Chapter 99

The Calculated Risks of Charlie Lee

The price of $300 was fair, but it also depended on the employer.

For someone like Nuki, whose mission was perilous, this price was reasonable only for fools who underestimated the stakes. Charlie Lee considered this as more of a gesture for Nuki's children's sake; otherwise, the cost should have been several times higher.

Charlie's thoughts shifted. Just because Nuki's father was a despicable person didn't mean his son was doomed to inherit the same nature, although the likelihood couldn't be dismissed. It was like speculating that a baby would grow into a villain—it was immoral to punish someone for a future that wasn't yet written. Such actions would only weigh heavily on one's conscience.

"Thank you for your help," Nuki said with relief, exhaling as though a burden had been lifted. Then he added, "This time, I want to ask about McDonald's."

"You want to join?" Charlie Lee asked, intrigued.

"No, it's for my children and my wife," Nuki clarified. "I want to keep them far from my enemies' reach."

"Can you tell me her identity first?" Charlie asked, curious about Nuki's wife.

"She's a widow," Nuki replied with a hint of satisfaction, his mouth curling into a small smile.

Charlie frowned internally but maintained a neutral expression. His skepticism was evident as he silently questioned, A widow? Why does this feel like trouble waiting to happen?

Movies from his previous life had taught him to tread carefully when widows entered the scene. More often than not, they came with a "mental retardation aura," which quietly eroded rational decision-making, leading people into irreversible chaos and even death.

After escorting Nuki to a hotel, Charlie promised to send someone to discuss matters the following day and then returned home. Though he ultimately agreed to Nuki's request, he advised him to keep the widow away from him, at least for the foreseeable future. While Charlie wasn't entirely sure if this widow had any connection to someone manipulative, it felt prudent to warn Nuki. After all, someone with his intelligence deserved a chance to avoid preventable pitfalls.

The next day, Charlie handed the necessary information to his assistant, Little Elk, instructing him to take it to Nuki at the hotel. He also gave Nuki the opportunity to choose a location from the second batch of franchise qualifications.

Later, Little Elk returned with news. "Boss, Mr. Nuki chose Washington."

"No one chose Washington in the first round?" Charlie raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Because of the McDonald's Kingdom Paradise project, the first batch of franchisees avoided downtown areas. Washington, being relatively small, was left unselected," Elk explained.

"Interesting. Nuki wants his son to grow into a decent man. Who knows? Maybe the kid will end up as a politician someday." Charlie chuckled.

In addition to securing the franchise spot, Nuki also requested two A-level special guards for covert protection of his family.

"Have Hans select two reliable men for the job," Charlie instructed.

Over the past four months, Charlie's organization, the Aegis Bureau, had developed an efficient system. One notable feature was the special guard grading system, which categorized personnel based on skill and experience.

Upon graduating from the training camp, recruits received an initial grade from their instructors and underwent psychological evaluations. Charlie had hired psychiatrists and doctors to create a set of professional assessment criteria.

Strength was only one component of the grading. As Charlie often noted, a strong farmer might lose to a clever butcher. This system accounted for intellect, resilience, and adaptability.

Recruits aspiring to reach the A-level had to endure unique challenges. They started with slaughterhouse training, where they killed cattle and sheep without prior experience. Then, they visited morgues to confront death directly, followed by a trip to cemeteries to witness the grief of families mourning their deceased. These experiences culminated in a rigorous psychological evaluation.

Charlie wasn't interested in creating emotionless killers. Overly cold or cruel individuals were assigned to the C-level, where they received additional psychological counseling and supervision. He also prohibited recruits from families with only one male heir from attaining A-level status, unless he granted special permission.

The hierarchy extended beyond A-level to include S, SS, and SSS levels. Wang Dagou, one of Charlie's top men, belonged to the SS category. Meanwhile, Charlie himself was the sole SSS-level individual—a distinction he created more for amusement than practicality.

Later, Charlie inquired about updates from Africa and Samoa, regions where his influence was still growing.

"Nothing from Samoa yet," Elk reported. "But the Chief Instructor, Wang, called last night. They're on their way back."

"Good," Charlie replied, reclining lazily on the grass and staring at the overcast sky.

The air quality in Chicago had deteriorated significantly due to widespread coal use. Thick soot blanketed the city, earning it a reputation reminiscent of foggy London in documentaries from his previous life. The sun only managed to pierce through the haze briefly at noon.

"If air purifiers existed in this era, they'd sell like hotcakes," Charlie mused aloud.

As he lounged, a car pulled up nearby, and the engine went silent. Wang Dagou stepped out, dragging a woman behind him.

"Charlie!" Wang greeted, grinning as he displayed his captive like a trophy. "Look who I found."

"Is that Laura?" Charlie asked, squinting at the disheveled figure.

The woman was a far cry from the lively, attractive person Charlie remembered. Her once-vibrant appearance had been replaced by a gaunt, skeletal frame.

"No mistake. This woman was hiding in Mexico, holed up and smoking opium all day. If we'd arrived two days later, she'd be dead by now," Wang explained, disgust evident in his tone.

Laura writhed weakly, muttering incoherently, "Opium… I need opium…"

"Throw her in the barracks," Charlie ordered. He had no patience for addicts, especially those who endangered themselves and others.

Later, Charlie and Wang sparred at the training camp, much to the amazement of the students. The two men exchanged blows with precision and force, showcasing their expertise. The younger recruits could only watch in awe and disbelief.

"This has to be a dream," one student whispered, his mouth agape.

"No, we're living in a simulation," another replied, equally dumbfounded.

The instructors, though impressed, could only shrug helplessly.

In the end, the sparring session served as a stark reminder to the recruits: there was always a higher level to strive for. Charlie and Wang's display of skill left them both inspired and humbled.

As the day wound down, Charlie sat quietly, reflecting on the challenges ahead. From dealing with Nuki's personal matters to managing his growing empire, the weight of his responsibilities was immense. Yet, he remained steadfast, knowing that every calculated risk brought him closer to his goals.