Genius Grandson Of The Loan Shark King Chapter 920: Even So, Don’t Let Your Guard Down

After finishing all the groundwork behind the scenes, I told them to contact through a courier.

To avoid attracting attention, I sent soone with absolutely no connection to us whatsoever.

A few days after sending the ssenger, Lorenze contacted first.

— We can’t stay on the phone long.

He spoke without even greeting , but it wasn’t hard to tell how anxious he was.

Of course, I had no intention of dragging the conversation out either, so I imdiately got to the point.

“You roughly understand how things are unfolding, right?”

— ......What exactly are you planning?

“It’s a little difficult to explain the details right now. In any case, I need your help.”

— My help? What could you possibly need from ......

“At the Baltiche eting, push for the Wall Street banks tied to Baltiche to keep issuing MBS and CDOs.”

I heard Lorenze suck in a sharp breath from the other side of the line.

Silence lingered for a while.

“Family Head Lorenze. Please grant my request. Then even if every other family collapses, the dici family alone will survive and beco the greatest family in Europe. I swear it on my na.”

After remaining silent for a long ti, Lorenze finally let out a long sigh.

— I don’t know what kind of plan you have, but make sure you keep that promise. I’ll do what I can.

“I’m a man who always keeps his promises. You of all people should know that best, Family Head Lorenze. Just know this much — I intend to destroy Baltiche with this opportunity.”

— Destroy Baltiche?

“Yes. I intend to rip it out by the roots.”

— Now I’m curious how you plan to bring them down.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

— I’ll think of a way first. I’ll contact you again later.

The short call with Lorenze ended.

Whether Lorenze would actually be able to push my demands through, I didn’t know.

Still, he was an ambitious man. He would struggle desperately to make it happen sohow.

“You trust Lorenze?”

Han Kyungyeong, who had been listening nearby, asked.

“Lorenze? No. I don’t trust Lorenze. I trust his ambition.”

After getting burned by once, Lorenze’s standing within Baltiche had shrunk considerably.

Because people suspected he had colluded with , he was constantly under surveillance, and on top of that, he still hadn’t recovered from the losses he suffered back then.

Without a decisive opportunity, he could very well be expelled from Baltiche altogether, with the dici family’s wealth torn apart by the other families.

That was why he had no choice but to cling tightly to the lifeline I offered him.

At this point, I had already done nearly everything I could.

“I should head back to Korea soon too.”

“Already?”

“Yeah. I’ve done everything I needed to. I need to et Eva and tell her to keep tracking Michael Burry’s movents. After that, I’d say we’ve done all we can. Hyung, you keep acting like you’re maintaining the position. Pretend you’re still committed to that side. Then once I give the signal, dump everything. Even if it’s bait money, the amount we used isn’t exactly small. We should minimize the damage as much as possible.”

Han Kyungyeong nodded.

The mont Dreamhigh dumped the CDOs they had accumulated onto the market, panic would erupt.

Han Kyungyeong understood that better than anyone, which was why his expression wasn’t particularly bright even as he nodded.

After completing all the preparations for the future, I began getting ready to leave the country.

During that ti, Director Max Walker flew to New York to et .

“I was surprised to hear you were coming.”

“Thanks to you, the amount of drugs entering the United States has decreased significantly. I ca to express my gratitude.”

After shaking hands, I led him into the living room.

Without saying a word, Director Max stared at the New York nightscape beyond the massive windows.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? It’s probably the house with the best night view in all of New York.”

“I suppose it is. How much does a place like this cost?”

“I have no idea myself. I only know it’s the prettiest and most expensive house in New York.”

“Soone like could never dream of affording this.”

“Hahaha. Honestly, if you’d wanted to, couldn’t you have?”

At my question, Director Max curled up the corners of his lips.

Ever since his days in Colombia, drug cartels had approached Max Walker countless tis.

They had offered him enormous sums of money in exchange for looking the other way.

If he had accepted those temptations, buying a house like this would have been easy.

“Would I really feel at peace buying sothing like this after selling my conscience? Let’s sit and talk.”

As though the desires buried deep inside him had briefly stirred, he finally tore his gaze away from the view and turned back.

After sitting down on the sofa, I offered him wine.

“If you don’t mind, let’s have a simple glass of wine.”

Wine and cheese had already been prepared on the table.

After drinking a glass, we began talking.

“So, what brings you here today, Director?”

“I wanted to thank you. Drug-related cri inside the United States has decreased drastically.”

“Already?”

“Yes. Prices went up. We can’t realistically stop wealthy people from using drugs entirely. But after prices rose, the cris that used to happen constantly in Harlem noticeably decreased.”

After speaking, Director Max lightly bowed his head.

Since those words ca directly from the DEA Director, there was no reason to doubt them.

“Even so, don’t let your guard down. Even if the xican cartels keep their promise, drug organizations from other countries will try to fill the vacuum.”

“That’s actually why I ca seeking your help.”

“Really? There’s still sothing I can help with?”

There was already too much on my plate. Asking for more help now? Honestly, I wanted to wash my hands of this entire affair already.

Perhaps sensing my reluctance, Director Max’s voice beca more earnest.

“Please help the xican cartels wage war against the drug organizations in other countries.”

Without realizing it, I frowned.

This man really brought a bomb with him.

“The xican cartels only have influence within xico. Starting wars with drug organizations in other countries isn’t realistic. That could escalate into international conflict.”

“Our DEA will handle the groundwork ourselves. If we move directly, those governnts will have no choice but to respond.”

Among the drug trafficking organizations in South Arica, the xican cartels were indeed the largest.

But that didn’t an the cartels in other South Arican countries were weak.

Colombia’s cartels alone proved that point.

Even after losing influence to the xican cartels, countless criminal organizations still remained there.

“It won’t be difficult. Calling it a war sounds grand, but all we really need is to assassinate the key figures so they can’t unite. That’s why I ca seeking your permission.”

“Ah, so you want to use the execution squad.”

“Yes. Isn’t it better for them to gain real combat experience instead of sitting around idle?”

I thought about it for a mont.

What Max said wasn’t wrong.

“And if the leaders of the organizations under the Committee learn about this, they’ll feel the fear of the execution squad firsthand. It’ll make controlling them much easier too.”

“Have you already discussed this with Ramos?”

“Yes. Ramos said he’d be willing to try it as long as he had your permission, Charlie.”

Instead of answering imdiately, I stared directly at Director Max.

He t my gaze head-on without avoiding it.

I let out a quiet chuckle and nodded.

“Fine. We’ll do it. But this is the last ti. I don’t want to get involved in this kind of thing anymore. This will also be the last ti I et you.”

The mont I gave permission, Director Max’s face brightened.

At least his convictions were genuine. I had to give him that much.

“You should head back now. I still need to finish preparing for my departure.”

With the conversation finished, I effectively showed Director Max out.

As he rose from his seat, he casually added, as though sothing had just occurred to him.

“Oh, Charlie. Thank you for what happened with Rafa.”

I gave him an unreadable smile.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“Haha. I figured you’d say that. Even so, I wanted to thank you.”

Director Max laughed along with .

And just like that, my long overseas schedule finally ca to an end.

* * *

After returning to Korea, I spent several days in Busan.

“So, how’s life in Korea now? Getting used to it?”

“I love it here.”

I chatted with Junho out in the yard.

It had been a while since I last saw him, and he’d changed a lot.

Maybe because he was finally eating and sleeping properly, the once-small boy had shot up in height, and his /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ body had developed solid muscle.

“Really? Then that’s a relief.”

“And...... Grandma treats so well.”

Watching my reaction carefully as he spoke, Junho looked nervous.

I ruffled his hair and laughed.

“Our grandma’s the best, right?”

“Yes.”

“She talks about you too, you know. Says you’re such a good kid. Thanks for keeping her company.”

Ever since Junho moved into the house, Grandma had beco noticeably brighter.

And after living with Grandma, Junho himself had beco emotionally more stable.

They were both having a good influence on each other, and I honestly couldn’t have been happier about it.

“What’re ya doin’ out there! It’s still cold! Get inside and eat already!”

At that mont, Grandma opened the front door and called out to us.

Junho and I sat down at the dining table together.

The table was packed with food Grandma had prepared.

“Wow, it’s been forever since I had Grandma’s cooking.”

“Then stay ho more often. If you were around, your grandma would feed ya every day. What’s got you so busy all the ti?”

“Sorry. I’ve neglected you lately, haven’t I?”

“That’s fine. I’ve got Junho now.”

Grandma spoke gruffly, but honestly, I liked hearing that.

Having soone else in the house definitely seed to bring more life into her.

Seeing her like that made mischievous.

“Really? So you don’t need anymore?”

“You little brat! You wanna keep running your mouth?”

Listening to Grandma’s scolding, I happily finished the al.

After taking the fruit she brought us, I led Junho to my room.

“I’m glad you two seem to get along so well. But you know you can’t stay here forever, right?”

“Yes. I know.”

“How’s your GED preparation going?”

With an apple in his mouth, Junho nodded.

Seeing him eat so well pleased , so I pushed more fruit toward him.

“I’ve been attending classes.”

“You probably won’t make it this year, but prepare well and get into college next year.”

“Yes.”

“Good. Have you thought about what you want to do?”

To be honest, even now I still didn’t fully understand why I brought this kid with .

At the ti, I hadn’t really thought about it. I just liked the look in his eyes. And his guts.

But Junho gave an unexpected answer.

“I want to help with your work, Uncle.”

“Hm? You want to help with my work?”

“Yes.”

Junho called Uncle now.

I still didn’t know whether it was out of genuine affection or simply because I was the only person he could rely on.

“Hm. Do you even know what kind of work I do before saying that?”

“Anything. I’ll do whatever you tell to.”

I hesitated for a mont.

Would that really be good for this kid?

When I didn’t answer imdiately, Junho asked in a slightly uneasy voice,

“Uncle... do you not trust ?”

“Not yet. I can count the people I trust on one hand. And you’re not among them yet.”

It was cold, but true.

Junho was a wonderful companion for Grandma, but whether I could trust him completely was an entirely different matter.

“What do I have to do? How can I make you trust ?”

“Junho. The things I might ask you to do could be cris.”

“I don’t care. If I’d stayed there, I probably would’ve ended up dead soday without anyone even noticing.”

I quietly looked into Junho’s eyes.

The gaze that had caught my attention back then hadn’t changed at all.

Coming to Korea and living comfortably beside Grandma could’ve changed him.

But Junho hadn’t changed.

“If that’s truly your decision... fine. We’ll do it. But if you want that, there’s a lot you’ll have to learn. It’ll be a hard life. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes. I can do anything.”

At Junho’s spirited answer, I called for Manager Ma.

“You called for , Boss?”

“Manager Ma.”

Placing a hand on Junho’s shoulder, I continued.

“Junho says he wants to help with my work.”

Manager Ma stared straight at Junho.

And Junho didn’t avoid his gaze.

More serious than usual, Manager Ma finally spoke.

“Junho.”

“Yes, Mister.”

“Helping the Boss ans risking your life. Can you really do that?”

“Yes, Mister. I can.”

At Junho’s answer, Manager Ma nodded.

“What do you think, Manager?”

“If he’s still the sa kid I saw back at Nampo Port, then I think he’s worth training.”

“Good. But he’s still lacking. I want him to go through proper training.”

“In that case, we’d need to bring him to Seoul.”

“Hmm, not yet. For now, build up his body first and find soone who can teach him martial arts.”

“Yes. I’ll take care of it.”

For now, keeping Junho beside Grandma in Busan was actually more useful to .

“Junho. From now on, you’ll follow the schedule Manager Ma gives you. If you skip even once because things are hard, I’ll never give you another chance. Understood?”

“Yes, Uncle. I’ll rember that.”

Before leaving Busan, Manager Ma said he would leave one employee behind to train Junho.

“Do that. That way I can trust it more.”

The employees personally trained by Manager Ma were trustworthy people.

After finishing my brief rest in Busan, I returned to Seoul and imdiately headed to Taesan Financial.