Chapter 6113

The patrons enjoying their time at the Sea View Bar were completely unaware that danger was lurking nearby. The first victims were the security guards stationed by the pier. In the Maldives, where each island operates independently and attracts wealthy tourists, public safety issues are virtually nonexistent. Thus, the security guards on duty were quite relaxed, unarmed, and not at all prepared for trouble. As soon as the man in black landed on the island, he mercilessly opened fire on the security guards with a silenced assault rifle, turning them into easy targets. Following this, the attackers moved with precision, dividing into three groups at the dock: one team positioned on the left, another on the right, and two teams in the center. Meanwhile, most of the island's residents were inside the bar, with some staff members occupied in the administrative building and others on break, completely oblivious to the unfolding events outside. Approximately a dozen bodyguards guarded the entrance of the Sea View Bar, half of whom belonged to Bernard Arnault while the other half were under Tawanna’s employ. Among these bodyguards were both trainees and seasoned mercenaries; however, they all shared one significant drawback—years away from any real combat experience. Typically, the top-tier security measures of wealthy individuals ensure minimal incidents, and bodyguards rarely have to spring into action for minor disturbances. Consequently, due to their luxurious lifestyles, these bodyguards had become sluggish in their responses and had significantly declined in practical skills. Thus, they stood guard at the entrance, entirely unaware of the looming threat. In high-stakes situations, opportunities are fleeting; recognizing and seizing them can mean the difference between success and failure. While the bodyguards continued their light-hearted chatter, the men in black stealthily closed the distance, maneuvering into position where they could take aim. At that moment, the lead man in black halted his advance, while those flanking him on both sides proceeded to encircle the guards. Once in place, the shooters on both sides opened fire simultaneously. Their decision to shoot from the flanks was strategic—concerned that bullets might penetrate their targets and strike the bar, which had glass windows that could draw attention if shattered. Fortunately, firing from the left and right sidestepped that risk entirely as their bullets swiftly took down the bodyguards. Because the shots originated from both sides, the patrons inside the bar remained unaware as the guards fell. Meanwhile, Charlie did not rush into the bar; instead, he focused on severing the power to the island's communication tower, leveraging the knowledge of communication systems that Abren Farran had shared with him. As an archipelagic nation, distances between the Maldives' islands and the capital vary significantly. Most islands are self-sufficient, relying on diesel power generation and solar energy, equipped with energy storage systems to eliminate the need for long-distance cabling from the capital. Freshwater is also sourced through desalination technology since the entire Maldives lacks freshwater resources. The capital functions more like a small town, incapable of supplying power or water to the outer islands. High-end islands like Baima Island rely on their own satellite base stations for communication and internet services. Thus, to isolate this island from the rest of the world, the simplest method was to cut off the power supply to the base station.

Charlie's motivations differed from those of the men in black; while they aimed to orchestrate a high-profile incident, Charlie's greatest concern was the fallout of such chaos. Given Baima Island's geographic and strategic importance, any large-scale armed attacks would undoubtedly attract government attention and make international news, implicating them and their families. Even if escape was feasible, the government would inevitably investigate the disappearance of tourists, and the embassies would become involved, escalating the situation further. Therefore, his first priority was to ensure that no information from the island could leak. After confirming that all signals and Wi-Fi were severed, Charlie raced toward the bar. Once outside, after stealthily neutralizing all the bodyguards, the lead man in black commanded coldly, "Take control of the bar as planned; Team 4, come in with me!" The captain of Team 4 hesitantly inquired, "Boss, are we clear to shoot once we're inside?" "Absolutely not!" the leader rebuked. "There are many high-profile guests tonight, including my favorite singer Tawanna. If we start shooting indiscriminately, we’ll lose everything!" With a sneer, he continued, "Tonight, we can achieve multiple objectives—all we need to do is control the flow of events! Once inside, we must secure everyone immediately. If a significant threat arises, you have my permission to neutralize it. Otherwise, no one is allowed to fire unless I give the order. Understood?!" "Understood!" the men in black replied with a nod. At that moment, Tawanna was finishing her final performance in the bar. The atmosphere was lively; guests had enjoyed drinks and were loosening up, with many dancing around. Even Jacob and Elaine were joyfully mingling with a few foreign couples. Tawanna noted that her impromptu performance was trending online, and she felt a sense of pride, believing that Charlie would be watching. Bernard Arnault was similarly enjoying the vibe, appreciating that Tawanna's performance significantly boosted the prestige of the White Horse Hotel. Amidst this cheerful scene, someone suddenly exclaimed, "Why is the internet down? I'm still live streaming! There are over 100,000 viewers tuning in!" Others broadcasting live quickly checked their devices, shocked to find they had lost Wi-Fi access and cellular signals. Hearing the commotion around him, Bernard Arnault grabbed his phone to investigate and soon discovered there was no signal. Frustrated, he turned to the general manager of Baima Island and demanded, "What's happening? Why has the internet cut out right now?! Do you have any idea how many people are depending on our live broadcasts?!" The general manager, visibly anxious and sweating, quickly responded, "Mr. Arnault, please hold on; I'll get to the bottom of this. It may just be a technical issue, and I'll have the crew rectify it as soon as possible!" Bernard Arnault scoffed, "Make it quick! Any delay and you’re out!" The general manager nodded nervously and prepared to rush out. Just then, a team of men in black stormed through the entrance! Leading his team, the man in black fired at the chandelier above, sending debris crashing down, which sent the guests scrambling for cover with frantic cries. At that moment, he coldly commanded, "Everyone, put your hands up and crouch down! Anyone who defies this order will be shot without hesitation!"