However, things once again exceeded Dana's expectations. The New York police took decisive action. Typically, they don't concern themselves with who hits whom in disputes. But this situation was different. This unfolded in front of the entire world. If they chose to ignore it once again, they might face repercussions. Even if it was merely a formality, they needed to at least allow reporters to capture some photos.
Remember the chaos when Khabib leaped off the ring? At that time, law enforcement was not called to intervene. Conversely, Connor faced arrest for smashing a bus. The distinction this time is stark; Khabib's brawl resulted in mere chaos, while Ye Chen had severely injured four individuals live in front of cameras for the world to see. At that moment, the audience had just departed. Outside the arena, the atmosphere was electric as people discussed Ye Chen's support for the entire Covington team.
Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the arrival of three police cars. The sirens blared loudly, echoing through the night. Confusion spread among the crowd. What had occurred? They watched as police officers stormed into the arena.
"Walter? Why are the police involved? Is this something we need to address?" one voice inquired.
"Covington's team should face arrest," another responded.
"They must be taking action against Covington's team. Could it be that Ye Chen acted in self-defense?" someone else speculated.
"You reap what you sow. Four people attacked one individual and ended up injured. Let's get them processed!"
"Hahaha, it's sad to see Covington in such a predicament."
However, it wasn't long before reality hit hard. A group of police officers exited the arena, escorting four members of Covington's team alongside Ye Chen, with Catwoman trailing behind. The crowd booed, discontent clear in their voices. They shouted in disbelief at the unfolding events.
Yet, the police operated according to the guidelines. When a fight breaks out, they can't solely detain the injured party. Ye Chen was bewildered. His mind raced with various scenarios, most likely envisioning a suspension from the New York Sports Association and a hefty fine. However, he never anticipated that the police might become involved.
This caught not just him off guard, but Catwoman, a local, as well. Even Dana, known as a significant figure in the industry, hadn't foreseen this outcome. Yet, both Catwoman and Dana wield considerable influence. While Ye Chen had wealth, his connections were minimal compared to the two. Furthermore, his financial standing didn't match theirs, as he was still relatively new to this level of fame.
Before long, two separate contingents of lawyers arrived at the police station to secure his release. The first group represented the UFC's legal team, while the second was solicited by Catwoman via her networks. As per police protocol, both Ye Chen and the members of Covington's team would remain in custody for 48 hours. The reason provided by law enforcement was straightforward: the decision of guilt or innocence lies with the judge.
Irrespective of the context, law enforcement had no authority to determine culpability on the scene; they merely enforced laws regarding conflicts. Nevertheless, within the police station, officers were surprisingly cordial towards Ye Chen. They refrained from asking probing questions and just took down basic details.
People continued trickling in, eager to snap photos with both Ye Chen and Catwoman. It seemed that nearly everyone working the night shift wanted a picture with them. To top it off, there was an endless supply of donuts, coffee, pizza, and various snacks. Ye Chen couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't being detained; it felt more like a visit as a guest in an oddly hospitable environment.
The police likely understood that Ye Chen was unlikely to face legal issues, with self-defense being a reasonable assumption. Yet, official procedures demanded detention regardless. After some time, when the two groups of lawyers had arrived and the bail was arranged, Ye Chen and Catwoman could finally leave.
Exiting the station, Ye Chen found himself questioning life's strange twists. A throng of media reporters waited outside, creating a scene that seemed anything but midnight. "Ye Chen, are you here to assist in the investigation? Please respond," one reporter shouted.
The lawyers accompanying him explained, "Because Mr. Ye Chen and the four aggressors engaged in a physical altercation, the police had the authority to detain both parties. At this point, Mr. Ye Chen is released on bail."
"Ye Chen," another reporter pressed, "as a fighter, you typically engage opponents in the ring, yet here you are battling members of a rival team in full view of the world. How do you address this?"
He had previously claimed he wouldn't indiscriminately attack individuals outside the ring, yet here he was.
Many eyes were on him. If Ye Chen had been less recognized, not a single reporter would have cared to press him for statements. He knew it was easy for people to ignore statements made by lesser-known figures.
Yet Ye Chen didn't look inclined to respond, even if he had the opportunity. The UFC staff worked diligently to clear a path through the crowd, protecting both Ye Chen and Catwoman as they made their exit. The lawyer turned to the gathering reporters and declared, "Please be mindful of your phrasing. This was not a brawl but a legitimate act of self-defense prompted by imminent threats to Mr. Ye Chen's safety. He is certainly not a troublemaker."
Overnight, this incident escalated into a hot topic across all social media platforms. Ye Chen's name was everywhere. While his personal circumstances were not dire, headlines were heavily laden with tags like UFC's number one superstar, Anne Daxia's boyfriend, and a new generation of fighting icon... The public's interest skyrocketed.
Early the next day, Inna immediately released a lengthy article expressing disdain for Covington's team, branding their actions as shockingly unprofessional. In a striking move, she stated that the UFC is contemplating bans on Covington's team and any athletes affiliated with them from all future UFC events.
Yet, the article barely mentioned Ye Chen. Instead, it targeted Covington's team for their cowardly ambush of an opponent following their player's loss, heavily criticizing such behavior.
Moreover, the piece urged the UFC's legal division to quickly affirm Ye Chen's actions were self-defense, emphasizing his swift release from detention.
In truth, Dana and the other stakeholders were determined to ensure Ye Chen didn't descend into this chaotic situation any further. To bolster their efforts, the New York Sports Association issued a statement, asserting their involvement and promising a resolution would arrive soon.
All the while, Ye Chen sought to lead a normal life. He indulged himself in a leisurely morning, sleeping until midday. After all, he was also contending with injuries. Following a highly charged match filled with adrenaline, it was no surprise he found it difficult to get to sleep until dawn.
Catwoman had prepared lunch in the interim. "Hurry up and finish your meal. After we eat, there's some styling to do— we have a press conference this afternoon that you must attend," she urged Ye Chen. Her meticulous planning included everything from wardrobe choices to grooming, aiming to ensure he presented himself nobly and made a positive impression.
Celebrities often embrace such tactics. When faced with repercussions and the necessity for public statements, they prioritize their appearance to mitigate fallout.
Yet, just before the scheduled press conference commenced, Covington and his team gave an interview to the media. During this exchange, Covington claimed that Ye Chen intended to harm him intentionally and left the door open for potential legal action against him. He further asserted that he was clearly unconscious during the earlier confrontation but that Ye Chen continued to inflict injury.
Accompanying the interview were clips of the closing moments of their match from the prior night. Members of his team claimed they had embraced Ye Chen in a bid to prevent him from attacking another teammate, claiming it was for protective, not aggressive, reasons.
The hefty-built man with the distinctive golden beard openly admitted during the interview that his emotional response had been impulsive. He noted that his aggression stemmed from monetary losses and conveyed genuine regret, asking for Ye Chen's forgiveness. He assured viewers that his outburst was a personal failure and had no connection to Covington or his affiliates.
"Darn it, darn it..." Just as the press conference approached its start, this unsettling news broke. Dana was practically beside himself with frustration. He turned to Ye Chen and declared, "It seems they're so fixated on you. They have obviously orchestrated this plan collaboratively against you." In that moment, Dana's anger surged as he contemplated confronting Covington personally.