Chapter 534 - 247: William Saint Cloud
"Keep that face of yours looking immaculate."
"Keep your attire looking distinguished."
"Let everyone see that a Saint Claude is sitting there."
"That will be enough."
William cowered in the corner of his seat, his body trembling.
This fear wasn’t just born from a panic about the unfamiliar world of politics, but also from an instinctive repulsion to shouldering responsibility.
"I won’t do it."
William shook his head.
"This is insane. What if I screw it up? What if reporters ask me questions? I’ll be exposed. I’ll become a disgrace to the family."
"I want to go back to Milan, or even Paris. I don’t want to go to Harrisburg."
"You’re already a disgrace to the family."
Evelyn looked at him, the last shred of patience in her eyes vanishing.
She took a document out of her briefcase and threw it on William’s lap.
"This is the review form for your next quarterly trust fund payment," Evelyn said coldly.
"And the statements for your Amex black card."
"Last month, you lost three hundred thousand dollars in a single game in Monaco. You bought a sports car for some no-name model in London for two hundred thousand dollars."
"And then there are the maintenance fees for your villa on Long Island, New York."
"All told, that’s eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars," Evelyn announced the figure.
"The family office has yet to approve the payment."
William was stunned.
He stared at the papers on his lap, the color draining from his face.
For him, being cut off financially was a fate worse than death.
He had no job skills, no ability to survive on his own. Without the family’s support, he wouldn’t last a single day out in the world.
"This is an assignment from the family, William."
Evelyn’s voice became intensely pressuring.
"And it’s the condition for you to continue receiving your trust fund money."
"If you refuse, if you turn this car around and head back to the airport right now..."
"Then, starting tomorrow, all of your credit cards will be frozen and your villa will be repossessed. You won’t even have enough money for an economy-class ticket back to Milan."
"You’ll be out on the street."
"The Saint Claude Family doesn’t support idlers. Even a waste of space has to have some use."
"Right now, your value is that position as Acting President of the Senate."
William swallowed hard.
He looked at Evelyn.
He saw the finality in her eyes. She wasn’t joking.
This was a deal.
The price for continuing his extravagant lifestyle was his freedom, his reputation, and becoming a political puppet.
William took a deep breath.
His brain was spinning rapidly.
’Actually... when I think about it, this doesn’t sound so bad.’
’I don’t have to do any real work, just sit there.’
’Someone will tell me what to do.’
’And that title, "Acting President of the Senate," does sound pretty impressive.’
’It might be a good conversation starter at the next party.’
’Compared to being homeless, going to Harrisburg to be a mascot seems like an acceptable option.’
"Alright."
William’s voice softened, laced with a resigned compromise.
"As long as I don’t have to read any documents or give any long-winded speeches."
"And..."
William pointed at his own clothes.
"I need to change. This shirt isn’t right for that kind of occasion."
Evelyn nodded, her face cold.
"Your clothes have already been prepared."
"They’re in the trunk."
"A custom-tailored, dark blue suit, a conservative tie, and a pair of brightly polished Oxford shoes."
"By the time we get to Harrisburg, you’ll look like a real politician."
The car entered the highway.
The scenery outside the window gradually changed from the bustling city of Philadelphia to the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania.
William leaned against the window, watching the trees flying past outside.
’He suddenly felt his life was absurd.’
’Just a few hours ago, he was sipping champagne at a fashion show in Milan.’
’Now, he was on his way to a position whose title he probably couldn’t even spell.’
’And it was all because of some madman from Pittsburgh named Leo Wallace.’
"Evelyn."
William suddenly asked.
"This Leo... what exactly is he trying to do?"
"Why is he going to all this trouble to prop up someone like me?"
Evelyn looked straight ahead.
"Because he wants to upend this state," Evelyn answered calmly.
"He wants to build a new order on these ruins."
"And in this new order, even a fool has his uses."
William curled his lip.
"Sounds scary."
"It is scary."
Evelyn turned her head, looking at her good-for-nothing cousin.
"So, when you get there, you’d best do exactly as you’re told."
"If you screw this up, frozen credit cards will be the least of your worries."
"He might throw you directly into the Monongahela River to feed the fish."
William shuddered and said no more.
The motorcade continued to speed west.
Harrisburg’s dome was already in sight.
There, a long-rehearsed grand drama awaited its leading man’s entrance.
In Pittsburgh, Leo put down the phone.
Ethan stood in front of his desk.
"Is it done?" Ethan asked.
"It’s done." Leo nodded. "The Saint Claude Family’s mascot is on his way."
"And the Republicans?"
"Taylor already got back to us," Ethan replied. "He’s lined up his people. They’ll move to oust the current president, then cast their votes for William."
"Excellent."
Leo stood up.
"Everything is in place."
"We are about to witness the most critical election in Pennsylvania’s history."
"A Democratic president backed by the Republican Party, a puppet who knows nothing, and a governor who’s about to become a figurehead."
Leo walked over to a map and viciously jammed a red pin into Harrisburg’s location.
"The net is finally closing."
He turned around and looked at Ethan.
"Get ready."
"Next week, we’re going to Philadelphia."
"I want to watch that fool pick up the gavel with my own eyes."
"Why Philadelphia?" Ethan asked. "The State Senate is in Harrisburg."
"It would be boring to watch such a legendary moment all by myself."
Leo looked at Ethan.
"I’m going to find our ally and enjoy the show with her."
"I want her to see with her own eyes what kind of return she’s getting on her wager."
"It will also put her at ease."
"Let her know that while I may be holding a knife, it isn’t pointed at her."
"At least, not yet."