A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 92: The Hidden Architect (2)

I returned to the banquet hall after meeting Vice Chairman McCain.

That place was as good as a meeting square.

Politicians, diplomats, and businesspeople clinked glasses and became acquainted while moving between tables.

They expanded their foundations there.

When I appeared in the banquet hall again, several figures naturally headed toward me.

Until just an hour ago, the gazes looking at me merely considered me a young entrepreneur from somewhere in Asia.

However, as it became known that I had a private meeting with Vice Chairman McCain, they became interested in who I was.

The first person to approach was an executive from a French investment bank.

“You are Representative Lim, correct?”

I smiled lightly and nodded my head.He showed great interest in the fact that I had met with Vice Chairman McCain.

“We just shared a brief greeting.”

I treated them with a humble attitude.

After that, the representative of a famous American private equity firm held out a business card and asked.

“By any chance, is it correct that you acquired PREZO?”

I handed him my business card and exchanged a few words.

“That is correct.”

“Oh, you are the representative of that famous HJ Partners.”

After hearing my words, the opponent's expression changed noticeably.

There was something more than curiosity contained in his expression.

“We were also very interested in the acquisition of PREZO. It is a pity that it could have been ours if it had not been taken by you.”

“Is that so? Ha ha.”

That was a lie.

If I had not stepped forward, PREZO would have passed to Daehan.

I decided to erase the business card I received from him from my memory.

No matter how light a meeting is, one never knows when or where they might be connected in business.

However, if he hesitated to lie to this extent, there was no reason to be together in the future.

Another figure stealthily approached me.

Someone threw a question regarding how PREZO would build electric vehicle production facilities in the US in the future.

Someone else showed interest in HJ Partners' investment within Asia.

The business cards I brought disappeared quickly to the point they ran out.

I responded to each person with an unwavering attitude.

It was clear that the person they were facing now was not simply an entrepreneur from Korea, but a figure receiving attention from the world.

It was around the time I was becoming tired.

Samir, the son of Prime Minister al-Zaidi, approached me.

“You have come to my country, so will you not go to my house?”

“Are you inviting me now? If so, I cannot refuse. Where is it? Let us go right away.”

I placed the glass I was holding on top of the table and quickly followed Samir.

Samir was quick-witted.

He knew I was hurrying because I wanted to leave the spot on purpose.

He forced himself to hold back the laughter that was about to leak out.

“A brother has come a long way, so I must treat him well. Come, let us go in my car.”

I walked following him while smiling.

Moon Jong-beom and Jeong Jin-woo followed behind.

The vehicle I rode in left the city center and ran for a long time.

The night in Baghdad spreading outside the window was quiet under the golden streetlights, as if taking a breath.

Checkpoints were located in various places all along the way.

Only after checking Samir's face did the soldiers salute politely and let the vehicle pass.

I looked at the scenery through the window and spoke.

“It is not a close distance.”

Samir, perhaps used to this kind of thing, answered my words immediately.

“If it is a place where the family can stay quietly, we must endure this much distance.”

There were various meanings implied in those words.

I felt once again what kind of place this was.

The car that was running fast soon reduced its speed and stopped in front of a residence that looked to have high walls and heavy security.

After passing through the arched entrance, a well-tended garden made the eyes pleasant.

Samir got out of the car first.

My party and I also set foot in the residence.

An elderly-looking man bowed his waist toward Samir and my party while offering a greeting.

“Welcome.”

Following his guidance into the residence, a wide reception room caught the eye first.

It was a space that felt ironic as it showed a scene where classical and modern facilities were exquisitely harmonized.

Several people came out to meet them.

One person was a middle-aged woman wearing an elegant black hijab.

She was the Prime Minister's wife and Samir's mother.

Next to her stood a woman with long blonde hair.

It was clear that the woman with white skin and deep gray eyes, which were attractive, was not from here.

“Mother, I have brought a guest. It is Representative Lim Hyunjun from Korea.”

The Prime Minister's wife looked me up and down without a single movement.

There was no curiosity or sign of welcome in her eyes.

Rather, it was full of wariness.

Samir translated the words she said.

“My mother said she is glad to meet you.”

I bowed my waist and showed respect to Samir's mother.

“I am Lim Hyunjun, representative of HJ Partners. Thank you for inviting me. Since it was a sudden visit, I was not able to prepare a gift yet.”

Samir scratched his head and spoke.

“A gift? Just having you come here is like a gift to us.”

Leaving the Prime Minister's wife, who showed a somewhat cold reaction, Samir took my party around here and there and guided us through the interior.

The blonde-haired woman followed behind them.

I stealthily asked who she was.

Just as Samir was about to introduce her while looking embarrassed, the woman reached out her hand first instead.

“I am Elina. I am Samir's fiancée.”

Samir said he met her when he was staying in the UK.

I held Elina's hand.

“Nice to meet you. I am Lim Hyunjun.”

Elina smiled brightly.

Somehow, her personality looked the exact opposite of Samir's.

She seemed very lively and active.

The way I could tell that was when the housekeepers placed neat dishes on the dining table one by one as the evening ripened.

On silver dishes, lamb dishes and food full of spice smells were placed in a line on the dining table.

When Samir gestured, I and my party naturally sat in our seats.

Just as Elina was about to join, the Prime Minister's wife suddenly approached and spoke firmly.

“Since a guest from outside has come today, it would be good for you to step out.”

Even if I could not understand what she meant, I could tell just by the atmosphere.

At the moment Samir was about to look at his mother with a flustered expression, Elina reacted first.

She spoke calmly as if it were no big deal.

“I was taught to eat together when a guest comes. Therefore, I do not think there is a reason for me to step out.”

At those words, the Prime Minister's wife's gaze was distorted terrifyingly.

It was not clearly visible because she was wearing a hijab, but she revealed her displeasure as it was.

Elina continued her words composedly again.

“Furthermore, today's guest is a precious person who saved Samir. It is natural for me to share the spot.”

I was quietly watching that sight while holding my breath.

I also knew the fear of the relationship between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law well.

The Prime Minister's wife was a person who was conservative and valued tradition and face.

Since Elina did not comply with such things, the relationship between the two could not be good.

It was important what kind of role Samir played in the middle.

Since her son could not do this or that, the Prime Minister's wife turned her gaze and said with effort.

“Fine, you join as well.”

Those words were an endurance because she might lose face if she argued more, rather than a permission.

Elina sat in her seat as if nothing were wrong, even wearing a smile.

I let out a short breath for the first time.

Samir poured a drink into my glass and felt regret.

“I prepared a good wine, but it is a pity.”

“Ha ha ha. I see.”

The feeling of regret was more for me if anything, not less.

Elina threw a playful remark.

“Are you really eighteen? It is hard to believe.”

“Do I look that old?”

I asked playfully, but the answer that came back was serious instead.

“No. In fact, you look even younger than eighteen. It is really amazing.”

The words saying I looked young did not sound very pleasant.

However, I did not show it and asked carefully.

“What kind of work did you do when you were in the UK?”

“I did IT-related work. It is nothing much. It is just the work of analyzing data.”

She held the glass placed in front of her.

I held the glass containing the drink and offered a toast.

The meal ended without any trouble.

As the sun set, I went out for a walk wanting to feel the night breeze blowing coolly.

The moon followed me as if showing off its presence.

The next morning, the residence was still quiet.

The sunlight shining brightly from the morning was enough to make the skin sting.

Without an air conditioner, it would be difficult to even let out a breath because of the heat.

After finishing my preparations, I came down to the first-floor reception room with Jeong Jin-woo and Moon Jong-beom.

Samir was already waiting for them.

Elina was standing next to him.

Unlike the previous day, she was wearing a light beige shirt and jeans.

She still looked cheerful.

The breakfast spot was simple, unlike yesterday.

The Prime Minister also briefly showed himself, but as he was busy, he left the spot quickly after sharing quiet greetings and leaving a few words of blessing.

After he left, the remaining people shared conversation while drinking tea in a comfortable atmosphere again.

Time flowed quickly.

Soon it became time for my party to leave.

Samir felt the most regret.

“I have prepared a vehicle. It will take you to the airport.”

I expressed my gratitude and said,“Thank you.”

Elina waved her hand and gave her last greeting.

“It was nice to meet you. If you ever come to London next time, please be sure to contact me.”

I also smiled lightly and my eyes met hers, and it was at that moment.

Bang!

A shock as if tearing through my mind struck my head.

The front of my eyes turned white.

My senses disappeared and another image flowed in rapidly.

***

A building in ruins.

Blackened walls and red lights flickered here and there.

It was confusing as the fishy smell of blood and the cold smell of iron were mixed together.

And a familiar face was seen there.

A person who fell while bleeding on the floor.

It was me, with my face all stained with blood.

The sound of someone's footsteps was heard.

When I turned my head, I heard a voice speaking into a radio in a calm tone.

“Elimination complete. Request confirmation.”

It was Elina.

She picked up the firearm dropped on the floor and walked out without a moment of hesitation.

The hem of her black coat brushed over me as I lay fallen.

***

My eyes snapped open.

Returning to reality, my fingertips trembled as if a shiver were rushing in.

Elina asked while finding it strange.

“Are you okay?”

I smiled as if nothing was wrong with effort.

“Yes, it is because the sunlight entered my eyes for a moment.”

Despite the strange excuse, Elina just smiled without suspicion.

I could see Samir gesturing toward us to move to the vehicle.

I turned my head and looked at Jeong Jin-woo.

However, I could not say anything.

No, I could not do it.