The Calm Before the Storm
"Bang!" A loud crash echoed from upstairs, startling the quiet atmosphere. Joanna, who had been diligently working on her crochet, swiftly placed her project down with grace.
"Damn it, I bumped into the corner of the table," Ben grumbled as he stood, clutching his arm in pain. Small red marks were visible on his elbow, staining his shirt.
"Come here," Joanna instructed calmly, her movements swift yet graceful. She helped him settle on the sofa and quickly retrieved the medicine box from the table. Gently, she cleaned and disinfected the wound. "What happened?" she asked, her tone soft yet concerned.
"It's work-related," Ben replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "I got too excited about something." As he relaxed, leaning back on the sofa, he found comfort in the tenderness of his wife's care. His anxiety began to dissipate, though his mind still raced with thoughts of the latest news he had received.
Joanna finished treating the wound and placed the medicine box back on the table. "Be careful not to get it wet in the coming days," she advised him gently.
"Thank you," Ben said, a touch of affection in his voice. "I can't imagine life without you."
Joanna smiled, basking in the compliment. "It would be a mess without me, wouldn't it?" she teased, her voice light with pride as she enjoyed the validation of her role within their family.
Ben, however, seemed distracted. "I need to make a phone call. Shall we have dinner later?" he asked, giving her hand a quick squeeze before his eyes drifted elsewhere, signaling his need to leave.
"Don't keep me waiting too long," Joanna replied, her voice full of understanding. She knew how dedicated he was to his work. She appreciated his drive, and it only made him more attractive in her eyes.
Meanwhile, in a quieter part of the city, Li Zitao, now known as Charlie Lee, was lying in bed, casually listening to the radio. The announcer spoke of Chaplin's "Circus," a film that had earned him the prestigious Academy Award the previous year. Charlie listened intently, the familiar noise of the radio offering a strange comfort as his mind wandered elsewhere.
As the broadcast continued, Charlie's phone rang, cutting through the monotony of the evening. It was Ben. Charlie answered, his voice steady.
"Yes, I understand. I'll see you tomorrow," he said succinctly, hearing Ben's voice on the other end. The conversation was brief but efficient. After hanging up, Charlie leaned back against his pillows, his thoughts turning inward. He couldn't help but think of the remarkable individuals who influenced the course of history.
One such figure was Shlomo Ben Itzkic, a wise Jewish financier who had speculated that the stock market might be in turmoil in the coming months, based solely on fluctuations in market trends and certain pieces of intelligence. Charlie couldn't help but admire his insight. What Shlomo didn't know, however, was just how deep the coming storm would be.
The following day, Charlie met with Shlomo at a luxurious private chamber of the Blue and White Chamber of Commerce.
"Mr. Li, here's the analysis I worked on last night," Shlomo said, placing a notebook in front of Charlie. He was eager to share his findings.
Charlie waved his hand dismissively, already knowing the contents. "Ben, I don't need to look at your data. I can tell you right now that your analysis is spot on."
Shlomo's face contorted into a frown. "How can you be so sure? Do you have data? Some hidden network of information? Experience, perhaps?"
Charlie leaned forward, his gaze steady. "No. But I have something you don't. I have the memories of a past life." His words were simple but laden with meaning.
Shlomo blinked, trying to process the strange statement.
Charlie continued calmly, "I know about Black Thursdays and Black Tuesdays. I know about the Great Depression. I know that in the coming months, a third of the world's population will be facing unemployment. And I also know that when everything collapses, those who make the right moves stand to profit immensely. But there will also be danger—danger for those who misstep."
The room grew still as Shlomo absorbed Charlie's words.
Charlie's tone remained even, his confidence unwavering. "I need to ensure that when the market crashes, I will not only survive—it will be my opportunity. But to do that, I need to secure political power, which means cultivating relationships with the right people, like William Dever. I also need to be careful not to get entangled with the wrong crowd, like the Mafia. I've already made the mistake of developing the Aegis Bureau, but I can't afford to let that become a liability."
Shlomo remained silent, digesting everything Charlie had just said.
Charlie stood and placed his hand firmly on the table. "Do you remember what I told you?"
Shlomo, still processing, gave a distracted nod. "What?"
"September," Charlie said calmly.
The mere mention of the month sent a chill down Shlomo's spine. His expression shifted to one of disbelief. "September? You've already figured it out?"
Charlie's lips curled into a confident smile. "Yes, the stage has already been set. When October comes, everything you see will begin to collapse."
Shlomo was caught off guard, his heart racing at the gravity of Charlie's words.
Charlie's gaze intensified. "I need you to help me raise as much money as possible before September. I want you to get me a loan from JP Morgan. And when we enter the market, we'll short it. You can take a 1% commission for your efforts."
Shlomo's mind reeled. "How can you be so sure? Are you really prepared to gamble on such a scale?"
Charlie's expression softened slightly. "It's not gambling when you know the outcome. But I do need your help. Will you assist me?"
Shlomo stood, clearly agitated. "I need time to think. I can't give you an answer right now."
"Of course," Charlie agreed, gesturing for Shlomo to take his leave. "But know this: I want you to stay here. I'll have your wife accompany you, but don't worry—it's not house arrest. It's just to keep things under control. You're free to come and go as you wish."
Shlomo's eyes widened in panic. "What about my wife? Will she be safe?"
"Don't worry," Charlie reassured him. "I promise nothing will happen to her. She's just here to keep you company while you think things over."
Shlomo, still unsettled, reluctantly agreed. "Alright, I'll stay. But I need to process everything. I'll need time."
That afternoon, Ben and his wife, Joanna, were reunited in their room. When Ben assured her that she had not been harmed, his fear eased.
"Ben, what's going on? Why are we here? Is this some sort of kidnapping?" Joanna's voice trembled slightly as she tried to make sense of the situation.
Ben sighed. "No, it's not like that. This is my client's club."
Joanna stared at him, skeptical. "Your client? Why would he put us in here?"
Ben hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "There's some trouble brewing. I don't really know how to explain it. My client—he's not like anyone I've ever met."
Joanna was confused. "Is he dangerous? Should I be worried?"
Ben shook his head. "No, not dangerous. But mysterious. Everything about him is unpredictable. I can't even explain it myself."
As the day wore on, the gravity of the situation settled in. The storm Charlie Lee had predicted was fast approaching. And as September loomed closer, it was clear that everything was about to change.