Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 628 - 602: The Most Expensive in History

Chapter 628: Chapter 602: The Most Expensive in History

The second flight was very calm. Now not only was the communication very smooth, but the business jet was also much more comfortable. Gao Yi could totally get a good sleep.

But Gao Yi couldn’t sleep, and he wasn’t in high spirits either. He couldn’t tell if he was moved or guilty. Anyway, he just felt that someone died to protect him, so he wondered if he should do something more.

Like blowing up another one.

Ever since they boarded the plane, Nevan got busy because communications had been restored, and there was no need to worry about being eavesdropped anymore, so he was taking calls one after another, extremely busy.

While Gao Yi was still ruminating, Nevan came over, knocked on the door, and then shook his phone at Gao Yi, whispering, "The Director wants to speak with you."

Nevan handed the phone over to Gao Yi, who whispered, "Hello."

"There’s a piece of good news and a piece of bad news. The good news is that the United States has carried out a comprehensive crackdown on the Andic Group, and successfully captured the actual controller of the Andic Group, Vijes Andic. However, Vijes Andic’s son, Nelson Andic, got away and hasn’t been caught yet."

Gao Yi paused for a moment, saying, "They’ve caught them already?"

"Yes, the operation has started, but Nelson Andic escaped, that is, Little Andic. I am very certain someone helped him, deliberately leaving him an escape route. The Pentagon doesn’t want the Andic Group to drag them into this, so they sent an assassin to find Andic. So, it shouldn’t be the Pentagon that arranged for Little Andic to escape. I suspect it’s the FBI."

After saying this, Panetta chuckled self-deprecatingly and said, "We are the ones pushing to eliminate Andic, so it won’t be the CIA. The Pentagon wants to silence them, so it must be the FBI. However, it’s hard to say with these things. Perhaps one of my subordinates is too deeply entangled with the Andic Group, so maybe it’s the CIA who let Little Andic slip away."

It felt very strange, very surreal.

First, someone died to protect him, and now, the biggest enemy since he entered this field was gone, wiped out in an instant amidst laughter.

"If the bad news is that Little Andic escaped, that’s not much. I don’t think he can stir up much trouble."

Gao Yi didn’t take Little Andic seriously, but Panetta immediately said, "No, no, no, the bad news I’m talking about isn’t that. Well, the bad news is that Ben issued a bounty on you."

"What?"

"The Andic Group is about to go down, but the Dark Web is still running. Ben posted a bounty there; anyone who can take you down and provide sufficient evidence can get sixteen billion US Dollars in cash, plus company stock worth forty billion US Dollars, and about six billion US Dollars worth of tangible rewards. Uh, this part of the reward is provided by some of Ben’s enterprises, but no matter which way you look at it, this is the largest bounty ever."

Gao Yi was stunned for a while, doing the math.

Sixteen plus forty plus six, about sixty-two billion US Dollars.

That really is the most expensive life ever, huh.

A country with the third-largest GDP striking back in rage is indeed unprecedented.

It’s expensive, sure, but to rely on the underworld to avenge through assassination because they can’t handle it themselves is truly disgraceful.

Gao Yi sighed and said helplessly, "Well, looks like I’ll have to be more careful from now on."

"Yes, a permanent bounty, plus there could be public donations from Ben’s citizens and sponsorships from enterprises and companies, which means the bounty might still increase. This is just the beginning. I think it might well rise to a hundred billion US Dollars."

Panetta began to laugh as he said this, laughing out, "Congratulations on becoming the most expensive person in the world."

"I don’t find it funny at all; it’s very dangerous."

"Well, another thing, the American stock market is going wild now. Basically, global stock markets are in turmoil, the US stock market included. However, importantly, those financial sharks who prepared beforehand are making a killing. Companies from Ben listed on the US stock market are now basically finished. Haha, in just one day, they’ve harvested at least two hundred billion US Dollars. That’s my estimate, but this is just the beginning and far from over."

At this point, Gao Yi was happy, murmuring, "That’s good news for me. Although I didn’t make any money myself, I’m still happy."

Seeing the enemies in bad shape naturally brings joy.

"Alright, when you return, you’ll need to quickly prepare to take over the Dark Web. Clearing out Andic Group’s die-hard remnants needs to be done by you. Taking control of the Dark Web should also be your task. But this is an important point I need to tell you. We must have people inside the Dark Web. This is not just my idea; it’s a consensus across the United States. The President ordered me to take charge of this matter, so... uh, I need to place a few people in the Dark Web, and they must be in key positions."

What Panetta said sounded a bit awkward. He lowered his voice and said, "I hope you can understand, but this isn’t a notice; I’m discussing a solution with you. About personnel selection, how do you feel about Joelson?"

An old acquaintance, now considered Panetta’s trusted confidant. However, Gao Yi felt that Joelson might not be suitable for the underworld. His heart was ruthless enough, but his hands were not cunning enough.

Gao Yi pondered for a while, thinking that Fisher, who hunted Wei Feng with him at the CIA headquarters last time, was quite good.

"What do you think about Fisher? This guy is ruthless and sneaky; I think he’s more suitable to lead the Dark Web."

"Only you can lead the Dark Web; I just need someone in key positions. That way, everyone can be at ease. I am not trying to seize your authority. If you give up the Dark Web, then it wouldn’t have much significance. Fisher has the capability, but he’s already the head of the Intelligence Bureau’s Europe division. Putting him in charge of the Dark Web would be a demotion, which isn’t very appropriate."

"I see, uh, I still think Fisher is suitable. Can’t he serve dual roles?"

Gao Yi was a bit selfish here. As his longest-standing acquaintance in the CIA, he wanted Joelson to have better career prospects, and once involved in the underworld, responsible for Dark Web affairs, Joelson would find it difficult to leave the Dark Web in the future.

Those who’ve been with you the longest shouldn’t have poor futures.

Panetta considered it and said, "I’ll think about it or look for another suitable candidate. Actually, this isn’t important. Oh, I just got the news. The reason why Ben suddenly started focusing on you, and why Ben issued a bounty on you, is likely due to Little Andic. I think this possibility is quite high. It’s best to eliminate Nelson Andic as soon as possible. When you come back, make this a priority while you take over the Dark Web and pursue Little Andic simultaneously."

"Okay."

"Once again, congratulations on becoming the most valuable person alive. This record is unlikely to be broken. I’ll be at the airport waiting to welcome you, the most expensive person."