Chapter 571 - 268: Schrödinger’s Monroe
At that point, the bigwigs in Washington, whether they liked it or not, would have to come begging. They’d all have to answer to him.
It was a shortcut to the White House.
But the risk was just as massive.
Monroe’s heart hammered in his chest.
Choosing this path meant betraying Washington now.
It meant being sidelined by the mainstream media, perhaps even investigated by Federation Agencies.
Even more terrifying was Leo Wallace.
If Monroe chose this path, he would have to be constantly on guard against Leo.
Leo was just a Mayor, yet he already dared to challenge the Governor and defy Washington.
’If I become Governor but still have to rely on Leo’s voter base, what kind of Governor would I be?’
’Leo’s puppet?’
’Just a rubber stamp, a figurehead?’
’If one day Leo’s ambitions grew, and he decided he wanted to be Governor, or even run for President, what could I do to stop him?’
This was simply asking a tiger for its hide.
Monroe paced back and forth in his office.
The carpet was thick, but it felt as if he were walking on razor blades.
A few months ago, Monroe wouldn’t have been this conflicted.
Back then, he was being suppressed by his own party, pushed to the sidelines. He’d been desperate for a breakthrough and had no choice but to work with Leo.
A man with nothing to lose fears no one.
But things were different now.
Washington had called. An olive branch had been extended.
He had something to lose now.
He had options.
And once a man has options, he becomes weak, constantly weighing what he might gain or lose.
Monroe stared at the phone on his coffee table.
He had to make a decision.
Washington was waiting for his answer. Leo was waiting for him to make a move.
"Damn it."
Monroe cursed under his breath.
He hated this feeling—being caught in the middle, his fate in someone else’s hands.
Whether it was Raymond Walker or Leo Wallace holding the reins, it was all equally disgusting to him.
He wanted to be the one in control of his own destiny.
’What if...?’
A thought surfaced in Monroe’s mind.
’What if I first use Washington’s power to cripple Leo, beat him into submission, and then absorb his forces?’
’Or... I could use Leo to get into office, and once I’ve secured the Governor’s seat, I could turn around and sell him out to Washington?’
It was a Politician’s instinct.
To play both sides.
But that would require incredible finesse. It was like walking a tightrope over a cliff—one wrong step and he would be smashed to pieces.
Leo wasn’t a fool, and neither was that bunch in Washington.
Who would give him an opening like that?
Monroe’s head felt like it was about to split open.
Just then, his phone suddenly started to vibrate.
BZZZT—BZZZT—
The sound was jarring in the silent office.
Monroe glanced at the screen. It was a local number with no contact name saved.
His pupils contracted slightly.
At this hour, very few people knew this private number.
’Is it Leo?’
’Is that madman calling to pressure me into action again?’
’Or to threaten me?’
Monroe took a deep breath, steadying himself.
He had to remain calm.
Whatever his private feelings, he couldn’t afford to make an enemy of Leo just yet.
He needed to keep that madman in check.
Monroe reached out and picked up the phone.
"Hello."
Monroe’s voice was low, laced with a deliberately feigned calm.
"Aston."
An old, tired, yet incredibly familiar voice came from the other end of the line.
The voice made Monroe’s blood run cold.
It wasn’t Leo Wallace.
"This is the Governor of Pennsylvania, Bob Campbell."
The voice on the other end of the line was calm—so calm it was bone-chilling.
Monroe felt his heart skip a beat.
’Why would Campbell be calling him at a time like this?’
’Has he discovered something?’
’Or did someone in Washington leak the details?’
A thousand thoughts raced through Monroe’s mind, making him feel dizzy.
"Governor," Monroe responded. "It’s so late, you..."
"Aston, I know you’re in your office."
Campbell’s voice cut him off.
"I also know whose call you’re waiting for."
Monroe’s back was instantly soaked in cold sweat.
’He knows everything.’
Monroe subconsciously glanced at his office door.
"Don’t be nervous, son."
Campbell seemed to have seen right through his fear.
"I’m not calling to condemn you."
"Quite the opposite."
Campbell’s voice was laced with a deep sense of resignation.
"I’m here to help you."
"Help me?" Monroe was stunned. He didn’t understand.
"I know Washington reached out to you," Campbell said slowly.
"And I know Leo Wallace has, too."
"Right now, you’re like a piece of meat caught between two boulders, liable to be crushed into paste at any moment."
"You’re hesitating, weighing your options, trying to figure out which choice will benefit you the most."
"That’s normal. It’s a Politician’s instinct."
Campbell paused.
"But, Aston, have you ever considered a third option?"
"What... what option?" Monroe asked instinctively.
"An option where you don’t have to betray anyone, and you don’t have to be a puppet."
Campbell’s voice grew serious.
"I want to make a deal with you."
"About the Governor’s seat."
"And about the future of Pennsylvania."
"Are you free right now?"
"I’m right downstairs."
"In a black Lincoln."
Monroe stood frozen by the window, phone still in hand.
He looked down.
In the pitch-black parking lot, a black sedan sat parked in silence, its headlights off.
It was like a beast lurking in the darkness.
Monroe knew that tonight, he had to make his choice.