The five million dollars was originally given by Michael Joe to get rid of Jang Mingjun. Although Jack saw the cash next to Michael Joe's body after the battle, he didn't think much of it, considering it was a crime scene.
Although Anna was assumed to be Jack's assistant, she held no official position and therefore chose to quietly leave before the Korean police arrived.
Perhaps because of this, stealing was a no-brainer for her.
"That's seven billion won," Jiang Zhentai was speechless.
He had just handled the electronic key worth ten billion dollars without batting an eyelid, but when the "mere" five million dollars turned into real cash, his mouth went dry.
"Since we've taken it, let's split it," Jack and Ma Xidao, who had already shared the spoils, said nonchalantly.
Jiang Zhentai stared blankly at Jack, then turned to Ma Xidao, his expression still hesitant. "Is this really appropriate?"
"Everyone at the scene is dead. Even if Lin Zheling noticed the money, he'd be back north soon. Are you still worried he'd tell lies?" Jack teased with a smile.
"But this... isn't that much money." Jiang Zhentai was momentarily speechless.
Ma Xidao had seen this before. Last time, Jack somehow found two fake naval officers and swindled nearly ten times more cash.
Now he was a wealthy man with some assets. After Chris handled the funds, he also considered him a small shareholder in Shangri-La.
With over $200,000 in annual dividends, Ma Xidao was practically the most carefree of ordinary Korean police officers. He even upgraded the large gold chain he'd worn from 18K to 24K.
"Think about your mortgage." Ma Xidao, as expected of a colleague, had hit the middle-aged man's sore spot with just one sentence.
Jiang Zhentai scratched his head, a trace of embarrassment crossing his gnarled old face. "I'm just saying, that's so embarrassing." His eyes remained fixed on the glittering green dollars.
"I'm not giving it all to you. Half each, and if you split it with Xidao, it won't be much. After this is over, come with me to Las Vegas and sort out your income streams,
and everything will be fine." If Jiang Zhentai hadn't risked his life to get into the penthouse, they might not have been able to catch Zhang Mingjun in time. The South Koreans were already using him as a scapegoat, so there was no need for them to be so honest.
Even Lin Zheling, loyal to the North, had his moments of collusion with the FBI. A "daily-minded" detective like Jiang Zhentai put his family first.
He risked his life not only to shoulder the blame from above, but also to secure the promise of a promotion and a raise.
Considering the potential loss of his job if the blame were placed on him, and the fact that he'd be sharing the profits with a powerful figure like Ma Xidao and the seemingly even more powerful FBI, Jiang Zhentai felt reassured.
"Don't worry about that NIS gigolo now. Next time he messes with you, just bash his head in."
Jiang Zhentai's back involuntarily straightened up at Ma Xidao's urging.
As the saying goes, money is the hero's courage. The thought of paying off his mortgage soon and maybe even having some extra cash left over for himself made someone so excited that he almost wanted to pay the bill.
The hot pot dinner was undisturbed. After everyone had their fill, they went home to rest. The five million dollars was temporarily placed in Jack's safekeeping, as only his current diplomatic status would allow him to safely bring the money back to the United States.
Although the money was to be divided equally, Jack gave all $2.5 million to Anna, fulfilling her dream of a beachfront home ahead of time.
Now, her dream has evolved from a cabin in Hawaii to a villa in Sanya. It seems Hainan truly holds a special allure for the Russians.
Anna didn't hide the five million dollars, not because top agents aren't interested in money. In fact, after leaving the FSB, money was probably her first concern.
The life of a supermodel is far from glamorous. While the model doesn't take drugs or have promiscuous sex, maintaining her head-to-toe beauty consumes a significant portion of her annual income.
Men can never imagine the lengths women go to to maintain their looks, and money is only the simplest and most insignificant of these costs.
Even if we're just talking about money, the average European and American woman who wants to maintain a naturally radiant complexion like Jiejie and Hannah, past or nearing 30, needs not only exceptional talent but also a minimum six-figure annual budget.
For Zoe and Maureen, the starting annual budget is a million dollars, with no ceiling.
Anna's FSB salary is decent, but it's in rubles, and while they're paid for missions, well-paid agents only exist in the movies; even the CIA relies on flower farming in Afghanistan for extra income.
So, after she "lost her job," Jack immediately offered her a job, to avoid the already turbulent world suddenly facing another top-tier assassin or even terrorist.
Even so, Anna now has enough to eat and wear, and perhaps a small savings, but she's far from dismissive of $5 million.
Even in this situation, the girl took the money and calmly left it in the car. It wasn't a token of loyalty, but it certainly showed that she treated Jack like one of her own.
Jack has always been generous to his "family." During the first "Ogre" incident, Jessie had unhesitatingly handed him a small bag of gold dust, and he'd rewarded her with the bag plus a gold brick. The same thing happened this time.
That night, when Anna, wrapped in a towel, approached her bed, she saw a scented candle burning by the nightstand.
Jack rubbed massage oil into his palms until it burned hot, then smiled at her, "Now it's your turn to test my skills."
—
The Josun Palace Hotel is the most luxurious six-star hotel in Seoul's Gangnam District. The delegation from the north had booked the top floor of the 106th floor as their temporary base, and it was there that Lin Zheling received an audience with the dignitaries.
After handing over the electronic key worth a billion dollars, he received the dignitaries' promise of a generous reward upon his return.
Leaving the lavishly decorated presidential suite, Lin Zheling retrieved his phone and silently descended to the ground floor.
After confirming that no one was following him, he turned and walked into the safety passage. After turning left and right, he appeared in a corner of the huge underground parking lot.
(End of this chapter)