Chapter 290
Stephen stood frozen in place after hearing everything.
No matter how many plans he made, he still failed.
Crystal Lake’s pollution was not due to poor rules that he made up or his being deceived. It was because everyone had been left with no choice!
Faced with high rent and fewer customers, the businesses had no choice but to cut corners and reduce pollution management.
As they cut corners and caused environmental pollution, it drove customers away, leading to fewer and fewer people until no one was left.
It was a vicious cycle!
Who caused all of this?
At its core, it was him!
If he had not set the rent so high and used fabricated stories to lure tourists, the food hall would not have ended up in this situation.
The food hall was completely ruined! It took less than a month from its opening to the point of having no customers. Billions of dollars went up in smoke just like that.
If people were to find out, what would they think of him?
How incompetent of him!
Thud, thud, thud. Stephen’s legs grew weak as he stumbled back.
Just then, George’s assistant rushed over. “Many people claiming to be merchants are demanding rent refunds.”
They had all paid a year’s rent upfront. Now that the food hall had collapsed not even a month later, they were demanding an 11–month refund!
Stephen almost fainted at the words.
Each shop’s rent was exorbitant. If he refunded the money, Celestial City would lose a huge amount of funds again!
“Also, those who reserved office buildings and housing in the development zone are also asking for refunds.”
Stephen’s vision darkened for a moment.
It was over!
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More money needed to be refunded. The money had barely warmed his pocket before it needed to be returned!
If he really refunded them, only the profits made during that time and the gains from the rising property prices would be left. Although he earned quite a bit, it was like killing the goose that laid golden eggs.
Both the food hall and the real estate would no longer bring income in the future, and many people would choose to leave Celestial City due to the high rent and housing prices.
Those who stayed would be deeply dissatisfied with Celestial City.
It was a series of bad moves!
No matter what he picked now, it would not lead to a good outcome.
Stephen hurriedly discussed with George whether they should refund the money or not, and if so, how much.
George pondered deeply. He also did not know how to handle this situation. In the past, it was always Ethan who handled it.
Should they go to Ethan?
George shook his head, feeling that it was inappropriate and too embarrassing. They had already sought out Ethan several times recently Furthermore, they did not receive his aid a single time.
“I’ll go back and think of a way.” George decided to check how Ethan had dealt with similar issues in the past.
Stephen had no choice but to call Simon.
When Simon heard about Celestial City’s situation, he felt a bit overwhelmed too.
They had just resolved the village problem, but now they were facing environmental pollution. The food hall collapsed, and countless businesses, enterprises, and people were demanding refunds.
“Let me think about it.” Simon could not come up with a good solution immediately either.
Stephen could only ask those seeking refunds to wait a little longer.
The next day, George found a way. He found some clues from the records of Ethan’s actions.
He summarized, “To solve this kind of problem, you need to prepare two plans. First, find them a new location and offer them some benefits. Second, make them leave.”
In fact, he did not really understand Ethan’s method. He missed a key step in his
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Ethan’s solution was simple: to make everyone feel that leaving would be a bigger loss than staying. Only by staying could they maximize their profits!
George quickly found Stephen and shared what he had gathered.
“There are two ways. First, we can find them a new location but offer them some benefits if they stay, or second, just have them leave.”
Stephen frowned. “Do we still need to refund them for the second option?”
George paused.
Refund them?
Oh no!
That part was not mentioned in Ethan’s records!
