Chapter 3497: Surging Traffic

Bernard Arnault's sudden retort left the CNN reporter embarrassed.

He had intended to help Blackwater Company gain some public opinion space, throwing out a point that might suggest they were framed; even if few would believe it, raising doubt would shift the fire onto the other side.

But he didn't expect Bernard Arnault to directly rebut him in front of so many media reporters, and even with a hint of humiliation.

He could only grit his teeth and say: "Mr. Bernard Arnault, I'm not Sherlock Holmes; I merely proposed a hypothesis and then sought your opinion and view based on it. If you don't agree with my hypothesis, that's fine—I just hope you don't misunderstand."

Bernard Arnault sneered: "Misunderstanding? Do you think I don't know what you American reporters are plotting in your heads? Knowing the situation on White Horse Island is extremely bad, you want to do everything possible to exonerate Blackwater Company, right?"

The reporter said embarrassedly: "You've indeed misunderstood my meaning. I'm not trying to exonerate Blackwater Company; I just want to express my personal opinion."

Bernard Arnault smiled with contempt and disdain: "How interesting—you, a reporter, come here claiming to interview me, but actually you want to use the interview to express your views and slip your own agenda to global viewers. Don't you think this violates a journalist's professional ethics?"

The surrounding media cameras immediately turned to this CNN reporter, making him instantly nervous and also somewhat ashamed.

He could only say apologetically: "Sorry, Mr. Arnault, perhaps my earlier expression was flawed—I withdraw my previous question!"

Bernard Arnault nodded, saying solemnly: "I believe this matter will soon come to light, giving everyone a satisfactory explanation. Moreover, I hereby solemnly warn certain individuals and groups: if anyone attempts to distort the truth of the incident, I will do my utmost to investigate thoroughly and expose everything."

Many reporters hadn't expected that this world-renowned luxury giant would actually possess such a strong sense of justice, and they spontaneously burst into applause.

Know that his international image had never been particularly good—consumers may flock to their products, but they all feel aversion toward this person.

Yet today, this person's outburst of human brilliance inspired awe, and having just rescued over a hundred tourists from around the world, including the renowned Tavana Svet, everyone's respect for him deepened further.

Not only did the on-site media reporters look at him anew, but the viewers before the screens also felt deep respect for him.

At this moment, Bernard Arnault looked toward the other reporters: "Anyone else with questions?"

Numerous reporters raised their hands high, but strangely, reporters from several other American media outlets lowered theirs.

In fact, they had received the same instructions as the CNN reporter: to try, during the Q&A, to exonerate Blackwater Company or divert the audience's thoughts and their imagined targets.

But seeing this old guy give no face at all, no one dared to make a mistake now, so they simply refrained from asking questions.

Bernard Arnault, however, had no intention of letting these suddenly low-key American reporters off the hook; he self-mockingly smiled: "It seems this French old man speaks too directly, not too popular with American reporter friends. On the Blackwater Company issue, I've taken a slightly harder stance, and you guys can't even be bothered to ask questions."

Laughter erupted around, leaving those few American reporters looking at each other, ashamed and unable to bear it.

Bernard Arnault then turned to the AFP reporter, smiling: "Please, the AFP reporter, go ahead with your question."

The AFP reporter immediately smiled and asked: "Respected Mr. Arnault, I heard you're heading to the United Nations headquarters in America tomorrow, and also plan to donate to the UN Counter-Terrorism Office. Is that true?"

"It is true." Bernard Arnault slightly nodded, saying: "The incident on White Horse Island has made me personally feel both fortunate and angry!"

"Fortunate, because I had this opportunity and also this ability to resolve the crisis on White Horse Island."

"Angry, because such crises could happen anytime, anywhere in the world, and when others encounter such situations, they may not have the luck I had then."

"So I hope to use my modest strength to help them a little, and also to set an example for those with better economic conditions, hoping they too will pay attention to opposing terrorist attacks and contribute their share."

Bernard Arnault's impassioned speech indeed infected everyone around and before the screens.

If such words came from other rich people's mouths, everyone might think he was acting, self-promoting, or crafting a perfect persona.

But Bernard Arnault is different—he actually solved an extremely severe terrorist attack, and coincidentally, the whole world had been watching White Horse Island via Tavana's live broadcast before the attack.

Adding to that, the matter was satisfactorily resolved, and Tavana personally live-streamed to endorse Bernard Arnault—this influence became enormous.

Moreover, before the public, Bernard Arnault is not merely someone who paid off terrorists; he also bravely took a bullet, clearly having faced life-threatening danger at any moment. With all these factors combined, who would still think he was acting?

At this moment, Bernard Arnault's reputation reached a new peak.

At this time, Ye Chen was leisurely lying on a recliner, watching the live broadcast on his phone.

Needless to say, this old man's acting skills are indeed superb—the righteous and solemn appearance, combined with that head of weathered white hair and firm expression, makes his approachability and infectious power top-notch.

Moreover, don't think this old man is small in age, but his combat power is indeed fierce—he chased after American reporters right after getting off the plane, biting and tearing. If he were let loose at the UN, he'd truly make America drink a pot.

Especially Blackwater Company—they probably most want to kill this Bernard Arnault right now, but ironically, he's the one they can't kill, because the impact of this matter is now too huge; if he died, everyone would blame Blackwater Company.

Moreover, Bernard Arnault is not some unknown nobody—this guy was once the world's richest person. Whoever dares to assassinate him, France and the EU, for their own image, will certainly not let it go, and the world will closely watch, demanding an explanation.

For a moment, Blackwater Company's senior executives were all in panic, not knowing what waves Bernard Arnault will stir up at the UN when he arrives in America tomorrow.

……

On the way to the presidential palace, Bernard Arnault's face beamed with excitement and agitation.

Today, he found a special sense of honor he had never had before.

Previously, his sense of honor came from his own achievements—how much money he made, his global ranking—these were the key sources of his honor.

But this kind of honor, others may not necessarily respond positively to.

It's like the formerly famous Chinese national husband, a rich second-generation heir, who always took having more money than anyone else as his greatest honor, but this honor only makes ordinary people reject him, not identify with him.

But Bernard Arnault's honor this time is precisely what the world's people gave him—people flock to him, genuinely believing he is a great hero, which is also the first time in his life experience.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel boundless gratitude toward Ye Chen.

Previously, whenever he thought of this young man who drained his money, he would grit his teeth in anger, but now, thinking of Ye Chen, he feels exceptionally close, wishing to become sworn brothers with him—if he could also be like Hamid, calling each other brothers, how great would that be?

From now on, I'll call him Ye Younger Brother, and he'll call me Arnault Elder Brother. I'll soon accumulate five hundred billion experience points at his place, then exchange them for a Rejuvenation Pill—then I'll have good reputation, great industry, long life, and living one more day will be a top-tier life!

……

At this moment, the French Élysée Palace had a much grander scene than the airport side.

The president canceled all his original afternoon work just to personally receive this French hero, rarely seen in decades.

The last French person to receive widespread positive global attention was probably de Gaulle, who defiantly refused to yield to Germany.

Moreover, de Gaulle mainly had integrity—did he really accomplish anything big? Actually, no.

France didn't lose it in his hands, nor did he seize it back by force; it was the Anglo-American forces that landed in Normandy and liberated France.

But Bernard Arnault is different—such a major event happened to him, and he resolved it; more importantly, this matter was watched by the whole world from start to finish, truly a tailor-made best stage for him. Countries worldwide have had lucky ones who encountered burst traffic, but their traffic mostly stayed within their own national networks, and never has anyone received global burst traffic like Bernard Arnault.

It can be foreseen that for a long time to come, Bernard Arnault will be the idol of the world's people, and even for every future terrorist attack, someone will recall his heroic deeds this time.

Therefore, the president also attaches great importance to him, wanting to seize this opportunity to firmly establish his image and persona, while also letting France use this chance to raise its head on the international stage.

The state guest convoy stopped steadily at the main gate of the Élysée Palace. Bernard Arnault, supported by his wife, stepped into the magnificent Élysée Palace. The president, who should have been waiting in place for him to approach, immediately took the initiative, striding forward quickly to meet him.

After a few quick steps, he firmly grasped Bernard Arnault's hand and exclaimed: "Welcome home, Mr. Arnault! You are France's hero!"