American Gossip King

Chapter 230 The Wonderful Life of a Hostage

Outside the Grand Theater, inside the command vehicle.

Prikin watched Ian Karl's live interview intently.

Upon seeing Balayev angrily pull on Iankar's neck, the head of Russia's State Security Service finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Seryozha, you're right, he really is helping us."

Through questioning techniques and hypnotic induction, Ian Karl portrayed Balayev as a volatile and easily angered figure in the public eye, and further, his so-called grand ideals were tainted with financial considerations.

His ruthlessness will only make everyone hate him even more.

Ian continued to ask questions, each one seemingly out of concern for Balayev, but in reality, he was leading him step by step into a trap, which Balayev was completely unaware of.

Faced with this situation, Seryozha breathed a sigh of relief: "Natasha said that Ian Karl believes this is a good opportunity to put Chechen militants on the terrorist list. This will be of great benefit to us in gaining international support."

Prikin doesn't think this will necessarily bring much support to Russia, but sometimes even a little international support is good—when power is insufficient, diplomacy is power!

Russia is currently in an awkward predicament of insufficient power and lack of diplomatic skills, which is far worse than China's situation.

Ian Carl helped them solve a huge problem!

Prikin nodded: "It is indeed a good opportunity, but we still need to find a way to rescue them. We can't let the world look down on Russia!"

For Russians, questioning their power is more unacceptable than questioning their morality.

Seryozha said, "Ekaterina and Natasha are there. They both have guns, but they're on the second floor and haven't taken them down."

Prigin scoffed. "You can't count on them. Their primary responsibility right now is to protect Ian Carl. Send a hostage rescue team over to negotiate, but I don't think it'll work."

Given the Russians' nature, they would love to attack immediately.

But negotiations must be done; we can't give the world the impression that Russians are all bravado.

Although they are indeed this type of person.

According to the original timeline, the Chechens entered the opera house on the 23rd, and the Russian special forces launched their attack in the early hours of the 27th.

The whole incident lasted about three and a half days.

For Ian Carl, this means he can produce news for more than three days straight!

He wouldn't let such a good opportunity slip by.

The sensational nature of the 9/17 incident lies in the event itself, but this also overshadowed Ian's brilliance to some extent.

The Bolshoi Theatre incident, with its prolonged duration and weaker eruption, allowed Ian Karl more time to showcase his talent and provide a sufficiently detailed and comprehensive report.

Two hours later, Ian finally concluded his interview with Balayev, saying, "This interview is now over. Mr. Balayev will now fulfill his promise and release all the children."

Balayev did not refuse and quickly released the child as promised.

He had originally intended to let Ian go, but Ian refused: "I will stay until the very last moment of this incident. I believe that as your friend, you will not kill me, Mr. Balayev."

"Of course," Balayev nodded solemnly.

Rather than expecting Ian Carr, he was hoping for the support of the entire world—killing America's hero would not be conducive to this goal.

It was nearly midnight, and everyone was both scared and sleepy. Some people simply fell asleep in their seats.

Ian wasn't sleepy at all; instead, he curled up in a corner, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Two beautiful women gathered around him and whispered, "What about tomorrow?"

Ian replied in a low voice, "I'll have Brideson and Vincent continue interviewing the hostages. The more pitiful they are, the more sympathetic the public will be, but there won't be any live coverage; these will be released later... Good news needs to be paced, and high-quality content needs to be presented as a series!"

Natasha smiled and gently kissed Ian: "Thank you, Ian Karl. You're a genius!"

"You're welcome, every girl says that about me." Ian gently put his arm around the two beauties.

Ian really liked the two girls.

It's not because they are beautiful or gentle, but because of their status.

They don't need any emotional commitment from Ian; they just need to be happy together.

Just then, Bridexson walked over and handed Ian a list: "There's a big shot you might be interested in."

Ian took it, glanced at it, and said, "Shevrianko?"

Brideson said, "He is the chairman of Padiri, a company that owns 13% of Black Sea Pipeline, which handles part of Russia's oil pipeline business."

"Wow," Ian whistled. "Is there more?"

"This is the biggest star, and there are some other people, but none of them are very famous."

"Don't be picky, buddy. Gather those people together and tell them Ian Carl will protect them."

Bledson smiled slightly: "Okay, boss. Should we meet with them?"

"Of course. Go find some food; I bet they're starving." Ian straightened his collar and stood up.

Given this rare opportunity, Ian Carl naturally wanted to make good use of it to interact with these prisoners.

He then went to see them one by one.

While they were also hostages, Ian Carl could move freely throughout the grand theater, treating them with the same deference one would show a visiting leader:

"Is the food here alright?"

"You can tell me if you need anything."

"Hostages also have the right to a good life. The people here need more than just food; they also need bedding... Let the people outside bring it in."

"Don't worry, gentlemen, I believe Balayev is not a bloodthirsty man. I will persuade him to treat you well."

"We will all leave here safely, that's Ian Carl's assurance to you!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Friends are those who share hardships."

Ian met with them one by one, speaking to them in a kind voice and calming their anxious hearts.

Like a light in the darkness, it illuminates everyone's heart.

--------

Ian woke up on the afternoon of the 24th.

He fell asleep in his private room on the second floor, a special arrangement Balayev had made for him.

There were two girls' guns right under his buttocks.

However, Ian ignored him.

He stepped out of the box and saw a group of people talking to Balayev on the stage below; they were the negotiating team sent by the Russians.

Vincent wanted to take photos, but the negotiation team refused—compromises are inevitable in the negotiation process, but they agreed that nothing should be leaked.

But it didn't work.

Ian was well-prepared this time, and even brought some hidden cameras, recording everything beforehand, but he just didn't release it.

That will be his biggest asset later on.

At that moment, he looked down at the negotiations. Ian shook his head slightly and casually took out a cigar.

A Chechen militant walked over and handed him a lighter.

Ian smiled and said, "Thank you."

The man at least understood "thank you," smiled and nodded, and gave Ian a thumbs-up, though it was unclear what he was praising him for.

Ekaterina and Natasha walked over.

They surrounded Ian, speaking in English: "Things aren't going well; the conditions on both sides are too different."

The latest novel is first published here!

"Not surprising," Ian said.

He leaned on the second-floor railing, looking down at the negotiations on the theater stage.

The other person's voice wasn't loud, so I couldn't hear them very clearly, but that's okay, Vincent is filming.

Ian watched this scene with his eyes half-closed, and a mischievous thought suddenly popped into his head.

He smiled.

Then he turned to the two girls beside him: "How about we do it in the private room?"

What?

This sudden request left both girls dumbfounded.

This situation?

This kind of atmosphere?

Ian Carl, how did you come up with that?

Ian casually exhaled a smoke ring: "This isn't something that can be resolved in a short time; it'll take a few days. We're just killing time anyway... Ian Carl not only gave an interview while he was kidnapped, but also had sex with a beautiful woman. Even in a life-or-death crisis, he didn't forget to unleash his true manly nature; that'll be good news."

The two girls were speechless at the same time.

Although I already know who Ian is, I'm really not used to this line of thinking.

Seeing their expressions, Ian burst out laughing.

He laughed heartily and loudly, so much so that Balayev, who was angrily criticizing the negotiation team on the opposite stage, and the other negotiation experts all looked up in astonishment at the second floor.

Ian said, "Translate it."

Then he shouted downstairs, "Vincent, bring your camera up! I want to go into a private room with two beautiful women to have sex! No need to record the video, just the audio."

Ekaterina covered her face: "I can't translate this."

Natasha blushed slightly, but still translated loudly.

Everyone was completely bewildered.

Ian Carl, that's a bit much, isn't it?

Can't you have any self-awareness as a hostage?

Even Balayev stood up: "Iankar, you can't do this. This is a sacred act; you cannot desecrate our great ideals!"

Ian waved his hand: "You need more people to hear your voices! And I'm the one who will help you spread your voices to every corner of the world, so that everyone can hear them. You know, the audience for pornography and violence isn't the same people, right? And this proves you haven't mistreated hostages! Look, Balayev treated hostages well, and Ian Karl even got to have sex with two beautiful women while he was a hostage! That's great, isn't it?"

Balayev thought about it and realized that it made sense!

Despite his strength, he was as naive as a child in front of Ian.

In a sense, Ian could easily have washed him away without hypnosis or illusion, let alone with cheat codes.

The thought of life-or-death negotiations taking place here while people are having a good time inside always gives me a bad feeling.

This is a bloody and violent incident, how did it become erotic?

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Ian laughed and led the two women into the private room.

The box doors closed, and on the first floor of the grand theater, all the hostages heard the loud shouts from Catherine and Natasha.

"Ah! Fakumi!"

"Ian Karl, no, you can't do this without any prelude!"

"It hurts a little..."

"Oh my god, Ian, you're amazing..."

The two girls took turns shouting, releasing their inner wildness.

It's so loud!

A group of Orthodox Christians began to pray silently at the same time, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

The negotiation team was also dumbfounded.

So we need to negotiate the release of the hostages under this noise interference?

It sounds like you don't need our rescue!

Even Balayev couldn't help but clench his thighs, glaring fiercely at the negotiating team members, and said, "Um... our conditions... will not be lowered..."

He regretted it a little. Why did I agree to his request?

But it's too late to back out now that I've already agreed.

Inside the private room at this moment.

As Ian continued to assault Ekaterina, he said, "There's another advantage to this: we can come and get the gun anytime. We can just say we want to get intimate with me."

Natasha blushed and said, "It's all an excuse! I'm going to lose my job, Ian Karl. After being in your news, I can't seduce any other men besides you."

"I'm enough, baby, why are you thinking about other men?" Ian chuckled as he turned from Ekaterina to Natasha.

The cries grew louder and louder.

A group of armed Chechen militants, glaring angrily, looked at each other in bewilderment.

I have an uncontrollable urge to start a fire.

(End of this chapter)