Chairman Chen Wei’s face was still heated red with a sense of insult.

As for him, he could not continue to stay in a humiliating position.

As long as the huge shield called McCain was behind Hyunjun.

He knew well that no one would dare to touch him.

“Tsk. There is no more value in staying in such a trivial place.”

He strode out of the hall accompanied by his attendants.

A thick shadow called revenge was cast over his back.

Entrusting his body to the black limousine, Chen Wei pulled out his cell phone without hesitation.

The sparkling lights passing by outside the window only reflected his hardened face coldly.

“…I must organize that arrogant brat who came from Korea.”

The murderous intent contained in Chen Wei’s voice was cold as if it would seep into the bones.

A gloomy smile slowly surfaced at the corners of his mouth.

“I will support the funds as much as needed. This time, please put a period to it for sure.”

His gaze stretched out long while cutting through the darkness outside the window.

The city lights were shining brilliantly, but the shadow lurking behind that flashiness was spreading even thicker and more ominously.

Madness in the name of revenge took root deep inside Chen Wei.

– The White House on Christmas Eve was boasting a more flashy spectacle than ever.

A tree standing tall as if to pierce the sky was located in front of the main gate, making one fully intoxicated by the atmosphere.

Thousands of colorful lights sparkled dazzlingly as if pouring starlight into the night sky.

The place where the party was held was also to the point of being ecstatic.

In accordance with that, while the orchestra’s carols filled the hall, figures who came from various countries around the world tilted their glasses and shared conversations.

However, no matter how flashy the decorations and elegant music flowed, everyone’s gaze was waiting for only one moment.

“Ladies and gentlemen! The President and the First Lady are entering!”

As the moderator’s grand voice resonated throughout the hall, the party hall was instantly enveloped in silence.

Hundreds of pupils were directed to one place all at once.

The door opened slowly, and the first to reveal her appearance was the First Lady.

With a diamond brooch shining subtly on her pearl-colored silk dress, her elegance stood out even more.

In her appearance of elegantly waving her hand while harboring a gentle smile, the dignity a First Lady of a country should have was felt intact.

The figure who appeared following behind her was the true protagonist of tonight.

The appearance of the President, perfectly dressed in a black tuxedo, was like the incarnation of power beyond a mere politician.

Although white hair was mixed in here and there as traces of time, a steel-like will could still be glimpsed in his solid-looking impression and sharp gaze.

In an instant, the inside of the hall boiled over with thunderous applause and cheers.

The attendees all stood up from their seats and sent a standing ovation.

Under the flashy lighting, the appearance of the presidential couple shone even more majestically.

The President shared a gaze with the First Lady for a moment and smiled, then responded by leisurely raising his hand.

Just with that appearance, a weight worthy of a leader of the world’s strongest nation was felt.

As if just standing in that spot showed that this place was the center of the world.

The President stood tall in front of the podium and waited for a moment for the people’s enthusiastic cheers to subside.

As the inside of the hall gradually settled into a solemn atmosphere, only then did he slowly open his mouth.

“It is a boundless honor to be with you on this holy Christmas Eve.”

His voice, in which a deep resonance was felt, seeped into every corner of the hall like spring water flowing from a rock, making everyone concentrate.

“This night we welcome is not a mere festival. It is a holy time to be grateful to each other and share love and hope. Although the entire world is currently facing numerous trials and conflicts, at least this place today has harmonized as one beyond the walls of borders and language.”

The gaze of the President, who stopped speaking for a moment, slowly looked around the hall.

He met gazes with those gathered from various countries.

“We become even stronger when we are together. Is this place today not the living proof of confirming that truth. Now, ahead of the new year, I earnestly hope that we all move toward the future with a spirit of deeper cooperation and understanding.”

The President gave a final greeting while wearing a smile.

“I sincerely wish for a Christmas full of peace and joy for all of you. Merry Christmas!”

Ending with those words, the hall boiled over once again with a wave of powerful applause and cheers.

The orchestra began to play a majestic carol, and the presidential couple waved their hands while responding to everyone’s welcome with bright smiles.

I stood with my gaze fixed on that spectacle without even realizing it before I knew it.

When I first received the White House invitation, I did not have such a special impression.

It was with a light heart.

Since I had been standing shoulder to shoulder with many big shots until now and had the experience of setting foot on international stages several times, I considered an invitation to a Christmas party held at the White House as nothing much.

However, after witnessing with my own two eyes the top power holder of the United States standing directly at the podium and encompassing the entire world, it became completely different.

The charisma that gathers hundreds into one.

And the overwhelming presence.

A strange thrill spread from deep within my chest.

I finally realized that I was truly standing in the middle of where world history is made.

My pupils sparkled exceptionally.

Since when, a smile was naturally spreading across my mouth.

Slowly raising the glass held in my hand, I quietly muttered to myself without realizing it.

‘I have finally come this far.’

It was a short sentence, but deep emotion and a heart-swelling sense of achievement were felt within it.

And an ambition toward an even higher place was boiling hotly in my chest.

My gaze was still staying on the President standing at the podium.

But soon my eyes moved to the surroundings.

A desire to approach closely surged like an instinct, but reality was not easy.

Around the President, the densely packed crowd was already surrounded like a wall.

Political big shots, heads of large corporations, famous journalists, and high-ranking officials from each country.

Everyone was in the middle of trying hard to share even a single word.

Choi Seo-jun, who was watching the situation from the side, whispered in a low voice.

“Representative, it seems it will not be as easy as I thought.”

Advisor Hong Jang-gun also nodded and spoke cautiously as expected.

“The area by his side is already blocked tight with people. If you try to approach by force, you might instead stand out and be restrained.”

Hong Jang-gun’s words were also logical as aides and bodyguards were actually surrounding the President while maintaining the movement lines.

On the outside, it seemed as if people were coming and going freely, but it was a structure where one would inevitably be restrained immediately if they tried to cross a line that was not allowed even by one step.

If such a thing happened, it would be an international disgrace.

I maintained a composed smile while holding the glass, but inwardly I pondered what to do.

The thought that it was impossible by approaching simply occurred to me.

The opportunity for me to approach the President will be possible only if someone provides help or a dramatic occasion is prepared.

Choi Seo-jun looked at my face and added cautiously.

“It seems we will have to wait a lot. It will be difficult now.”

Hong Jang-gun also laughed lowly and moistened his throat.

“Indeed, worthy of a leader of the world’s strongest nation. At this level, it will not be easy for people like us to even step on his shadow.”

The three of us stood on one side of the hall in that way and watched the flow of the party hall.

The sight of numerous people flocking to the President and looking for an opportunity was like a huge wave pushing in and then pushing out repeatedly.

My gaze became rather calm.

If I cannot approach closely, can I not just make him come to me.

I raised my arm toward the President while holding the glass containing the drink.

The image of the President was reflected inside the glass cup.

I brought the glass to my mouth after seeing that.

As the cool drink went down my throat, it made my mood refreshing.

When my eyes narrowed and drew an arc, Choi Seo-jun flinched.

I reached into my inner jacket pocket.

What I pulled out from there was a small notebook.

I picked up a pen and began to write something down.

There was no hesitation at my fingertips.

I said while handing over the paper torn from the notebook.

“Advisor Hong, please deliver this to Chairman McCain. You must deliver it directly for sure.”

Hong Jang-gun wore a momentarily puzzled expression, but he did not ask more at my unwavering gaze.

He immediately hid the note in his hand and then moved his steps leisurely.

A moment later, when Chairman McCain was sharing a conversation with other figures, Hong Jang-gun naturally approached and politely held out the note.

The Chairman did frown for a moment, but he received it at the word that I had sent it.

The face of the Chairman, who opened and saw the note, changed in an instant.

It was a short piece of writing, but the meaning contained within it was not light at all.

McCain looked through the hall as if unconsciously looking for someone.

Then his gaze met mine.

I quietly raised my glass and wore a smile as if I had been waiting for that moment.

That gaze sparkled like a star and was full of confidence.

At that moment, Choi Seo-jun’s heart sank once again.

‘Something is going to happen again.’

Somewhat complex emotions passed over McCain’s face.

He tried to avoid my gaze as if momentarily troubled, but soon he let out a sigh and then folded the note and put it in his pocket.

Even in that short gesture, an energy as if a decision had been made was stained.

While hiding his expression and pretending to be composed, he regained a smile and then stepped forward while parting the people.

He still possessed powerful influence to the point where even the bodyguards opened the way for him.

Exactly at that moment when the President was sharing handshakes with several figures, McCain approached and slightly tilted his body toward him.

As he got right up to the President’s ear, it could be known that they were exchanging some conversation.

No one could know the content of the conversation, but it was easy to notice that the President’s gaze changed at once.

Watching that scene from a distance, I did not withdraw my smile.

In my pupils, a hot flame was flickering as if I were already predicting what would happen next.

The President narrowed his eyes after a short conversation with McCain.

A shadow was cast on his expression, which had been harboring a smile throughout, and he seemed to be agonizing over something.

Wrinkles were deeply cast on his forehead and then disappeared, and he stood up as if a decision had been made.

After exchanging a few words with several figures nearby, the President moved his steps faster than expected.

At that appearance, the party hall began to be stirred in an instant.

Agitation spread as if a small wave were rippling between the people.

At that time, the moderator quickly grabbed the microphone.

“The President has briefly stepped away as there is a matter to confirm. The following banquet will be conducted by the First Lady instead.”

The inside of the hall, which had been cluttered, became quiet in no time as the First Lady, harboring an elegant smile, stepped onto the podium.

She stabilized the atmosphere while calmly offering a greeting.

In the middle of that, one of the President’s aides walked quickly between the people.

He looked around as if looking for someone and soon approached toward me.

“Are you indeed Representative Lim Hyunjun?”

“That is correct.”

The aide continued while bowing his head.

“The President has requested a brief interview. Will you please follow me?”