[LTCM Report]
—Rustle.
I let out a dry laugh as I flipped once again through the report I had already read several times the previous evening.
It was perfect. A plan that satisfied everyone, while secretly concealing a massive bomb beneath it.
I’d heard somewhere that truly wise and cunning people construct frameworks that everyone is happy with. In that sense, Collins’ plan was an exceptionally well-crafted one.
The Fed likely didn’t want to set the precedent of “too big to fail.” That’s why they preferred a private acquisition over a bailout... but Collins cleverly made it look like a private acquisition while actually enhancing the Fed’s involvement. Then, with a dash of political maneuvering, the Fed fully stepped in.
What a surprise.
All that effort put into cultivating talent, and yet this kind of monster fish shows up in a pond I already had under control.
‘Was I too narrow-minded? Collins wasn’t originally like this.’
I reflected deeply. People change, after all, and even a gem is just a rock until it's polished.
“How is it?”
Collins boasted in front of me, smug and overflowing with pride. The corners of his mouth curled up, clearly proud of himself.
Yeah, fair enough. With this level of performance... I could squeeze even more money out of this.
I had originally braced myself to burn through around a billion dollars on political maneuvering alone, but at this rate, I could cut lobbying costs significantly. I’d probably save about six hundred million.
“You’ll get at least another hundred million in bonuses. Congratulations.”
“Oh-ho, what luck. Commuting’s been a hassle lately, so I guess I’ll just stay at a hotel for a while. That’ll be more convenient.”
It wasn’t officially recorded as a performance bonus, but as CEO, Collins could draw from the fund however he liked. There were plenty of ways to make that happen. After all, most of Alpha Fund’s shares were held by people in my organization.
But still... I doubt this was what Collins really wanted. Even Charles walked away with hundreds of millions—I wouldn’t have paid the CEO less than that. Just looking at Collins’ expression made that clear.
“Mm, okay, then tell me one thing you want. I’ll grant it, whatever it is.”
Until now he’d just been flashing that mask-like smile, but as soon as I said that, Collins grinned.
Yeah, this is what he was after.
“Anything... you say?”
Hmm...
“Just so we’re clear, I won’t accept marriage proposals. Or anything like that. Ugh, you get it. Don’t ask for anything insane or something you’d need granted multiple times.”
My face flushed slightly.
Ugh, seriously.
I can’t believe I have to explain this stuff.
“...Then it becomes a bit ambiguous, doesn’t it? But more importantly, what do you take me for? You know I’m married, and yet you say such dangerous things...”
Collins muttered with an awkward look. I bit my lip slightly. It felt a little humiliating.
‘Hmph, like you haven’t imagined it at least once.’
Shameless, really. Aren’t all men like that? Besides, claiming you don’t think of Yoo Ha-yeon sexually—that’s only possible if you’re either impotent or gay.
Yeah, that’s gotta be it.
“Uuuhm... wait, hold on.... I mean, I could go as far as a hit job or a date.”
“Why are those your two options?”
“Because you asked for extreme examples, duh. That’s the line. So pick carefully.”
“Well, fair point.”
“You don’t have to use your wish now, you know. You can save it for later.”
Hearing that, Collins paused in thought, but then seemed to decide not to defer it. He looked me straight in the eye and asked seriously,
“I’ll use it now. The opportunity cost of saving it is too high.”
“Mm, good call.”
“How about dinner together for the next few weeks?”
Oh...
That’s a pricey one.
I slightly parted my lips, impressed by his shamelessness.
***
Fortunately, it was the kind of wish I could grant. I was busy now, planning to stay in New York for about a month—but I’d be returning to Korea after that.
Barely four weeks left.
‘It’s not exactly a date request, but it’s pretty bold.’
Isn’t it said that dining with famous people is worth a fortune? You gain connections, broaden your perspective, and learn valuable information.
I hadn’t placed much value on who I ate with before, but I guess Collins saw this as a sort of blue ocean.
Dinner with a prophet—(that’s apparently how Alpha Fund directors and above view me)—not just once, but over several weeks....
Shameless as he was, it wasn’t a bad deal for me either. I had never priced it out, and I often ate alone anyway. Collins had chosen well.
Normally, when I had company for meals, it went like this—
—Clack!
“Young Miss! I’m here!”
Just then, the door opened, and a small girl with puppy-like features beamed at me. It had been a while since I’d seen Seo Ji-yeon.
Right. Usually, I ate with a friend.
Still, Ji-yeon’s at an age now where calling her a “girl” is starting to feel off. Time flies.
“Yeah, Ji-yeon. Been a while, huh? I heard you were coming... but what are you here for?”
Seo Ji-yeon pouted.
“Pfft, do I need a reason? I just came to see you.”
“Well then, if you’ve got nothing to do, go home. I’m busy. And you’ve got a lot to handle too, don’t you? Still got companies left to acquire, and school on top of that.”
“Ehh....”
“Kidding, just kidding.”
When I grinned and waved it off, Ji-yeon’s expression relaxed.
“R-right? You’re not just ditching me now that I’m older, right?”
“Ah, damn, she caught on....”
“What?”
—Thump.
“Hey, say something that makes sense. What, you think I’m some kind of pedophile? Like I’d toss you aside for aging? Hmph, though come to think of it, you are officially an adult now, at least by Korean age standards.”
Thanks to my strong push, Korea had revised its legal adulthood standards, but social sentiment was still a bit ambiguous.
Luckily, Ji-yeon had taken a year off during elementary school, so even as a senior, she was considered an adult.
“Y-yeah. I can drink now, you know.”
Ah... right.
“...Have you?”
I lowered my voice.
Ji-yeon shook her head quickly.
“No way.”
“Good. It’s bad for your health, so don’t overdo it. Once you start drinking in these circles, it’s hard to stop.”
I drank a lot in my past life, but now it didn’t appeal to me as much.
Just another sign that my past and present lives were starting to diverge.
“Mm, though I guess there are things you can only do with alcohol. Like, pouring drinks down your chest or something....”
I lowered my head slightly and poked at my perky breasts with my index finger to show them off. I wasn’t wearing much at home—late May and all—and hadn’t bothered to put on anything heavy.
Thanks to that, every time I looked in the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised. Honestly, being born as Yoo Ha-yeon was a blessing.
“W-what are you thinking about now?”
“What do you mean now? I’ve been restraining myself lately, you know? Trying to act ladylike and everything.”
“I still remember when you put on that weird bunny outfit last time.”
That was... inevitable. It’s common sense in Vegas to wear a bunny outfit, okay? A casino without bunny girls? Absurd.
Well, even I knew that was a lame excuse. Honestly, a normal girl wearing something like that would’ve gotten torn apart—especially in this day and age.
“Anyway, you haven’t been going to school at all lately, have you?”
Trying to shift the topic, Ji-yeon asked, fanning her blushing face.
“School? Ah, yeah, I should go. It’s not like I’ve got that much school life left....”
“You’ve still got a whole year, don’t you? Most seniors are busy prepping for college, but you’re...”
Ji-yeon chuckled. It was like she couldn’t even imagine me cramming for exams like a normal student.
“Hmm, I was planning to finish this year and graduate early. You should graduate with me too.”
“...Huh?”
“You didn’t know? I thought I mentioned it before.”
“N-no, hold on... why?”
She blinked in confusion, staring at me.
“Well, you know. I only stayed behind a year because of you—otherwise, I’d be a senior now. I just don’t see the point of staying another year.”
“You’re the one who’s always whining about wanting to go to school and have fun... You sound like someone who dodged the draft saying they ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) wish they’d joined the army. Don’t say that in front of other people—you’ll get roasted.”
“....”
That’s not really the same thing though.
“Uhh... still, I want to take the college entrance exam. Maybe I’ll take it this year and again next year too. There’s something kind of romantic about it, don’t you think?”
“What are you, Yi I? The Confucian exam-topper?”
Ji-yeon stared at me, exasperated, nagging like I was some kind of public menace for existing in the same era as her.
“Most people here don’t even know what Alpha Fund is. But a perfect score on the college exam? That’s something they do respect.”
“Oh wow, what more praise could you possibly want? At this rate, they’ll build a statue of you in Gwanghwamun. You didn’t hear? They’re already making your biography for kids.”
What’s with her? Is she still mad about the joke earlier?
“...Wait, there’s really a biography? I didn’t see any royalties come in. Shouldn’t they need my permission to publish that kind of thing?”
“Well, duh, it’s totally unauthorized. Want me to show you?”
“....”
Something about that felt ominous, so I declined.