Genius Grandson Of The Loan Shark King

I visited Savile Row again after a long time.

“Charlie! Long time no see.”

“It's been a while, Chris.”

“Why have you been gone so long? Don't you like my suits anymore?”

I shook my head.

I'd worn countless luxury brands, but no suit fit my body as perfectly as the ones made here.

“I just haven't had a reason to come to England.”

“Then that's a relief. Still, the people you sent occasionally came to buy suits.”

“There aren't many places that can make clothes that fit me this well.”

Apparently pleased, Chris chuckled softly.

Then he looked me up and down.

“Since you're here, let's take your measurements again. Have you been exercising lately? Looks like you've put on some muscle.”

“You can tell just by looking?”

“I've been here for fifty years. I've lived on this street since I was toddling around.”

“That's impressive, Chris. Then...”

Chris approached with a measuring tape.

A short while later, after skillfully taking my measurements, he removed the tailor's tape.

“So, Chris?”

“Hm, there's no major difference, but even this amount could affect the comfort.”

“Ah, no wonder. I've felt that they're a bit tight.”

“I'll make them fit perfectly. Should I send them to the usual address?”

“Yes, please.”

At that moment, Chief Ma approached with a cellphone.

“Boss. It's Turner.”

I nodded slightly and turned to Chris.

“Please take care of it, Chris.”

“Alright. But you're leaving already?”

“Something urgent came up. I'll make time and come back again next time.”

After saying goodbye to the disappointed Chris, I stepped outside and answered the call.

“Yes. Kim Muhyuk speaking.”

— You! What the hell are you trying to do?!

The moment he heard my voice, Turner exploded.

The old man sure had strong lungs.

I held the phone away from my ear.

“Sigh... Sir Turner. Please mind your manners.”

— Manners? You just talked about manners?

“Am I your subordinate?”

— What?

Turner repeatedly asked in bewilderment, but I replied coldly.

“I acted with good intentions. It's beneficial for Britain as well. Why are you reacting so sharply? You sound like someone who absolutely has to acquire Lehman.”

— ...You.

“Sir Turner. If you were in your right mind, you should've asked how many cards I still had left to play. Not called me just to vent your anger.”

— ......

“Call me again once you've calmed down. Goodbye.”

I hung up without waiting for an answer.

Handing the phone to Chief Ma, I frowned.

“Has he gone senile? He still can't tell shit from soybean paste.”

It was so absurd I couldn't even laugh.

“Boss, what should we do?”

“Let's wait for now. If they're desperate, they'll call again.”

Starting with the Qatar Investment Authority, then China Development Bank, and finally Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek, all had officially announced their opposition.

Even combined, their shares amounted to only about twenty percent.

Meanwhile, the friendly shareholders together held close to thirty percent.

Of course, they could ignore that and proceed.

But if Barclays found itself in crisis after acquiring Lehman Brothers, the responsibility would fall on the FSA and Adair Turner, who approved the acquisition.

Would the British government and Adair Turner really take such a risk?

No matter how much Baltice had requested it, he'd prioritize his own safety.

Adair Turner was that kind of person.

A few days later, Adair Turner finally contacted me again and requested a meeting.

Instead of going to him, I told him to come to the hotel where I was staying.

“Welcome, Sir Turner. Good to see you again.”

Escorted by Chief Ma, Adair Turner entered my suite.

His face was filled with humiliation.

Without a word, he followed me into the living room.

Naturally taking the seat of honor, I gestured.

“Please, sit down first, Sir Turner.”

“......”

Turner remained silent as he sat down.

“Hm... You asked to meet because you had something to say, didn't you? Staring at me won't wear my face down. If you have something to say, say it.”

“...How much do you know?”

“Oh, I don't know. Just that you're pushing this absurd Lehman acquisition because the Rothschild family asked you to?”

Turner rolled his eyes.

No, was he trying to think?

“Though to be precise, it's probably Baltice's request.”

“Charlie, why are you so hostile toward them? I don't understand. They are acting for the sake of Europe's economy...”

I burst out laughing.

As I laughed loudly, Turner stopped talking and glared at me.

After laughing for quite some time, I looked at him coldly.

“Don't say ridiculous things. Are you trying to tell me Baltice is acting for Europe's economy? Impossible. They only care about their own family. All that talk about the world economy or Europe's economy is complete bullshit.”

“That's...”

“I don't care about the world economy either. My own interests come first, and my people come first. Understand, Sir Turner?”

My colder-than-ever attitude made Turner swallow nervously.

“You asked if I hate Baltice? Well, I don't hate them. They've simply interfered with my affairs at every turn. So I intend to get rid of them while I have the chance. But unexpectedly, Britain suddenly decided to throw them a lifeline.”

The atmosphere became increasingly tense.

I picked up the glass of water before me and took a drink.

After putting it down, I looked at Turner.

“Sir Turner, you're responsible for supervising Britain's financial system. Shouldn't you work for Britain's interests rather than Baltice's?”

Turner remained silent for a moment before speaking.

His voice and tone had become much softer than before.

“You're right. But Baltice's influence is greater than you think. If I make enemies of them...”

“Their influence is indeed enormous.”

“If you know that, then why are you doing this, Charlie?”

“Because what you're trying to do could endanger Britain's entire financial system.”

My firm answer caused Turner's expression to stiffen.

“Is it really that serious?”

“Yes. Very serious. I don't know what sweet words Baltice and Barclays fed you, but if Barclays acquires Lehman, one of Britain's largest banks could collapse.”

I took several documents from my briefcase and handed them to him.

“These are updated materials beyond what I showed you before. Lehman's true financial condition. You'll find it quite different from the official figures.”

Turner began studying them carefully.

Back at the FSA office, he'd only skimmed them.

Looks like his state of mind has changed.

Before long, his complexion began to change.

“I-If this is true...”

“Don't doubt it. Every bit of it is true. And these are the simulation results for Barclays after acquiring Lehman.”

The documents had been created by Dreamhigh's experts after several sleepless nights.

Turner silently continued reading.

His expression grew darker and darker.

“If this happens... Britain's entire financial system could be at risk.”

“Exactly. Don't dismiss it as just a simulation. Dreamhigh's experts spent days running every possible variable.”

Dreamhigh's experts were recognized worldwide.

At those words, Turner groaned.

“I don't know why Baltice is pushing so hard for this acquisition. But in my opinion... they're trying to shift their losses onto Britain.”

“......”

“Sir Turner, you have a choice. Continue forcing this through for Baltice's interests, or protect Britain's financial system.”

Turner stared into my eyes for a long time.

Finally, he sighed.

“Charlie. Can you protect me?”

He's even more shameless than I thought.

When I said nothing, he continued.

“Baltice has quite a lot of leverage over me. If it comes out, I won't survive either.”

“Well... I can't answer carelessly, but I do know one thing. If you ignore all the warnings and push this through, you will certainly be destroyed.”

At my firm tone, Turner inhaled sharply.

“You want me to protect you? Do I owe you that? Stepping down cleanly is also an option.”

“That...”

“I have enough material to bring you down myself. The only reason I haven't used it is because I don't want to go that far. There's no reason to make unnecessary enemies. But if you insist on holding Baltice's hand until the end, then I won't have a choice.”

I held a negative opinion of the FSA.

The side effects of concentrating too much power in the FSA were now becoming apparent.

If authority had been distributed, Baltice wouldn't have found it so easy to pull tricks like this.

But Britain had recklessly concentrated all the power in a single institution.

The FSA hadn't even existed for ten years.

An organization accountable to no one was bound to become corrupt.

“...Understood. Charlie, you're right. I was thinking too much about my own safety.”

Even now, his own safety is all he cares about.

I said nothing and waited for him to continue.

“I won't approve Barclays' acquisition of Lehman. And considering the concerns of other shareholders, I'll officially address the risks of this deal.”

I nodded in satisfaction.

“A wise choice, Sir Turner. But this isn't the end. A greater storm is coming.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Lehman falls, financial institutions will collapse one after another like dominoes. If Britain reassures itself that it's merely an American problem, it won't survive unscathed either.”

Turner's eyes widened.

He could hear the certainty in my voice.

“You seem very certain.”

“Yes. I am. And I intend to turn this crisis into an opportunity. I plan to create a new financial order.”

Turner thought for a moment before looking up.

“Charlie, I'd like to hear your thoughts.”

“Hm... Are you saying you want to join my side?”

Turner nodded slightly.

“Yes. I want to be part of the financial order you're dreaming of.”

I couldn't immediately agree.

Making Turner an ally would certainly make things easier.

But trusting him was another matter.

Perhaps sensing that, Turner spoke first.

“I know you don't trust me. But I'm still the man who controls Britain's financial policy. Wouldn't it be easier to build your new order with my help?”

“I admit that. But trusting you won't be easy.”

“I understand. What must I do for you to trust me?”

I looked straight into his eyes.

He didn't avoid my gaze.

“Hm. I need proof that you've completely severed ties with Baltice. Yes. When you announce that you won't approve the acquisition, publicly reveal that someone lobbied you to approve it.”

“What? That's...”

“You were lobbied, but you didn't approve it, did you? Sooner or later, it'll come out anyway.”

There's an old saying that it's better to take the first blow yourself.

Turner clearly understood what I meant.

“I don't know what weaknesses they hold over you. But Baltice can't step into the open. If they attack you, just warn them that you can reveal things about them. They won't dare expose all their cards.”

That was the limitation of Baltice, operating from behind the curtain.

“...Then will you let me join the financial order you're creating?”

I shook my head.

Then I smiled gently.

“No. We'll build it together.”

Our conversation continued deep into the night.

“Charlie, your insight is remarkable. I hope we can work closely together from now on.”

After Turner left, Chief Ma entered.

“Chief Ma. Raise surveillance on Sir Turner to the highest level.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“Tell them to report immediately if they notice even the slightest suspicious movement.”

I still couldn't completely trust Sir Turner.

Not until he said exactly what I demanded in front of the reporters.