Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 320 - 305: Keeping a Low Profile

Chapter 320: Chapter 305: Keeping a Low Profile

Crawford and Joelson really lacked experience.

Their status was high, some of their insights unreachable for Gao Yi in a lifetime, but in these unofficial contacts, in the shady social niceties, Gao Yi easily got a grip on Crawford.

No one taught Gao Yi these things, but after frequent interactions with exceedingly wealthy individuals like Shaman and Harold, who held real power over life and death, he picked things up naturally. Thus, it’s said that talent is important, but the platform is even more crucial.

Crawford was greedy and lustful, and with just a slight exertion of effort, with a single move, Gao Yi had brought him down.

Those who are higher up cannot say "thank you" for benefits received.

Once he said "thank you," Crawford would be pinned down in an inferior position without hope of rising again.

Unable to help himself, Crawford said thanks, completely unaware of any problem. His attention temporarily shifted from Lucy’s face and fixated on the Black Card he held, he couldn’t resist saying, "But this money..."

"The money is, of course, secure," Swiss Bank, anonymous account, the account number is the digits on the card, the password is on the back. This card is equivalent to ten million US Dollars in cash. Moreover, even if in the future the United States starts investigating Swiss bank details, this money will belong to someone completely unconnected to you."

Hearing this, Crawford’s dark face shifted slightly as he said in a low voice, "I understand about money laundering and hiding illegal funds—I’ve handled a lot. What I mean is..."

Not being in his own name, what was the point of holding a card? Crawford began to feel less secure about this money.

It wasn’t that he didn’t dare to accept it, rather he felt like it wasn’t truly his.

Of course, Gao Yi would dispel Crawford’s concerns. He simply said, "It’s just for the convenience of the transfer. You can certainly transfer this money to other secure accounts, even deposit it under your own name if you like, at any time, right now even, you can transfer this money to your private account, as you prefer."

Gao Yi spoke without much variation in tone, nor did he display any contempt for Crawford. However, the lack of display was the greatest display of all.

Gao Yi glanced at his watch and said in a low voice, "If you want Bitcoin, that’s also possible, but many of us do not trust such highly volatile newfangled things. So, we always use bank accounts for dividends or the transfer of benefits, after all, it’s not like we could actually use cash."

Whether Crawford grasped Gao Yi’s implication—that explaining all this to him, making these assurances, was just... a waste of his time—was unclear.

Crawford probably didn’t understand, but he was excited by the unintended information Gao Yi let slip—that in the future, he might receive a lot more money.

"Bitcoin is fine too, but you’re right, I prefer the traditional way."

Crawford’s face began to show a smile. He said lightly, "I have two children. My eldest son just entered Harvard this year, and his annual tuition is ninety thousand US Dollars. He’s a very good boy, but the cost of his tuition is a big pressure on me."

Gao Yi felt uncomfortable inside, because speaking about these things at this time meant only one thing: asking for money.

"My wife unfortunately was diagnosed with avascular necrosis and underwent a hip replacement last year. Thankfully, she had medical insurance, but I still had to pay a sixteen thousand US Dollar bill. Without insurance, it would have cost four hundred sixty thousand US Dollars—unbelievable. It costs one hundred sixty thousand US Dollars for a hip replacement surgery, and the rehabilitation treatment that follows is even more expensive. Can you imagine my face when I saw the bill?"

Gao Yi made a sympathetic gesture out of politeness.

Crawford still prattled on, "My second son goes to the best private school. Can you imagine, his tuition for just the eighth grade is a hundred and twenty thousand US Dollars? Frankly, I regret my decision. It’s putting too much financial pressure on me."

Ninety thousand, a hundred and twenty thousand, and additionally, was Crawford’s wife hoping for four hundred and sixty thousand or sixteen thousand?

Gao Yi thought Crawford rattling on about these was his way of asking for money, but to mention these things right after receiving ten million dollars was a bit greedy.

Gao Yi downgraded his opinion of Crawford by another notch.

But, helpless to do otherwise, he still needed to make a statement, so without changing his expression, Gao Yi said, "That’s nothing, this amount of money..."

Gao Yi wanted to say he would cover it for him, but unexpectedly, Crawford responded excitedly, "Right! This amount of money is nothing! With this ten million, all my financial pressures are gone!"

Was this the cheer of a poor man suddenly coming into wealth, ecstatic over the relief from pressure?

Was Crawford being so honest?

Gao Yi was taken aback and then watched as Crawford struggled to suppress his excitement, trying hard to remain calm as he said, "I won’t have to worry about money anymore! My annual take-home pay is a hundred and eighty thousand US Dollars, which is indeed a very good income, but maintaining a high standard of living really puts a lot of pressure on me, but now!"

After taking a deep breath, Crawford said gravely, "I’ve been freed from the pressure!"

Is that it?

Gao Yi pondered for a moment, then said with a smile, "Just a reminder, Mr. Charles, this is just the beginning. This is just a little token of our initial meeting. The real earning has not even started yet."

Crawford nodded, "Yeah, it hasn’t started yet."

After finishing, he looked around and finally realized that he was in the square and quickly said, "Let’s get started then, um, Joelson has briefed you on the situation, right?"