George Soros, clearly provoked, shot a sharp glare.
I rely shrugged and turned away.
There was no reason to exchange another word with him.
George Soros was nothing more than a lackey of an enemy who had once beco my sworn adversary.
Leaving him standing there, I walked toward the center of the party hall.
Small groups of people were gathered here and there, sipping wine and chatting in low voices.
That was when Han Kyungyeong spoke.
“I’ll go greet the old n from Wall Street. Don’t cause trouble. Stay quiet.”
“I’m not a kid. Don’t worry and go.”
“Hm......”
When I nodded as if to say go on, Han Kyungyeong studied with suspicion.
Unbelievable. Did he really think I was so reckless child?
I nudged him lightly and gestured toward the crowd.
“I told you, I won’t cause trouble.”
“Fine. Stay nearby. I’ll be back.”
Still looking unconvinced, Han Kyungyeong headed toward Warren Buffett.
I took a glass of wine from a passing tray and slowly rotated it in my hand, scanning the room.
There were a few familiar faces scattered about.
I had no intention of greeting any of them. I simply sipped my wine.
Then I sensed soone behind .
I turned.
A familiar face.
“Charlie.”
“Jessica. It’s been a while.”
“It has. You contact whenever you need sothing......”
“We’re not exactly the kind of people who exchange warm personal greetings.”
I answered with a smile.
Jessica pursed her lips, then sighed deeply instead of responding. She stepped beside , looped her arm through mine, and whispered:
“Can we talk sowhere quiet? Just the two of us?”
“Talk?”
“It’s important.”
I nodded and followed her.
When we reached a secluded corner away from the crowd, she released my arm.
“I hear things aren’t going well between you and China.”
“Apparently everyone knows.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Did you forget what I do? More importantly, are you aware that the Korean governnt asked us for help this ti?”
I already knew that President Yoon Changho had requested U.S. support regarding the diplomatic conflict with China.
I nodded.
Jessica exhaled.
“Washington probably won’t intervene.”
“Hm......”
As expected.
As long as Baltiche was firmly backing China, the U.S. governnt wouldn’t move easily.
“And I heard there’s lobbying happening on Wall Street. So people are hoping Dream High collapses during this opportunity.”
“Dream High collapses......”
“You know Dream High is an irregular, right? No one likes a nail that sticks out. Wall Street especially.”
I understood the psychology of the stone embedded in place wanting to remove the one that rolled in.
But was that truly the reason?
When I remained silent, Jessica continued.
“Unless there’s an actual military clash, the U.S. won’t take Korea’s side.”
“Of course not. The U.S. governnt prioritizes Arican interests.”
She studied my face.
“You’re not upset, are you?”
“Not at all. I understand. And I don’t intend to rely on Arican help this ti.”
Jessica smiled faintly.
“Still Charlie. I expected that, but you’re calr than I thought.”
“Then why are you telling this?”
“Because we’re partners. I don’t want to see you fall.”
She glanced around again to confirm no one was listening, then lowered her voice.
“And a few days ago, the French ambassador to China was suddenly replaced. His na is Joris. He’s close to Jiang Zemin. As soon as he arrived in China, he visited Jiang before Hu Jintao.”
That was new information.
Valuable information.
“It looks like France may be siding with China. I thought you should know.”
“You’ve given sothing useful. There’s been a disruption in our Chinese intelligence network.”
“Really? I thought Black Bear’s intelligence team was better than ours.”
So she assud the information I’d provided in the past ca from Black Bear’s collection capability.
In reality, it was simply that I possessed knowledge from a previous life.
Being one step ahead because you already know the outco is different from uncovering sothing entirely unknown.
“An overestimation.”
“Hm...... I’ll take your word for it. Oh, and the recent flood of corruption articles about China—that’s your work, right? Murdoch’s yellow press outlets have been running them nonstop.”
“That’s correct. I tried shaking things from the outside first, but it’s harder than I expected.”
“It’s China, after all. I’ll root for your victory.”
She clenched ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) her fist playfully.
I smiled.
“We should return. Being absent too long isn’t wise.”
“Right. Oh, Charlie.”
As I turned, she called again.
“You said there would be a terrorist attack in the UK. We caught the tail.”
“Good.”
“We’ll be able to put the UK in our debt. Thank you.”
“It was a transaction. Still, don’t lower your guard.”
Jessica gave a sly smile.
Ambitious, as always.
We returned to the main hall.
Han Kyungyeong was looking around near where I had been standing.
When he spotted , he hurried over.
“Where’d you go? And who’s that woman?”
“Hello. I’m Jessica. You must be Jas, the CEO of Dream High.”
“Ah, yes. Jas.”
They shook hands.
Han leaned toward and whispered in Korean:
“What’s this? Who is she? Did you hook her?”
Jessica smiled—and answered in Korean.
“No. We were discussing business, Jas.”
Han blinked.
“Oh—sorry. You speak Korean.”
“A little. See you next ti. I still have people to greet.”
She waved and disappeared into the crowd.
Han jabbed my side.
“Who is she? She’s pretty.”
“It’s not what you think. She’s with the Departnt of Holand Security.”
“What? Holand Security?”
He looked again toward where she’d gone.
“She looks young.”
“She’s capable. She’ll be joining the newly established Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Likely at bureau-chief level.”
“Oh. Impressive. What did you talk about?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
Not sothing to discuss in a crowded room.
And soone familiar was approaching.
“Charlie.”
“National Security Advisor. It’s been a while.”
“Indeed. We haven’t seen each other in person for so ti. Though I’ve heard plenty.”
“I heard you’ve been nominated for Secretary of State. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
After greeting Han, Condoleezza Rice turned.
“Co inside. He’s waiting.”
Han and I left the party hall and entered the residence.
In the second-floor reception room, President Bush and his inner circle were gathered.
“Charlie! Co in, co in. Have a seat.”
Bush welcod us warmly.
“How’ve you been? I’ve heard updates here and there, but it’s been a while since we’ve spoken face to face.”
“Very well. Congratulations on your re-election.”
There was ease on his face.
The overwhelming margin in the election had clearly given him confidence.
“The first one was tough. The second? A landslide. The Democrats conceded early.”
I nodded lightly and scanned the room.
One person was missing.
“Where is Vice President Dick Cheney?”
At the ntion of Dick Cheney, Bush’s relaxed expression tightened slightly.
He cleared his throat.
“......The Vice President is not attending tonight.”
“That’s unexpected. Wasn’t he your running mate?”
“He was. Not anymore.”
Not anymore.
So he’d decided to distance himself from the neocons?
I glanced at Rice, then back at Bush.
“Have you decided to part ways with the neocons?”
Bush said nothing.
But his expression answered clearly enough.
Yet Rice herself had been considered part of that camp.
So Cheney was being isolated—but not entirely severed.
Before I could explore further, Bush cut to the point.
“Enough small talk. What are you asking for?”
“Asking? I ca to congratulate you.”
“Ha...... Don’t play coy. Say what you want.”
Of course he didn’t believe I ca empty-handed.
I shrugged.
“I intend to attack The New York Tis. But......”
I paused deliberately.
Bush gestured for to continue.
“It relates to the Iraq War. I thought it appropriate to inform you first.”
“What does that an?”
“I intend to target Judith Miller.”
“What?”
Bush uncrossed his legs and leaned forward sharply.
“The matter currently under investigation by the special prosecutor. I plan to amplify it.”
“How much do you know?”
“I know Chief of Staff Lewis Libby led it. I don’t know whether you were directly involved, Mr. President. But the Vice President certainly was.”
Bush rubbed his face with both hands.
The future would call it the “Leakgate” scandal.
In my previous life, it had shaken Arican dia and politics alike.
“I’m aware the investigation is focusing on Matthew Cooper and Judith Miller. They’re being pressured to reveal their sources.”
“......This is insane.”
“Judith Miller is being frad as a journalist oppressed by governnt overreach. But that’s false. She maintained close relations not only with Chief of Staff Libby......”
I looked at the man seated before .
“But also with Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove.”
Karl Rove stiffened.
“That—that’s absurd! What relationship would I have with Judith Miller?”
“Did you not provide her classified information regarding Iraq? In exchange, she published articles supportive of the war.”
Silence.
“Am I mistaken?”
Bush raised his hand.
“That’s enough.”
He stared at .
“What do you want? If you’re threatening with this, you must be desperate.”
“I want one thing. Do not obstruct . The administration will take a hit, but it will also be an opportunity to loosen your ties with the neocons.”
“I may have distanced myself, but I have not severed all ties.”
I let out a faint laugh.
Even if you’re tied together, you don’t stay on a sinking ship.
“If this explodes properly, Vice President Dick Cheney will lose all influence. That’s not bad for you.”
“I’ll take damage too.”
“How long do you intend to endure being mocked as a puppet president?”
The mask cracked.
dia outlets had long mocked Bush as rely a figurehead, claiming Cheney was the true White House power.
And Cheney’s absence from a re-election celebration was no accident.
It was a signal.
A fracture.
I had no intention of missing it.
I didn’t want the entire White House as an enemy.
Just the part that needed cutting.
“What did you just say?”
“Even if you try to block , I’ll proceed. I’m not asking permission. I’m informing you out of courtesy.”
“So you’ll escalate it regardless of my stance.”
“Yes. I don’t know how far it will spread. But at minimum, Karl Rove and Lewis Libby will have to resign.”
Bush turned toward Rove.
“Is what he says true, Karl?”
“It’s false! Why would I—”
“If that’s so, then there’s no problem if it cos out, is there? If you’re innocent.”
Rove opened his mouth again, but Bush stopped him.
“Think carefully before you speak.”
Rove fell silent.
“Karl. Step outside.”
“Mr. President—”
“Nothing discussed here leaves this room. If it does, I will charge you with treason.”
Rove froze.
Bush clicked his tongue and addressed the others.
“Everyone wait outside. Rice, stay with Karl. He may need... reassurance.”
Reassurance ant surveillance.
Rice nodded and escorted Rove out.
Once the room emptied, Bush fixed with a sharp gaze.
“Alright. Let’s hear the plan.”
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