Upon hearing Jack's news, a stunning smile crossed Maureen's lips, leaving the Pentagon staffers who were secretly observing the first female president in federal history stunned.
In fact, if nothing unexpected happens, Maureen will become the youngest president in federal history at just over 40 years old.
The previous record holder was Theodore Roosevelt, known as "Old Roosevelt" and nicknamed "Teddy.
" Their rise to power was surprisingly similar. In 1900, Roosevelt became Vice President. However, the following year, on September 6, 1901, McKinley, then the 25th President of the United States, was assassinated. After a week of rescue, he died.
So, on September 14, at the age of 42, Roosevelt became the youngest president in federal history.
Roosevelt also proved that those who became presidents through vacant seats can sometimes perform better than those elected through formal elections.
He spent his entire life battling monopoly capital, or the various industry giants then known as "trusts," and mostly emerged victorious, earning him the nickname "Trustbusters."
Roosevelt not only secured his three-year interim presidency but also successfully secured a second term. During this time, he mediated the Russo-Japanese War, built the Panama Canal, intervened in Latin American affairs, and dispatched the "Great White Fleet" on a circumnavigation of the globe.
From a federal perspective, this president, who rose to power through unconventional means, could be considered "great."
Maureen and Zoe were the same age, but she met Jack several years later, and by the time they were together, they were already considered serious veterans.
You have to remember that in Europe and America, there's no such thing as a woman three years older than her husband is considered a rich man, or a woman three thousand years older than her husband is considered a fairy. Despite the current trend of "pluralism," as long as there's the claim of true love, even an eighty-year-old woman and an eighteen-year-old man can be together without criticism.
The problem is, there's always a shortage of younger and more beautiful women around him.
As a seasoned psychologist, Maureen, seemingly driven by a desire to enjoy life to the fullest, actually lived a life of mediocrity, treating every moment with Jack as if it were their last.
From initial curiosity to a blossoming love, Jack's Professor Cahill gradually degenerated from a "playful" companionship to a life of obsession, ultimately becoming preoccupied with the prospect of losing everything.
This continued until Zoe entered politics, needing to shed her single persona. Maureen keenly sensed an opportunity within.
The thrill of hormones is fleeting, and even the most beautiful women eventually age.
Despite Jack's assurances that she could maintain her current mature charm even in her 60s, Maureen's complacency had long since faded. She desired more.
Becoming Jack's wife was clearly wishful thinking. Whether she could outmaneuver Hannah and Jiejie, Zoe's temper made it impossible for her to achieve her goal.
So she devised a devious strategy, transforming herself into Zoe's lesbian "wife," betting on someone who was loyal (or unfaithful) and wouldn't abandon any relationship she'd set foot on.
Maureen's "magic trick" proved successful. While Jack wouldn't abandon either of the two women, it did effectively strengthen their relationship.
Zoe and Maureen's careers were closely tied to the development of the Shangri-La Group, and the combination of affection and profit formed an unbreakable bond.
The two women's willingness to back down even evoked a certain guilt in Jack, effectively creating a retreat-to-advance strategy and providing him with even more "compensation."
While the prime age for European and American women is around 20, some Hollywood actresses can extend that by a decade or so through various "high-tech" skincare regimens.
But after the age of 35, even cosmetic procedures can only provide minor cosmetic improvements.
Maureen and Zoe, however, don't need cosmetic procedures; they rarely even use concealer.
This may be why, when the Han president visited with his wife, who has a plastic-faced face, the president was worried his Indian wife wouldn't be able to handle the situation, and insisted that Zoe, a female senator, accompany them.
Despite their relatively young political careers, Zoe and Maureen, a same-sex couple, have become a hot topic among women and fashion magazines, thanks to their star-studded looks.
It turns out that most people in the world are sensual creatures, and after witnessing Maureen's apparent skill, many in the audience began to reflect on their appearance, finding the idea of such a striking female president less difficult to accept.
Before anyone could recover from the President's stunning smile, Jack's voice boomed from the conference phone on the table. "Who am I talking to? Who's in charge now?"
"It's me, Jack, is that you?" Maureen exclaimed excitedly.
Although Jack had observed the entire call with Kate's help and learned that Maureen had, through some strange twist of fate, become Acting President, he still had to feign ignorance.
Therefore, he feigned surprise, "Professor Cahill? Why you?"
Everyone around them once again looked at each other in bewilderment.
Only Joey and Dana Moger knew of the hidden agenda between the two. Joey, in particular, had asked Kate to send a message to confirm Maureen's safety before Jack made up his mind to storm the White House.
At this time, he could only pretend to be ignorant and cooperate in singing a double act, "The Capitol was attacked, and the 'PEOC' where the president was located was captured. Therefore, Minister Cahill became the acting president as the 'designated survivor'.
What's the situation on your side now? Are there other survivors around you?"
Jack said in a sad and angry tone, "There should be some, but not too many. The invaders are very familiar with the layout of the White House. Most people were found and brutally killed.
I had a brief conversation with Congresswoman Zoe Anderson before I hid. She should be safe now. I will try to send her out later, but someone needs to pick her up."
"Let's talk about the situation inside first, Jack, I'm Dana." The female boss was worried that the two of them would say too much and made mistakes, so she quickly interrupted.
"The enemy has ample firepower, at least half of them are Han. I suspect there's a traitor within the Han president's security team. They've installed motion sensors and C4 on the doors and windows.
The corridors are safe for now, but patrols of two or three people pass through from time to time. My time here is limited. Can you find me a dedicated line?"
Although Jack couldn't see his specific surroundings, his subdued voice and description of the situation made everyone present feel the lurking atmosphere as if they were there.
(End of Chapter)