Chapter 21: Return to Cuba

The ship slowly approached Havana Port.

Lee Jun-hyuk stood holding the railing on the deck.

The emerald waters of the Caribbean Sea sparkled brilliantly.

It had been a week since he last set foot in Cuba, yet everything had changed.

The pocket watch in his pocket felt heavy.

It was a gift from Catherine.

‘He who controls time controls the future.’

Her message kept echoing in his mind.

”Finally, we’ve arrived.”

Leonardo approached beside him.

During the three days of sailing, the two had kept their distance cautiously.

Officially, they were still enemies.

“Mr. Lee, may I give you a piece of advice?”

“Please, go ahead.”

“As soon as you disembark at the port, go see Judge Mendoza. From what I know, he’s been waiting for you.”

Lee Jun-hyuk’s expression turned surprised.

He hadn’t even delivered James Morgan’s introduction letter yet, but Mendoza was already looking for him?

“Do you know why?”

“That, I don’t know. However…”

Leonardo averted his gaze.

“There are rumors of major changes at the Governor-General’s Office. Alejandro might disappear soon.”

The ship docked at the pier.

As expected, many people were waiting.

Among them, Carlos’s figure caught Lee Jun-hyuk’s eye first.

His expression was grim.

“I’ll go ahead.”

Leonardo said his farewell.

“We’ll meet again soon. Hopefully, then we can talk more freely.”

“Yes.”

Leonardo disembarked first.

Lee Jun-hyuk waited a moment longer before getting off the ship.

Carlos practically ran up to him.

“Mr. Lee! It’s a serious matter!”

“What’s going on?”

“The plantation… The Governor-General’s Office sealed it off!”

He had anticipated trouble but hadn’t expected it to come so fast.

“Do you know why?”

“They’re accusing us of involvement in anti-American activities. Without any proof…”

Carlos’s face was full of frustration.

Jose appeared shortly after.

His expression was grave, but calmer than Carlos’s.

“Let’s head to the plantation first. I’ll explain everything on the way.”

As they rode in the carriage toward the plantation, Jose explained the situation.

Two days ago, officials from the Governor-General’s Office had raided the plantation and sealed it under the pretext of hiding anti-American activists.

Fortunately, they had been warned beforehand and removed anything that could serve as evidence.

“You were warned?”

“Sanchez informed us. He has contacts within the Governor-General’s Office.”

That was unexpected.

He hadn’t thought Sanchez would go that far to help.

“And yesterday…”

Jose paused briefly.

“Yesterday, Judge Mendoza himself came to the plantation.”

“Judge Mendoza?”

“Yes. He said that once you return, you should immediately come to the court. It’s very important.”

Leonardo’s warning was accurate.

Something major was unfolding.

At the plantation’s entrance, two officials from the Governor-General’s Office stood guard.

When they saw Lee Jun-hyuk, one approached.

“Are you the plantation owner, Lee Jun-hyuk?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Please accept this.”

The official handed over some documents.

It was a summons.

A command to appear at the Governor-General’s Office at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

“The plantation will remain sealed until the investigation is complete. Please cooperate.”

“Understood. Please step aside.”

As the officials moved aside, Lee Jun-hyuk and his group entered the plantation.

The workers gathered, their faces filled with worry.

Miguel approached and greeted him.

“It’s fortunate you returned safely. The situation isn’t good. Did you hear any good news from New York?”

“Yes, but first, we need to assess the current situation.”

Inside the office, Sanchez was waiting.

He was completely different from the man from a week ago.

Instead of arrogance, there was seriousness; instead of hostility, a sense of camaraderie.

“You’re back.”

Sanchez stood.

“The situation is complicated. Escobar has started moving aggressively.”

“How is Escobar moving?”

Lee Jun-hyuk sat in a chair and asked.

Sanchez took out a stack of documents.

The recent week’s developments were detailed extensively.

“First, he’s making moves within the Governor-General’s Office. Alejandro is about to disappear.”

“His replacement?”

“Juan Martinez. A loyal supporter of Escobar.”

That was expected.

His intent to apply political pressure was clear.

“Second, they’re trying to control the port. They want to block the routes our original sugar shipments use.”

“So that’s part of why the plantation was sealed?”

“That’s only part of it. However…”

Sanchez lowered his voice.

“The real goal lies elsewhere. You must have heard the rumors that you allied with Rockefeller.”

The gossip was indeed fast.

“Third is the most dangerous.”

Sanchez lit a cigarette.

“Escobar has summoned all plantation owners in Cuba. It seems he’s trying to form some sort of union…”

“To isolate us.”

“Exactly. They’re justifying it with the slogan ‘Cuban sugar cannot be entrusted to Orientals.’”

Lee Jun-hyuk looked out the window.

The plantation was silent.

The workers, unable to work due to the closure, gathered in small groups.

“Are the workers’ wages still being paid?”

“Of course. With the funds you entrusted, we can sustain them.”

“That’s a relief.”

Lee Jun-hyuk checked his watch.

3 p.m.

A suitable time to visit Judge Mendoza.

“I’m heading to the court now.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

Sanchez stood.

“No, I think it’s better if I go alone.”

Lee Jun-hyuk declined.

Too many people moving together could attract unwanted attention.

“However, I do have one request.”

“Go ahead.”

“Please meet with Zhen Hao from the Chinese Merchants’ Association. Tell him that even while I’m away, I want to continue trading with the original sugar supplier.”

“Understood.”

***

The road to the court was quiet.

The afternoon sun blazed down on the streets of Havana as the carriage moved slowly.

Buildings with traces from the colonial era passed by on both sides.

The court was located in the city center.

A dignified stone building.

At the entrance stood the Lady of Justice statue.

Her blindfolded eyes and sword made a striking impression.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Mr. Lee Jun-hyuk.”

A man approached at the entrance.

“He’s the judge’s secretary. This way, please.”

Walking down the corridor, Lee Jun-hyuk felt tense.

Judge Mendoza.

“Soon, you will meet a man called the conscience of Cuba.”

“Please come in.”

A deep voice sounded.

Opening the door, a study filled with books appeared.

An elderly gentleman standing by the window turned around.

Judge Mendoza appeared to be in his late sixties.

Despite his white hair and deep wrinkles, his eyes were sharp.

He wore civilian clothes instead of his judicial robe, but his dignity was undiminished.

“You must be Lee Jun-hyuk. You arrived before James Morgan’s letter.”

The judge smiled.

“Please sit. Let’s talk over some tea.”

As Lee Jun-hyuk sat, the judge poured tea himself.

“I met James 40 years ago. We were both young and full of dreams.”

“Mr. Morgan said the same.”

“Is that so? Haha.”

The judge chuckled softly.

But soon, his expression grew serious.

“Let’s get to the point. Do you know why I called you urgently?”

“I heard it’s related to changes at the Governor-General’s Office.”

“Correct. But there’s a bigger problem.”

The judge pulled out a thick folder.

“Escobar is using legal means to try to bring you down. And quite cleverly.”

Lee Jun-hyuk accepted the documents and examined them.

Filled with complicated legal terms, but the core was clear.

It was a bill restricting foreign land ownership.

“This is…?”

“It’s scheduled to be discussed in the assembly three days from now.”

Judge Mendoza explained.

“On the surface, it’s to protect Cuban sovereignty, but its real target is you.”

“Is there a chance it will pass?”

“High. Escobar has bought more than half of the assembly members.”

Lee Jun-hyuk put the documents down.

There were more of Escobar’s supporters than he had thought.

It was not just physical pressure but shaking the legal foundations as well.

“But there are ways.”

The judge took a sip of tea and continued.

“First, you acquire Cuban citizenship. But that takes a long time.”

“And second?”

“Form a co-management structure with locals. Transfer nominal ownership to Cubans, but retain actual management rights.”

As expected from an experienced legal expert, he had already prepared solutions.

“But why are you helping me?”

Lee Jun-hyuk asked directly.

“It’s not only because of James Morgan’s request.”

The judge fell silent briefly.

His eyes gazed deeply out the window.

“Cuba must change.”

He spoke slowly.

“For 400 years, it has been under Spanish rule, and now it’s under the shadow of the United States economy. But true independence starts with economic autonomy.”

“That’s why me?”

“You are different. Unlike Escobar, you don’t seek monopoly. You treat workers fairly and cooperate with locals.”

The judge looked Lee Jun-hyuk squarely.

“That’s why I’m helping you. Cuba needs entrepreneurs like you.”

Suddenly, the door opened and the secretary entered.

“Judge, a visitor has arrived.”

“Who is it?”

“Leonardo Vasquez.”

Lee Jun-hyuk was surprised.

Leonardo showing up at this timing was unexpected.

“Let him in.”

With the judge’s permission, Leonardo entered.

He looked briefly surprised upon seeing Lee Jun-hyuk but quickly composed himself.

“I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Not at all. You came at a good time.”

The judge invited Leonardo to sit as well.

“You must be interested in this matter too.”

“What do you mean…”

Leonardo’s expression subtly changed.

Lee Jun-hyuk immediately sensed something between the judge and him.

“Judge, I…”

“I know. I understand your difficult position.”

The judge spoke gently.

“But the time to choose has come. Will you continue under Escobar’s wing, or take a new path?”

A heavy silence fell.

The three men were lost in their own thoughts.

Outside the window, the afternoon sun was beginning to wane.

“I…”

Leonardo finally spoke.

“I’ve already made my choice.”

He looked at Lee Jun-hyuk.

“I decided to cooperate with Mr. Lee. Of course, Escobar doesn’t know that yet.”

“A wise choice.”

The judge nodded.

“Then let’s discuss concrete countermeasures. Time is short.”

Their meeting continued until sunset.

Ways to block the bill’s passage.

How to form the co-management structure.

And strategies to counter Escobar were laid out on the table.

“We need a trustworthy Cuban partner first.”

Leonardo suggested.

“A person to act as nominal representative.”

“I could take on that role.”

Unexpectedly, the judge offered himself.

“My retirement is near. I want to spend my remaining years on something meaningful.”

Lee Jun-hyuk and Leonardo showed surprised expressions simultaneously.

The supreme court judge, called the conscience of Cuba, would personally participate in the business.

“Judge, won’t this damage your reputation?”

Lee Jun-hyuk asked cautiously.

“Reputation?”

The judge gave a wry smile.

“I’ve championed justice in court for 40 years, yet Cuba remains poor. Now, I want to help the country in a different way.”

“But Escobar won’t sit still.”

Leonardo expressed concern.

“If he turns you into an enemy as well…”

“He already does. I’ve stopped many of his illegal acts.”

The judge stood from his seat.

He took out an old photo album from the study.

Opening it, there were pictures from his younger days.

“This is a photo with James from 40 years ago.”

In the photo, young Mendoza and Morgan were smiling brightly.

“At that time, we promised to make the world better in our own way. James through business, I through law.”

The judge looked at Lee Jun-hyuk.

“Now it’s time to keep that promise.”

“Understood.”

Lee Jun-hyuk made up his mind.

“I accept your proposal.”

“Good. Then let’s move on to specifics tomorrow.”

The judge organized the documents.

“First, to block the bill, we must convince assembly members. It’s impossible to get all, but securing even a third can stop the bill.”

“I can help with that.”

Leonardo stepped forward.

“I know the list of assembly members Escobar hasn’t bribed.”

“Excellent. Once the session ends…”

Suddenly, the door burst open.

The secretary entered with a panicked expression.

“Sorry, judge, but urgent news just arrived…”

“What is it?”

“Escobar has collapsed from a heart attack.”

It was shocking news.

The three men stared at each other, speechless.

“Is it certain?”

The judge recovered first.

“It’s a telegram from the hospital. The condition is serious.”

Leonardo’s face turned pale.

His master of ten years had suddenly collapsed; complicated emotions flickered through him.

“I have to go now.”

He rose hurriedly.

“Mr. Lee, Judge, please excuse me.”

After Leonardo left, only Lee Jun-hyuk and the judge remained.

“The situation changed drastically.”

The judge spoke quietly.

“If Escobar falls, the Cuban sugar market will plunge into chaos.”

“It could be an opportunity, or a crisis.”

“Exactly. We can’t predict how his subordinates will act.”

Lee Jun-hyuk checked his watch.

It was past 7 p.m.

He had to return to the plantation.

“Let’s end here for today.”

“Very well. And…”

The judge handed over his business card.

“This is my personal contact. If anything urgent comes up, contact me anytime.”

As they left the court, dusk was settling.

Gas lamps flickered to life, and the streets became quiet.

On the carriage ride back to the plantation, Lee Jun-hyuk was lost in thought.

Escobar’s sudden collapse.

Was it coincidence?

Or someone’s plan?

Upon arrival, everyone was waiting.

“It’s serious, Mr. Lee!”

Carlos ran out.

“I know. I just heard about Escobar’s collapse.”

“No, there’s more. The Governor-General’s Office sent a new order.”

Carlos handed over the document.

“They ordered us to vacate the plantation by tomorrow. They plan a full-scale search.”