The Wolf of Los Angeles.

South Asia, New Delhi.

Pankaj received a notification forwarded by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and rushed to the Ministry of Equipment Development, entering the minister's office.

Seeing his haste, Minister Abhijit asked, "I heard there's been some trouble in America?"

“Yes, the Department of Commerce just received the official circular and forwarded it to me.” Pankaj handed the official fax to Abhijit and said, “Minister, something’s not right. Why is the United States conducting a full investigation into our military imports and suspending exports at this time?”

Abhijit quickly scanned the documents, carefully examining the list of investigations noted on the notes, which included several high-end military equipment that claimed to be made in India.

Among them are the engines of the Tejas fighter jet, the fire control computer and central processing unit of the Arjun main battle tank, and parts for the C-130 transport aircraft, etc.

These issues are directly related to the manufacturing and equipping of Indian-made weapons, and Abhijit was very concerned, asking, "Why did the Americans suddenly make such a decision? Relations between the two countries have been developing in a positive direction. What is Washington trying to do?"

Pankaj had already looked into it and replied, "Washington has been negotiating with us through informal channels, saying that it has only received a deposit for the Tejas fighter jet engine and the Arjun tank fire control system that it provided to us, and that we have not paid the balance and have repeatedly delayed the payment of the balance. Therefore, it has launched a targeted trade investigation and suspended the delivery of subsequent goods."

"We've already paid the deposit for the rest of the goods!" Abhijit said, quite dissatisfied. "The balance! Where are we going to find the balance payment?"

The remaining payments for these goods have mostly been divided up.

Pankaj understood, since he could also get a share of the profits, so he didn't say anything more.

He continued the previous topic: "There's another matter. The United States accuses us of condoning terrorist attacks, claiming that the terrorists who attacked the seals have retreated into India, and they are demanding that we cooperate with their intelligence personnel to find these terrorists."

Abhijit was furious. He stood up and said, "Their personnel? What personnel? CIA spies? These American wolves not only openly trample on the face of those bastards next door, but also want to infringe on India's rights? Do they think India is their backyard?"

Pankaj said helplessly, "After all, it is the world's only superpower."

“Indeed.” Abhijit seemed to have come to terms with reality. His anger vanished instantly, and he slumped down, saying, “Although India is developing very rapidly, it is still slightly behind the United States. But that is not a reason for the Americans to trample on India’s sovereignty at will.”

His stance was quite firm: "Reject them outright!"

Pankaj replied, "We can refuse, but it's hard to say what the higher-ups will say. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office are not places we can influence."

At this point, he raised an even more unfortunate reality: "Without American aircraft engines and fire control systems, our plans for domestic production of fighter jets and main battle tanks will have to be temporarily shelved."

Abhijit pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and said, “I remember that the current President of the United States, Tom Emmer, has a close relationship with Hawke Osmond, the behind-the-scenes boss of our other major supplier, West Coast Technologies. Hawke Osmond works closely with the Abhishek team at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.”

“That’s right, the relationship between the two sides is quite unusual.” Pankaj’s expression became particularly interesting: “I have received definite information that the Abhishek team has actually paid the final payment for a series of goods to West Coast Technology.”

Getting Indians to pay the outstanding trade debts is no easy task.

Abhijit said, "I contacted Abhishek. You are responsible for communicating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office. Regardless of whether they listen or not, you must relay our opinions."

He picked up the phone and called Abhishek to arrange a meeting later.

India has truly felt the pressure from the United States, but India considers itself a dominant power in Asia and is not so easily subdued.

…………

Los Angeles, Coast Building.

Hawke received a call from Abhishek, who pleaded with him to communicate with the White House regarding the Washington authorities' investigation into the export of military equipment to India, in order to clear up any misunderstandings between the US and India.

Without a series of core military components exported from the United States, India's Tejas fighter jets and Arjun tanks, which are touted as being entirely domestically produced, would all come to a standstill.

That day, Hawke convened a meeting with several key personnel.

Tom Emmer had already called Hawke.

Edward gave a detailed account of the situation on both the Indian and White House sides.

“It’s clear that Tom Emmer believes the Indians played a very dishonorable role in the Seals incident,” Hawke began. “We used the Chester Foundation’s secret financial dealings with that Indian company to successfully shift the White House’s suspicions to the Democrats.”

Pierce Madden, who investigated the Chester Foundation's overseas fund transfers, said, "We put the Indian company Mirhan in front of the White House. With the resources the White House can mobilize, it's not difficult to find out the source of its funds. Once the Chester Foundation comes into their view, its Democratic affiliation will inevitably make it the primary target of suspicion."

Henderson, who has extensive dealings with India, has already investigated the matter thoroughly. He said, "The White House's first move was to target India. India has also contacted me, and I can only say I'll try to deal with it."

Brian, who had come all the way from Sacramento that afternoon, said, "There is extreme dissatisfaction within the party with Tom Emmer, who believes that he acted rashly without adequate preparation, putting the Elephant Party in an extremely unfavorable position."

He thought for a moment and then said, "Just as we expected, if this operation succeeds, Tom Emer will gain extremely high prestige and support within the Elephant Party. The consequences of failure will be the same, and losing this trump card will make his falling out with the Walker and Cheney families increasingly serious."

Hawke looked at Brian and said, "You will still be in charge of these legitimate channels within the Elephant Party. Remember to let me know when you officially announce your candidacy."

Brian nodded slightly; the Ferguson family was still contacting more allies.

To maintain secrecy, it had been carried out secretly.

With Tom Emo's trump card operation failing, it's time to speed things up.

Hawke asked Campos, "Any progress with Adam Smith?"

Campos sent people to lay a large net around that guy: "We've received feedback that Adam Smith has returned to Arlington and has been working at the Chester Foundation recently. Our people can't get into the foundation's office building, but judging from his habit of arriving late and leaving early every day, his so-called work is just killing time and not his normal job."

Edward continued, "Judging from the crew that targeted Eric, his normal job must have involved doing shady things."

Campos agreed: "Adam Smith's normal work is likely ordered by someone else, but after returning to Arlington, he basically went between his residence and the foundation, and there has been no in-depth contact with anyone for the time being."

Hawke considered for a moment and said, "The White House now believes that Operation SEALs was leaked from the Democrats and Joseph. Tom Emer will definitely take action. The Chester Foundation has come into his sights, and there will definitely be targeted measures. Joseph will also make his move."

“If the Chester Foundation runs into trouble, someone will contact Adam Smith.” Campos understood Hawke’s meaning and said, “As long as there is contact, we will find him.”

Ramos, Carlos, and others over there were recording people who came into contact with Adam Smith via mobile phone or other means, and then transmitting the information to the supercomputing technology center in the Coast Building for systematic screening.

Hawke then asked, "Have Walid and the others left India?"

Campos replied, "They've safely returned to Hurricane Corporation's base in Damagin. They won't be going out for a while and will be in a dormant period." Brian's phone beeped. He glanced at it and said, "Latest news: Pakistan will be sending a team to Washington to negotiate with the Tom Emmer administration."

He looked down at the message again and continued, "Washington has had preliminary talks with Pakistan regarding the wreckage of the Black Hawk helicopter and the bodies of the SEALs. Pakistan has agreed to return them, but has put forward a condition: to purchase the latest and best F-16 fighter jets and upgrade its older F-16s."

Henderson, who is now practically a head of a military supplier, said, "This would disrupt the balance of air power between India and Pakistan."

Brian said, "The Tom Emmer government is very likely to agree to the Palestinian request."

Edward realized: "Because in his eyes, the Indians got involved in this SEAL operation and might be accomplices in leaking information."

Based on various pieces of information gathered, the Tom Emo authorities determined that the leak was linked to the Donald Party and Joseph Jr., with Indians playing a disgraceful role, either actively or passively.

Hawke said, "We still have trade with the Indians, and the Abhishek side has been paying the balance. We have to give them the face they deserve."

He told Henderson, "Come with me to Washington to talk to Tom Emmer about this. We'll at least get a response, whether it works out or not."

Henderson replied, "I'll have someone make preparations right away."

Hawke also made corresponding arrangements in other aspects, and he and Brian left the meeting room first.

The two entered Hawke's office, and Brian said, "Grandpa has decided that the special ceremony you mentioned will be held at the Woodland Hill estate on the night of the official announcement of his candidacy."

Hawke let out a hearty laugh and said, "Congratulations on officially ascending to the throne of the Cult of the Cursed God."

Brian shrugged, looking particularly helpless: "If we win the election, American history will definitely record that Brian Ferguson's election victory was due to an evil curse."

Hawke said casually, "It doesn't matter. We're villains after all. All we do is scheme against people."

“That’s you, not me.” Brian looked out the window, gazing at the light: “I will be one of the best presidents in America.”

These words reminded Hawke of Mr. Dong from his previous life, who had boasted in public more than once that he could be compared to Washington and Lincoln.

People like Roosevelt and Reagan were only fit to carry his shoes.

Hawke cautioned, "Pay close attention to what Mr. Dong is doing. Fox News told me that Mr. Dong specifically called Roger Ailes about the seal incident, asking Fox News to launch a major attack on Tom Emmer."

Regarding President Dong, Brian had already received a hint from Hawke, who said, "It seems that President Dong can't stand the loneliness and is preparing to jump out and give it a try."

He asked, "Can you suppress him?"

"Don't worry, he can only jump once." Although Hawke's plan against President Dong was just a side effect, no one should underestimate the immense destructive power of the Third Brother.

Brian didn't ask any more questions and said, "Tom Emerson was humiliated by the SEAL incident, and the White House has determined that it was the Democrats and Joseph Jr. who were responsible. Given the current president's personality, he won't remain silent."

Hawke agreed: "That's right, there's bound to be a good show coming up."

The two laughed in unison, waiting to watch the drama unfold.

…………

Houston, Texas.

Joseph's youngest son, Hunter Joseph, arrived at Fürth Medical Center, quickly entered the cancer ward, and found the room where his older brother, Robinette, was located.

Robinette was hospitalized after suffering a stroke in 2010 and was subsequently diagnosed with brain cancer.

“Hey, bro.” Hunter went up and hugged Robinette, patting him gently on the back. “You look much better.”

Robinette remained optimistic, saying, "With your support, I'll be alright."

Hunter offered him a few words of encouragement, then turned to the brown-haired woman beside him and said, "Long time no see, Hailey."

This is Robinette's wife, who is also Hunter's sister-in-law.

Hailey smiled and said, "Thank you for coming. The support of our family is so important to us."

The three chatted, and the family enjoyed a harmonious time together.

More than half an hour later, Hunter prepared to leave.

Hailey stopped Robinette, who was about to take his brother out, and said, "The doctor won't let you go out. I'll take Hunter and go to the bank to take care of the medical bills and credit card bills."

These were the two people Robinette trusted most, even more than his father, Joseph.

He said, "Go."

Hunter and Haley left the hospital building one after the other.

Hailey glanced back at the window of the hospital building, waved up, and said softly, "You go ahead, I'll drive myself and be there in a bit."

Hunter waved to Robinette, who was standing at the window upstairs, and said, "I've prepared some extra good stuff this time, so we can have a great time."

Hailey nodded to him as if saying goodbye, said a few words casually, and then went to her BMW and got in.

Hunter drove away from the hospital.

Hailey drove out of the hospital and turned onto the other side, but after going around in circles, she caught up with Hunter at an intersection far from the hospital.

Robinette was recuperating and receiving treatment here, and Hunter often came over. He bought a small apartment not too far from the hospital, specifically for their trysts.

Hunter and Hailey's destination was the apartment. (End of Chapter)