Bernard Arnault’s usual stinginess rivalled that of Grandet.
However, he wasn’t miserly with himself, only with others.
He would earn every penny he could, and as much as possible. Expecting him to part with money without reason was a fool’s dream.
Today’s sudden decision to donate fifty million dollars to the Maldivian military was purely because Tawanna was live-streaming globally, and he had seized this chance to bask in the spotlight of his life’s greatest moment.
Limping Bernard Arnault, dragging a wounded leg, stood before the Maldivian military commander. Blood had seeped through his trouser leg, dried, and crusted, giving him an air of resolute determination despite his injury.
Especially to the French public watching, this scene sparked admiration. They saw in Bernard Arnault a modern-day Napoleon, as if the diminutive emperor’s spirit had possessed him.
In that moment, Bernard Arnault truly became a contemporary national hero for the French, filling them with pride.
The French were so thrilled because, in recent years, the Gallic Rooster’s international influence had been waning, with few achievements to boast about globally.
In ’22, at the World Cup, Mbappé carried the hopes of the entire nation to the final, only for the Gallic Rooster to be defeated by Argentina, settling for second place.
In ’24, hosting the Olympics, France’s penny-pinching led to a disastrous event, further tarnishing the already declining Games.
Positive news about the Gallic Rooster had been scarce internationally.
But today was different. France had a new hero: a resolute tycoon who saved hundreds from a terrorist attack by Blackwater, most notably rescuing pop diva Tawanna Sweet. This feat warranted a statue by the Eiffel Tower.
At that moment, Tawanna, quick on her feet, approached Arnault with her phone, saying with concern, “Mr. Arnault, you’ve been shot in the leg. You should let them take you to Malé for treatment!”
She angled the camera to focus on his injured leg.
Bernard Arnault nearly wept with excitement, thinking, *Finally, someone’s noticed my injury! I was shot by bandits, that’s a badge of honour! It’d be awkward to point it out myself. Tawanna, you clever girl!*
Suppressing his inner thrill, he waved dismissively, saying solemnly, “This little injury is nothing. My safety isn’t important. What matters is ensuring all the tourists are safe.”
Tawanna thought, *This old codger’s really getting into it. If it weren’t for Mr. Ye, I wouldn’t be giving you this chance to show off.*
The Maldivian commander quickly added, “Mr. Arnault, rest assured, we’re taking over security here. Our navy is en route and should arrive in just over an hour. They’ll secure White Horse Island thoroughly. Please take our helicopter to Malé for treatment!”
Bernard Arnault shook his head again, “It’s fine. The island’s medics can patch me up for now. Once things settle, I’ll return to France.”
In truth, he thought, *I don’t trust your helicopters or your medical standards. I’ll go back to France or have doctors flown in from there.*
The Maldivian commander, unaware of Arnault’s grandstanding, assumed he was genuinely noble and selfless, saying with emotion, “Mr. Arnault, your character and actions are truly admirable! On behalf of myself and all of Maldives, I thank you for your efforts. I’m certain our government will award you our highest honour!”
Bernard Arnault nodded with a smile, saying earnestly, “No need for thanks. It’s my duty. As not only a French citizen but also an international investor in Maldives, I’ll spare no effort to help Maldives and protect its tourists. As for medals, they’re just empty titles. It’s better not to waste resources.”
Though Arnault had little interest in a medal from a tiny nation like Maldives, the global live stream made it a nice bonus, and he was happy to accept it inwardly.
But he knew the commander was just a military figure with no authority to promise such things, so a polite refusal showed his magnanimity.
Soon, the Maldivian marines began processing the scene. Some registered tourist information, while others were tasked with handling the bodies, many with heads blown open.
The Maldivian military’s combat ability and mental fortitude paled even compared to a major nation’s militia, let alone regular forces.
The country hadn’t seen real conflict in decades. The last war involved an opposition group hiring eighty Sri Lankan mercenaries to invade Malé.
Those eighty mercenaries overwhelmed the Maldivian president, who had to beg India for help. India sent over a thousand paratroopers to quell the rebellion.
An army that couldn’t handle eighty mercenaries was naturally ill-equipped to deal with dozens of gruesome corpses. The soldiers, retching, barely managed to gather the bodies, covering them with island linens.
