"The second option…"

Charlie mused to himself for a moment before saying solemnly, "It's to find someone with enough strength to threaten the people who posted the bounty and make them rescind it."

Tanya pursed her lips. "That's not a really long list, and there are a lot of people on that list who are also involved in that scandal. Forget helping—it's already a blessing if they weren't accomplices…"

Pausing, she then asked, "How about I try to reach out to the president-elect? Make peace, ask for his help?"

"Making peace is fine, but not at this time," Charlie replied. "First of all, from his perspective, you'd look like you're just using him like a tool to save your own skin. Secondly, he has yet to take office, so his authority is not strong enough. If he pressures the people who posted the bounty on you right now, the people who posted the bounty might not necessarily submit.

"Moreover, you should know that making peace in this situation is no different from defecting to his