Genius Grandson Of The Loan Shark King

I decided to use G4S as the spear that would strike at Baltice.

"For now, keep doing business with Baltice as usual."

Both men widened their eyes.

Seeing the confusion on their faces, I continued.

"When the [N O V E L I G H T] time comes that I truly need you, that's when you'll cut ties with Baltice."

"...Are you asking us to provide inside information?"

"I don't expect to get any information."

Those crafty bastards would never be foolish enough to hand sensitive intelligence to the hunting dogs they employed.

"When I ask for it, simply tell me where they are."

"Hmm... So you're asking us to sell them out."

"If Baltice remains intact, you'll never truly escape them. You're better off hoping that I'm the one who brings them down."

Just then, Nick cautiously spoke.

"Then... what about our employees being held in Italy?"

Without hesitation, I took out my phone and called John, the man in charge of the Italian operation.

"Yes, Boss."

John's voice came through the receiver.

I switched the phone to speaker mode and placed it on the table.

"John. How are the negotiations with G4S going?"

"We demanded a ransom first. But they keep trying to negotiate the amount down..."

"Just let them go."

"...I'm sorry? I didn't catch that."

"Release them. Don't take a single penny."

"Understood. I'll carry it out immediately."

John didn't question my order any further.

"Hang in there just a little longer. Once this operation is over, you'll all receive bonuses and paid leave."

"Thank you, Boss. We'll be looking forward to it."

After ending the call, I turned to the two men, who still looked completely stunned.

"Have your negotiators take custody of your employees and leave Italy immediately."

"You're really releasing them without asking for anything in return?"

"Consider it an advance payment. I'll reimburse Black Bear for the ransom myself."

Both men's eyes widened even further.

"Rules exist for a reason. A prisoner's ransom must always be paid. Even I have to follow that principle. Since you've said your company is under financial strain at the moment, I'll pay it on your behalf."

"That's..."

"Don't feel too burdened. If you work with me, G4S and Black Bear will have plenty of opportunities to cooperate."

Nick and Petersen exchanged glances.

"Your global network combined with our military strength would create tremendous synergy. This isn't an investment without purpose."

I added the last sentence with a faint smile.

Nick lowered his head.

"Understood. Thank you."

"Keep in contact with Baltice as usual. Like I said before, when the time comes, just tell me where they are. Once everything is over, G4S and Black Bear will become the largest security company in the world."

We concluded our conversation with a handshake.

After they left, I sat alone, deep in thought for a long time.

* * *

The moment I returned to New York, I immediately called Eva and Han Kyungyeong.

"Eva, did you find out anything about Governor Min?"

Eva nodded.

"There's a huge internal dispute, Boss."

"Why? They can't seriously believe buying Lehman Brothers now is a good idea."

"They seem to think this is their only chance to acquire an investment bank like Lehman. Besides, Governor Min used to work for Lehman."

"Has he lost his mind? He's willing to drag a state-owned bank into the abyss because of personal ties?"

I shook my head.

He'd completely lost it.

"What do you think, Hyung?"

Han Kyungyeong thought for a moment before answering.

"I think Governor Min knows Lehman's real financial condition."

"He knows, and he's still doing this? Is he insane?"

"What about getting the President involved?"

"He's in the final stretch of his term. Forcing Governor Min out would be a reckless move."

"We could prepare the groundwork through the media first..."

Eva cut Han Kyungyeong off.

"James. They could sign an MOU before that. It wouldn't be legally binding, but canceling it afterward would still create complications."

Han Kyungyeong immediately proposed another idea.

"Then the only option is to meet him directly and persuade him. Eva, do you think you can convince him?"

"I've already pressured him through people at the Financial Services Commission, James. But they say he won't budge... Boss, should I go meet him?"

"No. I'll meet him myself."

It would probably be faster if I handled it personally.

"For now, Eva, talk to the MOFIA people back in Korea. Use every possible means to prevent the acquisition. Oh—and leak negative stories through the media."

Eva nodded.

"Hyung, handle the American side. Work on shaping public opinion over there. I can't do everything myself."

"Got it. I'll meet with Chairman Murdoch."

I nodded and summarized our strategy.

"Good. We've got three main objectives."

"First, expose the Korea Development Bank's plan to acquire Lehman Brothers through the Korean media and pressure Governor Min through the Financial Services Commission."

Eva nodded.

"Second, use the American media to generate negative coverage of the acquisition talks."

This time Han Kyungyeong nodded.

"And finally, I'll meet Governor Min personally and stop the acquisition."

"Everyone agreed?"

Both of them nodded simultaneously.

Their perfect coordination made me chuckle.

"Then get moving. We don't have time. The faster we act, the better. The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that Governor Min is simply trying to buy time. We need to put as much pressure on him as possible."

After sending them off, I immediately called President Yoon Changho.

After several rings, he answered with a dry cough.

"President Kim... What is it at this hour?"

His voice sounded hoarse.

"Mr. President, I'm sorry for calling so late. But it's extremely urgent."

"Ah... Give me a moment."

I heard a door open.

The rustling of clothes followed before another door closed.

A moment later, Yoon Changho spoke again.

"Mr. Kim. Go ahead."

"Governor Min of the Korea Development Bank is planning to acquire Lehman Brothers."

I slowly explained the entire situation.

Throughout my explanation, Yoon Changho simply made occasional thoughtful sounds.

He didn't interrupt once.

"That's everything."

"Huh... Just what is Governor Min thinking?"

"That's why I'm planning to meet him personally and convince him to abandon the acquisition. But if he refuses to back down, you may have to step in."

Yoon Changho let out a quiet sigh.

"I don't want to burden you during the final days of your presidency. But if Korea acquires Lehman Brothers, our economy will absolutely be shaken."

Silence followed as though he was thinking it over.

Finally, he agreed.

"Very well. I'll look into it myself."

"Thank you."

"By the way, Mr. Kim... That recent scandal must have been difficult for you."

He was referring to Choi Seohyeon's public revelation.

"I'm fine. It's already over."

"I'm sorry I couldn't help. If I'd gotten involved, it would only have complicated matters further. I did order the Prosecutor General to conduct a thorough investigation."

"I know. That's why I deliberately didn't contact you."

"I knew you'd handle it well. I trust you, Mr. Kim."

The President's voice was much gentler than before.

I laughed quietly.

"When your term ends, let's go fishing together. I'll take you somewhere nice."

"I'll look forward to it."

"Then I'll contact you again."

That evening, without making any appointments, I headed straight to the hotel where Governor Min was staying.

After taking the elevator to his floor, I stopped in front of his room and instructed Manager Ma.

"Manager, don't let anyone in."

"Understood, Boss."

I knocked on the hotel room door.

Governor Min answered from inside in English.

"Who is it?"

"Governor Min. This is Kim Muhyuk."

The room instantly fell silent.

Not a single sound came from inside.

"Please open the door. I'd rather not force my way in."

"Go away. I'll call the police."

"Is that really necessary?"

"Leave. I have nothing to say."

You're making this harder than it needs to be.

I gave Manager Ma a look.

He pulled a master key from inside his jacket.

The moment he placed it against the lock, the mechanism clicked open.

As I turned the handle and pushed, the door only opened a crack.

The security chain was still attached from the inside.

"W-What are you doing?!"

Governor Min shouted in panic.

Looking at him through the narrow opening, I replied,

"I came to talk."

"Mr. Kim Muhyuk, do we even know each other?"

"Please open the door."

"Go away before I call the police."

I let out a deep sigh.

"Manager."

Manager Ma nodded.

Gripping the door, he pulled with tremendous force.

The screws securing the chain began creaking.

His face remained completely calm, but the sleeves of his suit swelled around his thick forearms as though they were about to split apart.

A moment later, the screws finally tore free.

The chain dangled helplessly from the shattered frame.

I slowly walked through the now-open doorway.

"Manager, wait outside."

"Yes."

Manager Ma closed the door behind him.

I looked around the room.

"The governor of the Korea Development Bank staying in a room like this? I'll have you upgraded to a suite."

"That's unnecessary. Please leave."

Ignoring him, I walked farther inside and sat down.

As though I owned the room, I pointed to the chair opposite me.

"Governor. Please sit."

"Mr. Kim Muhyuk!"

"I said, sit. I really did come here to talk."

Governor Min glared at me for a moment before finally taking his seat.

"You already know who I am, so I'll skip the introductions."

"Stop what you're doing."

I got straight to the point.

"That's for me to decide."

"You're just trying to stall for time. You don't even have the authority to get board approval."

"..."

Governor Min stared at me fiercely.

The Korea Development Bank was a government-owned policy bank.

Even if its board somehow approved the deal, it would still need approval from the Financial Services Commission.

It might even require consultation with the government.

"Governor Min. You don't actually intend to buy Lehman, do you? Why are you dragging this out?"

That was the conclusion I'd reached.

"..."

"What is it? What exactly do you gain by delaying Lehman's bankruptcy as long as possible?"

"Acquiring Lehman could become an opportunity for us. That's why..."

"Cut the bullshit. What opportunity? You know Lehman's financial condition, don't you? Not the numbers released to the media—the real financial condition."

Governor Min bit down hard on his lip.

So he really did know.

"The moment you swallow Lehman, the Korea Development Bank will start collapsing. You know that perfectly well, so stop wasting time with nonsense. I came here to have a conversation. Why are you doing this? Is it because you feel loyal to Lehman?"

Governor Min stubbornly refused to answer.

"Or did Lehman pay you?"

"What do you take me for?!"

His eyes flared with anger at the accusation.

"Then tell me the real reason. If you can convince me, I'll use every bit of influence I have to make sure Lehman Brothers' acquisition gets approved."

Once again, Governor Min clamped his mouth shut like an oyster.

What exactly was he trying to accomplish?

My frustration boiled over.

"Governor. Why do you think I took time out of my schedule to come here? Don't you understand what I mean when I say I came to talk? I deliberately chose the difficult path instead of the easy one. Do you really want me to take the easy path instead?"

"...What do you mean by that?"

"Haven't you heard the rumors about me? Then figure out for yourself what the easy path means. If you have no intention of talking, I'll leave now. But whatever happens after this will be entirely your own doing."

Without a trace of hesitation, I stood up.

As I walked toward the door, Governor Min hurriedly called out.

"W-Wait! Just a moment, Mr. Kim!"

His desperate voice stopped me.

I turned around.

"Do you have something to say?"

Even after stopping me, he hesitated.

Finally, he spoke.

"...When I was the head of Lehman's Asia division, I embezzled money. Fortunately, my superiors covered it up, so I never had to take responsibility. But now they're using it to control me."

"Ha... What kind of..."

"I... I had no choice. They asked me to buy them just three months. They said they'd secure government support during that time."

Governor Min lowered his head completely.

His words came out as little more than a mumble.

I stared at the top of his bowed head and let out a deep sigh.

He was so utterly pathetic that I couldn't even think of anything else to say.