Chapter 667 - Retaliate
Because of the importance of the class action suit, Jiang Chen gathered Future Technology’s North American CEO and a lawyer from the legal team to conduct a virtual conference.
At the very beginning, Jiang Chen asked.
“What’s the probability of winning?”
“Seventy percent! the UA’s Justice Department lacks a factual claim. The precise definition of Phantom is ‘high-end VR equipment.’ Although it accounts for a large share of the UA market, it’s far from enough to achieve a monopoly. Microsoft’s HoloLens, Google Cardboard and other devices in the low-end market still occupy a significant market share. The key is that we don’t use our advantages in the market to prevent other companies from entering the market,” the lawyer replied with certainty.
The law prohibited monopolies, meaning deliberately creating industry barriers to entry, monopolizing key resources, and eliminating competition. It was a procedural determination; the monopoly could result in market leadership, but market leadership didn’t necessarily mean a monopoly.
It was only a technological gap that prevented other firms from entering the market – Future Group hadn’t used their strengths to thwart completion. Therefore, the UA Department of Justice’s claim was far-fetched. Future Group’s possibility of winning was high!
The lawyer nodded and Jiang Chen then looked at Hermit.
“Hermit, you’re the CEO of the North American division. I have only one thing to tell you – prepare to cause a controversy. Seventy percent of UA citizens’ smartphones have Future 1.0 installed. It’s not only a gold mine but also our weapon! I need you to create an atmosphere where the UA Department of Justice prevents technological innovation out of protectionism and potentially accepts a bribe to launch an anti-trust investigation against Future Group.”
While pressure from public opinion wouldn’t be enough to force its hand, it would be enough to make them pay a heavy price. The Department of Justice existed to serve the Capital. If Ms. Hill wanted to continue running the office, she had to remain cautious about this matter.
“It’s okay without evidence. We can use the army of the internet and a conspiracy theory!” Jiang Chen added.
“I understand!” Hermit nodded.
After he finished up, Jiang Chen rushed to New Moon Island.
On the island, he met with the two people detained for trespassing on the mining platform. Because of pressure from the UA Embassy, Celestial Trade didn’t send the two of them to prison and instead brought them to the military base.
They were a male and a female. The female looked young, like a university student. The male was older, around 30 years in age. His defined face was paired with glasses and a beard.
Inside a dark room, they were looking at the soldiers with rifles outside. The male looked calm and seemed to be experienced with detainment, but the female looked inexperienced as she was shivering in a corner.
“Katie, stay calm. They can’t do anything to us. We’re UA citizens. Just for the sake of saving her own face, Hill will get us out.” Barney comforted his companion.
“But they have guns…” Katie said, frightened.
“Don’t worry Miss Katie, we’re not New Guinean cannibals. Just as the gentleman said, we won’t do anything to you.”
A voice suddenly came from the door. The two people inside the darkroom immediately looked in that direction. The soldier in the hallway saluted and stepped aside. Barney recognized the person and immediately narrowed his eyes.
Jiang Chen! He came here personally.
“We’re the advocates of Blue Seagull! You heartless businessmen – you don’t have the right to interfere with our just cause! I demand you let us go, or else…”
“Or else our treatment of you will be made into a documentary and released on YouTube to tarnish our name?” Jiang Chen grinned. “Or else you plan to launch a massive protest and sue us for the falsified crime we didn’t commit?”
“They aren’t falsified crimes! Your actions forced poor dolphins to leave their homes. It was all because of your irresponsible actions. Do you know what your actions will do to the ecosystem?!” Katie worked up her courage and berated Jiang Chen while staring him down.
“Is that so? Regardless if we committed a crime or not, you’re not the police. And just seven hours ago, you trespassed on Future Mining’s mining platform and disrupted our production. We’re currently considering suing you for the crime of piracy! If the prosecution stands, you’ll be facing a prison term between 10 to 15 years. I’m really curious – when you left the airport, didn’t they remind you to follow the laws of the local government?” Jiang Chen said with a smile.
“You-you can’t do that!” A hint of fear surfaced on Barney’s face.
Jiang Chen didn’t look like he was willing to compromise with the embassy. This wasn’t what Barney expected.
And his companion, Miss Katie, was completely shocked. While she was a self-proclaimed activist, she never imagined sacrificing herself for the cause. When she heard she was facing ten years of prison time, tears burst out.
“Of course we can do that.” Jiang Chen said, emotionless. “You have the right to hire a lawyer to defend yourselves, but I guarantee you’l; lose.”
“Please don’t do this! I’m still in college. I’ll be expelled…” Katie grasped the bars at the window while crying in desperation.
Jiang Chen didn’t look at her but focused instead on Barney, who had a pale face.
“But this doesn’t have to be the way it ends.”
“What do you want me to do?” Barney glanced at Katie sobbing and spoke with difficulty.
“Cooperate with us and restore our reputational damage,” Jiang Chen snapped before two contracts appeared.
Looking at the contracts on the table, Barney gulped and picked up one of the copies.
“This is?”
“You are Barney Baird, an internationally renowned photographer, chief editor of a humanities and social science magazine, and one of the key members of Blue Seagull. I heard you’re great with photography? We’ll provide the equipment here; just help me shoot a documentary. The name will be called ‘A Lie’,” Jiang Chen said.
“That’s impossible!” Barney cried out emotionally.
Jiang Chen looked at him without emotion and said with an unnegotiable tone:
“You only have two choices in front of you. Rot in prison or sign this document.”
Barney’s face had no sign of life.
“Barney, I beg you…” The pleading of his friend rang in his ears.
“I just want to prove my innocence.” Jiang Chen’s expression didn’t change.
After a long silence, Barney finally couldn’t withstand the pressure and picked up the pen with shaking hands.
When he signed his name, he collapsed onto the chair as if all his energy was drained away.
As an executive in Blue Seagull, he was aware of the reason behind this defamatory campaign against Future Group. Although he didn’t know who was behind it, he knew the individual behind it wasn’t simple based on the unbelievable amount they were paid.
That was why he was unwilling to sign.
Doing all this for Mother Earth? Don’t kid yourself! He knew better than anyone. From the beginning of the Penglai project, he closely monitored its impact on marine life! Just as Jiang Chen said, Future Group’s sonar already removed the marine life outside of the construction radius. He even argued with the head of the organization over this.
Just as Jiang Chen said, he didn’t have much choice.
“… If I sign, will you ensure my safety?”
“Of course, but you probably won’t be able to return to UA in the immediate future. Trust me, this is for your benefit.” Jiang Chen collected the contracts, signaled the soldier to unlock the door, and smiled at him. “Our people will take you to a five-star hotel. Don’t worry about the cost – I’ll foot the bill.”
“Remember, you were never detained, not even for a minute!”