Chapter 94

Confronting Chaos: A Day at the University of Chicago

The University of Chicago, renowned as the birthplace of the Chicago School of Economics and celebrated as one of America's premier research institutions, grapples with an uncomfortable truth: the pervasive insecurity of its surroundings. Despite its academic brilliance, the campus lies adjacent to Hyde Park, an area notorious for crime and poverty. The fragility of the university's safety became starkly evident one afternoon when Charlie Lee, a visitor, witnessed a brazen car theft. A Chrysler parked along the street had its window shattered effortlessly by two young men, who quickly drove off, indifferent to consequences. Even more troubling was the indifferent response of campus police, who glanced at the commotion and returned to their idle post. Mahdi, Charlie's companion, explained with resignation that the surrounding area, a slum populated by impoverished and often violent individuals, had long plagued the university's reputation. "This is America," Charlie muttered cynically, shaken by the blatant lawlessness.

As they walked down the street, Charlie and his group of bodyguards, led by the vigilant Monk, couldn't ignore the tension in the air. Just moments earlier, they had seen thieves flaunting firearms openly, an unsettling sight even in broad daylight. Monk's team kept a close watch, scanning for potential threats. Mahdi, attempting to ease the tension, assured them that incidents were rare during the day. But his words were cut short by a piercing cry. Across the street, a pregnant woman suddenly lost her balance and stumbled forward. Her heavy belly made her fall especially dangerous, threatening both her life and that of her unborn child. Mahdi instinctively rushed forward, but Monk stopped him, knowing they were too far away to intervene in time. However, before disaster could strike, Charlie moved with lightning speed, reaching the woman in an instant and catching her with a steady arm. "Madam, are you alright?" he asked, his face filled with concern. The woman, trembling and clutching her stomach, muttered incoherently, her voice cracking with fear as she revealed that someone had pushed her deliberately.

Charlie's bodyguards quickly surrounded the area. Charlie scanned the crowd and spotted two young boys, laughing and trying to slip away unnoticed. "Bring them here," he ordered, his voice cold. One of his men chased down the boys, who responded with defiance, shouting that this was their territory and threatening violence. Charlie, unshaken, approached the ringleader and struck him hard, forcing him to his knees. The boy screamed in pain, clutching his injured leg, while his companion panicked and ran off, shouting threats of retribution. Charlie's fury simmered as he demanded, "Why did you push her?" The boy, defiant at first, eventually confessed through tears. "I just wanted to see if she'd miscarry," he admitted, shocking everyone. Mahdi exploded in anger, struggling to comprehend the boy's callousness, while the pregnant woman trembled with a mix of rage and fear, muttering, "What kind of monster…?"

Before anyone could react further, a group of over a dozen armed men approached from across the street, their leader yelling, "Why did you hurt my brother?" The tension escalated as the gang closed in, guns visible under their coats. Monk, now on high alert, raised his weapon, but Charlie remained composed. "Hold your ground until Grant arrives," he instructed, referring to a trusted police contact. Meanwhile, the gang leader continued to argue that his brother was a victim, dismissing the pregnant woman's trauma and accusing Charlie's group of overreacting. The gang laughed mockingly, taunting Charlie and his men. "These Chinese and white folks are all the same—weak and scared!" one of them jeered. Janet, the pregnant woman, tried to speak up, only to be silenced by the gang leader, who raised his pistol toward her.

Just as the situation teetered on the brink of violence, the sound of screeching tires cut through the air. Three police cars arrived, and officers jumped out with weapons drawn. "Drop your guns and get on the ground—NOW!" Grant barked. The gang hesitated until a warning shot hit the ground near their feet. Realizing they were outmatched, they threw their weapons aside and complied. As the police secured the area, Charlie's mind raced. This incident was more than an isolated act of violence; it was a stark reminder of the systemic issues plaguing Hyde Park and the university. Though he had managed to avert a disaster, the experience left him determined to drive change. If the University of Chicago was to truly embody its reputation as a beacon of excellence, it could not remain surrounded by chaos. Change, Charlie resolved, would start with him.