After a simple entry inspection, I left the airport.
“Are you thinking of getting serious with Ailee?”
“Hm?”
In that short ti, maybe Ailee had grown close to Eva, because she was chatting away with her in the back. Han Kyungyeong glanced toward them and asked .
“Well, what’s there to be serious or not serious about? If I feel like I should spend the rest of my ti with her, then I’ll marry her. If not, we’ll part ways.”
“You’re thinking of marriage? Surprising to hear that from you, brother.”
“Of course. It’s about ti I settled down.”
That was unexpected. He had never said such things before.
I looked at Han Kyungyeong, and he only shrugged.
“Didn’t you once say you’d live freely and then set up a foundation in your na and donate everything when you die?”
“That hasn’t changed.”
Han Kyungyeong often said that later he would donate all his wealth.
Was it because I worked him too hard that he hadn’t dated until now? Even if soone called a tyrant boss, I’d have nothing to refute.
I got in one car with Han Kyungyeong, while Ailee and Eva took another. We then moved to board the helicopter.
“Murdoch has completely co to our side.”
“That old fox? What’s gotten into him?”
“No idea. Anyway, since he’s joined hands with us, help out. It’s going to cost quite a lot. Especially with the Wall Street Journal acquisition, I’ll need your political connections too.”
“Hm. Can that old man be trusted?”
I could understand Han Kyungyeong’s doubts.
After all, Murdoch once threatened us.
But fear once engraved in the brain does not fade so easily.
And if his greed can be satisfied, Murdoch can be a useful tool.
“As long as interests align, he has no reason to betray us.”
“If you say so.”
Han Kyungyeong didn’t press further.
“What about Leeds United?”
“Ellen has taken full control now. I thought she was gentle, but she wielded the sword we gave her perfectly. You know the strike ended, right?”
I nodded slightly. Han Kyungyeong gave another look of admiration and continued.
“It only took a day. She took resignations from the club staff, and for players skipping training, she put them straight on the transfer market. If they can’t be sold, then they can forget about setting foot on the pitch for the remainder of their contracts. Unless they want to quit football altogether, they’ll agree to transfer.”
“So Taylor’s death shattered their unity completely.”
What they had relied on was Taylor’s influence. But once his death was made known, it collapsed like a sandcastle.
Alex handled everything smoothly. Taylor’s death was disguised as an accidental casualty during a gang conflict.
The intelligence agencies probably suspected I was involved, but with no solid proof, they couldn’t pressure .
“Once the news spread that Taylor died in a gang clash accident, quite a number of staff and players ca crawling to Ellen.”
I nodded at Han Kyungyeong’s words. Truly, they were nothing but sycophants.
“Whether they joined the corruption because of Taylor’s threats or just got swept along with the atmosphere—it was still their choice. If we make excuses for everyone, there’ll be no end.”
“Ellen almost wavered, though. So I spoke firmly. It was uncomfortable to say it since it was Ailee’s father, but business is business.”
Han Kyungyeong knew how to separate public and private matters. That’s why when he recomnded Ailee’s father, he had no prejudice.
Even now, his ability to draw a clear line naturally brought a wide smile to my face.
“What’s with that creepy smile?”
“Haha, nothing. Just thinking how lucky I am to work with you, brother.”
While we were talking, we arrived at the helipad. With guidance from waiting Black Bear rcenaries, we boarded the prepared helicopter.
“It’ll take about an hour.”
I nodded, and with the loud sound of propellers, the helicopter lifted off.
The sight of the erald diterranean below cald my heart.
After about an hour’s flight, we reached the island.
“Wow.”
The mont we arrived, Han Kyungyeong let out a natural exclamation.
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
“This is insane.”
Of course he was surprised. I had bought this uninhabited island through the Greek governnt at a high price.
Then I rebuilt it into a paradise for my people.
Han Kyungyeong, Eva, and Ailee all looked around with shining eyes.
“Welco.”
Just then, a man limped toward us. Bowing his head, he greeted.
“I’m John, the team leader responsible for security here.”
“Ah, I’ve heard about you.”
Though his greeting was polite, my gaze fell on his injured leg.
John noticed and smiled. He brushed it off like he was used to it.
“I was caught in a bombing attack in Afghanistan. Afterwards, Eric sent here to take charge of security. Thanks to that, I’ve been living well in this paradise.”
A bombing attack? That jolted , and I raised my head to look at John’s face.
“You were in Afghanistan?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“...Let’s go inside. Assign soone to guide those two around here, and John, co with . I have questions.”
“Understood.”
John signaled, and rcenaries rushed over. He gestured politely toward Eva.
“Guide the ladies around. Make sure they’re comfortable.”
“Yes, Team Leader.”
The two n straightened up and bowed.
“We’ll show you around.”
One rcenary spoke to Eva and Ailee. Eva looked at for approval.
I gave a small nod. Linking arms with Ailee, she followed the rcenaries.
After they left our sight, I spoke to John.
“Let’s go in too.”
Not far from the helipad stood a mansion composed of four buildings.
We passed a central fountain and entered the largest mansion.
“I’ll look around the house.”
As soon as we entered, /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Han Kyungyeong tactfully slipped away to explore.
“Where’s my office? Let’s go there.”
“This way.”
Following John, I entered the office located inside.
It was built in the exact sa structure as the study in Pyeongchang-dong, sothing I had specially requested.
“Well built.”
Seeing the nearly identical space, I couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.
“Sit down. I have questions.”
At my instruction, John sat. Once he was seated, I spoke.
“A bombing attack, you said?”
“Yes. I was originally in charge of U.S. supply. But while moving to a U.S. base for resupply, we were hit by a suicide bombing.”
“Casualties?”
“...”
John hesitated, unable to answer imdiately. After a pause, he spoke.
“Three unit mbers died.”
“...Their bodies?”
“Thankfully, all were recovered. The company provided sufficient compensation to the families.”
I had previously ordered benefits for rcenaries to be strengthened.
But no matter how much compensation, for the bereaved only deep sorrow remained.
“No amount of money can compare to a human life. Tragic.”
“War zones are places where one can die at any ti. We always carry that truth in our hearts.”
A bitter smile spread across John’s face. Indeed, rcenaries were those who earned money with their lives as collateral.
To shift the heavy mood, I casually tossed another topic.
“How’s the situation in Afghanistan?”
“The area is vast, so with overwhelming firepower most major cities have been occupied.”
“I know that. I want to hear what’s happening on the ground, not what the news says.”
“While the main cities are occupied, bombers and guerrillas are everywhere. They even discovered bin Laden’s hideout, but by the ti they arrived, he was gone. That must’ve been a huge disappointnt to the Pentagon.”
“They missed bin Laden.”
As expected. Even though the war began earlier this ti, they still missed him.
Whether they missed him deliberately or not, I couldn’t say.
“Not only him, but all key Taliban figures escaped too. This will probably turn into a long war. The Pentagon expects that as well.”
Even though the future had shifted, the main course hadn’t changed.
In the end, the neocons would expand the battlefield to Iraq as planned.
“Got it. I’ll call you again if needed.”
John bowed and left. Soon after, Han Kyungyeong entered.
“Finished talking?”
“Yeah. You done looking around? How’s the house?”
Collapsing into the sofa, Han Kyungyeong stuck out his tongue and spoke.
“It’s a palace, seriously. A house with the diterranean at its feet? I’d live here forever. Now I understand why you poured so much money into this place.”
“It’s both our resort and our bunker.”
“So there’s an underground bunker too?”
“Yes. Built strong enough to withstand even a nuclear blast. Stocked with five years’ worth of food and water.”
Proudly, I explained. Han Kyungyeong smiled.
“Impressive. I’ll have to check it out later. What did you talk about with that John fellow?”
“About the Afghanistan war.”
“They say all the major cities are already under control. The whole atmosphere is celebrating Arica’s victory.”
Across both conservative and progressive lines, the dia was endlessly praising Arica’s military might.
Instead of replying, I asked sothing else.
“What about oil?”
“Buying steadily, just like you said. But Afghanistan has nothing to do with oil, right?”
“They’ll declare war on Iraq soon. Within six months at the earliest, a year at the latest. That’s when we’ll make big money.”
“Really? Well, it’s not like we’re losing money right now.”
Oil prices, which had plumted after the terror attack in the U.S. mainland, were slowly rising again.
It was the prelude to the high oil era that would never return once passed.
“You know this oil deal is long-term, right?”
“Of course. You said it’s a five-to-ten-year plan at least. Joongwoo Chemical is building more storage tanks.”
Oil traded in the U.S. and Europe was on futures contracts.
But Dubai crude from the Middle East was always spot market. Storage tanks to hold spot oil were essential.
“You’re doing well. Let’s keep going as planned.”
Just then, the office door opened and Eva peeked in.
“Boss, working again even on vacation?”
I had no right to scold her for being a workaholic. Smiling, I rose.
“You done looking around?”
“One day isn’t enough to see it all. This place is amazing, Boss. Even better than I expected.”
“I’m glad you like it. We’ll be out soon. Brother, let’s go.”
I patted Han Kyungyeong lightly on the shoulder. We headed out toward the seaside inside the estate.
“Wow, it’s beautiful.”
That was Ailee’s voice of awe. Han Kyungyeong smoothly slid next to her.
“How is it? Nice?”
“Yes, it’s magical. I can’t believe places like this exist.”
“Then let’s forget about work today and have fun.”
At his words, Eva and Ailee imdiately went into the changing room to put on swimsuits.
Sohow, they had already grown close.
“Let’s change too.”
By then, the sun was beginning to set.
The erald sea glittered in the sunset, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
After running nonstop since returning, it was ti to let my exhausted body and mind rest.
* * *
“Father! Father!”
Pushing past the doctors trying to hold him back, Song Chanwoo rushed to Song Youngjoo.
The hospital room was filled with the loud beeping of machines and frantic voices of doctors.
One physician climbed onto Chairman Song Youngjoo’s chest, performing CPR.
But the stopped heart did not start again.
“...He has passed away.”
The president of Korea University Hospital spoke with a heavy face, sending the other staff out.
Song Chanwoo, his face hollow, gripped his father’s slowly cooling hand tightly, unwilling to let go.
It was the mont when a great star of Korea’s business world fell.
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