Island Intrigue: Survival and Seduction

Chapter 7: The Rebellion and Divorce

Simon lingered beside each person, offering unsolicited critiques. The bustling group gradually stopped their work, drawn to him like moths to a flame. Simon seemed oblivious to their gathering stares.

"Trey, oh Trey," he began, "I never would have imagined. Back in Claude City, you were a figure to be reckoned with, someone I considered an equal. And now? Reduced to manual labor. Truly, the times are changing."

"You've utterly disgraced the reputation of the Claude City Four," he declared, his tone shifting. "So shrewd in your everyday life, yet here you are, toiling like a fool!"

Simon paused.

"Well, well," he continued as Xavier, seeing his brother humiliated, approached aggressively. Before Xavier could speak, Simon's mocking voice rang out again. "What's this? Just two sentences in and you're ready to resort to violence?"

"We live in a civilized society. Think about the consequences before you throw a punch!"

"Or have I hit a nerve?" he taunted. "Have you finally realized you *are* a fool?"

"Xavier, come back," Trey said calmly, displaying no anger. He remained composed and rational. "This doesn't concern Mr. Harris."

He continued, "This was my choice. As for being considered your equal, I truly can't shoulder such a reputation." The contrast between Trey's demeanor and Simon's was stark.

"Hopelessly stupid," Simon scoffed. "This island is brimming with resources. Coconuts, wild fruits, caves for shelter. Yet you insist on wasting your time on these pointless tasks." He sneered. "Tell me, are you all fools?"

"Mr. Harris," Dilan interjected, a smile playing on his lips. "Is there something specific you need? If not, please return to your area and allow us to continue our work." Dilan was curious to see what Simon would try next. Whatever it was, Dilan was ready.

"I underestimated you, you… wastrel," Simon said with a sly grin. "To think you could command these Claude City elites."

"I stand corrected," he added. "I must thank you for your praise, Mr. Harris," Dilan replied, flashing a bright smile. "As for whether or not I'm a wastrel, well, it won't be long before you discover who the *real* wastrel is on this island." Dilan's gaze held Simon's steadily. Did Simon really think he could embarrass him here? Dilan would gladly play along.

Simon's face flushed with anger. "You have no idea what you're getting into!" he spat. "This is all your fault!"

He turned to address the group. "Listen up, everyone! You've been duped by this wastrel!"

"Duped?"

"What's going on?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd as Simon's words landed. They looked at him, bewildered. Even Dilan's expression turned serious.

"It seems you haven't grasped this wastrel's true intentions," Simon declared, a cunning smile twisting his lips. This was exactly what he wanted.

"I've already surveyed the island. It has more than enough resources to sustain us. Coconuts, fruit trees, enough food to last us a year, maybe even longer! With a few simple traps, we could even catch exotic game. There are plenty of natural caves that require minimal modification for shelter. There's no need for this pointless labor!"

Simon fixed his gaze on Dilan. "If I'm not mistaken, you're making them do this because you've always lived a low-class life, and now you're taking this opportunity to exact revenge. Several women were injured earlier, yet you didn't let them rest. You even threatened them! That's another part of your revenge!"

"You know they're incapable of this work, so you threaten them into submission." Simon feigned outrage. "You're manipulative and deceitful, and your acting is quite convincing. You may have fooled them, but you can't fool me! You're exploiting their trust to fulfill your twisted desires!"

"Why else would you assign them tasks they clearly can't handle? Your goal is to humiliate them, to make them feel inadequate. That's your true motive! A wastrel like you is only capable of such petty schemes! Am I right, Dilan?"

Simon's words ignited the crowd. All eyes turned to Dilan, a mixture of confusion and anger in their gazes. They had initially chosen to follow Dilan's lead because they perceived him as an ordinary, honest person who would distribute resources fairly. They never suspected he had such ulterior motives! If Simon hadn't spoken up, they would still be in the dark, unaware that Dilan was intentionally making them suffer, seeking revenge!

"Poverty breeds resentment!" Simon's voice boomed. "A lowlife like him can only think of revenge in such a way. He's playing with your lives! And the worst part is, you trusted him!" Simon presented himself as the righteous defender, as if he hadn't been the one orchestrating this entire scene.

Inwardly, Simon was ecstatic. This chaos was precisely what he desired. He wanted to see Dilan ostracized and despised. When Dilan was truly isolated, that would be Simon's moment of triumph. Dilan was good at rallying people, wasn't he? Simon wanted to see how he'd handle this situation. He wanted everyone to remember that crossing Simon Harris never ended well.

"I was wondering why we were wasting our time building shelters and making tools when there are so many coconuts and fruit trees," one man in a tattered suit declared. "We could be gathering food, but instead, we're stuck here making useless things. It's clear now that he's been toying with us! Does he think we're monkeys in a zoo?"

"If Mr. Harris hadn't spoken up, I would still be clueless!" exclaimed one of the women Dilan had reprimanded earlier. "We're accustomed to the finest things in life. When have we ever done this kind of manual labor? This is work for men, for lowlifes like him! Now I understand. He's been mocking us, using us to get revenge! No wonder he lashed out when we questioned him!"

"I quit!" another woman shouted, throwing down her tools. "This work is disgusting!"

"Whoever wants to do this can do it. I'm not!"

Several others who had been unhappy with Dilan's work assignments joined the dissenters. The remaining members of the group began to murmur amongst themselves, their hesitation palpable. Simon's words, combined with their current tasks, all pointed to Dilan. They waited for Dilan to respond.

Ashley and Rhett stood behind Dilan, their faces etched with anxiety.

"Dilan, aren't you going to explain yourself?" Simon pressed. "A wastrel is a wastrel. When the truth comes out, he hides. But I wonder how long you can keep hiding." This was the effect Simon had been aiming for. Public opinion could be a powerful weapon.