Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 114

114. The Great Counterfeit Operation (3)

As soon as Tae-soo left, Fahd berated the counterfeit bill appraiser.

“Why are you so slow? Because you’re so sluggish, I have nothing to say!”

Tae-soo was the first person in Fahd’s life who hadn’t finished counting the money he received.

He was completely overwhelmed and succumbed to Tae-soo’s pace.

All because of this guy!

“How much longer are you going to dawdle? You think you’re being clever, trying to be sneaky. Do you think I’m paying you to take your time like this?”

“I… I’m sorry.”

The counterfeit bill appraiser trembled at the unexpected scolding.

There was a reason why the appraisal was delayed.

‘It doesn’t seem like a counterfeit, but something’s subtly off. I can’t prove it, but there’s a problem. What should I do?’

It was a difficult call.

That’s why he was taking his time to carefully appraise the bills.

It was too sophisticated to definitively call it a counterfeit, but subtly different enough that he couldn’t confidently say it wasn’t.

If he kept his mouth shut and the money turned out to be fake, the blame would fall on him.

‘Let’s check one more time, and if I’m sure, I’ll say something.’

The counterfeit bill appraiser carefully checked the dollar bills again.

“You’re so slow. Tsk, tsk, you’re useless.”

He also had to endure Fahd’s scolding.

Fahd smiled broadly as he looked at the dollars piled up in one corner of the reception room.

Money is always right!

“You stupid sucker. Come on, bring another bag of money, and see if I help you. Hehehe.”

Fahd laughed slyly.

“Han Cheong-ho is the best when it comes to bribes. He gives me plenty and generously, right? He butters me up well, and he talks so smoothly, as if he’s oiled his tongue. He acts very pleasingly.”

Han Cheong-ho always satisfied Fahd.

On the other hand, what about Tae-soo?

The bag of money was welcome, but just thinking about his handsome face made him frown.

“In contrast, that young punk’s attitude is all wrong. If you’re here to offer a bribe, you should be subservient. Why is he holding his head up high and sipping tea? He acts like he’s the boss.”

He was very displeased with Tae-soo’s attitude.

“If the bag of money wasn’t so thick, I would have beaten him and kicked him out. He should be grateful he didn’t get a beating. Hmph!”

A greenhorn!

“For a billion-dollar project, he should give me 200 million dollars. Tsk, tsk.”

Fahd had no intention of supporting Tae-soo from the start.

If he just subtly helped Han Cheong-ho, he would get 200 million dollars.

He planned to take as much money as possible from Tae-soo and then wash his hands of it.

“Arrogant bastard.”

Just then, the counterfeit bill appraiser carefully called out to Fahd.

“Um, Mr. Fahd…”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Um, the bill appraisal is finished.”

“Is there anything wrong?”

“Well, that is… there are some subtle and unsettling things.”

Fahd was frustrated.

“So, is it a counterfeit or not? Are you sure? Can you guarantee it?”

“That is… I’m not sure, but no matter how many times I look at it, there’s still a problem. Maybe it’s a counterfeit…”

It was when the counterfeit bill appraiser was hesitating.

Bang, bang, bang!

Ta-da-da-da-bang!

Fahd was startled by the gunfire inside the mansion.

“W-What’s going on?”

The outside was very noisy.

Screams, shouts, and even the sound of gunfire.

It was ominous.

“Don’t move! Step back! Everyone, hands up and get down!”

Then, someone kicked the reception room door open.

Soldiers in full gear, armed with loaded rifles, quickly entered.

“Don’t move! Get on the floor! Or we’ll shoot!”

“P-Please save me!”

The counterfeit bill appraiser was the first to prostrate himself on the floor.

Fahd, flustered, shouted in great anger.

“What is this commotion in my house!”

A young man calmly answered from behind the armed soldiers.

He was Salman, Abdullah’s son and a high-ranking officer in the Saudi Special Police.

“We received a report of counterfeit bill distribution. We ask for your cooperation in the investigation, Uncle Minister.”

“Counterfeit bills? What’s the big deal about some counterfeit bills!”

“This is an investigation into the assassination of the late King. We must conduct a forced investigation regardless of status.”

“What?”

Salman presented an investigation warrant stamped with the Saudi royal seal.

It was real.

‘This isn’t right?’

Fahd was flustered.

“What does the assassination of His Majesty the late King have to do with counterfeit bills?”

“A counterfeit bill was found in the pocket of the assassin of His Majesty the late King. Coincidentally, we received news that the same counterfeit bill was being distributed here.”

“What?”

It wasn’t just any counterfeit bill, but one linked to the King’s assassin.

“We ask for your cooperation in the investigation.”

‘I can’t cooperate.’

‘I absolutely can’t.’

“This is slander! Don’t talk nonsense! There are no counterfeit bills in my house!”

“It’s a counterfeit bill!”

The counterfeit bill appraiser shouted when the soldiers’ guns were pointed at him.

“I’m a professional counterfeit bill appraiser! I checked it earlier, and it’s a counterfeit bill!”

“What?”

He wasn’t helping.

‘I’m going crazy.’

“That’s why I reported it to you earlier, right? That it’s a counterfeit.”

‘I remembered.’

Fahd’s face turned pale.

“T-That can’t be! Th-That money is!”

It was a bribe.

Who in the world would give a bribe with counterfeit bills?

That couldn’t be.

“That money is……!”

“Yes, where did that money come from? Did Mr. Fahd distribute the counterfeit bills? Or did you make them? Did you conspire to assassinate along with the counterfeit bills?”

It was unfair.

“I received it!”

“From whom? Why did you receive it?”

The moment he says it’s a bribe, bribery charges will be applied.

No matter which way he tries to explain it, it’s a crime.

‘Damn it, I’m screwed.’

Cold sweat started to run down Fahd’s back.

‘It’s terribly twisted.’

If they search the basement, they’ll find evidence related to the real King’s assassination.

He’s even plotting to harm Khalid and take the next King’s position.

The signed petition he wrote with his brothers is also in the basement.

Because there’s no place as safe as Fahd’s house.

‘Damn it! I can’t let them set foot in my house!’

He just needs to insist.

Fahd couldn’t stand it and fumed.

“Can’t you get out of here? I’m the Minister of Finance of Saudi Arabia! No one can enter my house without my permission!”

Normally, that would have been the case.

The special police wouldn’t have been able to say a word in front of the Minister of Finance and would have had to leave.

“Uncle Fahd.”

“Shut up! If you want to search my house, get permission from the King first!”

The Saudi King is dead, and the position is currently vacant.

“Get out of here right now! Guards! Security! Everyone come in and drag these guys out! You can kill them if they disobey me!”

But now is a special situation.

“The guards and security have all been subdued. How else would I have gotten here?”

“What?”

Fahd’s mansion boasts ironclad security.

But they were all breached so quickly?

“No way!”

“Yes way.”

That low, charismatic voice.

Fahd knows the voice well.

“S-Surely……!”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Step by step.

A man walks into Fahd’s reception room.

It was Khalid.

“Wh-Why is Brother Khalid here…….”

“Do you really not know?”

Fahd stepped back.

“N-No matter how much of a brother you are, you can’t oppress me……!”

“Shut up.”

Khalid’s eyes were deeply sunken.

Fahd couldn’t move.

‘To push through the guards at once and come all the way here!’

Fahd’s vision went dark.

He was subdued by force without even having a chance to compete for power.

Since the opponent has decided to show his strength, the end of the defeated is obvious.

“Wh-Why are you doing this to me?”

“Do you really not know?”

Khalid’s eyes burned with anger.

Fahd sensed it.

‘It’s over!’

It’s over.

He was going to compete for the King’s position, but it’s all over.

Khalid somehow knew and made the first move.

“Search every nook and cranny.”

“Yes!”

Khalid’s armed subordinates began to search the house at a rapid pace.

It didn’t take long.

Soon, one of his confidants returned and reported.

“We found evidence. It’s definitely a conspiracy to rebel.”

In the confidant’s hand was the signed petition he had written with his brothers.

Khalid looked at Fahd with cold eyes.

“Drag him out.”

“B-Brother!”

“It will be handled quietly.”

Fahd prostrated himself on the floor.

He crawled on his knees and clung to Khalid’s leg, begging.

“Brother, please forgive me just once! I will never go against you again! Please think of our brotherly bond and overlook this one time……!”

“You crossed the line.”

If he had thought of their brotherly bond, he shouldn’t have pointed a gun at his brother.

And to top it off, he’s plotting another rebellion.

Khalid turned away coldly.

“Confiscation of property, deprivation of position, deportation.”

“Brother!”

“Shut up. Every time you say another word, I’ll cut off one of your limbs.”

“……!”

Fahd closed his mouth.

He knows better than anyone that Khalid is a man of his word.

That’s why he was always extremely wary and did everything he could to suppress him.

“Farewell.”

The end of a power struggle is always the same.

Winner takes all.

Winner takes all.

“Let’s go.”

Hands were cuffed on Fahd’s wrists.

Fahd was dragged out by the soldiers.

* * *

“The Minister is calling for you.”

Tae-soo entered Fahd’s mansion.

Khalid’s confidant led Tae-soo to the basement.

The traces of forcibly shooting and tearing down the several layers of iron doors were clear.

‘Just look at the smell of money. I’m going crazy.’

The smell of money wafted from all directions.

The good scent was coming from so many places that it was making his head spin.

‘Now that I see it, was this a treasure trove set aside separately?’

It seemed that he collected some of the bribes he received here.

The first thing that caught his eye was the stacks of dollars filling the safe.

There were more safes.

‘Amazing.’

There were also plenty of gold bars, jewels and precious metals, and works of art.

Various documents and ledgers filled one wall of the basement.

Khalid was admiring them in the middle of the basement.

“Have you come?”

It seemed like a surge of anger was overflowing beyond Khalid’s back.

In a short time, Khalid’s voice was also roughly cracked.

Khalid looked around Fahd’s basement with his hands behind his back.

“He was a guy who really liked money.”

How else would he have been said to be crazy about money?

“He was too greedy.”

It would have been enough if he had only reveled in money.

The problem is that greed was excessive and he wanted too much.

“Greed should have remained greed.”

The problem is that he put it into action.

“He will be deported to a foreign country along this road. I’m going to cover up all the incidents as they are.”

‘I guessed so.’

Khalid values face, so he wouldn’t want to bring international shame to his family.

“Most of the evidence has been destroyed, but a few things that couldn’t be burned have come out.”

This is because he was planning a second rebellion targeting Khalid.

“You did a great job.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Counterfeit bills, there couldn’t have been a more appropriate justification than that.”

The counterfeit bill scandal is known not only to the Saudi people but also to prominent figures in the political and business circles.

How else would Khalid, the Saudi Minister of Defense, have paid attention to it?

“The people will be relieved that the counterfeit bill distributor has been caught and deported.”

It’s all thanks to Tae-soo’s wit this time.

He caught the mastermind behind the assassin, showed his power to the Saudi royal family, established his dignity, and even secured justification.

“All of this is thanks to you.”

What would have happened without Tae-soo?

Khalid often had such thoughts.

-Rahman would have been kicked out of Saudi Arabia and deported to a foreign country.

-The Middle East war would not have ended without great damage.

-He would not have been able to drive Western oil companies out of Saudi Arabia.

-He would not have been able to win the political battle and seize power.

-He would not have been able to ascend to the Saudi throne.

“How can I repay all this merit?”

That was why Khalid invited Tae-soo to the basement.

“Take your pick.”

It was a gift from Khalid to Tae-soo.

“It’s what that greedy bastard has been collecting while cheating others. If there’s anything you like, you can take it.”

It’s embarrassing to say that.

“How much are you going to give me?”

“Appropriately.”

There was a versatile word Tae-soo learned.

“Roughly, skillfully, take care of it, take it.”

Khalid turned his back.

“Let’s just say it’s my inauguration gift.”

Without giving Tae-soo time to check, Khalid leaves the basement.

While showing Tae-soo all this gold and silver without fear.

After Khalid left the basement, Tae-soo muttered to himself.

“He tells me to take it appropriately, he’s going to regret it.”

A smile that cannot be hidden leaks out.

“As expected of Saudi royalty. They’re generous.”

I really like this situation right now.