Ye Chen, deliberately feigning ignorance, chuckles and says, “Your decision to break with them is your own. I respect your personal choice, and you don’t need to consult or report to me.”
“Damn…”
Bernard Elnor’s heart skips a beat, and he nervously thinks to himself, “Is Ye Chen planning to disown this? If he classifies my exit from the American market as my personal decision, outside his orders, will he deny me points? If so, I’m done for!”
His face pales, cold sweat pours down, and the arm holding the phone begins to tremble uncontrollably.
Suppressing his inner fear, he tentatively asks, “Mr. Ye… at the press conference, I couldn’t consult you directly, so I took the liberty of announcing my exit from the American market. I wonder if you could still award me some points for this?”
After saying this, his heart races with anxiety, dreading a flat refusal from Ye Chen.
On the other end of the line, Ye Chen smiles faintly and says, “Your reputation is at its peak now. The whole world sees you as the most righteous tycoon. This move not only wipes clean all your past scandals but also elevates your fame to its zenith.”
“More importantly, I estimate that even if you shut down your entire American market, your global sales will not only avoid decline but will likely increase. The American market will spill over to neighbouring Canada or even all of Europe. So, your decision is unlikely to cause any substantial loss and may even usher in a new peak. Combined with your fame from White Horse Island and this American venture, you’ve reaped both fame and fortune.”
Although Ye Chen has silently approved of Bernard Elnor’s attempt to exploit a loophole, he must make it clear that he sees through his calculations. By first making him aware of this and then acknowledging his actions, Ye Chen shows leniency, ensuring Bernard understands his mercy.
If Ye Chen doesn’t point this out, Bernard might think his clever manoeuvre has fooled him, believing Ye Chen hasn’t seen through his motives.
By exposing and confronting him, making him as nervous as possible, and then granting him leniency, Ye Chen ensures Bernard will not dare to play tricks again and will be even more grateful and reverent. This is the classic strategy of suppression followed by elevation.
Moreover, Ye Chen must highlight everything he has given Bernard: the monumental achievement at White Horse Island, the bold stance in America. These are opportunities and platforms Ye Chen created for him. Without Ye Chen, how could Bernard have achieved such towering prestige?
Such prestige cannot be bought with money, no matter who tries.
Though Ye Chen may not match Bernard Elnor’s cunning business acumen, his mastery of human psychology far surpasses that of the seventy-year-old tycoon.
Thus, he must keep a firm grip on him!
At this moment, Bernard Elnor is in a state of utter panic.
He thought he had cleverly exploited a loophole with Ye Chen, even convincing Ye Chen and others with his righteous facade. But he never expected Ye Chen to see through the essence of it all.
He feels as though he has been stripped naked in public, overwhelmed by shame, tension, and fear.
With a bitter smile, he says, “I’m sorry, Mr. Ye. I… I… I didn’t mean to play tricks on you. I was just so furious at the time that I made this decision. And in my heart, I am filled with gratitude towards you. Not only did you save my life, but you also gave me the immense credit of White Horse Island and made me famous worldwide in America. My gratitude for you is beyond words…”
Trembling, he continues, “As for profits, you’re right. With the prestige you’ve given me, even if I shut down the American market, the group’s overall revenue will surely grow. I… I don’t have the face to ask you for points…”
At this moment, Bernard Elnor has given up on the idea of earning points from Ye Chen.
He knows full well that Ye Chen is right. Ye Chen has already given him so much. Asking for points now would seem inappropriate to anyone.
However, if he cannot earn points this time, he only has the 200 million US dollars donated to the UN Counter-Terrorism Office to his credit, leaving him 49.8 billion experience points short of the Rejuvenation Pill, an impossibly distant goal.
Just as he sinks into despair, Ye Chen says calmly, “However, you handled this matter brilliantly. With this move, Blackwater Company is utterly finished, and Wanlong Hall can seize greater benefits and development opportunities. So, I can make an exception and award you points for your losses in the American market. But if you act without my approval again, I absolutely won’t make an exception!”
Bernard Elnor is overwhelmed with joy, his mind going blank, dizzy for a few seconds before he comes to his senses.
Trembling with excitement, he asks, “Mr. Ye… are you serious?!”
Ye Chen replies calmly, “When have I ever gone back on my word?”
Ecstatic, Bernard Elnor exclaims, “Never, you’ve never! Thank you, Mr. Ye! Thank you!”
Immediately, he declares, “Mr. Ye, to help Wanlong Hall further strengthen its capabilities, I personally wish to donate… ten, no, twenty billion US dollars!”
