Chapter 938: Ruthless, A Price That Can’t be Refused

Someone who had been rude to Karen last time had been beaten up that very night, and had been given a stern warning not to delay everyone’s money-making.

What Karen held was related to many people’s future income.

Whoever destroyed someone else’s livelihood had to be beaten up.

After Luke entered, Foggy quickly wrapped things up with the old couple in front of him and had Karen send them out.

When they were alone in the room, Foggy asked, “Do you want something to drink?”

Luke said, “There’s no need to be polite. How is it? Too busy?”

Foggy scratched his head. “It can’t be helped. I’ve already hired two girls to do odd jobs in the name of community service, but that only reduces Karen’s workload. No one can help with what Matt and I have to do.”

Despite knowing the answer, Luke asked, “Where’s Matt?”

Foggy said, “He said he didn’t notice that he caught a cold last night. He’s sleeping at home now, and won’t be here until tomorrow.”

Luke could only sympathize with Lawyer Matt.

He might really have to pretend that he was fine tomorrow and work overtime at the law firm.

However, working as a lawyer was better than working as Daredevil. At the very least, he wouldn’t get shot on the streets.

Looking at Foggy’s expression, Luke said with a smile, “Just tell me what you want. You’re not a girl. You need me to chat you up?”

Scratching his head awkwardly, Foggy handed him a file. “This is the community service plan you proposed. There’s a little problem.”

Luke took it and flipped through it quickly. “Those kids don’t want to come?”

Foggy said, “They really don’t want to come. The problem is that their families want them to come, but we’ve received more than 50 applications in just two days. This… will be a little tricky.”

Luke quickly understood.

He and Selina had donated 100,000 dollars to an average of 50 families, and each family would receive less than two thousand dollars.

Although they talked about starting at 1,000 dollars, even at the minimum hourly wage for eight hours a day, each person had to be paid 1,500 to 2,000 dollars a month.

It had only been a few days, and there would definitely be more people who wanted to join.

If there was too big a disparity between the number of applicants and the number of volunteer positions on hand, this good thing might become a bad thing.

Foggy wasn’t an idiot. He had sensed the potential trouble ahead of time and wanted to discuss it with Luke.

Luke asked, “How many people do you think will apply in the end?”

Foggy said, “120 to 150, but we only expected 25 to 30.”

Luke nodded and took out a checkbook and a pen. He signed a check and put it on the table. “I admire people who are willing to work to change their fates. Later, have Karen make another copy of the agreement. I’ll sign it.”

Foggy looked at the number on the check and said awkwardly, “That’s… too much. 100,000 will do.”

The figure on the check was 200,000.

It was agreed that community volunteers would receive a family allowance.

On average, each family would be able to get around 3,500 dollars.

If there were more people, the amount would be lower. 3,000 was enough.

Only a minority ever got high wages, which could also motivate everyone.

Now, the firm had an “income” of 50,000 dollars every month. Foggy and Matt had already discussed that if they saved up for the next two to three months, they could squeeze out 100,000 from the amount.

That way, there would be more than enough to hire 100 volunteers for the community reconstruction project.

If most of the applications were approved, it wouldn’t be a big problem, because those who had been approved would automatically maintain order during the community reconstruction, and the small number of people who weren’t selected wouldn’t be able to cause trouble.

But when Foggy said that he didn’t have money, Luke took out another 200,000. Foggy felt like he was exploiting someone else’s kindness.

Luke didn’t care. He simply called for Karen as he scanned the list of applicants.

Karen came in and looked at Foggy inquiringly.

Luke, however, said, “Alright, stop dawdling. Have Karen print out the agreement. I still have something to ask you.”

Seeing Luke’s attitude, Foggy could only say a few words to Karen. The secretary looked at Luke in surprise and quickly left the room.

Luke flipped through the information on the applicants and found a list of names. He put it in front of Foggy and said, “Charlie, Raqael, and Hudson are all here. But I want to ask, what about the kids who were with Hudson that day? I’m very optimistic about them. Can you underline their names in red?”

Foggy: …Isn’t that too much?

You dare fork out 300,000 just to deal with those half-grown kids?!

Crazy! Ruthless! Those were the only adjectives Foggy could think of.

Saying it so openly like that, this was Luke’s one “small request” in exchange for his donation.

If those kids could be pulled in as manual labor, they had to be.

Otherwise, even if Luke didn’t say anything, Foggy would think that he hadn’t done a good job.

300,000 dollars was enough to pay a professional hitman to take a dozen lives, but Luke was using it for ten kids.

It was an irresistible offer.

Looking at Foggy, Luke shrugged. “We have to give these kids a chance to walk the right path again instead of robbing, selling drugs, and becoming drivers in a few years. As a donor, I’d rather watch them work as laborers than take out my badge and handcuff them.”

Hearing that, Foggy raised his hands in surrender. “Okay. I promise I’ll try to make these kids take things seriously.”

Luke nodded. “If they can learn something from this community reconstruction, they’ll be able to support themselves in the future. It doesn’t matter if the workers you hire are mediocre, but try to choose people who are willing to teach them. Also, the time frame for the reconstruction and community service can be extended so that they have enough time to learn.”

Foggy was full of admiration. You just don’t want them to get through it quickly! Do you really need to be so ruthless?

In his heart, he subconsciously gave Luke the label, “Don’t mess with him.”

Even though Luke was definitely a good guy, the way he dealt with people was too pointed.

It would probably be more painful for those kids to work as laborers for a month or two than for them to be shot.

After all, they could brag to their friends about how tough they were.

How were they supposed to brag about being manual laborers? Were they supposed to brag that they could carry bricks?

Karen had already printed out the agreement.

They already had the template for this thing. Apart from the donation amount and signature, it was basically the same.

Luke went through it briefly, signed it, then got up. “Okay, I won’t bother you anymore. Call me if you have any more questions.”