[Chapter 589: Speaker's Granddaughter, War Breaks Out]
Over the next two days, Linton smoothly completed his onboarding process, officially assuming the roles of Chief Honorary Advisor to both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Much like the White House, both chambers assigned him two offices each -- one for himself and his secretary, the other for his team. The House offices were about the same size as his White House quarters, allowing a team of four, slightly smaller than the White House allowance. The Senate, true to its reputation as the elder chamber, provided much more spacious offices: two rooms, each about 2000 square feet. Linton's office even included a small conference room. The Senate allowed him to assemble a six-person team.
Despite these prestigious appointments -- Chief Honorary Advisor to the White House, the Senate, and the House -- Linton didn't give them much importance. He had no immediate plans to recruit staff either; first, he wanted to see if any suitable candidates existed within his two media companies before considering external hires. There was no rush.
However, that Wednesday, right after taking office at the House of Representatives, something completely unexpected happened.
...
At 3 PM, he was invited to visit the office of Speaker Newt Gingrich in the House. To his surprise, there was a stunningly beautiful young woman in her early twenties waiting there -- a figure with an irresistibly hot physique.
Seeing Linton enter, Newt Gingrich warmly introduced her. "Linton, this is Denise, my favorite granddaughter. She just graduated last year from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania."
Linton felt puzzled -- what was this about? Still, he extended his right hand politely. "Hello, Denise."
Denise offered her fair right hand in return. "Hello, Linton, I'm a big fan of yours."
"A fan? That's great -- thank you for your support."
"I'm actually a key member of your fan club chapter at our university. Could you please sign this for me?" She then pulled out a small, elegant notebook from her bag.
Denise's personality was quite pleasant -- cheerful, confident, yet well-mannered. After obtaining the autograph, she shared a few jokes with Linton, then quietly sat beside him, listening as he and Newt Gingrich talked.
While Linton and Newt were on friendly terms, they hadn't reached the level of mixing in each other's inner circles. As he chatted with Newt, part of Linton's mind stayed alert, wondering if this sly old fox was trying to lure him with a beauty.
...
And indeed, he guessed right. Since Linton's ruthless crackdown in Washington had severely weakened the Elephant Party's influence, Newt Gingrich had developed a profound respect for Linton's immense power. He knew Linton was surely going to be one of America's future big bosses.
Facing the Elephant Party's current crisis, Newt Gingrich, as party leader and patriarch of a long-established political dynasty, had to think strategically -- both about how to counter the Democrats and how to ensure his family's legacy.
The idea had struck him then: could they forge an alliance through marriage with this extraordinarily capable future overlord? His beloved granddaughter was the perfect age for marriage.
However, after a thorough background check, discovering that Linton openly maintained over 20 women and had fathered four children, Newt Gingrich's plan vanished utterly.
'What a joke,' he thought. 'I'm a respected Republican Party leader, and our lineage traces all the way back to the Mayflower. There's no way I'd marry my legitimate granddaughter off as some nameless, powerless lover.'
Still, he saw Linton as an immense potential asset. Even if a marriage alliance was impossible, securing an alliance was essential -- especially given the turbulent state of the Elephant Party.
Back home, Newt Gingrich pulled all family records of women aged 18 to 25 and settled on Denise.
Denise was the granddaughter of his late cousin, a branch of the family. Though she didn't enjoy the same level of resources as his direct descendants, she lived in comfort with elite education and access to numerous privileges from a young age. She had just graduated with honors from Wharton and was now interning at the family's energy company.
Traditionally, girls like Denise, from collateral branches, had two paths: either serve as marriage tools to strengthen alliances with less powerful families or, if talented enough, rapidly rise in a few years to senior roles in the family's businesses. Marriage was never their own choice -- they would either remain single or marry into the family to support its prosperity.
But now, Newt Gingrich had a new plan: send Denise to Linton's side, making her his liaison, winning Linton's favor and potential backing for the family.
As for what kind of place she would hold -- whether she could gain special favor or become Linton's legitimate partner -- it depended entirely on her own abilities.
Newt personally returned to the family stronghold in Boston to discuss the matter thoroughly with Denise and her parents.
After offering very attractive terms, Denise happily agreed.
...
Denise herself wasn't against the idea; in fact, she was secretly thrilled.
After all, Linton was the world's top movie and music superstar -- a figure she'd admired long before and represented at her school's fan club leadership. Being close to her idol was not hard to accept.
But what attracted her even more wasn't just Linton's star power. At such a young age, he owned two major media companies, had developed revolutionary Beauty and Vitality Pills, was among the wealthiest in the world, and had recently risen to prominence in Washington politics. Even the Elephant Party's leader needed to use family ties to woo him.
Such a man was practically the dream lover of every young woman worldwide, herself included.
Now that she had the chance to move into his orbit, it was the perfect opportunity. She could be the first to gain his favor -- possibly even win him entirely. The thought was intoxicating.
...
Newt Gingrich's instructions were clear: do whatever it takes to become one of Linton's women.
Some might see Linton's already large harem as a barrier, but Denise knew better. Even Newt Gingrich had his own mistresses outside the family.
So she arrived brimming with dreams and anticipation. Beforehand, she had thoroughly studied all the data Newt gave her about Linton -- his personality, preferences, even the three former assistants to pay special attention to: Winnie, Meena, and Li Xiaoran.
...
Starting Tuesday, the White House began priming the American public through mainstream media, emphasizing the threat Iraq posed to America.
All media outlets aligned their narratives. For world peace, for the protection of American life and happiness, and for retaliation against previous terrorist attacks on American soil, the United States must militarily strike Iraq and eliminate all threats.
TV networks flooded their programming with war-supporting experts who championed military action from every angle.
Newt Gingrich and Linton privately discussed the upcoming congressional vote on the Iraq deployment, which was now almost a done deal.
Their conversation was open, even with Denise present -- they both fully supported the resolution.
...
After the official discussion, Newt Gingrich finally revealed his true intent, recommending Denise.
"Linton, Denise has always been an exemplary student. She graduated with honors from Wharton, she's beautiful, and a diehard fan of yours. She has even promoted your work tirelessly every time you released something."
"That's great; thank you," Linton replied.
"Your career is incredibly successful. Could you do me a favor? I want Denise to learn from you and deepen the friendship between us."
Linton was taken aback. "Are you kidding me? Denise is so talented, she could make it anywhere -- why come to me?"
"No, no, no. Your place is exactly where she belongs. I guarantee she'll be obedient, follow every order you give, and satisfy any request 100%."
Linton was stunned. 'What the hell? Is this a job placement or a thinly veiled offer to make her my slave? Is she even worth that much?'
Just as he hesitated on how to refuse, Denise stood promptly and bowed deeply to Linton. "Sir, please accept me. I'm capable, and I'm obedient."
At this point, refusing would make him appear ungrateful and risk ending his friendship with Newt Gingrich.
But if he accepted, what would Clinton and Hillary think? What about the Democrats? He had never publicly supported them anyway, and with his current power, he couldn't afford to care.
His ultimate goal was to be America's true puppet master -- the "supreme overlord," not the Democrats'.
From a national perspective, balanced power between the two parties ensured political stability, so accepting Denise didn't seem problematic.
As Newt Gingrich and Denise anxiously awaited, Linton finally replied with certainty.
"Alright, I agree. Denise, go home and prepare. Next week, come to Los Angeles to meet me. We'll discuss your role in detail."
"Thank you, boss. I'm already ready -- I can leave with you now."
"No need to rush. I have to attend the congressional vote on Iraq tomorrow, then leave Washington the next morning. We'll go together."
"Should I assist you these two days?"
"No, I brought my own assistant. Besides, my workload is light for the next couple of days. Just rest and spend time with your grandfather."
Putting her on as assistant now would openly announce a secret alliance with Newt Gingrich. Even if he didn't care about the Democrats, this wasn't the time to show off.
Seeing Linton agree, Newt Gingrich relaxed and didn't press the matter.
"Good thinking, Linton. Denise, spend the next two days with your parents. Once you're in LA, take good care of Linton. Everything revolves around him. After that, you won't be able to visit us so casually."
Damn, the old fox was getting more blatant -- mentioning "taking care" so openly. Surely Denise wasn't his real granddaughter.
"Denise, it won't be as harsh as your grandfather says. Working with me means you'll have normal vacations."
"Alright, no more talk. I have a bottle of 1982 Lafite here. Let's celebrate our friendship."
...
The next day, Congress held a joint session to review the White House's report and funding request for military action against Iraq to combat terrorism.
As expected, the plan passed overwhelmingly.
An additional $500 billion in military spending was approved.
At 3:30 PM, the White House held a press conference announcing the official launch of military operations against Iraq -- shaking the world.
Stock markets and futures reacted immediately. Within thirty minutes, defense stocks surged over 30%.
Oil and gold contracts jumped 10%, and major agricultural commodities also rose significantly.
...
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein immediately protested to the UN, demanding intervention to stop America's illegal invasion.
Numerous countries condemned America's hegemonic behavior, protesting the unauthorized attack as a violation of international law.
But these protests were meaningless. That afternoon, the US military launched the operation. Five aircraft carriers set sail in mighty formation from Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia, toward the Arabian Peninsula.
America's staunch allies in NATO responded swiftly, contributing troops and funds to form a coalition with the US to strike Iraq.
Everyone knew this was a rare chance to openly join the dominant power in plundering another nation.
The UN, utterly powerless and afraid, was limited to a mild statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan calling for restraint and dialogue.
...
That evening, still in the presidential suite of the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Linton, Winnie, and Hillary sipped red wine, exuberantly discussing their investment windfall.
Linton was surprised that after three nights of intimate gatherings, Hillary and Winnie had become close friends -- calling each other sisters.
America's war against Iraq had made them huge profits -- a true wartime bonanza.
In fact, as early as the previous week, when the media barely hinted at the conflict, related stocks and futures had begun slow climbs.
This week's widespread media hype sent them skyrocketing.
This afternoon's official announcement pushed those stocks and futures into a frenzy.
In the stock market, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon had soared over 50% compared to a month ago.
Gold and oil futures for March rose over 25%, and the agricultural contracts jumped over 15%.
Considering futures leverage, often at least 10x, this meant that for an initial $2 billion investment each, profits had already exceeded $3 billion.
With the war's outbreak, an additional surge was certain -- profits of over $5 billion per investor were within reach.
Fueled by their newfound wealth, the three eagerly resumed their lively gatherings...
The sweet, joyful songs filled the room again...
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
https://discord.gg/HjHHhUXPn7.