Chapter 514 - 238: Ambition versus Ambition
Harrisburg. In the press conference hall of the State Capitol Building, over a hundred reporters were crammed into the narrow space.
THUD.
The side door opened.
The once-raucous conference hall fell silent in an instant.
Bob Campbell walked in.
The Governor of Pennsylvania had a strange, tragic air about him.
He wore a dark blue suit and tie, but his face was pale, and the bags under his eyes were puffy.
Aston Monroe followed half a step behind him, his expression solemn and his eyes downcast, perfectly playing the part of a loyal deputy.
Campbell walked up to the podium.
He lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over the reporters below before seeming to look through the camera lenses, toward somewhere far away.
Perhaps that place was Washington.
"Everyone."
"Today, Pennsylvania stands at a crossroads."
He paused, taking a deep breath.
"As Governor, my primary duty is to uphold the law, maintain order, and protect the safety and dignity of every citizen of this state."
"Over the past week, we have witnessed a fierce debate over healthcare reform."
"I had sincerely hoped that through the Medicine Benefits Transparency and Fairness Bill, we could improve our state’s healthcare environment, lower drug prices, and allow more people to afford the care they need."
Campbell’s fingers gently brushed across the documents on the podium.
"That was my original intent, and my promise as Governor."
The sound of camera shutters from the audience was as dense as rain.
"But."
Campbell’s tone grew stern.
"Regrettably, this bill, which was originally intended to benefit the public, has been hijacked by certain politicians with ulterior motives."
He didn’t name names, but everyone knew who he was talking about.
"They don’t want reform. They don’t want constructive dialogue."
Campbell pointed out the window, his finger trembling.
"Look outside! Look at the thugs storming the State Capitol Building! Look at the hatred they’ve incited!"
"All they want is chaos."
"They are trying to coerce our democracy with violence and hijack the legislative process with riots."
"This is a blatant violation of the rule of law in Pennsylvania!"
Campbell’s voice rose to a roar. His face was flushed, and the veins on his neck bulged.
"I, Bob Campbell, will never bow down to rioters."
"Nor will I allow a sacred piece of legislation to become a tool for certain ambitious politicians to seize power."
"To uphold the rule of law, to restore order, and to prevent our state from becoming an anarchist’s playground."
"I hereby formally announce that I am withdrawing the Medicine Benefits Transparency and Fairness Bill."
Campbell lifted his head and looked directly into the cameras.
"Furthermore, I have signed an executive order authorizing the state police to take all necessary measures to disperse the illegal assembly in the square and restore order to Harrisburg."
"I am warning everyone who is instigating this riot from behind the scenes."
"Cease your activities."
"Pennsylvania will not be blackmailed."
With that, Campbell refused to take any questions from the reporters, turned, and left.
He felt he had made the right choice.
For the greater good, for the sake of order, and for his own future in Washington, he had sacrificed his immediate reputation.
Aston Monroe, standing to the side and slightly behind the podium, still wore that same solemn expression.
But in the instant Campbell turned, in the split second all the cameras followed the governor’s retreating back...
The corner of Monroe’s mouth hooked upward, just barely.
’The path is clear.’
’Campbell had personally buried his own political foundation.’
’And Monroe, as Vice Governor, had remained perfectly in the shadows during this turmoil. He was just a helpless subordinate, forced to follow orders.’
’One day, he could even claim he had been forced, that he was the one who tried to salvage the situation but was powerless to stop it.’
He straightened his suit, quickened his pace to catch up with the Governor, and resumed his role as the loyal deputy.
...
「Pittsburgh City Hall, Mayor’s Office.」
The television on the wall was replaying Bob Campbell’s press conference.
"...I hereby formally announce that I am withdrawing the Medicine Benefits Transparency and Fairness Bill..."
Leo Wallace sat behind his desk, holding his usual Montblanc pen.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
The tip of the pen tapped rhythmically against the desktop, a monotonous sound.
Although his gaze remained on the screen, his thoughts had already drifted far away.
The air began to distort, and the scenery outside the window rapidly rewound.
Sunset turned to sunrise, rain flowed back into the sky, and the crowds that had scattered from the square re-formed into black dots before vanishing over the horizon.
Time rewound to an earlier point, to the late night when Leo had discussed the entire plan with Roosevelt.
...
「In the consciousness space.」
The fire in the hearth was roaring. Roosevelt sat in his familiar wheelchair with a cigarette holder in hand, wreathed in smoke.
Leo stood across from him, his brow deeply furrowed.
"Mr. President, we’re trapped," Leo said. "The healthcare system is an iron fortress. Washington has blocked our path. If we can’t break through, the Mutual Aid Alliance will be dead on arrival."
"The key to breaking the stalemate isn’t the bill itself."
Roosevelt flicked his ash, his tone calm.
"It lies with a person."
"On this chessboard, there is one key piece. If you can move him, the entire game will come alive."
Roosevelt held up a single finger.
"Aston Monroe."
"Monroe?" Leo was puzzled. "He’s a classic member of the Establishment Faction, one of Philadelphia’s elite. He hates my guts after what happened with Murphy’s campaign. Why would he ever help me?"
"It’s precisely because he hates you, and precisely because he’s a member of the Establishment Faction, that he is your perfect opening."