Bernard and the French President were basically old friends.While he dropped in the world's richest ranks, he was still the richest man in France and the rest of Europe. That was why his influence was pretty much at its peak within the EU.In the post, he won't really be interested in meeting the president.However, today is a great day—with all pomp and circumstance, it thrilled him very much.Hence, he shook the French president's hand while saying humbly, "You flatter me, Mr. President. It's what I should do."The French president sighed, shaking his head. "All of France is proud of what you did. And later, I shall represent them and bestow upon you our military cross."The military cross was the highest honor in France, and in peacetime it was reserved only for those with significant achievements.It's all the more rare for it to be awarded to a businessman like Bernard, and he wasn't considered for decades.A badge of honor really wouldn't cost France that much. Still, th

The camera shutters snapped loudly and repeatedly at that very moment. At the same time, the emotional articles already hatched in the journalists' minds.At that moment, every French and European Tanya Sweet fan was cheering before their screens in excitement!Everyone always loved Tanya—and now, thanks to everything he did since Randheli, they loved that gray-haired geezer too.Hence, Bernard's popularity shot up dramatically across Europe and even the rest of the world, to a pinnacle other billionaires can't hope to reach.-When Bernard left the Elysee Palace, all major media outlets had already published their articles online.Bernard's wife Cindy was telling him excitedly, "Every article I saw is positive coverage! Everyone is praising you generously, and even their wording is exceedingly attentive, holding you in such high regard!""Really?" Bernard asked even as her heart raced. "What about the netizens' comments? What do they think?"Cindy quickly replied, "Nearly 100%

"No," Bernard refused without hesitation, "I've already promised everyone in the world. And as a gentleman with a sense of duty, I won't break my promise."The president growled in annoyance, "Mr. Arnault, we're both businessmen. No one knows the art of the deal and its essence like I do—it's always how to profit more, regardless of how others see you."Pausing, he then set his bait."If we can come to an agreement, I'll ask Commerce to grant your businesses reasonable tax rebates. And trust me, Mr. Arnault—you will be getting billions from this, while all you have to do is one thing: stop prying on Randheli. Just leave it be.""No!" Bernard snapped, determined. "I will not be changing my itinerary or my decision, while my businesses will pay the standard tax per American tax laws. Our profits are already sizable and don't need further tax relief."The president was actually shocked that the man wasn't playing his game, and his tone became sterner, "Understand this, Mr. Arnault—ta

The American President was seething right then—he hated the feeling of swinging a bat only to catch wind, when he wanted to see split skulls and bleeding heads.He just couldn't get it—why would Bernard happily challenge his authority, even telling him to fine him some 50 billion USD?!It feels like threatening someone with a slap, but instead of begging no, the one threatened is begging to be shot instead.Embarrassment turned into rage as he took Bernard's sincere request for provocation, and he growled icily, "Alright, I understand. You think you're a hero and I wouldn't dare go against you, and that you have nothing to fear. But don't worry, I will definitely make you pay!"Gritting his teeth, he hung up and beckoned at his aides. "Start planning! We need to pressure Beranrd Arnault further. See if we can raise the taxes charged on his conglomerate, and when interest in Randheli fades, slap a hefty fine with some loophole! I want it to hurt!"His chief aide—a pudgy, bearded an

It was precisely because Tanya was thinking about a lot of things that she looked confused and completely distracted.Her parents were just as distracted following the terrorist raid, and they would sit together in the same room, doing nothing but space out. Still, Mrs. Sweet did suggest leaving and heading home, but Tanya would never respond to it.After two days and her parents finally got over the trauma, her mother remembered something that had been bugging her. "Something's not right, babe…"Tanya's eyes were glued to the azure beyond the window glass, asking distractedly, "What's not right?""Just think about it—the whole world knows what happened here, and the impact was definitely huge. There's no way Trevor hasn't heard. You were both basically glued to each other before, and I can understand you didn't bring him along when he's training for the big match. But he's not coming even after such a shitstorm? Isn't that just weird?"That was true. Trevor and Tanya could well