With Tawana’s divine assist, Bernard Elnor once again topped the front pages of global media.
His popularity surged, and with it, affection for his brands grew, leading to record-breaking sales at stores worldwide and soaring profits.
Bernard Elnor was in high spirits. After meeting the president, he only scheduled a quick dinner at home before heading straight to the airport, boarding a plane to New York.
Given Bernard Elnor’s global spotlight, once his private jet took off, the world tracked it via flight software, learning it was bound for New York.
New York, the headquarters of the United Nations.
The media erupted again, reporting: Bernard Elnor has set off for New York to fulfil his promise.
In recent days, Bernard Elnor’s fame had put immense pressure on the American government and Blackwater.
Despite their efforts, they couldn’t shake off the pressure, and now, this plague was heading straight for America.
Blackwater was on high alert, immediately contacting the Pentagon, hoping they or the White House could intervene, ideally preventing Bernard Elnor’s arrival or, at the very least, stopping him from targeting Blackwater again.
The Grand Leader was troubled by this. In his business days, he and Bernard weren’t close friends but were acquaintances; their families were major clients of his brands. Since entering politics, they’d had little contact. Now, Bernard Elnor’s relentless pursuit threatened Blackwater’s reputation and prospects, as well as America’s international image.
After much thought, he decided to call Bernard Elnor.
At that moment, Bernard Elnor, gazing at Paris’s receding nightscape from his plane, was brimming with excitement, feeling like a general on a foreign expedition, his ambitions burning, ready to be unleashed.
His assistant hurried from the front cabin with a satellite phone, whispering, “Mr. Elnor, a call from the American Grand Leader.”
“The Grand Leader?” Bernard Elnor frowned, murmuring, “What does he want?”
The assistant shook his head. “Unclear, but his assistant said he wants to talk, and he’s already on the line.”
Bernard Elnor snorted. “What, does he think I’ll back down? Does he think I’m scared?”
He reached out. “Give me the phone.”
The assistant handed it over, and Bernard Elnor pressed the call button, connecting the previously muted line.
Bernard Elnor spoke evenly, “Hello, Grand Leader.”
A slightly hoarse, lazy voice came through. “Hey, Elnor, long time no see. How’ve you been?”
Bernard Elnor replied sardonically, “Fine, though I nearly lost my life on White Horse Island. Fortunately, I escaped unscathed.”
After a brief silence, the voice said, “Listen, Elnor, I’ll be straight with you. I know your plane’s headed for New York, but I suggest you tell the pilot to turn back or pick a destination outside the U.S. Anywhere you like, take a break, let this blow over. What do you say?”
Bernard Elnor rejected it outright. “I’ve made a promise to the world. As a responsible gentleman, I never go back on my word.”
The voice grew irritated. “Elnor, you’re a businessman, I’m a businessman. No one understands business better than me. It’s about maximising profit; what others think of you doesn’t matter.”
He dangled a carrot. “If we can settle this, I can get the Commerce Department to offer your group substantial tax breaks for the next three years. Believe me, Elnor, that’s billions of dollars. All you need to do is let go of the White Horse Island issue. Just let it slide.”
“No!” Bernard Elnor said firmly. “Grand Leader, I won’t change my plans or decisions. My group will pay taxes in the U.S. as required by law. Our profit margins are already solid; we don’t need tax breaks.”
Surprised by his defiance, the voice turned stern, warning, “Elnor, you know taxes can go up, not just down. Way up, very high!”
“As far as I know, your luxury goods aren’t made in the U.S. We could slap you with tariffs so high your products lose all competitiveness in America. But all this can be avoided if you simply turn the plane around. Do we have a deal?”
