Bab 331: Chapter 331: The Founding of the Island
Hardy's scandal was making waves worldwide, and his women had naturally seen the reports.
After reading the article, Han Yezhen examined the photos closely. Hardy indeed looked right at home among the royalty. Han Yezhen felt a surge of pride seeing her man recognized as a British baron and appointed governor. The island, three times the size of Hong Kong Island, was granted autonomous territory rights, hinting at Hardy's grand ambitions. She could easily envision Hardy turning the Cayman Islands into a flourishing realm.
Jealous? Han Yezhen didn't have time for jealousy; her thoughts were consumed by Hardy. Besides, if she could accept other women, why not a princess?
Ava Gardner, still in Africa wrapping up a film, read about Hardy's scandal in the hotel and found herself impressed. Becoming a British nobleman and a baron with a fief was quite an achievement. The gossip about the princess didn't bother her; she viewed herself as just one of Hardy's women.
Elaine and Marilyn Monroe were equally clear about their status. With Hardy's wealth and influence, marriage seemed improbable, but being his lover was perfectly acceptable. Marriages among prominent families, like those of the Rockefellers or Roosevelts, made strategic sense, but marrying Princess Margaret would be fitting for Hardy.
Among Hardy's women, only Taylor felt jealous. After reading the newspapers, she clung to Hardy, pouting, "You don't want to marry Margaret. She has a terrible temper and body odor."
Hardy chuckled. "And you're very fragrant, I suppose?"
"I'm much more fragrant than she is!"
"Don't you get along with my other girlfriends?"
"Well, they stole my lover. We're enemies."
Hardy playfully pinched Taylor's nose, laughing, "Are you planning to beat up my other girlfriends one by one?"
Taylor's face fell. "I know about Ava, Elaine, and Monroe. But if you and Margaret were serious, you'd have to marry her. I doubt she'd let you keep so many girlfriends, including me."
Taylor's concerns were quite forward-thinking. Hardy smiled, "You were part of the ceremony. The newspaper's stories are pure speculation. I expect the British royal family will clarify things soon."
However, Hardy's prediction was off. Days passed with no statement from the royal family.
---
Buckingham Palace.
Princess Elizabeth was also surprised by the newspaper reports. The photos were clear: her younger sister adjusting Hardy's clothes seemed rather intimate. Elizabeth noted the affection in the pictures but understood that the media often sensationalized such stories.
She decided to discuss the matter with her sister. Entering Princess Margaret's bedroom, she found her reading a book.
Sitting beside her sister, Princess Elizabeth asked softly, "Margaret, have you seen the newspaper reports? They're saying you and Hardy are in love. I'm considering asking the royal family to issue a statement."
Margaret's eyes flashed with uncertainty. "Sister, I do feel something special with Hardy. He's a good person, and I enjoy being with him. But I haven't defined it as anything serious."
Princess Elizabeth was taken aback. She hadn't anticipated that Margaret was genuinely interested in Hardy.
Elizabeth frowned, "When did this start?"
"It hasn't really started," Margaret replied. "It's just a feeling. We enjoy each other's company, but I haven't pursued it."
Elizabeth, with conservative views, thought Hardy was unsuitable for her sister. Despite obtaining British nationality and a baronial title, he was still an American businessman, not a traditional aristocrat. Elizabeth preferred her sister to marry someone from a well-established noble family.
Elizabeth struggled with her feelings. Her sister's romantic inclinations were a new development. While Hardy might not be an ideal match, she was reluctant to outright refuse her sister's feelings.
After a brief discussion, Elizabeth decided to keep her thoughts private. It was too early to make a definitive statement, and sometimes silence was an acceptable stance.
The royal family's lack of response led to more speculation. Gossip tabloids seized on the ambiguity, reporting that the royal family had tacitly approved of the rumored romance.
As the rumors continued, Hardy had already left Britain for Miami. Before departing, he had instructed Andy to coordinate with the legal and financial teams, and with Lanster, to prepare for their move to the Cayman Islands.
Hardy also hired the largest construction and design company in the U.S. to undertake the monumental task of developing the island, essentially rebuilding a city.
Upon arriving in Miami, Hardy found that his team had secured a large cruise ship. Lanster, accompanied by 300 security personnel led by Neil MacDonald, was ready for the journey. Neil MacDonald, a trusted ally, had once been saved from personal tragedy by Hardy.
The ship docked in the Cayman Islands after two days at sea. The islands, with Grand Cayman being the largest, were known for their stunning beauty and coral reefs. The island's current small population and limited infrastructure were set to undergo significant changes.
Hardy's arrival with a heavily armed security team was designed to assert control and prevent any disruptions. The island's limited police force was no match for the show of force.
As Hardy disembarked, the island's administrator, Jack Rose, greeted him warmly. "Welcome, Governor Hardy. I'm Jack Rose, the island administrator."
"Hello, Rose. Everything looks promising. I'd appreciate a tour of the island to get a sense of the situation," Hardy said.
"Certainly, Governor Hardy. The car is ready," Rose responded.
The island's infrastructure was modest, with Georgetown as the main city and only a few hundred residents scattered elsewhere. Two highways provided decent connectivity, but most buildings were low-rise, designed to withstand hurricanes.
Hardy and his team began their extensive work, preparing to transform the island into a thriving hub from scratch.
Bab 332: Chapter 332: Preparing for Development
In the management office, a map of the Cayman Islands was spread out on the table. Grand Cayman, a coral reef island with flat terrain and an average elevation of 15 meters, offered numerous opportunities for development.
The island was covered in coconut groves and surrounded by pristine beaches with fine, soft sand. In the future, it would be a premier diving destination.
Hardy outlined his vision:
"There must be a large airport on the island, capable of accommodating large passenger planes. The runway should be no less than 4,000 meters."
Although current passenger planes don't require such long runways, Hardy anticipated future growth. Smaller jets like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 need about 2,700 meters, while larger ones like the Boeing 747 need 3,300 meters. The Airbus A380 requires nearly 4,000 meters, so Hardy planned to build accordingly.
"We also need a large passenger and cargo wharf. The existing natural port is well-located but too small. We'll develop it into a major resort and gambling hub, so it must accommodate many tourists, materials, and personnel."
Hardy nodded in agreement.
"The Government House also needs to be constructed. The current management office won't suffice. The Government House will be the highest authority in the Cayman Islands and must reflect that status."
"We need a comprehensive government building to house various departments."
"The military requires a suitable location. I propose the southern end of the island, where there's already a port terminal that can be repurposed into a dedicated military terminal."
"The area must be large enough to accommodate the army, navy, and air force."
"Georgetown must be planned as a financial, casino, and tourism hub. We need designated zones for beach resorts, hotels, shopping districts, and casinos."
"A large-scale hydropower plan is essential. We'll build a power plant that uses natural gas or oil, avoiding the complications of coal power. Oil and gas from South American countries like Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia will be convenient."
"The island's infrastructure must address hurricane threats. We'll focus on designing resilient streets, houses, and sewer systems. For waste disposal, we'll pack garbage and ship it elsewhere for incineration to maintain a clean environment."
"The roads on the island need to be re-planned. Besides the two existing central roads, I propose a ring road around the island."
Hardy shared his ideas, and the team diligently took notes.
"These are my preliminary thoughts. Please add any necessary details," Hardy instructed.
The design expert smiled and replied, "Mr. Hardy has already considered many aspects; we will refine the details accordingly."
"Your design company will provide a detailed construction plan for my review," Hardy said.
"Understood, Mr. Hardy."
Once the design company staff left, Hardy spoke to Andy and Lanster. "We're setting up Cayman as a dominion, with full control over government, security, economy, and culture. It's like building a small nation."
"Andy, we're not experts in this area. Find professionals to join Hardy's think tank, focusing on Cayman's affairs and creating suitable management rules."
"Remember, no democracy. I'm planning a presidential system."
"Presidential system?" Andy asked, puzzled.
"It's like running Cayman as a company. I'll be the chairman, overseeing all affairs. The president is the prime minister, and the ministers are department managers. It simplifies management," Hardy explained.
Andy nodded in support. "This system suits a small place like Cayman and is efficient."
"Set up a Cayman Island Development and Construction Company to manage the island's future development," Hardy added.
"This is a significant task. Development will be costly, as we're essentially building a city," Andy acknowledged.
Neal would oversee public security. With only about 3,000 residents on the island, Neal's 300 security personnel would be sufficient.
Hardy was confident about the future of the Cayman Islands. He had enough funds for the initial construction, and once the casino was operational, the revenue would support further development.
The Cayman Islands might be small, but they had potential. The Principality of Monaco, though just 1.98 square kilometers, thrived on its casino business. The 260 square kilometers of the Cayman Islands had far greater potential.
Hardy relied on the United States and the United Kingdom for protection. As long as these two countries did not act against him, no other nation would dare interfere.
...
After leaving the management office, Hardy found Taylor and took her to the beach. The tropical climate, with temperatures between 24-30 degrees Celsius year-round, made for a pleasant environment. Taylor, in a dress, played on the soft white sand, joyfully avoiding the waves.
"Hadi, come after me," Taylor called, beckoning Hardy.
Hardy chased after her, laughing as she ran ahead. He caught up to her, holding her close as they ran together.
"Ah~~hahaha~!" Taylor laughed, waving her arms.
Hardy, exhilarated by the idea of building and running a city, found the sense of accomplishment thrilling. The prospect of creating something from scratch filled him with excitement.
After some time, they lay under a palm tree, the shade providing relief from the sun. Hardy kissed Taylor, who responded warmly.
Suddenly, Taylor's body tensed slightly as Hardy's hand slipped into her collar. The kiss became more passionate.
...
Two days later, Hardy issued his first Governor's Order: "To facilitate the unification and development of the island, all residents are to be relocated. They may choose to emigrate to the United Kingdom, the United States, or Jamaica. Compensation will be provided for private land and residences."
"If residents agree to emigrate, they can select between the UK or the US. If they refuse, they will be moved to Jamaica."
Hardy's order effectively meant reclaiming all land on the island. The original inhabitants, including exiles, pirates, and descendants of slaves, would be displaced.
Many of these people had lived on the island for one or two hundred years. As Jamaica was set to become independent soon, Hardy sought to avoid future issues by clearing the island.
Despite potential damage to his reputation, Hardy knew that a good reputation was not typical among capitalists running casinos. He offered fair compensation to ensure the displaced residents could relocate comfortably.
The islanders, facing a choice between emigration and relocation, mostly opted for the United States due to its perceived allure, with the rest choosing the UK or Jamaica.
Peter Smith, a senior executive from the Hardy Group, was appointed to oversee the construction and early development of the Cayman Islands. He was tasked with managing the extensive development projects.
With the construction team and supplies arriving from Miami, the development of the Cayman Islands officially began. The first project was to build a new port.
As the original residents were relocated, the island transformed into a major construction site. The American design company would provide a comprehensive development plan, which would span several years.
With the Cayman Islands' development underway, Hardy turned his attention to Japan.
At the Beverly Hills Manor, Hardy, dressed in loose pajamas, carefully reviewed a stack of papers detailing seized Japanese companies, their current statuses, and potential investment opportunities. He was strategizing his approach to Japan, focusing on expanding his influence.
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