In the bar, Maldivian soldiers, with a translator’s help, registered tourists’ details. When it was Ma Lan’s turn, she gave her name and nationality, then asked, “Hey, we nearly died on your turf. Aren’t you going to compensate us or something?”
The soldier shook his head, the translator relaying, “Sorry, we’re only responsible for registering information. We don’t know about compensation.”
Ma Lan, annoyed, said, “Then get your person in charge to talk. We spent a fortune coming here, barely enjoyed ourselves, and nearly died. You owe us compensation!”
Xiao Changkun chimed in, “Exactly! This experience was awful. You need to offer something to make it right.”
Other tourists echoed their sentiments, having paid hefty sums only to face a traumatic ordeal, deserving some recompense.
At this, Bernard Arnault hobbled forward, announcing loudly, “Everyone, don’t worry about compensation. White Horse Island will ensure a satisfactory resolution. I can initially promise that all accommodation costs, seaplane transfers, and flights to and from Maldives will be covered!”
Ma Lan, frustrated, muttered to Xiao Changkun, “That’s got nothing to do with us. Our expenses were covered by my good son-in-law’s friend anyway.”
“Exactly,” Xiao Changkun grumbled, “This guy looks loaded, donating fifty million to the Maldivian military. He should give us some compensation for emotional distress.”
As they whispered, Bernard Arnault noticed their discontent. Learning they came with Ye Chen, he quickly added, “Additionally, we’ve decided to provide each tourist with a hundred thousand dollars in compensation, including minors. This will be transferred to your accounts before you leave the island!”
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
A hundred thousand dollars was no small sum.
The average per-person cost on the island was around thirty to forty thousand dollars. A hundred thousand per head for emotional distress was more than generous.
Arnault, now fully in character, wanted to satisfy not just Ye Chen’s in-laws but the global audience. A hundred thousand per person meant tens of millions in payouts for White Horse Island.
But he thought, *No matter. For once, I’ll be extravagant to the end.*
It was like a stingy but wealthy person at a fine restaurant, initially wincing at the menu but, after ordering a few dishes, embracing a reckless, “To hell with it, let’s splurge tonight” mentality.
—
While Bernard Arnault seized the moment to build his image, the internet was showering him with praise and condemning Blackwater as filth.
A White House petition to investigate Blackwater had garnered over three million votes. The issue had reached a point where the U.S. government had to respond to its people.
The U.S. authorities were in a bind. Who was Blackwater’s biggest client? The U.S. government itself.
Every war in the Middle East bore Blackwater’s shadow. They handled the dirty work, including Syria’s stolen and smuggled oil, often facilitated by Blackwater.
In other words, Blackwater was the U.S. government’s close ally, shady but tightly knit with the higher-ups.
Now, with the nation and the world demanding Blackwater’s punishment, the U.S. was at a loss.
A thorough crackdown would mean arresting key figures and investigating the company fully to appease the public.
But the operation involved U.S. higher-ups, who wanted Blackwater to inherit Wanlong Palace’s assets in Syria while crushing Wanlong Palace.
Admitting this was impossible, so the U.S. resorted to scapegoating.
After an emergency meeting, Blackwater decided to sacrifice a fall guy: a vice president with the smallest board share.
The plan was for him to take the blame, confessing it was his personal plot with Syrian opposition, unrelated to Blackwater’s top brass.
To make it convincing, they even demanded he turn himself in to U.S. police.
Under the law, he’d face life imprisonment without parole. To compensate, other shareholders offered two hundred million dollars to his family.
Reluctant but cornered, the vice president had no choice. These shareholders, ex-soldiers and mercenaries, could be ruthless. Agree, and he’d get compensation. Refuse, and he might “die in his sleep” tonight, labelled a suicide, still taking the fall.
Thus, the U.S. government announced globally that the White Horse Island attack was resolved, with the planner surrendering to police, and an ongoing investigation into Blackwater.
This was a smokescreen to placate the public. They’d show a tough stance, let public outrage fade, halt further probes in a couple of months, and declare it the vice president’s solo act, unrelated to Blackwater, effectively sweeping it under the rug.
But Ye Chen had no intention of letting Blackwater off.
He wanted them to pay a heavy price, to know Wanlong Palace was untouchable.
For now, with Bernard Arnault in his prime and full of zeal, Ye Chen would let him hound Blackwater relentlessly, ensuring they faced significant trouble!
