The next morning, I got a call from Roman.
― Charlie.
“Roman. What’s the matter so early?”
― Nothing urgent. I just heard you bought Leeds United. Your decisiveness is frightening.
“Ah... so the news is out already?”
― The big London papers are quick when it cos to football.
So the articles had already broken. It really hit again how fanatical England was about football.
“And you? How did your club purchase go?”
― I’m nearly finished too. Just as I said, I’m buying Chelsea. Only the signing remains.
It was a few years earlier than in my last life, but still, Chelsea was falling into Roman’s hands.
― From this year, your team and mine will be rivals for the Premier League trophy. I look forward to it. Oh, and I read an article about you preparing massive transfer funds. Is that true?
“You’ve set aside plenty yourself, haven’t you? Let’s at least try not to go after the sa players. Otherwise, all we’ll do is inflate their prices.”
He laughed heartily down the line.
― If we both want the sa player, then it’ll co down to the player’s choice. I’m confident.
“You sound sure of yourself.”
― When are you heading back to Korea?
“Probably soon.”
― Hm...
He hesitated, clearly holding sothing back.
“If you’ve got sothing to say, just say it.”
― Please don’t take this the wrong way.
Whatever he wanted to say, it was heavy. I waited.
― Word is, the British police have opened an investigation into you. They’re trying to tie you to that car crash involving The Sun chairman’s son, and to the kidnapping, confinent, and assault case in Leeds.
“...”
― Our intelligence says Murdoch is behind it. You noticed nothing strange?
Strange... well, the police suddenly summoning and Han was already suspicious.
“There were a few odd things...”
I briefly told Roman about the bus that charged at us and the police’s sudden demand to appear.
― They’ll find a way to pin it on you. If Murdoch’s pulling strings, they’ll arrest you, then flood the press with sar pieces.
“Thanks for the warning. I’ll return the favor.”
― Charlie, I’d rather you leave England quickly. But that’s your choice. I’ll hope it passes without incident.
After hanging up, I called for Chief Ma.
“The British police are investigating .”
“The British police?”
“Yes. Who was it that nabbed the protest ringleader for questioning?”
“A rcenary from Black Bear’s UK branch.”
“Send him to Russia imdiately.”
I had to erase as much evidence as possible. Without hard proof, they couldn’t tie down.
“Boss, will you stay in England?”
Chief Ma asked as he ca back from the order.
“If I start running from this, my range of action shrinks too much. I’ll stay.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare accordingly.”
I gave a small nod. A headache first thing in the morning, but I’d already anticipated variables like this.
This is what happens when you try to scare half-assedly.
If it were Korea or Russia, I could have soone killed and buried without a trace. But in England, I had to be careful.
And Murdoch wasn’t soone I could just eliminate.
I clicked my tongue, then said,
“Summon Alex.”
Chief Ma bowed and stepped out. I picked up my coffee and went to the window, watching the morning traffic below, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) deep in thought.
“What’s up, Muhyuk?”
Han Kyungyeong ca in, calling . I smiled at him from the window.
“How was it?”
I teased, since he hadn’t returned to the hotel the night before.
“Eh, fine. But what’s with the grim face?”
“Murdoch. Looks like he hasn’t learned his lesson.”
I left the window and sat down. Han followed, frowning.
“Murdoch? What about him?”
I told him what Roman had said.
“Hmm... then we should have LK Law Firm prepare. Just in case.”
Han’s face hardened.
“You’re not leaving England, right?”
“If I were going to run over this, I wouldn’t have started any of this.”
“Knew it. I’ll get things set up too.”
With his influence, even the police wouldn’t move rashly.
A silence passed. I broke it with a joke.
“So, did Ailee tell you anything? Or were you just on a date?”
“As if I’d waste ti, boss. Turns out the previous president—pushed out by Taylor—was damn good. And he’s Ailee’s father.”
“Ailee’s father?”
That hadn’t been in any of the files. I stared at him, and he shrugged.
“Yeah. I didn’t know either. Back when they were in the second division, he kept the team afloat on scraps. When they got promoted, Taylor muscled him out.”
“And he’s capable?”
“Not just her bias. Everyone says he kept them alive during the dark years.”
“Set a eting. I want to see him.”
“Already did. Tonight, here at the hotel.”
“Good.”
“I’ll go make so calls. Rest a bit.”
Han left. I stayed, draining cup after cup of coffee until Alex arrived with Chief Ma about an hour later.
“You called, boss?”
“Sit.”
Alex sat, waiting.
“The preparations?”
“Ready. Just say the word.”
“Tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“No traces. Not a speck.”
“No one will ever connect it to you. No matter the trail, it ends with .”
“I can trust you?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
He was even more reliable than I’d hoped. I nodded.
“But boss, Philip’s been acting oddly.”
“Oddly?”
“You told to watch him. He’s acting normal, but constantly contacting soone.”
“...”
I shut my eyes.
If Philip resented being left out, he could ruin everything. I had told Alex to keep an eye on him, but I hadn’t expected results this soon.
“How much sway does Philip have in the UK branch?”
“So rcenaries he recruited, but they still follow HQ orders, not him.”
“...I’ll et him tomorrow. Find out who he’s talking to and eting.”
“Yes, boss.”
Alex didn’t bother hiding his ambition. He was a man who seized chances.
n like him were easier to handle than those like Philip, who hid everything.
“Carry out the operation without informing Philip. In fact, leak so false info. See if it spreads.”
“Understood.”
Thanks to his intelligence background, Alex understood imdiately.
“You may go.”
After he left, I gave Chief Ma another order.
“Have Philip co in tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, boss.”
When that was done, my head throbbed. I rose.
“My head hurts. Wake in the afternoon.”
I left him bowing and went to bed.
I don’t know how long I slept, but I woke to movent.
“You alright, boss? President Han asked to wake you.”
It was Chief Ma. I sat up on the bed and drained the water he handed .
“How long?”
“About three hours.”
Three hours? I checked my watch, shook off the drowsiness.
“You contacted Philip?”
“Yes. Tomorrow morning.”
“He didn’t ask why?”
“Nothing.”
“Odd. Let’s go.”
I hadn’t sought him since that first ti. I always worked through Alex. For him not to ask now was suspicious.
That’s why I hated working with n like him.
Outside, Han was waiting.
“Sleep well?”
“Out cold.”
He handed a coffee.
“Here.”
“Thanks.”
I sat, warming my hands on the cup. Han spoke first.
“LK Law says don’t attend. It’s a trick. They get you in, then pin you with separate charges. Court won’t issue warrants easily, so they use this.”
“So the bus crash was to tie us up too?”
“Probably.”
Suddenly, that “sloppy” accident made perfect sense.
“Ha... what bullshit.”
Not CIA, not an agency—just the police.
“It’s almost refreshing, actually.”
“I’ve already contacted Washington.”
“Why Washington?”
“Political pressure. We paid enough bribes; ti to use them.”
So much for resting. Han was as much a workaholic as .
“And you said you were taking a break.”
“I did. Just made a few calls. When else do we use all that money?”
He grinned, raising his cup.
“You focus on finishing the club takeover. I’ll handle this.”
That caught off guard.
“You?”
“Yeah. Leave it to .”
“...Alright. Do it.”
He’d handle the legal front better than I could. I’d deal with the dirtier parts.
Han’s face lit up at my answer. He checked the ti.
“They should be here. Let’s go down.”
I nodded and stood first.
Together we went down to the hotel restaurant.
In the distance, I saw Ailee smiling—and beside her, a burly, bearded man with a rough face.
“Ailee!”
Han waved happily. She waved back.
“Dad, this is Jas Han.”
“Ah, pleased to et you. I’m Ellen White.”
Ailee’s father rose and offered his hand.
Han shook it firmly.
“Mr. Ellen, I’ve heard much. Jas Han. An honor.”
“Likewise.”
“And this is my friend, Charlie.”
I shook his hand too, then we sat.
“I’ve seen you both in the papers. But tell —are you really investing that much in the club?”
Ellen didn’t waste ti. Straight to the point.
“Yes. We plan to change it completely.”
The words ca out of my mouth. His eyes fixed on .
“So we need a president and director who’ll rebuild the club as we envision. I hear you led Leeds through its darkest years?”
“That’s all old stories.”
“I heard you were ousted in politics. If I asked you to take the presidency again, would you do it well?”
“Well... if all you need is a puppet to follow orders, you’ve co to the wrong man.”
Ellen refused firmly.
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