[Chapter 486: The Political Vetting Controversy]
Winnie moved quickly. While Linton was in Washington receiving the White House's grand package, she had already inspected storefronts along Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive and at the Santa Monica shopping center.
Honestly, both locations offered prime real estate with great sincerity. Each store space was about 5,000 square feet. They even offered a 50% rent discount. Naturally, the prices on Rodeo Drive were still significantly higher.
Since the conditions were similar, and considering the influence of the commercial district, Winnie ultimately chose Rodeo Drive. After all, the extra rent cost was negligible compared to the exorbitant profits from the Vitality and Beauty Pills.
The management at Rodeo Drive was thrilled and promised to clear out the existing shops within three days to make room for the store.
---
With Linton's televised interview airing, public opinion had undergone a complete reversal. The rumors surrounding them barely stirred anyone's interest anymore.
Sophie Marceau, Cristiana, Monica, and other women who had moved out earlier were all returning to the estate to live again.
However, the media frenzy had brought a wave of lucrative endorsements and business invitations for the twenty stunning women, including Winnie herself. Everyone was swamped with work. Thankfully, since Los Angeles was the media capital, most of their activities were set there.
Faced with the green bills, Vivian Chow, Michelle Reis, Izumi Sakai, Noriko Sakai, and Akina Nakamori all delayed their return trips to Hong Kong and Japan.
---
By the time Linton returned from Washington to the estate, twilight had settled. Everything had progressed perfectly. Each member reaped great rewards. Linton briefly shared the White House's outcomes with the group.
When the women heard that the White House planned to order $18 billion worth of products annually -- and that payments would be made upfront -- they all went wild with excitement. Raising the price of the Vitality Elixir to $8 million a bottle suddenly felt completely justified.
Buoyed by the good news, the evening's party turned even wilder and more exhilarating, with roleplay performances carried out with fascinating enthusiasm.
Since the Oscars, Linton and the women had been living under the media spotlight nonstop. The unprecedented attention accelerated his cultivation, whether solitary or partnered, pushing his progress to new heights.
Linton estimated that at this pace, he would reach the peak of the early Celestial Presence stage by year's end. Then he could find an opportunity to break into the middle stage.
---
"The store has two floors, each about 2,500 square feet, totaling roughly 5,000 square feet. Do you have any renovation requests?" Winnie asked the next day, presenting the floor plans at Linton's office.
"On the first floor, near the entrance to the left, place four glass counters for selling Beauty Pills. Further inside, add another counter to showcase the Vitality Pills. Make sure all counters use pure glass with bright internal lighting.
"On the right side of the entrance, set up a few comfortable sofas for resting. In the middle, create an island consultation area. Along the walls, allocate 21 poster spaces to display your large promotional images."
"Twenty-one? Not twenty?"
"There's one more -- someone I met during my trip to China last year. She hasn't come before, so you probably don't know her yet. I've arranged for her to arrive in Los Angeles next week."
Although Linton hadn't met Xu Qing in a long time, they kept in regular contact, usually weekly by phone. A few days ago, she hinted she wanted to visit him in Los Angeles, and he welcomed the idea warmly. Despite a busy schedule, he could find time to accompany her. Besides, the timing coincided with shoots for the Beauty and Vitality Pills commercials.
"Okay, go on."
"The second floor will have a VIP section for Vitality Elixir clients. The rest of the space is divided into a manager's office, a security room, and a surveillance room. Install 360-degree camera coverage with no blind spots. All transactions here will be cashless -- only bank transfers or credit cards accepted. The VIP area must have computers to record client information."
"Got it."
"The decoration style will be minimalist. That's about it -- you have full authority on the rest."
"Don't worry, everything can be ready within a month."
"Great. Let's tentatively set the grand opening for May 6th. Perfect timing to boost publicity for Mission: Impossible's release."
"If the opening is May 6th, shouldn't we start recruiting a store manager and staff?"
"First, work with Goodman to engage a headhunter and find an experienced manager. The key qualities are friendliness and store management skills. We won't stress sales ability as much as other locations do. Have the headhunter provide three candidates as soon as possible for interviews. Staffing salespeople can wait until the manager is onboard."
"Alright."
---
The next day, Linton flew privately to his Montana farm with assistant Li Xiaoran. The White House had dispatched a political vetting team to conduct security screening.
By April, spring had fully arrived in Montana. The farm's grounds glowed green, and workers busied themselves planting.
Inside the smaller farm area, nature's vibrance was stronger. Fruit trees showed fresh buds, and farmers cultivated their plots.
However, Linton introduced two changes this year: dedicating 10 acres to rice cultivation and planting rapeseed on 100 acres left fallow by crop rotation.
He recalled that rapeseed didn't deplete the soil; instead, it rejuvenated it. And by July or August, the vast rapeseed blossoms would add vibrant beauty to the farm.
...
In the nearby town adjacent to the estate gardens, construction on the health products factory was progressing well. The roof was complete. Production lines were expected to move in within half a month.
Just yesterday, the Herbal Emporium reported that the first shipment of the herbs had left Cali. They should reach the port of Los Angeles in two weeks, just in time for production to begin.
...
Back at the estate, the former assistant-turned-factory manager, Meena Steel, had tested the thirty newly selected employees and assigned them to fifteen specialized roles. Training was about to start.
She and Goodman had also recruited an experienced accountant from the talent market in nearby Parker County.
Though Linton had chosen some team members from the estate's internal ranks who had accounting knowledge, their skills were basic and only suited for home bookkeeping.
The health products company, however, required standardized financial records in compliance with the tax regulations, which greatly differed from those in Hong Kong.
Therefore, they needed a locally experienced accountant. The executive level didn't need brilliance, just professionalism.
Ordinarily, such a sensitive hire should come directly from the boss, but Linton didn't have the time. He trusted Meena to handle the selection, with Goodman in support.
The new accountant was a 31-year-old local white woman, married with children.
Now, the factory's workforce was all women, but the ten security guards selected by Carter from Thunder Guards were all men, giving the team some balanced energy.
...
Linton held a private meeting with Carter to stress the factory's importance and upcoming security challenges. He urged Carter to stay vigilant at all times.
He also informed Carter that two specialized agents from the National Security Agency would join the security team, but their identities were confidential and only he himself should know.
...
Linton privately spoke with the new accountant, running a brief soul-induction test to verify her background and ensure no ill intent.
The test was necessary. Though the hire wasn't Linton's priority, the company's annual profits could exceed $20 billion, and the White House's scrutiny was not without reason.
...
Meena then gathered all employees to explain the White House's requirements.
Linton was transparent: every new hire for the health company would undergo political vetting. Only after passing and signing a nondisclosure agreement could they officially start work.
For the thirty women from China/Hong Kong, there was an additional requirement: they must become American citizens and commit to not leaving the United States from the start of their employment until three years after departure.
Upon hearing the vetting, more than a dozen security guards protested. "Boss, why must they inspect us? That's an infringement on our rights!"
"Calm down. Due to the factory's sensitive status, it's designated a protected enterprise. I can't change that. But here's my promise: once you pass vetting and officially start, your salary will increase 50% above the original offer. If you can't accept this, you're free to return to your previous positions. The White House vetting team arrives this afternoon to start the review. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
"Boss, did you just say we get a 50% pay raise for this?" The room buzzed with surprise. Suddenly, the vetting seemed worth it, and tension eased.
"Of course, but only if you pass the vetting."
"How exactly do they vet us? What should we prepare?" Now eager to pass, they pressed for details.
"Sorry, I don't know. Next question."
"Boss, if we pass, can I immediately get American citizenship?" One of the Chinese women asked eagerly.
"Yes, but two conditions: signing a confidentiality agreement and not leaving the U.S. from now until three years after you leave the factory."
"Can my family visit me?"
"That should be allowed."
"What if I fail the vetting?"
"You cannot enter the factory and must return to your original work."
After the meeting, everyone accepted the terms. Though nervous, the mood was upbeat -- especially among the women, all looking forward to their new status and salaries. For them, America was the freedom beacon they'd always dreamed of.
---
That afternoon, Linton met with the five-person White House vetting team. In an outer courtyard by the gatehouse, he provided all employee information and let them begin.
Initially curious, he wondered how political vetting worked. The vetting team might have enormous information over American citizens, accessing extensive records -- criminal, civil, credit, honors, assets, family status. But how would they vet the Chinese women, who hadn't supplied such data? They had lived on the estate for under six months with limited outside contact -- hardly enough to judge.
Soon, Linton realized they had a system. They verified documents for American citizens, then conducted interviews with staff about the Chinese women's behavior and attitudes toward the U.S.
Next, everyone filled out tailored questionnaires. Different ones applied to Americans and the Chinese hires, focusing on political views and values.
The final step was one-on-one interviews -- conducted with a lie detector monitor -- intensely scrutinizing responses.
Linton concluded the vetting's four main measures: gauging loyalty to America, assessing values, checking for suspicious motives, and reviewing legal background, though minor offending was overlooked.
All the women, seeing America as their promised land, scored high and passed unanimously.
Hearing the good news about pay raises and citizenship, they were ecstatic. The vetting felt more like a blessing.
However, two security guards, perhaps haunted by past traumas, scored low, barely passing. The vetting team advised Linton to monitor these two closely.
What annoyed Linton was their parting warning: the factory was now a highest-tier core enterprise. All hires and departures must be promptly reported and vetted going forward.
"So even if I hire just one person, you'll come by to vet them?"
"Absolutely. This work can't be taken lightly. But don't worry -- we're efficient and won't delay your production."
'Damn nuisance.' Linton thought, wishing their vetting was as straightforward and effective as his soul-induction ability.
Still, he grumbled internally and cooperated outwardly, enjoying the perks of the White House's grand package.
Meanwhile, the two intelligence agents from the NSA arrived and smoothly joined Carter's security team.
*****
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