Steve finally snapped out of his daze once the food arrived.
As the waiter set the dishes on the table, he seemed to have finished his thoughts and spoke with some difficulty.
"Can this even be called a phone? It looks more like a computer shrunk down to phone size."
"It will be called a smartphone. It will operate entirely through a touchscreen and allow users to listen to music and even watch movies."
"Is that possible?"
"Not right now. This is more of a vision for the future of the mobile phone industry. But it won't be impossible forever. I am already laying the groundwork to make the smartphone a reality, and I need your help, Steve."
Only then did Steve begin to examine the other design drafts.
His fingers landed precisely on a design—one that would become the next generation of mobile phones: the foldable phone.
"So your first step is a foldable phone? That design is quite far from a smartphone. If anything, Apple's MessagePad looks more like a smartphone."
"There's a limit to how many steps a person can take at once. The MessagePad tried to leap straight to the rooftop, but people couldn't keep up."
"So, you're saying the foldable phone will serve as an intermediate step."
"Exactly! Oh, and the person who designed this foldable phone is Jonathan, the same designer who worked on the MessagePad."
Steve seemed to recognize the name immediately.
Of course, he would. There was no way the founder of Apple wouldn't know the designer of the MessagePad, a device that had contributed to Apple's downfall.
"I know Jonathan well. He was one of the names on my restructuring list."
"So, you were already planning your return to Apple."
Just as I had once created a kill list in my past life…
Steve, too, had already drawn up a restructuring list, preparing for his return to Apple.
And making such a list meant only one thing.
He desperately wanted to go back.
"…Even if I want to return, it's not up to me. I'm not the owner of the company—the shareholders are."
"That's why I'm making you this proposal. Let's build the foldable phone together. I will ensure all the credit goes to you."
"The design is already complete, and you're not asking me to handle manufacturing either. So what exactly do you need me for? Just my name?"
Steve's reputation still carried weight.
Even after being ousted from Apple, his name had only grown in stature.
"I want you to develop the software. I'll provide all the funding necessary for its creation."
"So you need NEXT's software development expertise."
"And your name. I want to list you as the head of development for the foldable phone."
"I won't just lend my name. The design and performance need to meet my standards."
That was even better for me.
If he was willing to fill in the gaps where we fell short, there was no reason to refuse.
"I will give you full authority over the foldable phone's development."
"And what about the ownership of the software that NEXT develops? You're not planning to take it all for yourself, are you?"
Sharp as ever.
But he still didn't fully grasp just how valuable proprietary mobile software would become.
"I'll provide $40 million for software development. And for every new phone model we create, I will continue to fund the software development accordingly."
"In return, you get full ownership of the software."
"Forty million dollars is no small amount. Don't you think that entitles me to ownership of the software?"
Steve Jobs' software company, NEXT.
It was undoubtedly a good company, but even when considering its total market capitalization and overall value, it was worth only about $400 million.
$40 million accounted for 10% of NEXT's entire value.
In terms of revenue, $40 million was enough for NEXT to operate comfortably without taking on new projects for the foreseeable future.
"Still, handing over the entire stake seems unreasonable. How about keeping it at 70%? If you agree to that, I'll join your plan."
"Give me a moment to think."
Should I settle for 70%?
I had no intention of taking over Apple.
My goal was to secure control over the software sector alone.
That alone would be highly profitable.
Once smartphones emerged, the App Store alone would generate over 60 trillion won ($50 billion) in annual revenue.
If I had a firm grip on the software rights, I could claim the lion's share of that revenue.
Was I being too greedy?
If I tried to take it all, I was bound to face backlash.
Still, 70% felt too low.
"I'll take 80%. In return, I'll increase the software development budget from $40 million to $50 million."
"That sounds like a fair deal. Let's work together. Keep me updated on everything from design to development progress. I'll make sure we create an innovative foldable phone."
"To summarize briefly, we've already solved many key issues. First, we've successfully developed a miniaturized battery suitable for the foldable phone."
"And what about the other components?"
"There's no way we can develop everything on our own. Just like when you built the Mac, we'll need to collaborate with multiple companies."
"You're referring to Samjin Electronics? If we utilize South Korea's mobile technology, we could have the product ready for launch in the second half of this year."
Steve Jobs had previously visited South Korea.
To establish a partnership with Samjin Electronics, a company known for its cutting-edge technology.
Just as he had done, I, too, planned to partner with the best companies.
Developing every technology in-house wasn't feasible—it would require too much time and manpower.
I only wanted to monopolize the most profitable aspects.
To do that, I just needed to control the core technologies.
"I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise. Right now, I'm greeting you as the CEO of NEXT. But next time, I hope to do so as the CEO of Apple."
Steve was the first to extend his hand.
When he had first walked into the restaurant, he had been filled with suspicion.
But now, he greeted me with the warmth of an old partner.
The workday was far from over.
Since I had come all the way to the U.S., I needed to get as much done as possible.
I also had a meeting with Wall Street investors regarding Japanese derivatives.
A two-hour-long meeting.
Like a pack of hyenas, the Wall Street elites discussed how to carve up Japan as if it were their personal property.
This was precisely the situation I had orchestrated.
I focused on ensuring that no other hyena laid a hand on the Japanese companies included in my plans.
Since I had designed the derivatives myself, it wasn't particularly difficult. And with so much to feast on in Japan, everyone left the meeting satisfied with their share.
In the end, it worked to my advantage.
Now that Wall Street's hyenas had set their sights on Japan as a common target, the Japanese economy would collapse even faster than in my previous life.
And as Japan's downfall accelerated, the value of the derivatives I had created would continue to soar.
As the meeting concluded, the participants dispersed into smaller groups.
I took the opportunity to approach Dimon, who had attended as a representative of Travelers.
"It's an honor to finally meet you. I've been looking forward to this."
"The honor is mine. I've been eager to meet the mastermind behind such a beautifully designed derivative."
Dimon was the second-in-command at Travelers, a name that might not have been widely recognized at the time.
However, within three years, Travelers would merge and evolve into Citigroup, the largest financial institution in the U.S.
But my interest wasn't in Citigroup.
What truly intrigued me was Dimon himself—who would eventually rise to become Citigroup's second-in-command, only to be ousted.
Sandy Weill, the head of Citigroup, was not just Dimon's boss but also his mentor.
Yet, Dimon would be forced out, replaced by Weill's own kin.
Betrayed after years of loyalty, Dimon sharpened his resolve for revenge.
And in the end, he built a financial empire even larger than Citigroup.
This was only possible because of his exceptional talent.
He was already a renowned restructuring expert.
And right now, he was exactly the kind of talent I needed.
To restructure every subsidiary of Taewoo Group, his expertise was indispensable.
"I believe Travelers owes much of its success to your abilities, Mr. Dimon. That's why I can't help but wonder—why haven't you gone independent?"
"I want to build Travelers into the top financial institution in the U.S. alongside Sandy Weill. And frankly, I have no desire to start from scratch."
As expected, Dimon displayed unwavering loyalty.
Having devoted himself so fully, the betrayal he would later experience must have fueled an immense thirst for vengeance.
"Even if you do turn Travelers into the world's top financial firm, won't Sandy Weill still hand over the CEO position to his child? Are you truly content remaining second-in-command for the rest of your career?"
"…I'm not sure where you're getting this from, but Sandy Weill isn't that kind of person."
"Well, if that's the case, I apologize. But if you ever reconsider, feel free to reach out to me. I'll help you build a financial empire even bigger than the one Sandy Weill created—within ten years."
I handed him my business card.
To Dimon, the conversation likely seemed like nothing more than idle talk.
But deep within him, a tiny seed of doubt had been planted.
In my previous life, Dimon had been ousted three years later.
But now, thanks to the doubt I had sown, that moment would arrive even sooner.
After finishing my business in the U.S., I returned to Korea.
Although it had only been a short three-day, two-night trip, the sheer number of meetings and tasks I had handled made it feel like I had spent weeks there.
I wanted nothing more than to take a few days off and rest.
But with so many things already in motion, I had no time to even adjust to the time difference.
Instead of heading to the research lab, my destination was Myeong-dong.
It seemed that the "Gwanghwamun Bear" was finally ready to respond to my proposal.
He had requested a meeting while I was still in the U.S., so the moment I arrived in Korea, I made my way straight to his grand estate.
"I heard you just got back from the U.S. Sorry for taking up your time when you're already so busy."
"Not at all. I'm still young—pulling a few all-nighters is nothing for me."
"I envy you. There was a time when I, too, had that kind of energy. But now, I no longer have the strength to take the lead on anything."
Chairman Lee Sun-il let out a weary sigh.
Though he was of advanced age, his innate business acumen had kept him not only sharp but also physically formidable—he looked strong enough to take down a bull with his bare hands.
"You still look strong and healthy."
"If that's how I appear, then I suppose it's a relief. While I still have the strength to move, I might as well put it to use, don't you think? That way, I can become the true master of Myeong-dong, just as you suggested."
So, he had finally decided to take my hand.
After all, becoming a dominant figure in Myeong-dong's private lending market was no small feat.
Only those with keen judgment could reach such heights—and his decision to align with me was proof of that wisdom.
Since he had made the right choice, I would make sure to support him.
So that he could truly reign over Myeong-dong.