[Chapter 573: Nationwide Shock and Global Outcry]
Linton and his ladies' joyful party continued until 6:30 a.m., when a phone call abruptly interrupted the celebration.
Linton gently eased himself away from the soft curves of his companions, took the phone, and heard the anxious voice of Li Xiaoran on the other end.
"Boss, I hate to bother you, but this is serious. Last night, New York, Chicago, and New Jersey all suffered devastating terrorist attacks. Please turn on the TV and watch the news. I'll be at your room in ten minutes."
Usually, Linton's phone stayed in Li Xiaoran's hands, with strict instructions not to disturb him before 6:30 a.m. unless the matter was extremely urgent. Clearly, although the explosions in those cities were massive, they hadn't reached that level of urgency -- until now.
Linton set the phone down and grabbed the remote, turning on the television. On UPN, the news anchor sat with a political commentator and a public relations professor from Southern California. They gathered around a round table in the studio, discussing the complete destruction of buildings in the four sites across New York, Chicago, and New Jersey.
All agreed the areas had been hit by high-powered explosives, concluding in unison that these were coordinated, premeditated terrorist attacks. Their harsh words condemned the perpetrators without mercy.
Behind them, footage showed the grim scene: the Pfizer corporate headquarters in Midtown Manhattan reduced to rubble, smoke billowing in the chaotic aftermath -- a sight that churned the stomach.
The bottom-right corner cycled through live shots of all four damaged locations. Firefighters battled the blazes with desperate intensity, police had cordoned off the zones, and rescue teams were combing through debris with life detectors, searching for survivors.
Fortunately, the blasts struck late at night, when only skeleton shifts of security guards were on duty and most workers were safely asleep. Streets were empty, resulting in relatively low casualties despite the terrifying scale of destruction.
UPN's reporting was impressively swift; within two or three hours, they had pieced together detailed information about the affected units and organizations.
During the discussion, the political analyst boldly speculated that the explosive attacks could be retaliation between drug industry giants -- Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Pfizer -- who might have crossed foreign competitors in fierce market battles.
The PR professor leaned toward a different explanation: Middle Eastern terrorist factions orchestrating the attacks as blatant vengeance against America.
Both threw out well-reasoned arguments, their voices animated and intense, yet they unanimously urged the U.S. government, FBI, and CIA to quickly identify and bring the culprits to justice -- no matter who was involved, they insisted on rule of law.
The anchor stoked viewers' emotions, emphasizing the urgency, while also reporting breaking developments: just moments ago, a survivor was pulled alive from the wreckage in New York's industrial district.
Regardless of the experts' theories, viewers were hooked, unwilling to change channels as layered analysis unfolded live.
...
Linton's harem was shaken by the images on screen. The earlier annoyance at the party being cut short vanished; the women huddled around him, eyes fixed on the TV.
After a couple of minutes, Linton excused himself to freshen up in the bathroom.
"This is serious," he murmured. "You all should start getting ready too. Li Xiaoran will be here soon; things are about to get busy."
While the women washed up and dressed, Linton flipped through every channel, each overwhelmed with repeated coverage of the bombings in New York, Chicago, and New Jersey.
...
For years, Americans prided themselves on their homeland's safety, viewing the U.S. as the safest place on Earth.
In over a century of global upheaval -- countless conflicts and two world wars that claimed millions -- the American mainland remained untouched by direct destruction or loss.
Indeed, these wars often resulted in immense profit and power for America, propelling it into superpower status, especially after the 1990s, when the Soviet Union collapsed and America stood alone at the top.
To see, on an otherwise ordinary morning, three major U.S. cities simultaneously struck with such savage terror sent shockwaves through the nation.
The psychological impact on society was monumental -- shaking public confidence and igniting widespread fear about safety.
No other news could compete. This story dominated not only all American stations but major ones around the world, sparking intense debate.
Pro-American factions, particularly those already culturally aligned, saw these attacks as earth-shattering, worse than losing loved ones. Some local media commentators issued fierce calls for total war against terrorists, seeking to prove unwavering loyalty.
Conversely, many countries long victimized by American policies quietly welcomed the attacks, with some ordinary citizens openly celebrating.
...
At that moment, the doorbell chimed. Li Xiaoran and Daniel stepped inside, Li Xiaoran holding a phone and passing over a notebook filled with nonstop call logs.
"Boss, your phone's been ringing non-stop since 4:30 a.m. I've listed all the numbers. I've also calmed down Meena and the two housekeepers. You should call Madonna, Catherine, and Charlize first -- they're terrified."
It was natural they were worried. Linton called each of them to reassure them, telling them not to fret.
But his phone was literally flooded. Calls came in from Universal Group, Linton Media Group, and officials in California, Los Angeles, and Montana. Partners and friends who knew he was in New York for his concert -- people like Donald Trump, Jerry Yang, Bill Gates -- also called.
Washington contacts poured in as well, including Bill Clinton and Hillary.
Linton decided to ignore the less important calls, but felt he must return Hillary and Bill Clinton's calls.
Before picking up the phone, he noticed the anxious look on Daniel's face.
...
"What's wrong, Daniel?"
"With such chaos in New York, should we postpone tonight's concert?"
"No. The show goes on as planned."
Daniel hesitated. "But..."
"There's no 'but.' When there's a problem, we solve it. I have a responsibility to my fans and our partners."
Daniel worried aloud, "We can pressure externally with contracts, but my biggest concern is the crew -- band, backing vocals, dancers, lights, stage, sound. If they panic, the show will suffer."
Linton nodded. "Tell everyone: if tonight's performance succeeds, each will get a special bonus. You decide the amount. I want their morale and passion high."
"Got it! With extra pay, no problem. I'll get on it right now." Daniel rushed out.
...
Linton left the living room for the study and called Hillary. The phone was quickly answered with a gasp.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry. Get some rest and take care of yourself."
"The explosions have shaken things badly. Can you come see me? I want to meet."
Clearly, Hillary's keen insight made her suspect Linton's involvement -- especially since the massacres of Kester, Hoffman, Gittens Cooper, and others hadn't surfaced yet. If they had, she'd be certain.
"All right, arrange for a car to pick me up around 10. But tonight's concert limits our time -- no more than an hour."
"Deal. See you soon."
...
Next, Linton phoned Bill Clinton, who didn't share Hillary's suspicions and was mainly worried about Linton's safety.
"Linton, you okay?"
"Fine, just woke up."
"Society's in chaos in New York. Should you cancel or reschedule?"
"No one dares disrupt my concert."
"Okay. Stay careful." Bill Clinton, recalling brutal massacres in Tokyo and Los Angeles, gave up pressing further.
...
At 8 a.m., President Clinton addressed the nation on TV, condemning the attacks that destroyed the three pharmaceutical giants' headquarters.
He announced a joint task force of military, DOJ, FBI, and CIA investigators to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice -- no matter who they were or where they came from.
America's capability to protect its people was resolute.
...
After breakfast, Linton reassured all the backup singers. Aside from his harem members Shania Twain, Vivian Chow, Izumi Sakai, and Akina Nakamori, there were only Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, and Adam Levine.
Britney and Adam, both newcomers eager to shine on this stage, had no objections.
Mariah, the reigning diva used to constant touring and unexpected crises, was unnerved but not ready to back out. Seeing Linton's calm removed her lingering unease.
When Britney and Adam left, Mariah lingered, stepping into Linton's arms, pressing a sweet kiss to his lips.
"Darling, after those terrifying blasts, I'm scared. Can you stay with me tonight after the concert? I'll bring Jennifer Aniston over, and we can keep you company together. Please?"
"When did you and Jennifer get so close?"
"That's none of your business. Just tell me if tonight's okay?" Mariah squirmed coyly in his arms, batting her eyelashes.
Linton pointed to the master bedroom. "Mariah, sorry, not tonight. The room's already full. Maybe another time?"
Mariah pouted. "Then can you stay tomorrow?"
"No, I'm heading to Washington."
"Darling, you owe me some consolation and a reward." She pressed closer, fidgeting.
"All right. I should be free before 3 p.m. After lunch, I'll come by your room."
"Okay, it's a deal. We have a busy day ahead -- see you later."
...
Time slipped to 9:30 a.m., when sudden screams erupted from the living room. Linton hurried over and saw the news had flashed a breaking story.
"The majority shareholder, chairman, and CEO of Pfizer, Gittens Cooper, and his entire family were brutally slaughtered in their luxurious Long Island estate. A total of 280 people and 22 dogs were gruesomely beheaded."
Though the scene was under police control and journalists had limited access, Long Island's elite enclave was sealed tight. Only a few reporters cooperating with authorities appeared.
Even limited footage was horrifying: several victims and one dog shown severed cleanly in two.
Linton's harem was pale, visibly shaken. The more sensitive ones -- Xu Qing, Sakai Noriko, Akina Nakamori -- even fled to the bathroom to vomit.
With Gittens Cooper's massacre exposed, police would soon visit Hoffman and Gavin's homes for confirmation -- the fate of their families would inevitably come to light.
As for Kester, the sensitive New York FBI chief, his family's murder might already be known to the Bureau, just not publicized.
Puff Daddy, an insignificant figure, would likely be uncovered only when his subordinates reported the crime.
Regardless, this glaring mass beheading bore the signature brutality linked to the Los Angeles gang massacre -- the killing method so cruel and distinctive few could replicate it.
Those in power would be shaken. One could only wonder how three senators -- Roger, Carol, Cody -- and FBI deputy director Maslow, along with Deputy Attorney General Eric Gorelick, were feeling.
Beyond terror, did they regret their actions, struggle desperately to survive, or attempt to flee?
*****
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