Darkstone Code

The President did not think this was the end; he understood his wife well. She would only face these matters head-on once everything settled down.

She wouldn’t join the opposing camp when everyone was condemning her, but obviously, she wouldn’t simply let herself off the hook.

At this moment, he turned to look outside the window. Outside the President’s Mansion, it was already crowded with reporters, with countless flashlights constantly lighting up.

Even though the President hadn’t appeared in front of them, they keep taking photos— the President refuses to respond to any questions and avoids meeting with reporters.

Look, a headline has already appeared, and as for what will be written under it, it completely depends on the mood and professional ethics of the reporter.

The President tidied his attire and entered the conference room; at this moment, the members of the President’s Cabinet had already gathered here.

Everyone’s expression was extremely solemn; there was no doubt that they were all aware of the seriousness of this matter.

Previously, they laughed at the former President for being ousted halfway through his term, and now, it’s them facing this.

This feeling isn’t pleasant; many had just begun to truly understand their responsibilities, with many ideals and ambitions still unfulfilled, yet they’re faced with such a desperate situation.

The immense pressure solidified the atmosphere in the room completely, and even with the President’s arrival, there was no morale.

"I am truly sorry for what has happened!"

Actually, strictly speaking, he didn’t let down the Cabinet members because these members weren’t keeping their positions due to their efforts!

If they had climbed to this position through their efforts, spending possibly years or decades, then the President should indeed apologize.

His scandal would bring unmissable negative effects to the entire Cabinet, and if he resigns, the Cabinet would become very passive.

Even the President resigned; wouldn’t it be fitting for them to resign as well?

Even though the mistake wasn’t theirs, they still need to buy the trouble for the President’s erroneous actions.

In this way, the President’s apology seemed to have a bit of significance?

No, in fact, that’s not the case. The Cabinet appointments were nominated by the President; whoever he says does a certain job, that person would sit in the corresponding position and manage their responsibilities.

They gained their current prominent status due to the President’s victory, and naturally, they would lose all this with the President’s resignation.

The communications officer sitting beside them was more anxious than others; because she was at the very front line directly facing the media’s bombardment, she was very tense.

The President replied quickly, "First, we won’t immediately admit this matter but will announce other things..."

He then had someone distribute the materials to everyone; when everyone saw a series of government officials’ names and the crimes they committed, many gasped aloud.

It involved quite a few Members of Parliament, even a good number of Senators were listed!

Understand, those are Senators!

And at the end of the list, all were interconnected, pointing to the Duncan Clan.

The President no longer wore his usual smile, appearing somewhat stern, "These photos are released by the Duncan Clan, and everyone should see their purpose— it’s to make us disappear."

"Our war with them has reached the last moment!"

"Even if we eventually have to leave here, we must take them down!"

The President’s attitude was resolute, which also gave the Cabinet members a lot of courage, just like what the President said; since the situation could not be reversed, they might as well drive forward!

At 10:15 AM, the President’s Mansion held a press conference. Within less than five minutes, a larger meeting room was temporarily switched, which was filled with reporters.

Nearly full, the room was packed, and the security advisor of the President’s Mansion opened the doors and windows in the winter to avoid accidents due to the cramped space.

Yet people didn’t feel cold, as they pressed against each other, clustered together.

The instant the communications officer appeared, all reporters began loudly asking their questions; the communications officer calmly sat at her position, without speaking.

Until those disordered reporters realized they had to follow discipline or they’d get nothing, did it finally quieten down.

When no one was speaking loudly anymore, the communications officer discussed this matter.

"I know what you want to ask, but before that, there’s another incident I wish to bring to your attention."

"Regarding the Paradise Island case..."

At this point, a reporter instantly expressed dissatisfaction, interrupting the officer mid-sentence, "We don’t care about these, we just want to know whether those photos are real and where the President is?"

The communications officer glanced at the reporter; the sentiment resonated with many peers, at this moment discussing Paradise Island case, no one cares, people only worry about whether the President did something inappropriate.

Understand, in the Federation, adultery and disrupting one’s family is a severe moral issue!

An immoral person doesn’t deserve to be President!

The communications officer pointed at the reporter, "Please escort him out; I suspect he is connected to the Paradise Island case..."

Other reporters wished to say something, including that disrupted her but the officer raised her voice and activated the microphone.

"I’ve said, I know what you want to know, but these two issues are connected; if you want firsthand information, best to quietly finish listening to me."

The room instantly quietened, apart from the scolding from the reporter being dragged out in the distance, there was no sound among everyone.

The communications officer slightly nodded, then continued, "The Paradise Island case has made significant progress; we have arrested Horn White and extracted more shocking details from him."

"These matters involve over three hundred government officials including, but not limited to, Bupen local government officials, covering nearly every region nationwide.

"A case implicating so many people conceals a family little known— the Duncan Clan..."

At this point, reporters realized this news was actually as important as presidential adultery.

People started swiftly recording, with journalists using their unique shorthand method, jotting down those keywords.

As the specific list and their charges were announced more, reporters began feeling uneasy.

It might be one of the federal’s history’s largest cases involving wealth and power transactions, affecting many Members of Parliament, even current or former Governors.

After the officer read most of the list and accusations, she refocused on those reporters at the conference scene, "We urge these individuals to promptly surrender themselves at the nearest Federation Police Station or FBI."

"Starting this moment, after twelve hours, during the arrest of these individuals, we will issue a red notice throughout the Federation."

"Today I discuss this matter before the news you care about because the matters related to the President personally were orchestrated by Paradise Island’s mastermind, Jeruno of the Duncan Clan."

"This is a frame-up, a retaliatory attack to hinder our deeper investigation of Paradise Island cases and the Duncan Clan’s criminal conducts!"

"According to our intelligence, the Duncan Clan is connected to over ten thousand confirmed kidnappings, murders..."

The communications officer deftly altered the scandal concept, making it an act of revenge, and as one piece after another unknown fact emerged, reporters went berserk!

This was so damn thrilling!

Even till the end, people didn’t have time to ask whether the President’s adulterous photos were genuine, the officer left the scene.

Afterwards, various media started reporting these contents.

Those closely related to Duncan Clan, or controlled by them, toned down these aspects and chiefly discussed presidential adultery, whereas media unrelated to Duncan focused on another problem.

That is, the Duncan Clan; what is their background to manipulate so many federal government officials.

And how were they tied to over ten thousand cases!

At this moment, the Duncan Clan and current Federation Government, or rather, top levels of both parties already commenced hand-to-hand combat without holding back.

Moreover, the Duncan Clan is fast falling behind.

People were indeed curious about the President’s adultery, but what interests them more was the "Empire in Shadows."

This term— "Empire in Shadows" originated from a sci-fi movie, a dark-themed film adapted from the bestselling sci-fi novel, "Black Moon."

In this novel, the influence of the world government is replaced by major conglomerates, particularly tech companies, becoming invisible rulers.

Within the dark-themed worldview, these major tech firms shared a common name, "Empire in Shadows," denoting their terrifying power!

Now, elements from the novel appeared in reality, which didn’t bring excitement to fans or readers, but instead sent chills down their spines.

One missing list after another, with or without photos, all represented lives vanishing under Duncan Clan’s trampling!

Just how cruel must one be to carry out such terrifying acts?

In contrast to the President’s adultery where the victim was his wife, Duncan Clan’s exposure let many realize in their face the entire society’s middle and lower classes became potential victim groups.

Especially some Federation Families whose members had gone missing and not returned, they furiously protested for their children possibly being kidnapped, sold, abused, even killed by Duncan Clan!

The streets are filled with people denouncing the Duncan Clan, which didn’t align with Jeruno’s prediction at all!