"A new emperor brings new courtiers" is a saying that applies equally well abroad.
The quadrennial US presidential election determines the fate of countless officials, especially those at the top of the pyramid like Jack Harvey. For them, the election is judgment day.
If they had a choice, they would wish for the election to be delayed by a hundred years.
Alas, fantasy is just fantasy.
Luke speared a piece of lamb chop and chuckled, "Mr. Harvey, do you know what the biggest difference between you and me is?"
"It's the ass. The chair under your ass doesn't belong to you, and it has an expiration date—at most four years, eight years, or ten years. Once the term is up, you have to get up, give up the chair, and let someone else's ass sit on it. But I'm different. The chair under my ass is something I earned with my own hands; it belongs only to me. As my strength grows, my chair will rise higher and higher, to no end."
"The election will be over in one month and ten days. What will you do then? I'm truly worried about you."
Jack Harvey said coldly, "You should worry about yourself!"
"Me!"
Luke burst out laughing, "As a kind, upright, humble, and polite law-abiding citizen in a country with a sound legal system, what is there to worry about?"
"Alright, Director, I'm not joking with you anymore. I can tell you don't have a sense of humor. Let's talk business. Tell me, why did you go to such great lengths to invite me here?"
Jack Harvey waved his hand, and all the guards left.
Luke turned his head and said,
"You go too."
"Understood, young master."
Adam nodded slightly and turned to leave.
Once he was gone, only the old man and the young man remained in the vast second-floor dining room.
The old man poured half a glass of whiskey down his throat and said coldly, "I'm very aware of your collaboration with that darkie."
"Darkie?"
Luke was stunned for a moment, then hesitated, "Amanda Waller?"
"Who else but her?"
Luke quickly shook his head, "No, no, no, no, I think you've misunderstood. I haven't collaborated with her."
"Do you think I'll believe that?"
Jack Harvey's lips curled into a grin. After a few drinks, his grog blossom nose became even redder. "She left the newly formed A.R.G.U.S. unattended and specifically took a fighter jet to Coast City to find you..."
Luke clapped his hands, "As expected of the highest intelligence agency in the US, you can even plant informants in A.R.G.U.S. However, you really have misunderstood. Her purpose in finding me was the same as yours: she had something to ask of me."
Jack Harvey narrowed his eyes, "Kid, I never said I was asking you for anything."
"Really?"
Luke's eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "You came to find me, wasn't it for the alien?"
Jack Harvey: "..."
What a cunning kid!
Luke put down his knife and fork, leaned back in his chair, and meticulously wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth with a napkin. His meaningful expression was like an old hunter setting bait and waiting for a fox to take it.
Although he was not old, his way of speaking and choice of words made Jack Harvey, who had experienced countless ups and downs in life, feel a pang of discomfort. After a moment of silence, he said hoarsely,
"Where is the alien?"
Luke shook his head, "With all due respect, even catching the alien won't help your future much. The Director of the FBI is appointed by the President for a ten-year term, and you've served for thirteen years. As for those extra three years, I don't need to tell you what happened.
Those people in the Senate and Congress didn't want a President with a cult background to control an important department like the FBI, which is why they fully supported you and allowed you to shine in the Director's position. But what about you? You investigated for three years and still didn't find any criminal evidence against His Excellency the President." He paused, then shrugged,
"It is indeed disappointing."
Jack Harvey gritted his teeth and roared, word by word,
"How do you know these inside stories?"
"Why shouldn't I know?"
The rhetorical question left Jack Harvey speechless. The Hongmen had its own power in the political arena, and as its heir, there was no reason for him not to know.
Luke propped his hands on the table, "You only had one chance,
but you missed it. After this election, whether Joel Nash wins or his opponent wins, you will be kicked out. This is a certain outcome.
I don't understand. The outcome is already set, so why cause more trouble? Are you just that unwilling to accept it?"
Jack Harvey gritted his teeth, "Do you think I'd be willing?"
"Of course not. How could someone who has tasted cheese give up such a sweet temptation? Moreover, your current situation is so awkward; once you give up, the consequences will be dire. If I were you, I wouldn't give up either."
"Then tell me everything you know."
Jack Harvey roared like a grizzly bear.
"Why should I tell you?"
Luke narrowed his eyes, and a flicker of green flame flashed deep within his pupils. Jack felt as if struck by lightning, a tremendous fear surging from deep within him. His calves went weak, and he slumped directly into his chair.
Luke leaned forward, staring intently at him,
"Tell me, Director Harvey, why should I tell you? On what grounds?!"
The old man pressed against the table, forcing himself to remain upright. "You're right, I will indeed be leaving office in a month, but don't forget, I am still the Director of the FBI. I hold the secrets of many people and the futures of many, such as your little girlfriend, Emily Song."
Luke smiled helplessly, "If you do that, it would be great. I've always wanted Emily to resign from the FBI and be my personal secretary, but unfortunately, she doesn't agree; she's determined to punish evil and promote good."
The old man sneered, "You really don't care?"
Luke shrugged, "How could I not care? But there has to be a limit. If you use her as a threat, I can only make her give up her dream."
Jack Harvey stroked his beard and chuckled, like an old fox whose scheme had succeeded,
"I knew you wouldn't give her up."
"Before this, I conducted a detailed investigation into you, especially your private life. You're quite a womanizer; you've slept with more women than you can count on three hands. But two are very special: one is the girl from the Ferris family, and the other is Emily."
"Emily is excellent—smart, decisive, with a certain degree of leadership and decision-making ability. If she's properly cultivated, she will certainly achieve remarkable things in the future. I imagine you wouldn't overlook this point. Given that, why not cooperate? I'm sixty-five this year; I can at most work for ten more years. In ten years, Emily will have grown, and there's no reason why she couldn't become the first female Director, don't you think?"
Luke said speechlessly, "Mr. Harvey, with your imagination, it's a pity you don't write novels. The problem is, I still don't know what your goal is."
"Two things."
Jack Harvey sat back down, his tone serious as he said,
"First, the alien. I know you have information about him; don't try to hide it. Second, Joel Nash, that damn bastard. The reason he's so lucky is because he has a group of stupid devil worshippers backing him. I want you to help me get rid of them. The credit will go to Emily, as capital for her promotion."
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