Without a doubt, in times like these, not many people could refuse Umbrella Corporation's recruitment offer, let alone a weak programmer with two children.
Leon recruited this Georgia Institute of Technology professor, a highly educated intellectual whom ordinary people could only look up to, with a position as a Grade D Engineering Department employee. The weekly salary was 1,500 Contribution Points—not much, but still far more generous than that of ordinary Logistics Personnel.
With the newly recruited university professor in tow, Leon and the Combat Team continued clearing three villas, thoroughly demonstrating the combat ability and courage of Umbrella Corporation's personnel.
During that time, Amrin's expression remained unpleasant. Only after chatting with him did Leon learn that many of the Zombies here had been his neighbors when they were still alive. Most of them had been senior employees at nearby factories and companies.
From the university professor, Leon learned that Atlanta was one of America's top ten financial centers, known as the "New Capital of the South." Its economy was diverse, and the headquarters of more than a hundred major companies were located there, including Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, UPS, Holiday Inn, and BellSouth. Of the five hundred largest companies in America, 430 had branches in Atlanta.
It was also a famous historic city, cultural capital, and tourist capital of America, with numerous museums and large parks.
Clearly, the professor knew Atlanta very well. He had worked there for years, enjoyed a high social status, and knew plenty of information Leon did not. On top of that, he possessed rare skills.
Leon felt fortunate. He had truly struck gold. If he had arrived a few days later, he might have found nothing more than three miserable Zombies holed up in a basement.
After clearing twenty villas in a single afternoon, the time reached five o'clock. Leon had no intention of taking risks in the dark, so he and the team returned to the base with Professor Amrin's family and four fully loaded vehicles of scavenged supplies.
After entering the base, Leon dismissed the team and had them hand over the supplies.
Little secretary Amy appeared from somewhere and hurried to Leon's side, skillfully helping him remove his equipment.
The girl smiled brightly, her voice sweet.
"Boss, you're back."
Leon nodded and pointed at Professor Amrin's family as he introduced them:
"This is Professor Amrin and his two children. He's a newly recruited Grade D Engineering Department employee, a senior electronics engineer, senior software programmer, and university professor."
"This is Ms. Amy, my personal assistant. She's currently responsible for managing most of the company's affairs."
Amy politely smiled and nodded at Professor Amrin.
"Welcome to Umbrella Corporation, Professor Amrin."
Amrin returned the smile weakly.
"Hello, Miss Amy. It's my honor to join a company that fights for all of humanity."
After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, Leon instructed Amy:
"Take Professor Amrin's family to complete the onboarding procedures. Also arrange accommodations for them, and give him two weeks' salary in advance."
"Understood, Boss."
After instructing Amy, Leon turned to Amrin.
"Professor, we have hot showers here, plenty of food, and clean clothes. You and your children should get a good rest tonight."
"Tomorrow, I'll set aside some time to talk with you and arrange your work here."
Amrin put his arms around his children and bowed deeply to Leon.
"Thank you, Mr. Castor. You saved me and my family. I'll remember this kindness forever. May God bless you."
At two in the morning, Leon was sleeping soundly with Amy's smooth, delicate body in his arms when the Walkie-Talkie on the bedside table suddenly crackled.
"Boss, Boss, are you there?"
"This is Glenn. This is Glenn."
"We're ten minutes from the base. We need your help with an emergency."
Amy still had a few tearstains on her face, apparently disturbed from sleep by the static from the Walkie-Talkie. Like a startled little animal, she curled up against Leon's chest before sleepily opening her hazy eyes.
Leon gently kissed her forehead and pulled the luxurious velvet quilt over her fair, jade-like skin.
"I have something to take care of. Go back to sleep."
Amy shyly tugged the quilt over herself, apparently recalling the previous night's passion. She nodded obediently, with a hint of exhaustion, and said in a slightly hoarse voice:
"Okay, Boss. Take care of yourself and get some rest soon."
Draped in a robe, Leon picked up the Walkie-Talkie from the bedside table, walked out of the bedroom, and replied:
"This is Leon Castor. Glenn, what happened?"
Glenn's voice was anxious and weary.
"Sorry for waking you so late, Boss. We have a Ms. Lori who suffered severe external injuries and urgently needs treatment."
"I only knew that you had a doctor here, so I drove Ms. Lori over from the Quarry overnight."
Leon was silent for more than ten seconds before speaking again.
"What kind of injuries did she suffer?"
"Boss, Ms. Lori fell from a height of about ten meters while gathering supplies in the city and lost consciousness. Corrosive liquid splashed onto her face, causing extremely severe burns. She still hasn't regained consciousness."
"Officer Shane is extremely anxious. He brought me and Carl along, and the four of us are hurrying to the base overnight."
"Daryl will bring the others from the camp tomorrow."
"We'll arrive in seven or eight minutes. Please be ready."
Leon was silent for a few seconds before answering calmly:
"Come directly through the Underground Parking Lot. I'll be waiting for you at Clinic No. 1."
"Understood, Boss."
"Thank you, Mr. Castor." At the end of the conversation, Officer Shane's hoarse voice came through the Walkie-Talkie.
Ten minutes later, Leon saw Shane rushing into the operating room of Clinic No. 1 with Lori in his arms, while Carl sobbed with his face pressed against Glenn's thigh.
Lori's eyes were tightly shut, her hair fell loose, and obvious burn marks covered her face.
Shane's expression was extremely complicated. There was tension, anxiety, guilt, and grief in his eyes.
Leon had Shane lay Lori flat on the hospital bed, then carefully examined her with a stethoscope.
Just as Glenn had described, she had extensive chemical burns on her face, neck, and chest. She had also suffered a mild concussion, while all four limbs and her joints had sustained fractures.
The most serious injuries were to her eyeballs. The chemical liquid had destroyed most of the nerves, leaving them completely damaged with no possibility of repair.
In other words, even if Lori's injuries were treated, she would still be blind and disfigured.
Upon learning the result, Leon felt a stir in his heart. The Butterfly Effect he had caused was largely responsible for this incident.
It was not guilt or remorse. Rather, it was a strange sense of immersion. Everything he did changed this world's fate. It was no longer a rigid image of the past.
Upholding his duty as a doctor, Leon called Shane and Carl aside and truthfully informed them of Lori's current condition and the consequences she would face after treatment.
Although Shane's face was full of pain, regret, and guilt, he still clenched his teeth and begged Leon to treat Lori.
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