The Birth of the Shendun No. 22 Club
The elite Shendun No. 22 Club set a new standard for exclusivity with its invitation-only membership and stringent entry criteria:
1. Significant influence within a specific field.
2. A clean family history with no unforgivable crimes over the last three generations.
3. A net worth exceeding $300,000.
4. A strict non-disclosure policy prohibiting members from revealing club activities to outsiders.
With over a dozen meticulously crafted rules developed by its think tank, the club charged an annual membership fee of $2,000. Each invite was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—refusal meant permanent exclusion. In return, members gained access to exclusive benefits: protection from security threats by Aegis, financial privileges through partnerships with JP Morgan, and access to intelligence and data sharing from the club's think tank.
Currently, Shendun No. 22 Club boasted eight prominent Chicago figures as members, a success built on adhering to its strict standards. Sixteen invitees had been selected, and with a 50% acceptance rate, the club was off to a promising start.
While still in its infancy, the club's members anticipated a network that would eventually encompass global elites across politics, commerce, royalty, and nobility. This ambition was shared unanimously among the think tank members, whose structured vision laid the foundation for its rise to prominence.
Unbeknownst to Charlie Lee, the future mastermind credited with Shendun's global fame, the club was quietly growing into a powerhouse.
On a crisp morning, Juliana, a newly invited member, arrived at the club to finalize her certification.
"Juliana, welcome," Ben greeted her warmly as he opened the crimson door, revealing a second white door behind him.
"This place certainly has an air of mystery," Juliana quipped, amused by the setup.
"Mystery feeds curiosity, and curiosity leads to success," Ben replied with a smile. As he pushed open the white door, a brilliant light flooded the room, momentarily blinding Juliana.
As her eyes adjusted, the scene before her defied expectations. Instead of opulence, the room was modest—six rectangular desks scattered about, a cone-shaped wooden pillar at the center covered in pinned papers, and individuals moving about quietly, immersed in their tasks.
The walls were lined with sea-blue wainscoting beneath elegantly carved white panels. Above the wainscoting, charts and data sheets covered every available space. Behind the central pillar, a blackboard bore the bold title, "Get Rich Overnight."
Juliana stifled a laugh. "Is this some kind of themed bar?" she asked skeptically.
Ben chuckled but remained unfazed. "Feel free to explore. You'll be surprised."
As Juliana wandered the room, her amusement faded into intrigue. The detailed data and trading records pinned to the walls began to unravel a world of precision and strategy. Her initial mockery turned into awe as she recognized the complexity and brilliance behind the operation.
The think tank consisted of 36 core members supported by over 100 intelligence personnel. Information flowed continuously, analyzed and categorized meticulously before reaching Ben, the group's leader. His team oversaw the "Get Rich Overnight" program, ensuring all data was cross-referenced and securely stored.
Ben often marveled at Charlie's foresight, despite the man's outward detachment. If only he could glimpse inside Charlie's mind, Ben thought, perhaps he'd find not a genius or a mastermind but a seemingly ordinary man who occasionally leaped to greatness.
"Ben, this plan is insane! Who's behind these predictions?" Juliana's voice trembled with disbelief as she rushed to confront him.
"Sit down, Juliana. We can talk," Ben said, trying to calm her.
"Whoever it is, they predicted this financial catastrophe with eerie accuracy. Are you part of the mysterious gang rumored to control Wall Street?" she pressed.
Ben's face darkened. "What gang?"
"There's talk on Wall Street about a shadowy force orchestrating the market crash and Black Tuesday," Juliana explained.
Ben immediately made a call. "Bob, did you know about these rumors? Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded.
Bob dismissed it as unimportant, but Ben disagreed. The 36-member think tank, not Bob, decided what was critical.
"This means we need new allies," Ben muttered as he ended the call.
"Who's behind this, Ben?" Juliana's curiosity was insatiable, but Ben redirected her attention to completing her membership application.
When she handed it back, she pressed him again for answers. "What about that plan?"
"Confidential," Ben replied with a sly grin, leaving Juliana frustrated and full of questions.
Meanwhile, Charlie Lee, unaware of Juliana's visit, received a call from Ben.
"Boss, there's a rumor on Wall Street linking us to the market crash," Ben warned.
"What do you propose?" Charlie asked, immediately grasping the gravity of the situation.
"We need to speed up our exit," Ben suggested.
After a brief pause, Charlie agreed. Though this decision would cost millions in lost profits, he valued discretion over greed. "We've made enough," he reasoned.
Charlie understood the risks. If the public or authorities branded him as the architect of the crash, he'd face endless investigations, hearings, and societal condemnation. His identity as an immigrant businessman added another layer of vulnerability.
Back at the club, Ben shared Charlie's urgency. The economic collapse had heightened public anger, and any perceived culprits would become scapegoats for the nation's suffering. The name "Aegis" could quickly become synonymous with betrayal and greed.
As the club's activities intensified, so did its network of power. Charlie's vision for Shendun No. 22 Club was taking shape, though its full potential remained unrealized.
For now, the think tank's careful handling of sensitive information and strategic alliances kept them one step ahead. But with Wall Street abuzz with rumors and public resentment simmering, the stakes were higher than ever.
In the quiet moments, Charlie reflected on the path he had chosen. His ambition to dominate Chicago's elite circles demanded sacrifices and careful maneuvering. But as long as his network grew stronger, Charlie was willing to play the long game—even if it meant walking the razor's edge between genius and infamy.