At my words, the faces of the officials seated around the round table all stiffened.

The only ones who showed no change were President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

“So the information was true.”

“Nothing has been finalized yet. It’s still under review.”

“You’re already working on a railway project with Russia. If you persuade China, the rest won’t be difficult, right?”

“...That’s correct.”

Bush nodded and tapped the armrest, sinking into thought.

Then Rice spoke.

“Thank you for what you did in Guinea. I heard the election was carried out safely, and the government transition succeeded.”

“I did it for my own benefit.”

“If it were purely about profit, supporting the prime minister would have been more advantageous.”

She wasn’t wrong. If Black Bear had backed the government, the election could have been delayed.

“I had no intention of interfering in domestic politics. I just wanted revenge.”

“The reason doesn’t matter. The result does. And thanks to the announcement that it was at America’s request, Washington saved face. Gratitude is still gratitude.”

“If you see it that way, I appreciate it.”

Rice smiled lightly, then shifted the topic.

“But about the Eurasian railway... wouldn’t it be better to reconsider?”

“Reconsider?”

“It’s a project with enormous risks. You of all people should know that.”

“That’s why I’m working on ways to reduce those risks. If we can limit losses, the potential gains are massive.”

“If it were that easy, it would have already started. This has been discussed for decades.”

She was right.

The Eurasian railway wasn’t my idea. It had been talked about for decades, yet no one had succeeded.

“That’s why I plan to move slowly and prepare thoroughly before starting.”

Railways were national infrastructure.

Ultimately, my goal was to secure operational control—just like what I was doing in North Korea.

Even so, it could take years to reach that stage.

The capital and connections required were enormous. There was no need to rush.

At that moment, Bush spoke.

“Charlie. I’d prefer you didn’t pursue this project.”

There had to be a reason. I looked him straight in the eyes.

“Are you worried about China and Russia gaining influence?”

“I won’t deny it. The United States and Japan would have no role in that project, which makes it even less appealing.”

He was more honest than expected.

“No matter how weakened Russia is, it’s still a potential adversary. The same goes for China. I can’t just sit by and watch their influence spread across Asia and Europe.”

That was exactly the concern I had anticipated.

The biggest obstacle to this project wasn’t technical—it was opposition from the U.S. and Japan.

Japan, being an island nation, couldn’t participate without an undersea tunnel.

And South Korea had no reason to hand over the starting point to Japan.

The U.S., meanwhile, was geographically detached.

If Eurasia became interconnected by rail, American influence could weaken.

“So you’re asking me to give up my interests for America’s?”

“America’s interests are your interests as well.”

“...And if I still go ahead?”

“Then I can’t guarantee what will happen.”

Bush’s gaze turned cold.

I met his eyes, then let out a small sigh and nodded.

“...Understood. I’ll think it over.”

“I’ll be waiting for a good answer.”

He fell silent, seemingly satisfied.

But the atmosphere grew colder—not from him, but from the people around him.

After breaking with the neocons, Bush had filled the White House with his own people.

Many of them had never met me before—and their hostility was obvious.

“Mr. President.”

He looked at me.

“Whatever decision I make, I won’t consider America’s position. I’ve never run my business while watching someone else’s mood. Whether I proceed or not—that’s entirely my decision.”

Bush blinked, as if he didn’t quite grasp my meaning.

“If I were to withdraw all my businesses from the United States, who would lose more—me or America?”

“What did you just say, you crazy bastard!”

A man slammed the table and stood up.

“I can make you disappear without a trace!”

I looked up at him.

The new Chief of Staff—Joshua, if I remembered correctly.

“Go ahead.”

“You insolent—what did you say?”

“If you fail to kill me, aren’t you afraid of what comes next?”

“...!”

A flicker of confusion crossed his face.

I slowly looked around the room, a faint smirk forming.

“You think I’d be scared of that kind of threat? I’ve survived death more times than I can count. I’ve always done business with death at my side. And you think someone like you can kill me?”

The room filled with anger.

Even Bush and Rice looked visibly upset.

“Do you ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) know what happened to everyone who tried to kill me? Can you really handle the consequences?”

“Charlie!”

Bush slammed the table.

“Don’t cross the line!”

“He crossed it first.”

I gestured lazily toward Joshua.

“Mr. President, what I’ve done for the United States far exceeds anything I’ve received in return.”

“....”

“If you try to intimidate me like this, I’ll have to reconsider my position. I’m not a puppet of the White House.”

“Charlie...”

“I did everything I could to support your re-election. And now you’re trying to block my business? That’s not right.”

“The Eurasian railway could seriously harm U.S. national interests. It could strengthen China as well. The mainstream view in Washington is to contain China—not Russia.”

Already?

The idea of containing China wasn’t supposed to gain traction until years later.

...So even this had changed.

“I’m the one doing this project. Neither China nor Russia can take it from me.”

“A railway project isn’t something an individual can control. In the end, China and Russia will dominate it. You’ll gain nothing.”

“Do I look like someone who gets his share taken? I take from others—I don’t get taken from.”

Bush pressed his forehead.

“Ha...”

“Bush. There’s no need to listen further.”

Joshua muttered angrily.

“We should use every means to investigate his business.”

“Joshua.”

“Are we really going to let a private individual push America around? After everything we sacrificed to break with the neocons—”

“Joshua!”

He had crossed a line.

Realizing it, Joshua quickly apologized.

“I’m sorry.”

“The one who contributed most to removing the neocons... is him. He helped us.”

“...What?”

“If you don’t know, then stay quiet.”

The room fell silent.

“Charlie.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“I consider you an ally of the United States. So I hope you’ll follow our position this time.”

“....”

“In return, I’ll grant you other interests.”

“Other interests?”

“Yes. Name what you want.”

But there was nothing I needed.

In a few years, Wall Street would collapse.

When that happened, I could simply take what I wanted.

“I don’t need anything.”

“...Stubborn to the end.”

“Nothing has been decided yet.”

“I’ll issue the same warning to the Korean government.”

“That’s your right. But don’t equate me with them.”

“And if they withdraw from the project?”

“I’ll deal with that when the time comes. But you know as well as I do—it’s too tempting for them to refuse.”

“...We’ll see.”

I needed to inform Yoon Changho in advance.

“Do as you wish. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”

I stood up.

Bush only frowned.

“I’ll take my leave.”

I gave a slight bow and walked out.

Rice followed me.

“Charlie... I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

“After the reorganization, many in the White House don’t know you.”

“That’s fine.”

“And I’m against the Eurasian railway as well. If we decide to act, Europe won’t join either.”

“....”

“So think carefully.”

She smiled and returned inside.

As I stood there in thought, Manager Ma approached.

“What happened in there?”

“The White House has information about the Eurasian railway. Find out if it leaked from Yoon Changho or Myungsoo.”

“Understood.”

“I don’t suspect them—but we need to be certain.”

“Let’s go.”

We left the hotel and returned to the house in Busan.

* * *

The APEC summit began.

Leaders from 21 countries, including South Korea, attended.

Before the main sessions, many bilateral meetings took place.

That night, after the first day’s events, Vladimir Putin met with Hu Jintao.

“Haha, President Putin. It’s been a while.”

“President Hu. Indeed.”

They greeted each other loudly and shook hands.

Their meeting ran long.

They had already coordinated beforehand, but there were still many issues to negotiate.

Step by step, they made concessions and reached agreements.

Finally, Hu spoke.

“What about the Eurasian railway?” 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“That’s not something we should discuss alone. Shall we invite President Kim?”

“I agree. Though it might take time for him to arrive.”

“No need to worry. He’s already in this hotel.”

“Then let’s call him.”

Putin instructed his aide to bring Kim Muhyuk, who was currently speaking with Dmitry Medvedev.