Chapter 545: I Didn’t Break the Promise

At my declaration to ensure President Bush's defeat, Yoon Chang-ho and Myeong-su's eyes widened.

"The best revenge I can take is just that. If they betray our agreement before next year's presidential election, I'll use all my money, connections, and information to prevent President Bush and the Republican Party from regaining power."

Yoon Chang-ho bit his lip and gulped down the drink in front of him in one go.

It was clear he was disturbed. I couldn't help but smile softly at his expression.

"Mr. President."

At my call, Yoon Chang-ho looked back at me.

"When you're up against someone, you should always attack their most vulnerable spot first—whether it's family, money, or honor. No matter what it is, you have to hit them where it hurts the most, so they'll understand who they've angered."

"I'm glad you're on my side. Sometimes, I find Boss Kim intimidating."

He shrugged, brushing it off casually.

"We're allies who have the same goals. You've kept your promise to me, and I've kept mine to you, Mr. President. So there's nothing to fear, is there?"

Yoon Chang-ho nodded thoughtfully and poured more liquor into his glass, then asked.

"So, what kind of reaction do you think we'll get from them?"

What kind of response? I thought for a moment before shaking my head.

"I can't predict that either. If my threats work, they'll uphold the promise. But if not, they might come to apprehend me by now, don't you think?"

"What?"

"What?"

Yoon Chang-ho and Myeong-su asked simultaneously.

"They're probably arguing intensely right now. I'm not completely without vulnerabilities either. They could try to take me in and coerce me into submission while interrogating me."

"Still…"

Yoon Chang-ho's tone dripped with disbelief; I grinned in response.

"They might not be able to charge or detain me, but they can certainly arrest me. This is America. Money can buy just about anything here. I can guess their methods of applying pressure, but I'm not scared."

I'll assemble a legal team from the Dream team and prepare for their attacks.

But Myeong-su still seemed anxious, his expression revealing worry.

"Can we really be this firm?"

"If not? I didn't break the promise. I kept every agreement we had. And you and President Yoon Chang-ho kept all your promises too. I refuse to be a victim to them, even if they are the president of the U.S."

* * *

Powell, having received a call from Kim Mu-hyeok, rushed into the President's office.

As Powell burst through the door, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney turned to look at him.

"Secretary of State. What's the matter at this hour?"

"Powell. What an uncouth display this is at such an hour?"

Both Bush and Dick Cheney spoke at once.

Ignoring Dick Cheney, Powell faced Bush and said.

"Mr. President, I have something to report."

"Oh? What could possibly require the Secretary of State to rush in like this? Sit down."

As Bush gestured toward the sofa, Powell slightly bowed his head and took a seat.

Dick Cheney looked at Powell with a displeased expression.

"Now, go ahead and speak, Secretary of State."

Bush casually crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair.

"I got a call from Kim Mu-hyeok."

"Kim Mu-hyeok? Oh, Charlie?"

Bush answered nonchalantly, treating it as nothing. Seeing his laid-back demeanor made Powell bite his lip.

"But does a call from that man warrant such urgency?"

Powell uttered a slew of curses under his breath.

"He said to keep our promises."

"Promises… Didn't we say we'd give them after the election was over?"

"Last time, the promise involved Kim Mu-hyeok getting votes for North Korea sanctions through negotiations with China and Russia, and in return, our administration would transfer people involved in incidents in Korea back to Korea. Then, Korea would send combat troops to Iraq and hire mercenaries to send to the battlefields there. That was it."

Bush nodded.

"That's right. But politics is fluid. The Democratic Party's primaries are heating up. In an uncertain situation regarding reelection, transferring our citizens to Korea isn't going to win us any votes, right? That's why we delayed until after the election. What's the problem with that?"

This time, Dick Cheney picked up where Bush left off.

"Powell. Are you an American? Or Charlie's henchman? Why do you keep siding with him?"

In response to Dick Cheney's words, Powell shot him a glare.

"If he doesn't fulfill his promise, he says he'll support the Democratic Party in next year's presidential election. He'll pass his money, connections, and information all to them."

At the shocking statement, Bush sprang out of his chair, slamming a fist on the table.

"What? What does that mean? Speak properly!"

"He's saying he won't support the Republicans, but instead the Democratic Party. He says he'll give them his information."

"…"

As Powell repeated it clearly, silence filled the President's office.

"Charlie postponed his promise for the election. But if he supports the Democratic Party, it'll lead to a bigger problem."

"…"

Bush's lips quivered. He looked at Dick Cheney with a trembling gaze.

Dick Cheney, staring at Powell impassively, asked.

"Did that guy really say this?"

"Do I need to lie about this?"

"So what did you say?"

"What could I do at that moment? I can't change what I decided under your orders. So I said I would discuss it with the President and get back in touch. He was hoping to hear back by today."

At that moment, Bush shouted loudly.

"Dick! If you listened to him, what chaos is this! Didn't you say Charlie couldn't slip from our grasp?!"

"Mr. President."

"We have no idea what that information he has could lead to if it gets to the Democratic Party! Don't you care whether I get reelected or not? Do you hope I'll be a one-term president just like my father?!"

Bush, excitedly worked up, spat as he raised his voice.

"Bush. Calm down. This was something you agreed to."

"You pressured me into this!"

Far from calming down, Bush's face turned bright red. Dick Cheney sighed and said.

"So? Are you suggesting we give our citizens to Korea and handle the aftermath? You shouldn't have made that promise! I was against it. We should just invade North Korea and oust Kim Jong-il. If we could do it in Iraq, why not North Korea?"

"Those lunatics in war!"

Including Dick Cheney, the neocons had already drawn up plans to invade North Korea before the Iraq War even began.

They intended to settle accounts with any nation that dared to stand against them.

Bush would not accept that, which is why North Korea began its nuclear development.

Even after many calls for invasion, Bush was content with passing sanctions after negotiating with Kim Mu-hyeok.

But the neocons still believed they needed to invade North Korea.

"It's not about being war-crazy. This is a war to protect liberal values. Don't you know? There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. You allowed it to happen! And now you call me a war-madman! That's absurd."

Bush's expression hardened. Dick Cheney displayed a sardonic smile.

"You need to work on solving the problem instead of blaming others; it's not a good habit, Bush."

"…"

"For now, let's arrest Kim Mu-hyeok. After that, we can either lure him in or threaten him so he won't try anything against us again."

Dick Cheney proposed that they arrest Kim Mu-hyeok, and Powell shook his head before the words even left his mouth.

"That's impossible. If we do that, our relations with Korea will sour."

At Powell's concerned reaction, Dick Cheney laughed derisively.

"Korea can't do anything without our help. If he disappears, the Korean president would be delighted!"

"…Mr. Vice President, what charge do you have against him? No, even if we arrest him, can we even charge him? With his money, he'll easily assemble a luxurious legal team."

Dick Cheney slowly shook his head.

"There's no need to go that far. We just need to show that we can do this. Charlie believes we're at his mercy right now. The great America shouldn't be dancing to the tune of one person!"

"No matter how I think about it, that's not a good plan. If that man holds a press conference, who knows how far the repercussions could go…"

"That guy hates having his name exposed. In the end, he'll have no choice but to reach out to us again."

Powell and Dick Cheney continued to argue for a while, and their debate intensified.

Bush sat with his eyes closed, listening to their conversation.

"Both of you, stop it!"

Bush shouted as he opened his eyes.

"Let's proceed like this…"

Bush, whose complexion had turned dark, slowly began to speak.

* * *

Time flowed as I clinked glasses with Yoon Chang-ho and Myeong-su.

I kept checking my watch throughout our conversation. It was already past eleven.

Did they decide to take my warning as just an empty threat?

My mind began to feel cluttered.

"Boss Kim, why the solemn expression?"

Yoon Chang-ho asked, noticing my face.

"Is it because there's been no news?"

"No, it's not that."

"There's nothing we can do. What can we gain from tomorrow's meeting with President Bush?"

"Even if they break the promise, you should proceed with the troop deployment or mercenary contracts that you promised, Mr. President."

"…Are you saying we should give everything without receiving anything in return?"

Yoon Chang-ho frowned. I understood why he felt uneasy.

But he was the president of a nation.

"I'm in a position to do as I wish, but you're sitting in a role responsible for South Korea. International politics is ultimately about building a justification. For now, carry out your promises. If this matter comes to light later, there will be times when the U.S. will have to acknowledge our requests—even after your term ends."

Yoon Chang-ho let out a sigh, showing he was somewhat appeased.

"Even for America, justification is crucial in international politics. Why do you think the Bush administration sought UN permission for the Iraq War, unlike their invasion of Afghanistan? They needed justification to invade Iraq."

Eventually, Yoon Chang-ho nodded.

"I will do that. For now, let's see what happens tomorrow…"

Yoon Chang-ho couldn't finish his sentence.

There was a knock on the door, and soon a bodyguard entered.

"Secretary of State Powell and National Security Advisor John Bolton are here to see you."

Yoon Chang-ho frowned and pointed at the clock.

"How rude to come at such a late hour…"

As I got up from my seat, I said.

"It seems they came to see me. I'll go out and check."

Yoon Chang-ho frowned and shook his head.

"What are you talking about? Tell them to come in here."

"No, Mr. President, it's not a good choice for you to show your face directly."

"Then at least take the Chief of Staff with you."

Myeong-su, as if waiting for this moment, stood up.

"Yes, I'll go with you."

"Alright, I'll trust you and wait."

"Please get some rest, Mr. President. You should sleep early to manage tomorrow's agenda."

"Do just that, Chief of Staff."

As Myeong-su was conversing with Yoon Chang-ho, he headed outside first.

Powell and Bolton were waiting outside together.

Upon seeing me, Powell glanced around and said.

"Charlie, let's talk inside."

I nodded at Powell's suggestion. Myeong-su, who had come out late, piped up.

"Then let's move to my room."

Myeong-su led me and the others to his room.