Action One

Over the next few days, Jack and his two companions opened anonymous accounts at different banks, each controlling one. Naturally, their accounts were also under Mo Fei's surveillance. The three then purchased the items Mo Fei had requested from different parts of New York. Finally, on the evening of February 20, Jack received a call from Mo Fei.

"Get plenty of rest. We move before dawn tomorrow. At four in the morning, have Jerry steal a sedan. It just needs to be in working condition. Bring the men, two large travel bags, and everything needed to leave the country. Put it all in your own car. I'll call again when the time comes."

"Understood." Jack let out a breath. It was finally about to begin. This Ghost was really patient. He then notified the other two. None of them slept well that night, their nerves constantly on edge, and they were all up before four in the morning. After making their preparations, they began the operation.

Jerry left home carrying a large bag and drove his pickup to Jack's house first. He put his things in Jack's car, then the two of them set off in separate vehicles.

After picking up Roy, the three returned to Jerry's house. Jerry parked his vehicle and got into Jack's car. The three began looking for a target, and a four-door Mustang came into view.

"Let's use that Mustang. It looks new, so it probably won't have any mechanical problems. There's a lot of dust on it too. I'd say it hasn't been driven for three or four days. If we're lucky, it might not get driven today either," Jerry said.

He knew a thing or two about stealing cars. After all, he had once been part of the street-racing crowd. Jerry opened the door and got out, looked around, then walked straight to the car. He took out a flat metal ruler and forcefully shoved it into the top of the window. His movements were smooth and practiced.

Just then, Jack's phone vibrated again. "Drive and follow my directions." At that moment, Mo Fei was at the New York Traffic Monitoring Center. This time, he used one of the landlines there to communicate with them. If anyone picked up that landline now, all they would hear was a dead tone.

Following Mo Fei's instructions, they quickly arrived outside an alley. "Park the car by the roadside. Get into the car Jerry stole, then keep moving." They left their legal vehicle there, then drove the stolen car, carrying their guns and prepared supplies, around the block until they emerged at the other end of the alley.

"The middle section of this alley is blocked off. Once you're finished, follow my instructions to get here, cross over the blocked section, change clothes, and drive away. Understood?"

"Understood. But what about the bank?"

"Don't worry. Everything is under my control. When the time comes, I'll connect all three of your phones. Park the car here for now and find somewhere to eat breakfast. Today is Friday. Traffic will enter rush hour starting at eight in the morning. We'll act at eight fifteen, when this bank has the most cash on hand. You'll have five minutes."

"Okay."

The three took their things and left, leaving the stolen four-door Mustang in the alley. They did not return until seven forty-five. As soon as the three got into the car, their phones rang at the same time.

The three put on their Bluetooth earpieces and answered simultaneously. Mo Fei said, "Put the nuts in your mouths, one on each side. Put on the swimming goggles, then the masks. Put the insoles in your shoes and tie your laces tight."

Without saying a word, the three immediately followed Mo Fei's instructions. Their mouths kept producing saliva, but they swallowed it all and kept their lips sealed. The car started. Jerry drove straight toward the bank while Jack and Roy checked their pistols.

Screech! With a sharp burst of brakes, Jerry drove unobstructed all the way to the bank entrance. Jack took a deep breath, then pushed open the door and stepped out. Under the stunned gaze of the security guard at the entrance, he walked straight up to him. The pistol in his hand kept the man from making any rash moves.

There were few pedestrians around. No one even noticed what was happening as the three forced the guard into the bank.

Rewinding to the instant the three had set off, Mo Fei used different landlines at the New York Traffic Monitoring Center to make emergency calls, drawing every patrol unit around Wall Street Bank away. He then controlled the red lights, blocking off several streets. The traffic lights on all four sides of the intersections turned red, trapping every vehicle there. Meanwhile, Jack and his two companions drove straight through without obstruction, arriving at the bank entrance, where there were very few vehicles.

Of course, it was partly luck that no one saw what they were doing. But even if someone had, the patrol officers nearby were currently unable to arrive, which was why they had five minutes.

"Jerry, go to window three on the left, the slightly plump woman. Point your gun at her and approach. Jack, go directly to the VIP room on the right. There's only one person there, and he has a ring of keys hanging from his left waist. Roy, guard the entrance and be ready to fire at any time. Don't be nervous. They're all afraid of dying. No one will dare rush you!" Under Mo Fei's command, the three began moving.

At first, the people in the bank had not reacted and continued with their business. Then someone screamed, but by then the three were already in position. Jerry aimed his gun at the slightly plump woman at window three on the left and repeated Mo Fei's words from the phone. "Ma'am, please step back. Do not attempt to press the alarm."

The location of the alarm was confidential within the bank. Ordinary people did not know exactly where it was, and the alarm made no sound when pressed. The slightly plump woman froze for a moment, then began trembling and hurriedly stood up to retreat. Halfway there, her legs gave out and she fell to the floor. But she did not dare waste time. She quickly crawled a few steps away, putting as much distance between herself and Jerry as possible.

Jerry was quite satisfied. By then, the bank was in chaos. However, Jack had already aimed his gun at a bank manager in the VIP room. The man was responsible for receiving all VIP clients there, and he was also the manager of this bank. The vault key was hanging from his left waist. Roy stood at the bank entrance with his gun, and no one dared approach. Jack then stepped out. "Everyone squat down. We won't hurt anyone, so long as you don't make any unusual moves!"

Everyone squatted down, their bodies trembling. The bank had only just opened, and there were only a few customers inside. The rest were bank employees, so there were not many people and not much of a disturbance.

Jack headed straight into the bank's interior. A massive alloy door appeared before him. He inserted the key, then entered the password under Mo Fei's instructions. With a click, the lock opened. Jack pushed the heavy door open, and the money inside stunned him. Stacks of U.S. dollars were neatly arranged on rows of shelves, making him feel dizzy.

"Move. Don't panic. Fill all six bags. Be quick!" Mo Fei's voice snapped him back to attention. He hurriedly opened the backpack behind him and spread open the six empty travel bags one by one. Jack then began calmly and methodically stuffing them with large amounts of U.S. dollars.