Chapter 17 - THE LOCAL ENCOUNTER
After finishing her inspection, Charlotte walked alone through a quiet residential neighborhood near the Chicago River.
She wore a simple dark hoodie and jeans, blending seamlessly into the ordinary rhythm of everyday American life.
As she passed a local coffee shop, a young waitress dropped a tray of ceramic mugs outside the front patio.
Without hesitation, Charlotte stepped forward to help gather the broken shards and retrieve the spilled napkins.
"Oh, thank you so much! Most people just walk right past and complain about the mess," the waitress said with a tired smile.
"Kindness doesn't cost anything, and neither does basic human decency," Charlotte replied gently, handing her the napkins.
A wealthy businessman walking past scoffed loudly, muttering something derogatory about manual labor under his breath.
Charlotte didn't flinch or argue; she simply watched him walk away with a quiet, knowing smile in her eyes.
She knew something he didn't: that man's entire investment portfolio was currently being audited by her financial division.
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Karma had a funny way of balancing the scales when arrogant people least expected it.
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