Invasion of the United States

After the blackmail call ended, another message was sent to Zhou Qingfeng's phone with a password-protected link.

Clicking the link and entering the password revealed a clipped video—a drone-shot angle of the 'Scorpion' bar.

The video used an infrared full-color camera and clearly captured Zhou Qingfeng wearing stockings and entering the bar a month ago.

These mere ten seconds of footage couldn't prove anything substantial.

But at the end of the video, a line of text appeared—One hundred million US Dollars for my silence, or more footage will be handed to the FBI, enough to put you in jail.

After watching the video, Zhou Qingfeng tried to maintain a calm exterior, but inside, he was a mix of shock and anger.

He never expected the hunter to become the hunted. He thought he was the hunter, but another one emerged behind him.

Besides the video, the blackmail call provided no more information, but the threat was heavy, likely a methodical psychological tactic.

Zhou Qingfeng's first reaction was 'I can't give the money, or they'll ask for a billion tomorrow.'

The blackmailer would find ways to drain him dry, otherwise, peace would never come.

"What's wrong?" Jennifer keenly noticed the gradual sternness in Zhou Qingfeng's expression. FirstpublishedonM|V|L!EMPYR.

His fingers tightened slightly around the phone, eyes unfocused, lost in thought—a clear sign that Zhou Qingfeng was not as calm as he seemed.

This only piqued Jennifer's curiosity.

Over a month had passed since they met while hitching a ride.

Though they hadn't interacted much, the lingering aura of mystery around Zhou Qingfeng continued to intrigue Jennifer.

Under the support of billions, she found his pensive profile particularly captivating, seemingly gathering momentum, ready to erupt.

The memory of him redeeming the Power Ball ticket was still vivid to her. His every move carried an unusual implication.

Jennifer despised the hypocrisy and decay of the wealthy circles, tired of endless lies and betrayals, choosing to escape to White Beach High School in search of peace.

Calmness, pride, carefree attitudes, and flattering of ordinary people in front of her were expected, nothing special.

But truly leading a plain life would bore her to tears.

This contradictory mentality drove her to seek "safe" "danger".

For instance, she knew that Zhou Qingfeng was far from harmless as he appeared.

Where exactly did that lottery ticket come from? Is he a puppet or a killer? A player or a pawn? These questions rooted and grew in her mind.

A suddenly rich poor boy, what will his future be like?

To satisfy this curiosity, Jennifer was still willing to approach Zhou Qingfeng, exploring his secrets without being able to stop.

At this moment, she sharply sensed Zhou Qingfeng's emotional fluctuation and couldn't help but ask softly, "Need any help?"

Zhou Qingfeng didn't answer immediately; he frowned silently, seemingly staring ahead, yet contemplating where his vulnerability had been caught.

Jennifer wasn't in a hurry; she knew men often used silence to conceal their inner turmoil.

She leaned slightly forward, probing, "Is it inconvenient to talk about?"

Zhou Qingfeng deliberated for a while, then calmly spoke, "Someone is trying to blackmail me for one hundred million US Dollars..."

Excitement flashed across Jennifer's face, as if solving a mystery, capturing clues from traces, her guess validated.

"Blackmail? That's too common." She cheerfully offered advice, "Victor, you need to leverage your cash power."

This statement struck Zhou Qingfeng's thoughts like lightning.

He had been immersed in his thoughts, trying to trace the source of his information leak, but Jennifer's words enlightened him.

Yes, cash power—before the apocalypse arrives, there's no need to handle everything alone. As a wealthy person, problems solvable by money aren't really issues.

He turned to look at Jennifer, "You're right, although the lottery committee hasn't completed the redemption process, the bank has given me a credit limit of a few million dollars. But..."

Jennifer continued, "In this world, if you haven't been blackmailed a few times, you can't be called a wealthy person. My father receives threatening calls or letters every month; someone is always claiming to expose his scandals.

Mr. Beck, who runs a law firm, receives even more; if threat letters could be used for toilet paper, his family wouldn't need to buy any.

Most threats are meaningless, likely a drunk fool making random calls, saying nonsense.

But some threats can't be ignored, like how the CEO of United Health was shot on the street not long ago."

"So... who should I turn to?" Zhou Qingfeng still needed some guidance; after all, he wasn't wealthy before.

"Turn to my sister Kelly." Jennifer sighed, "There are plenty of people willing to solve problems for the wealthy; she has the channels for that."

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Zhou Qingfeng didn't hesitate and immediately dialed his cold and elegant 'maid's' phone number.

Kelly's voice was as professional as ever, "Victor, what's the matter?"

"I just received a blackmail call. I want to know who it is and where exactly they are. And..."

Kelly was familiar with such situations, not a trace of surprise. She grasped the key point with professional calm:

"A blackmail call? Quite normal. Do you want to know if they really have your dirt or if they're just trying to scare you?"