only keep growing. Mass fund redemptions will continue, and the longer you delay, the greater the risk of bankruptcy.”
“I understand. I’ll consult with the Fed and get back to you. Next ti we et, let’s discuss it over a glass of wine.”
“It would be an honor.”
And just like that, we parted without reaching any agreent.
But I had thrown a small stone into the pond—the choice was theirs now.
Whether they went with the original plan—Wall Street banks forming a consortium to acquire 90% of LTCM’s shares while keeping its managent—or handed everything over to , the end result would be the sa.
“They sure have a talent for asking for money. What they’re really saying is that they want to look good using our money, without putting up a di themselves.”
That was Han Kyungyeong’s reaction after hearing about my conversation with Rubin.
I didn’t deny it—just laughed.
“LTCM’s assets aren’t sothing you can ignore. No one else could structure derivatives on that scale. Geniuses are geniuses for a reason.”
“How much leverage did they even use? Over a trillion dollars?”
I nodded, and Han Kyungyeong clicked his tongue.
“If that blows up, we could lose everything in one shot.”
“As long as we have enough capital to hold, the returns will easily surpass 100%. Don’t worry.”
“Well, you’ve never been wrong before, Muhyuk. Let’s wait and see. Want to grab a drink tonight?”
“No, I have another appointnt tonight.”
“You live one busy life. What about the Wall Street old n?”
“Leave them to you.”
The Wall Street chairn wanted to et , but there was nothing to gain by associating with them.
In every financial crisis, Wall Street bankers never take responsibility.
Even if they destroy a country, crash the New York financial market, or push the U.S. to the brink of bankruptcy.
‘Then again, I’m no different, am I?’
My own greed always ca first.
“Do you et Eric often?”
“Not really. Distance makes it hard—just once in a while.”
“Nothing left to support now, right?”
“Yeah, now that we’ve signed with the U.S. governnt, no more cash outflow. Do you know how much money we poured in already? It’s ti to make so.”
I patted Han Kyungyeong on the shoulder as he grumbled.
“Once we’re done here in the U.S., let’s head back to Korea. After that, I’ll be going to Russia. You finalize negotiations with Joongwoo Group and wrap up the contract.”
“The frawork’s already set. We’ll sell off a few subsidiaries and write off debt—hardly any real cash will go in.”
“The acquisition capital wasn’t the issue. The delisting cost a fortune. If it weren’t for the current situation, we never could’ve pulled off the delisting.”
After chatting with Han Kyungyeong for a while, I stood.
“You’re still buying Ilseong and Daehyeon stocks, right?”
“Yes, we’re diversifying. Buying everything listed.”
“Secure more than half of the circulating shares.”
“Got it. We’re working on it slowly.”
“Alright, see you at ho later.”
Next, I headed to a restaurant run by Andrew Gigante.
“Hey! Brother!”
Andrew greeted warmly.
“Andrew, it’s been a while. We talk sotis, but how long has it been since we t face-to-face?”
“Over a year.”
“How’s business?”
“Sa as always. Can’t do much with the FBI breathing down our necks.”
When I first t him, Andrew had been imposing and reserved, but now that we were close, he treated casually.
“Sorry to keep you standing. Sit down.”
“Thanks.”
Once seated, Andrew called a waiter and ordered wine.
“Wine’s fine, right?”
“Yes, if it’s just a light drink.”
“Wine doesn’t even count as drinking. Next ti, we’ll drink properly—real n drink vodka.”
Andrew laughed heartily, but then his smile faded as he looked at .
“What did you do in Japan?”
“Just a little revenge. Did it cause you trouble? I used your na a bit.”
“Do you think so Japanese yakuza could touch us?”
Andrew sounded almost offended, and I smiled.
Both of us knew the Arican Mafia and the Japanese Yakuza had similar revenue levels, but Andrew hardly needed reminding.
“I got a call, though. Yamaguchi-gumi?”
“Yes. I split them in half—let them fight among themselves.”
“I heard they wanted to know why you interfered.”
“It’s hardly interference. I slipped them so money, and they tore each other apart. I just moved up the titable.”
“They’re supposedly the most influential yakuza group in Japan. You’re quite resourceful.”
“You flatter .”
I shrugged, unfazed, and Andrew chuckled.
“Don’t push too far. The Mafia might be about money, but if you hurt their pride, that’s war. I told them you won’t interfere further, so stay out of it.”
“Understood.”
“If you plan to take Japan, do it properly. I’ll help.”
“Thank you, but I only acted because they were causing trouble in Korea.”
Andrew sipped his wine, then suddenly said,
“Oh, right! My father wants to et you. He said thanks—you saved him from the FBI’s trap and he wants to thank you in person.”
A eting with Vincent Gigante—the very top of the Arican underworld.
The only one of the Five Families’ bosses who had never gone to prison.
Or rather, he’d narrowly avoided it because of .
“It’s my friend’s ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ father—of course I’ll et him.”
“Hahaha, ‘friend,’ huh? I like that. He’s actually on his way now. Sorry, I didn’t know he’d co suddenly. Don’t be too surprised, though—you know he pretends to be ntally unstable.”
A cover to fool the FBI, no doubt.
I just nodded. Even though this was Gigante’s restaurant, I couldn’t be sure it was entirely safe.
We’d been talking over wine for a while when a group of n entered. Chief Ma and Oliver tensed imdiately.
Andrew waved a hand.
“Relax. That’s his security detail.”
A man entered, supported by bodyguards—Vincent Gigante, the Godfather of the Arican underworld.
His guards quickly shut the windows and drew the curtains.
At that mont, the vacant look in Vincent’s eyes shifted completely.
“You’re the Asian who warned about the FBI trap?”
That was his first question.
“I just gave a little advice. I’m glad it helped.”
“How the hell did you know? The FBI spent years setting that up. How could so Asian know? Unless you’re their informant.”
It was a reasonable suspicion.
But sothing about his tone felt off to .
‘Just cautious, or sothing else?’
Andrew intervened.
“Father, he warned us for nothing in return. Please drop the suspicion.”
“We need to be clear. Isn’t it strange that so random Asian knew what even our organization didn’t? Is that possible, Asian?”
His stare felt like a test.
I smiled, amused.
“It was just a gift to celebrate my friendship with Andrew. I was looking forward to eting you, but this feels no different from dealing with a street gang.”
“What?”
“And I’m not just so ‘Asian.’ My na is Charlie Kim. Would you like it if soone kept calling you ‘Whitey, Whitey’ all the ti?”
The room went silent, everyone stunned.
“Andrew, I think our friendship ends here. You’ve helped a lot, and I repaid the favor by settling things in Japan. Let’s call it even.”
I stood to leave.
Oliver and Chief Ma closed in protectively.
“Sit down. Do you take lightly?”
Vincent growled, and his n glared threateningly.
The tension in the restaurant was thick enough to cut.
“This situation is what’s funny, really.”
I glanced at Andrew, who looked uncomfortable.
“I knew about a secret FBI operation, and you didn’t. You should understand what that ans better than I do. Did you co here just to ask if I’m an informant?”
“...”
So this was a test—but if you’re going to test , look in the eye properly.
“I’ll be leaving now.”
I walked toward the door, but his guards blocked the way.
I raised my voice.
“Are you going to push this to the end?”
“...Stand down! All of you!”
At Vincent’s command, his n finally stepped aside.
“That was dangerous, Boss,” Oliver said once we were safely outside.
Given the Mafia’s reputation, he couldn’t help being tense.
“It’s fine. If he were soone who could act openly, he wouldn’t bother pretending to be insane to fool the FBI.”
“It was still his territory, Boss. Arica isn’t Korea.”
“I know. I’ll be careful.”
I understood Oliver’s worry, but this was a test.
If I had backed down after being treated like that, there’d be no future etings with Vincent.
“Finished faster than expected. Let’s head to Han Kyungyeong’s place. I need a drink.”
Oliver gestured to his team, and the car started moving.
‘There must be a reason he acted that way.’
I recalled Vincent’s piercing gaze, lost in thought as the dark New York skyline passed by.
* * *
“Father, that was a mistake.”
Andrew reproached him, but Vincent kept staring at the door Kim Muhyuk had exited.
“Andy, how much do you know about Charlie?”
“What?”
“How much do you really know about him?”
“He’s a Korean businessman. But I know he controls his country’s underworld.”
Vincent smirked.
“He didn’t flinch under my gaze. No ordinary businessman does that.”
“A man who holds the shadows of an entire country wouldn’t be easy to shake.”
“I ant to test him, but it backfired. Wall Street and Washington are already watching him. Unlike us, he moves in legitimate circles.”
“He’s close to Steve too.”
“Stay out of family business, Andy. Move in the sunlight, like him. The money may co from the Mafia, but keep your hands clean.”
“I’ve told you I’m not interested in the family business.”
“That’s exactly why I’m warning you. If you don’t take my seat, soone who does will try to kill you.”
Harsh, but true.
“Father.”
“If I’d been arrested this ti, you’d have had no choice but to take over. That man could be our lifeline.”
“Then why act like that earlier?”
“You can’t entrust your life to soone without knowing what kind of man he is.”
“He already seems uncomfortable with us.”
Vincent chuckled.
“No. Didn’t you hear him ask, ‘Did you co all this way just to ask if I’m an informant?’ He knew I was testing him. If he were the type to cut ties over this, I would’ve misjudged him.”
Vincent looked back at the door, his eyes gleaming with interest.
* * *
After that, my U.S. schedule went smoothly.
I even t Steve Jobs, who had recently returned to Apple.
The struggling company had no choice but to call him back.
“I should buy Apple stock.”
“Dreamhigh’s already the fourth-largest Apple shareholder.”
“I’m not satisfied with fourth. It’s obvious this will beco the best company in Arica.”
Jobs’ return would revive Apple.
“I’d better stay on your good side, then. Wouldn’t want to be kicked out.”
Jobs grinned, completely different from the abrasive image people talked about.
“Just wait. Soon I’ll turn your imagination into reality. We can’t fit a computer in a phone yet, but I’ll make sothing that creates a new world.”
The confidence in his voice was infectious.
“If anyone can, it’s you, Steve.”
As my U.S. schedule wrapped up, Rubin finally contacted .
— Let’s et at the sa place as before.
“Alright.”
It was ti to take LTCM into my hands.
But Rubin ca back with a result I hadn’t expected.
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