Chapter 20: The Contract of Destiny

The next morning.

Lee Jun-hyuk woke up early and went out for a walk.

Central Park was alive even in the early morning.

Joggers, ladies walking their dogs, elderly men reading newspapers.

It was a peaceful scene, but his mind was troubled.

“Up early and industrious, aren’t you?”

A familiar voice came from behind.

It was Leonardo.

He approached dressed in a neat suit.

“Did you follow me here?”

“Just a coincidence. I also like morning newspapers.”

It was clearly a lie.

But Lee Jun-hyuk didn’t mind.

“Let’s walk together.”

The two walked side by side.

After a long silence, Leonardo finally spoke.

“How was last night’s meeting?”

“It was good.”

“…Is that all?”

Lee Jun-hyuk looked at Leonardo.

“What do you want to hear?”

“The truth.”

Leonardo stopped walking.

“You met the Rockefeller faction, right? And you must have received their proposal.”

As expected, he knew.

“That’s right.”

“Will you accept their proposal?”

“I’m writing.”

Lee Jun-hyuk sat down on a bench.

“I want some advice.”

“From me?”

Leonardo looked surprised.

“Why me, of all people?”

“Because you are the most objective person to see this. Mr. Morgan is too protective of me, and the Rockefeller side only thinks about their own interests.”

“…And I am?”

“You seem undecided. You don’t know which side is advantageous yet.”

Leonardo sat down next to him.

He took out a cigarette and lit it.

Smoke drifted into the morning air.

“Honestly, I have to tell you. Escobar wanted to get rid of you.”

It was a shocking confession.

“But I stopped him. It’s not time yet.”

“Why?”

“Because you have moved.”

Leonardo looked at Lee Jun-hyuk.

“The sugar price. It really seems like it will rise. And when that time comes…”

“A war will start.”

“Exactly. The real war.”

Leonardo flicked his cigarette away.

“That’s why I suggest you accept Rockefeller’s offer.”

An unexpected suggestion.

“…Can Escobar’s subordinate say such a thing?”

“Before I’m Escobar’s subordinate, I’m a businessman.”

Leonardo stood up.

“And a wise businessman doesn’t put all his eggs in one basket.”

It was a cryptic remark.

“Perhaps…”

“Time’s up. I should get back.”

Leonardo handed over a business card.

“Look at the back.”

An address was written on the back.

“Come find me if you need anything. Not officially, unofficially.”

After he left, Lee Jun-hyuk sat there for a while longer.

Leonardo’s signal was clear.

He was preparing for independence from Escobar.

“The board is getting complicated.”

But it wasn’t bad.

If there was a crack inside the enemy’s camp, that could be a card to use.

***

2:00 PM.

Lee Jun-hyuk returned to Morgan’s villa.

The same people from yesterday were gathered in the meeting room.

But the atmosphere was more serious.

“Have you decided?”

Howard asked bluntly.

“Yes. I’ll join.”

Relieved expressions spread.

Gould took out some documents.

“Good. Then let’s discuss the detailed conditions.”

The next two hours were a fierce negotiation.

Lee Jun-hyuk marshaled all his future experience and expert knowledge.

His background as a section chief in the Corporate Finance Team 1 at a securities firm was invaluable.

He meticulously reviewed every clause of the draft contract and demanded corrections for unfavorable parts.

“I want guaranteed independence of management rights.”

“That’s natural.”

“Please specify it in the document. And clarify the dismissal clause.”

Vanderbilt was impressed.

“Have you studied law? You seem quite professional.”

“I only know the basics.”

It was a lie.

His past experience and knowledge were a great help.

“One more thing I want to request.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Job security for the employees, especially the local Cuban staff.”

Howard frowned.

“That could hurt management efficiency.”

“We can’t do anything without them.”

Lee Jun-hyuk said firmly.

“They are people who trusted and followed me. I can’t abandon them.”

A brief silence followed.

James Morgan stepped in.

“Lee Jun-hyuk is right. People are the most valuable asset.”

“Very well.”

Gould nodded.

“But performance must back it up.”

“Of course.”

Finally, the contract was completed.

“American Sugar Trading Company.”

Capital: 5 million dollars.

Lee Jun-hyuk’s share: 30%.

CEO and field director.

The remaining 70% was split as Howard 30%, Frank Gould 20%, Vanderbilt 20%.

“Congratulations, Mr. Lee.”

Howard raised a glass of champagne.

“You’re one of us now.”

They toasted.

But Lee Jun-hyuk knew.

This wasn’t a celebration—it was a declaration of war.

“There’s the first task.”

Vanderbilt spread out a map.

It was a map of Cuba.

Several regions were marked.

“Take over these farms. Totaling 20,000 acres.”

“Aren’t those Escobar’s farms?”

“Technically, they belong to his partners.”

Gould explained.

“They’re farmers in financial trouble. If we offer a reasonable price, they’ll hand them over.”

“But Escobar…”

“He’s dealing with another problem now.”

Howard smiled meaningfully.

“This morning, his New York account was frozen. For tax evasion.”

As expected, this was their power.

Even government agencies were mobilized to pressure Escobar.

“How much time do we have?”

“One month.”

“That’s too short.”

“That’s why we’re helping.”

Vanderbilt handed over a letter.

“My brother is at the American Consulate in Cuba. Ask for help if needed.”

It was reassuring support.

But also a heavy burden.

He felt the heavy pressure to meet their expectations.

After the signing ceremony, Lee Jun-hyuk was left alone with Morgan.

“Feeling the pressure?”

Morgan asked.

“To be honest, yes.”

“Of course. Joining forces with them is like riding a tiger.”

Morgan looked out the window.

“But you’ll pull it off. I guarantee it.”

“You’re overestimating me.”

“No, maybe I’m underestimating you.”

Morgan looked at Lee Jun-hyuk.

There was an indescribable emotion in his eyes.

“You have something special. It’s like seeing the future…”

For a moment, Lee Jun-hyuk’s heart almost stopped.

Could he have sensed it?

“Haha, just kidding.”

Morgan laughed.

“Don’t make that face. It just means your intuition is sharp.”

Lee Jun-hyuk sighed in relief.

“I’ll return to Cuba tomorrow.”

“Of course. You’ll have a mountain of work.”

Morgan handed over another envelope.

“What’s this?”

“A letter. Deliver it to an old friend in Cuba. It’ll be a great help.”

The envelope was marked ‘Don Carlos Mendoza.’

“Judge Mendoza. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Cuba. A very fair man.”

A valuable connection.

“Thank you.”

“One more thing.”

Morgan lowered his voice.

“Katherine seems to have taken a liking to you.”

Suddenly, the topic changed.

“I…”

“Don’t feel pressured. It’s just your grandfather watching over you.”

Morgan smiled.

“But remember this. Business and personal feelings must be strictly separated. Especially in times like these.”

Lee Jun-hyuk wasn’t sure if it was advice or a warning.

***

Dinner was splendid.

Katherine had cooked it herself.

“How is it? Is it edible?”

“Excellent.”

He was sincere.

It wasn’t as good as a luxury restaurant in 2020, but it was a meal made with care.

“Good to hear. Honestly, I was worried.”

Katherine smiled.

“I heard you’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Yes. There’s a lot to do.”

“That’s a shame. I wanted to show you around New York properly.”

“Next time…”

“A promise?”

Katherine’s eyes sparkled.

Lee Jun-hyuk nodded vaguely.

After the meal, Katherine played the piano.

It was Chopin’s Nocturne.

The sentimental melody filled the villa.

“My mother taught me.”

Katherine said after finishing.

“She used to play this often before she passed.”

“That was a beautiful performance.”

“Thank you.”

Katherine stood up.

“Mr. Lee, be careful in Cuba. And…”

She hesitated before speaking.

“Please write sometimes. Grandpa will be curious.”

“I will.”

Night deepened.

Lee Jun-hyuk packed his things in his room.

Tomorrow, he had to return to the battlefield.

On his desk lay the items he had received today.

The contract, the map of Cuba, the letter to Judge Mendoza, and…

Leonardo’s business card.

He checked the address on the back once again.

“Brooklyn Harbor Warehouse 13.”

…Why such a place?

But instinct told him.

This would also be an important card.

***

The next dawn.

Lee Jun-hyuk boarded a carriage heading to New York Harbor.

James Morgan personally came to see him off, and Katherine was also there despite the early hour.

Amid the thick morning mist, the three stood silently for a moment.

“Send telegrams often.”

Morgan spoke first.

“We need to know how things are going to provide support. Don’t overdo it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll move cautiously.”

Lee Jun-hyuk replied, though the coming month would require an all-out sprint.

Katherine handed him a small box.

“Open this on the ship. And this isn’t from your grandfather; it’s my personal gift.”

The box was heavy, and the wrapping was meticulous.

As the carriage departed, the two watching slowly faded into the distance.

Lee Jun-hyuk didn’t look back, but he sensed they kept watching the carriage.

Upon arriving at the harbor, Leonardo was unexpectedly waiting.

He stood at the end of the pier, smoking and staring at the sea.

When he saw Lee Jun-hyuk, he threw away his cigarette and came over.

“You’re on the same ship back.”

“Seems like a continuous coincidence.”

“This time it’s really a coincidence. Escobar summoned me urgently.”

Fatigue showed on Leonardo’s face.

The two lined up quietly in the boarding queue, aware of the curious gazes around them.

“Congratulations on yesterday’s contract.”

“How did you know?”

“If something big happens in New York, news spreads fast. Especially if the Rockefeller faction is involved.”

Leonardo looked at Lee Jun-hyuk.

His eyes held mixed emotions.

Suspicion, curiosity, and a hint of envy.

“Escobar must be very angry. Probably an arrest warrant will be issued once I return.”

“So you came earlier to avoid it?”

“No. I’m going back quickly to assess the situation. Before he acts emotionally.”

Once aboard the ship, the two stopped briefly on the deck.

The morning sunlight dyed the sea golden, and seagulls circled sharply, crying.

“Mr. Lee, may I ask you something?”

Leonardo grabbed the railing and said.

“Do you really intend to go head-to-head with Escobar? Even with Rockefeller behind you, Escobar’s power in Cuba is unimaginable.”

“I want to avoid direct confrontation. But if the other side insists…”

Lee Jun-hyuk gazed at the horizon.

“You can’t just watch and do nothing. Honestly, I don’t intend to back down.”

“You’re either brave or reckless.”

“Maybe both.”

Leonardo smiled faintly.

“Good. Then one more piece of advice. As soon as you arrive in Cuba, meet Judge Mendoza.”

“Judge Mendoza?”

Lee Jun-hyuk was surprised.

Coincidentally, it was the very person Morgan had introduced.

“He’s one of the few people even Escobar dares not touch. A guardian of the law and considered the conscience of Cuba.”

“Why do you say I should meet him?”

“Insurance. There will be many legal disputes ahead. You’ll need someone who can be expected to give fair judgments.”

The ship slowly began to leave the harbor.

New York’s skyline grew smaller, and the vast ocean spread before them.

The three-day voyage was starting anew.

“Let’s have dinner together tonight.”

Leonardo said as he headed toward his cabin.

“This time, I’ll prepare wine. Something specially imported from France.”

Lee Jun-hyuk nodded and entered his cabin.

Katherine carefully opened the box he had received.

Inside was a high-end pocket watch.

Engraved on the inside cover was a small message.