Capítulo 290: Chapter 290: If You’re Going to Do It, Do It Right
With thousands gathered, local reporters certainly wouldn't miss the uproar.
Before long, the swarm of reporters was busy clicking away, some hurriedly jotting notes.
"Any more questions?"
Harry, holding the microphone, asked.
"What if that promise isn't kept?"
"Then I'll gladly meet your demands. But if I keep my promise, don't interfere with the team again. Supporting the team is the best way to be a fan," I replied.
It was now time for them to decide whether to take my hand or continue to reject me.
Peterson seemed ready to say something, but the atmosphere was already in my favor.
"Manager, find out who that first reporter is and see who's behind him. It's probably President Taylor pulling the strings."
"Yes, Boss."
In front of the Hilton Hotel in Leeds, a massive crowd had gathered.
Due to the unlawful blockage of the road, the police had to step in, and the incident concluded like this.
As the crowd dispersed, we returned to the suite.
"Ugh… I'm dying here."
Han Gyeong-yeong groaned as he flopped onto the sofa.
"I've said everything I needed to say. Why are you the one complaining?"
I chuckled at Han Gyeong-yeong's lament and took a seat.
"It's just nerves. Hey, Mu-hyeok, you should consider a career in politics."
As soon as I sat down, Han Gyeong-yeong lifted his glass and casually tossed out,
"Politics? Not interested. Myeong-su's got that covered."
"The way you talk, you seem to be playing with people's emotions."
Han Gyeong-yeong shook his head, and clinked his glass against mine as I replied.
"It's easy enough. Not everyone in that crowd had the same goal. The initial protesters had a clear purpose, but the rest just flocked over thinking, 'This is my favorite football club,' and joined in."
"Even so, it's not easy to change the mind of people who were originally incited. Politicians know that once people are hooked, they can do whatever they want with them."
I just laughed at Han Gyeong-yeong's comment. He wasn't entirely wrong.
Honestly, the fact that a guy named Harry barged in today was a stroke of luck.
"Anyway, if we draw this much attention, they won't figure out our true purpose for coming to England, right?"
"That's true enough."
After chatting for a bit longer, I noticed the time had already passed midnight.
Han Gyeong-yeong seemed tired and finally spoke up.
"Wow, it's already this late. Get some sleep, Mu-hyeok. I'm going to drink a bit more and then crash."
"You sure? See you tomorrow, hyung."
I said my farewells and exited to my room.
The next day, my statements were plastered across the front page of the Leeds local paper.
[The new Leeds United owner mocks fans with outrageous claims?]
[A wealthy Oriental promises over one hundred million pounds in transfer funds.]
In Korea or Europe, grabbing attention with sensational headlines is the same.
Chuckling to myself, I flipped through the newspaper. There was also a piece about Han Gyeong-yeong.
He was simply introduced as a wealthy businessman from America.
It wasn't easy for local journalists to uncover Han Gyeong-yeong's real wealth in such a short time.
"Not a single friendly article in sight."
Not a line about anything favorable appeared in the newspaper provided by the hotel.
With a wry smile, I set down the newspaper and picked up my coffee.
"They say someone's backing this? As expected, it's Neil Taylor, right?"
"Yes. Neil Taylor instigated them. He seemed to suggest that if we become owners, the club might go under, stirring them up."
"As expected, he never misses a beat."
"What should we do?"
I took a sip of my coffee before answering Manager Ma.
"Looks like he sees me as some kind of fool. There are gangs in Leeds, right?"
"Yes, Boss."
"Hire the gang. Have them make sure he can't use one arm again. It's embarrassing for us to deal with him directly, so this should suffice. Just don't kill him. After the club acquisition, we can…"
I mimicked the gesture of slitting a throat with my thumb, when Han Gyeong-yeong opened the door and trudged out, still half-asleep.
"Mu-hyeok, you're already up. Ah, I'm dying…"
"How much have you been drinking?"
"Not much."
"Your face isn't lying, though."
"I still talk well. Just saying."
Wafting the smell of alcohol, Han Gyeong-yeong plopped down in front of me.
"Today, the operations team will be arriving for the club acquisition. I looked into law firms, and I think our best bet is to have one with a branch in the UK handle the contracts. The branch manager will personally draft the contract for us. As for the bank… I'm not thrilled, but we may have to go with HSBC here in the UK."
"I thought you would just be drinking until late."
I joked lightly and handed Han Gyeong-yeong a warm cup of coffee.
Taking the cup, he breathed in the aroma of the coffee and smiled.
"I have to work with the boss right next to me. But you seriously plan to invest over a hundred million?"
"Of course. If I'm going to own a football club, I can't just do it half-heartedly."
"That's true. If you're going to do it, you'll want the best."
As he spoke, Han Gyeong-yeong picked up the newspaper featuring his photo.
"Ah! I look good in this!"
I shook my head at Han Gyeong-yeong, who was admiring himself.
"Not a single positive article, though."
"Of course not. Do you think people care about us? To them, we're just rich Orientals. And on top of that, we start boasting about crazy sums of money. Why would they believe us? If they don't mock us, it's a miracle."
Han Gyeong-yeong, looking weary, took a sip of coffee and resumed speaking.
"Well, maybe the atmosphere will shift this afternoon? With how fast information spreads on the internet. Either that or major news outlets will jump on it."
Just as Han Gyeong-yeong suggested, as the afternoon progressed, the mood began to shift.
Major news outlets didn't release any positive articles, but they didn't challenge Han Gyeong-yeong's wealth either.
They criticized him along the lines of not being able to buy the Premier League trophy with just money.
Yet, the climate in Leeds was slowly changing in a friendly direction.
* * *
In a Leeds pub.
"Have you heard? The club is being taken over by an Oriental?"
The pub was filled with many laborers winding down a tough day.
"Damn it, how did our club end up this way? We made it to the Champions League semifinals this season!"
A burly man with a thick beard chugged down beer from a bottle, froth spilling over his angry words.
"Apparently, the club's finances are a complete mess. No wonder key players have been traded to other teams…"
"What's Taylor doing? How could he ruin the club's finances like this? We've qualified for the Champions League consecutively and performed well too!"
"The players were too greedy, demanding outrageous wages…"
While some genuinely worried about the team, others were more…
"A yellow monkey is taking over our club? Is that even possible? Handing over our club to some Cheng Cheng Chong?"
"Exactly. How did Leeds fall so low?"
"Let's storm the clubhouse! We can't let those guys take over the club!"
"Rumor has it the owner has made up his mind already. We have to stop it with our own bodies."
Some only saw the fact that it was an Oriental taking charge, ignoring everything else.
"Still, believing in a new owner isn't a bad idea, right? It's one hundred million pounds! He could even spend more. With that amount, we could bring in all the players we want! When has Leeds spent that much on transfers?"
"You think it's as simple as that?"
"He's been listed as the second richest person in the world by Forbes. James Han, that's the guy. So he probably will invest that much, right?"
"No way! I can't trust some bloke just because he's an Oriental."
Even fans of Leeds United who hadn't participated in yesterday's protest were discussing their thoughts on the club's sale while sipping their beers.
"But if this new owner's talk really becomes reality… winning the Champions League might not be just a dream, right?"
Many fans in Leeds prayed for their new owner to turn their club into the pride of the Big Ears.
Meanwhile, some accomplices who had been misusing the club's funds along with President Neil Taylor were gathered at Taylor's house to discuss plans.
"Taylor, are we truly going to sell the club? What about us? Won't we be caught for all the money we embezzled?"
The administrative officer in front of Taylor asked with concern, but Taylor just sipped his drink.
"Hey, Taylor, say something! You promised none of this would happen! And now we're following your orders, what happens to us?"
The head of the PR team shouted. Taylor listened silently, then suddenly hurled his drink against the wall, shattering the glass.
The glass smashed with a thud, scattering shards everywhere.
"Shut up! You've all enjoyed yourself, so why are you screaming at me now?"
Taylor's tongue seemed to be tied from the alcohol.
"Dad, what are we going to do?"
His daughter looked at him anxiously.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Dad will handle it all. Just act like nothing happened and show up at the clubhouse as usual."
"But still…"
"I said don't worry!"
Having never raised his voice at her before, when Taylor shouted, she left in tears.
"Sigh… Taylor, do you have a plan?"
Calmness seemingly regained, the administrative officer asked Taylor quietly.
"A plan, huh…"
"If there isn't one, I'll have to figure out my own way to survive."
"Survive?"
"You'll need to apologize for everything you've done and hope for forgiveness. I'll accept my punishment, but if I claim it was all your orders…"
Taylor scoffed at his words, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Ha! You think I don't know you were skimming off the top without telling me? If I go down, you go down with me! So shut up and destroy any evidence. Understand?"
"…"
"I'll take care of those Orientals, so don't worry about them and just get rid of all the evidence. Right now!"
"Uh, got it."
Taylor's eyes gleamed with madness. The administrative officer, overwhelmed by that look, nodded without realizing.
"And keep oiling the press so they write negative articles. Got it?"
"Uh, yes."
The head of PR seemed to sense the tense atmosphere and nodded awkwardly.
Taylor lifted the whiskey bottle and drank straight from it.
The liquor dribbled down his mouth as he swallowed too quickly.
"I'll wipe them all out. How dare they covet my kingdom…"
Muttering to himself, Taylor suddenly burst out laughing madly. His laughter echoed crazily in the room.
* * *
Days passed. I rested without any issues while waiting for Chairman Peter's call.
Finally, the awaited call from Chairman Peter came.
"Charlie, I've convinced all the shareholders."
"Well done. When will you transfer the club?"
"Hmm…"
Chairman Peter hesitated to respond.
"If you have something to say, just say it."
"Are you truly considering such a large investment in the club?"
"Yes. If need be, even more."
"Ah… understood. Then let's finalize the contract tomorrow."
Is this person doubting us too? Peter's words were soaked in hesitation.
"Then see you tomorrow."
Ending the call, I set the phone down.
"What did he say? Is it a go?"
Han Gyeong-yeong, who'd been buried in piles of paperwork, looked up to ask.
"Yeah. Peter managed to convince them all."
"Oh, we're finally becoming owners of a football club. In the UK no less! This is amazing!"
Watching him excitedly, I couldn't help but smile genuinely.
The next day, we headed to the clubhouse to finalize the acquisition of Leeds United.
As we entered the main street of Leeds, I heard a panicked cry from Han Gyeong-yeong, pulling my gaze from the newspaper I was reading.
"Huh? Huh? What the hell is that lunatic doing!
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