Luna’s face was filled with disbelief.
Charles, however, was not surprised.
Indeed.
By normal standards.
How could Meng Hao, being so young, possess hundreds of billions or even trillions in assets at any given time?
"Oh, I apologize, perhaps my description was inaccurate!"
Charles actually bowed to Luna in an extremely gentlemanly manner... His hypocritical demeanor, combined with his sinister look, gave off a thoroughly nauseating impression.
Luna raised an eyebrow.
She had dealt with Charles more than once.
She understood this extremely dangerous and hypocritical fellow to some extent.
As a high-ranking official of the US intelligence agency.
This man never exaggerated, nor did he ever admit fault.
As expected.
Charles changed the subject.
He immediately began to introduce Meng Hao.
"Dear Luna... In your opinion, how much is a researcher worth who can replicate and surpass the performance and technology of an F-35 fighter jet with just its outer shell, and then build a mech?"
Without waiting for Luna’s shocked answer.
Charles continued.
"And how much is a genius worth who, single-handedly, restored a lithography machine stripped of all its core components, developing his own system for Da Xia's indigenous lithography technology?"
"How much is a talent worth who was personally summoned by the Indian Navy Admiral, invited to India, and assisted them in building a nuclear submarine?"
Luna’s mouth parted slightly.
She didn't believe Charles was joking... And the so-called "inaccurate description," along with the overly polite bow, was purely a mockery of herself.
This sinister and extremely dangerous man.
Every word he spoke and every interaction with him was filled with an unpleasant feeling.
However.
To be fair.
Just based on the feats Charles listed that Meng Hao accomplished, how much money could they fetch?
To be precise.
They were priceless!
No amount of money could buy them back.
With the lithography machine alone.
The annual market value of the chip industry far exceeded a trillion.
Even if Meng Hao only took a 10% commission, that would be over a hundred billion in pure profit.
And nuclear submarines.
Mechs.
F-35s.
The achievements in these high-tech military research and development fields.
Could not be measured in monetary terms.
"Dear Ms. Luna, you, with your woman's intuition, have already concluded that Meng Hao is a powerhouse who could make you fall at his feet."
"However, what you cannot foresee is that Meng Hao's strength far exceeds your imagination!"
Charles paused.
His gaze fell upon Meng Hao.
"I can reveal a little."
"This time, by using strategy to capture Meng Hao, we are risking a falling out with Da Xia and India, and trampling America's international credibility into the dirt!"
He was even willing to fall out with Da Xia and India.
To capture Meng Hao.
Luna gasped.
Her gaze towards Meng Hao became increasingly astonished, admiring, and infatuated!
"Speaking of which."
"You went through all this trouble."
"Even stooping to petty tactics on the territory of your ally, Australia, to bring me here, is it just to brag about my accomplishments in front of this woman?"
Meng Hao interrupted Charles's boasting, impatiently urging him on.
Charles smiled.
"Dear Meng, your research capabilities astonish me, and your courage, even more so!"
"You should be well aware that since we went to such lengths to 'invite' you here, we naturally want you to join the United States."
"Actually, cooperating with us, the United States, is the best outcome for you."
Meng Hao shrugged.
"Last year, you offered me fifty billion US dollars to join the United States, and I refused."
"So, what kind of bait are you planning to use this time?"
*Clack.*
Charles pulled a pistol from his pocket and pressed it to Meng Hao's forehead.
"This time, there is no invitation... only threats... If you refuse to come with us, we will have to cripple you."
"In any case, for us, your brain is the most important asset..."
Before he finished speaking.
Meng Hao lunged forward.
His elbow struck Charles squarely in the stomach.
Caught off guard, and struck with great force.
Even though Charles was a well-trained agent, he instinctively curled up in pain.
Seizing the opportunity, Meng Hao snatched the gun from his hand.
Don't be ridiculous.
He was a man who had taken the blue pill exchanged from the system.
His physical condition far surpassed that of ordinary people.
His reaction speed was also far beyond that of normal individuals.
"Hmm?"
"I hate being threatened the most."
"Now that the gun is in my hand, what else do you have to say?"
Meng Hao mimicked Charles, turning the gun and aiming it at his forehead.
"Hiss!"
Charles gasped in pain.
Meng Hao's elbow strike had clearly held nothing back.
His entire abdomen was now consumed by pain.
"I truly didn't expect."
"You to be so skilled."
"However, even if you kill me, it will be useless... I am only the leader of this operation, not the overall commander... Even if you kill me, you still won't be able to leave."
It had to be said.
Charles, as a high-ranking official in the US intelligence department, had his merits.
At least.
When facing the muzzle of a gun pointed at his forehead, he did not show much fear.
"If you kill me, you still won't be able to leave."
"If you attempt to force your way out, their orders are to kill immediately."
"Perhaps, we should just have a good chat!"
Seeing that Meng Hao, who was clearly showing murderous intent, had no intention of lowering the gun.
Charles continued to persuade him with a wry smile... As a high-ranking intelligence official, he was indeed not afraid of death, but unless the situation was completely beyond hope, no one would easily give up their life.
Not being afraid of death and dying meaninglessly were two different concepts.
"Dear Meng."
"My previous threat was merely one of the means to achieve our objective... Before departing, my highest superior repeatedly instructed me that only if you refused to cooperate would we resort to extreme measures against you... Otherwise, losing even half a strand of hair from someone like you would be a loss for us Americans."
Meng Hao remained noncommittal.
"Bastards."
"All of you, put down your guns."
"Meng Hao has no intention of leaving."
Charles followed Meng Hao's gaze to his subordinates, who were also holding guns and facing Meng Hao.
As the captain of this operation, Charles did not have the authority to let Meng Hao go directly, but he did have authority over his subordinates.
The intelligence Charles received had made no mention of Meng Hao possessing exceptional skills.
Similarly.
The intelligence had not stated that Meng Hao had ever used a weapon.
As someone who had never held a gun before.
If there was a misfire and accidental injury, the possibility was extremely high.
One had to realize.
The pistol Meng Hao was holding was currently pointed at Charles's forehead.
If he were to foolishly lose his life here, dying meaninglessly.
Charles would regret it until his intestines turned green.