Looking at these things, John Brown always feels a sense of danger in his heart. This is not John Brown being overly worried; with one hundred percent profit, people can ignore all laws and dangers.
Others may think that these dangerous things are too far from them, but John Brown has been fighting against these dangerous elements over the years and understands them too well. Some people who are driven by ideals and beliefs are the most terrifying. They face death without flinching, committing numerous horrific attacks, like the chilling act of crashing planes into buildings. However, these people usually have strong financial backing, so they often remain indifferent to money.
There are other dangerous elements who specifically work for money, just like those mercenary organizations. They accept dangerous tasks and do things for money that others wouldn’t dare do. But typically, these mercenary organizations, in order to avoid being targeted by various governments, generally don’t commit theft.
Then there is a category of people who commit crimes solely for money, ignoring everything else. As long as they can earn a lot of money, they dare to do anything, such as murder and robbery, which are commonplace for them. Here, things worth billions, if targeted by them, are absolutely possible.
Moreover, once they strike on a cruise ship, they can easily escape. In the vast ocean, they have many routes to flee and won’t be pursued like on land operations, making this kind of venture much less risky.
However, the cruise ship isn’t that easy to rob. One should know that this cruise ship has over two thousand crew members. Besides service staff, there are over a hundred security personnel, who are not ordinary people. Almost all of them are elite soldiers retired from various national forces. Also, security facilities on the cruise are very complete and advanced. When John and his companions boarded the ship, they underwent high-standard security checks, comparable to, or even exceeding, those at airports. Bringing weapons onto the cruise ship is nearly impossible.
Without weapons, having to rely solely on hands, robbing such a cruise ship would be extremely difficult. Unless there are a large number of people involved, even a group of dozens can’t succeed.
John certainly hopes to enjoy his family vacation well without any accidents, hoping no foolish person comes to create trouble.
"Honey, what are you thinking?" Gina gently poked John Brown, looking at him puzzled.
John Brown smiled slightly and said, "I was thinking, how much are the things here worth?"
Gina pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "Do you like antiques too?"
John Brown shook his head and said, "I don’t like antiques; I like the value reflected in antiques. For someone like me, even the Blue and White Porcelain in my hand would just be a regular vase."
Gina gave John Brown a side-eye and said, "Let’s have some standards, alright? Others are watching you."
People who come here, like John Brown, don’t really understand antiques. This should be the majority, but everyone doesn’t want to show it, lest they appear ignorant. So, when John Brown directly says it, they cast him a scornful look, trying to show off their superiority as if they know better than John Brown.
"Gina, what a coincidence, you’re here too." Robert Johnson appeared again in front of Gina and John Brown.
Gina smiled slightly, somewhat apologetically, and said, "Yeah, sorry about that, James really won a lot of money from you earlier."
At that time, Robert Johnson thought Gina was conspiring with John Brown to scam him, but now hearing Gina say this, he realized Gina wasn’t targeting him but was targeting that fool, Charles Goodman. Originally feeling upset, it dissipated instantly. He laughed and said, "I didn’t expect that, my brother-in-law is quite a pro."
Gina didn’t know Robert Johnson had such thoughts and quickly said, "Senior Brother Johnson, people just play around; this money..."
Robert Johnson immediately interrupted Gina, saying, "Gina, don’t tease me. I respect my losses. If I can’t afford to lose even this amount, how can I talk about collaborating with you?"
Gina said with embarrassment, "That’s not good."
"What’s wrong with that? It’s just everyone playing around. Don’t mention it anymore. If there’s time tonight, let’s play again. I’ll definitely win back."
Gina smiled, "Okay." In her opinion, Robert Johnson has achieved quite a bit. Although two hundred thousand is a lot, for Robert Johnson, it should be bearable. Not giving it back is fine; men’s pride is important. If she insisted on repaying Robert Johnson’s money, it would embarrass him further.
But Gina didn’t know that Robert Johnson lost not just two hundred thousand but had to add another five hundred thousand. If she knew, she wouldn’t be so calm.
Emily Lopez happened not to be here right now, and Robert Johnson only saw Gina, so he didn’t think much. If he saw Emily Lopez and Gina together, he’d probably suspect he was being scammed.
At this time, a few more people came to greet Gina. She also went over to interact with them, but John Brown did not follow. Gina didn’t introduce him to others; others didn’t mind, but Robert Johnson noticed something was off.
In such a setting, if you bring family, it’s customary to introduce them. Otherwise, it’s impolite and shows a lack of respect for the family member’s face. Gina not introducing John Brown seems to imply she doesn’t want others to know she has John Brown as a husband.
In a positive view, Gina doesn’t want John Brown to be exposed, or John Brown might not enjoy such exposure. But negatively, Gina might feel John Brown isn’t suitable for such venues, viewing him as a security guard not on the same level as those CEOs or business elites, making his presence somewhat embarrassing. Hence, she’s unwilling to introduce him.
And evidently, the latter possibility seems more likely.
If Gina doesn’t approve of this husband, no matter how affectionate they appear in public, privately, the relationship might not be that great. If he could talk more to Gina on such matters, show concern and comfort her, how could Gina not ditch John Brown sooner?
Thinking of this, Robert Johnson moved next to Gina and started chatting with those business friends as well, looking like her protector.
Lucy Campbell stood next to John Brown at this moment. When she went out at noon, she specifically had John help her with her makeup. John’s method was simple—to apply heavy makeup. Heavy makeup can make an average woman look very pretty, but for someone as naturally beautiful as Lucy Campbell, such deep makeup instead covers her innate beauty, making her look more ordinary. It’s truly hard for people to recognize her unless they are close friends like Lily Fisher and the others.
"Hey, James, it seems your wife is being approached by someone." Linda Campbell, attending such a public event without being recognized, felt quite good and was deliberately teasing John Brown.
John Brown smiled and said, "If no other men are interested, that means I’ve married a failed wife."
Sunny Nguyen wickedly blinked and said, "That guy, um, Robert? Johnson? Seems to be more handsome than Big Brother Brown. If he snatches away Sister Gina, you’d be in trouble."
John Brown raised his hand, and Sunny Nguyensavily dodged behind Lucy Campbell, while John Brown said, "If I don’t even have this confidence, then what’s the point of being a man?"
Sarah Utah pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "Sister Gina just happens to like Big Brother Brown. If she didn’t like him a lot, how could she tolerate Emma Campbell and Sarah Grandy?"
Sunny Nguyen blinked at Sarah Utah again and asked, "Gina is so generous; have you considered anything?"
Sarah Utah immediately blushed, glanced at John Brown, and stuttered, "No... I... I always consider Big Brother Brown as my good friend."
Sunny Nguyen chuckled softly and said, "Is that so? But now, people in our company consider you as James’s girlfriend."
Sarah Utah seemed even more embarrassed and said, "That’s to cover up for Big Brother Brown and Mr. Lopez’s relationship."
Lucy Campbell chuckled softly and said, "Sunny, don’t tease Sarah Utah."
Sunny Nguyen laughed, "I’m just joking."
Sarah Utah was originally quite relaxed, but Sunny Nguyen’s teasing made her completely embarrassed, and she moved aside, pretending to look at the exhibits.
"Boss!" Suddenly, a loud voice came up, and a sturdy man approached John Brown with big strides.
John Brown, seeing the man, also laughed heartily and walked up quickly. The man was none other than his friend, Martin Miller, from the Hawk Squad.
The two embraced enthusiastically, and John Brown punched Martin Miller’s chest and said, "How come you’re here, kid?"
Martin Miller chuckled and said, "Came to have fun." His face still carried a proud smile.
Only then did John Brown notice a beautiful woman following behind, who was with Martin Miller last time, Evelyn Johnson. John Brown immediately laughed and said, "I see you work fast, huh? Managed to woo her so quickly."
Martin Miller chuckled and whispered to John Brown, "Not yet, we’re just out having fun. Boss, don’t say anything to ruin my image."
John Brown couldn’t help but smile. Martin Miller used to be a seasoned player in love, but now he’s so cautious with Evelyn Johnson, clearly showing genuine feelings.