While in America, the system says Roosevelt was an emperor.

February 1, noon.

It was the same French restaurant where Tom had his meeting last time, and it was booked out again this time.

However, the person who booked the entire venue wasn't Tom, but Toth.

Although Toth, as a city councilor, was not a core member of the Carnegie family, he was a typical "high society person".

Booking a French restaurant is still a breeze.

At 11:45, Tom led Denise into the lobby of the French restaurant.

The receptionist recognized Tom immediately; the big spender had arrived.

But before he could go up and provide the service...

The manager rushed out first, grabbed Tom's keys, and directed the receptionist to park the car.

People have to bow their heads under the roof.

Even if it means groveling to your sugar daddy, you must give the opportunity to your superiors first.

The manager introduced Tom to today's featured menu, occasionally praising Tom in the process.

First of all, Tom is paired with many dishes on the menu; only someone like Tom is suited to eat such good French food.

They praised Tom, and also boasted about the sophistication of their French restaurant.

The purpose was obvious: to get some tips.

But Tom wasn't planning on giving it to him this time.

You can't just feed a dog every time it barks.

Is it the dog training the person, or the person training the dog?

The manager, however, was not discouraged and continued to enthusiastically introduce the dishes to Tom and Denise.

After introducing the dishes, the manager, true to form, changed tactics!

He stopped praising Tom and Denise and started talking about their relationship.

They described their relationship as a perfect match made in heaven.

The relationship was extremely good; it was a grand affair, with drums and firecrackers, red flags waving, and crowds of people everywhere.

Tom remained indifferent, but Denise giggled with delight.

Finally, succumbing to Denise's tyranny, Tom gave the manager one hundred dollars.

Seeing the smug look in the manager's eyes, Tom really wanted to refuse to give a single penny!

There was nothing that could be done; Tom had been completely manipulated by Denise and had been successfully tamed.

Even if Tom could resist Denise, Little Tom couldn't do anything about it.

This is what it means to have your vital points exploited.

The two entered the restaurant hand in hand. Just like at the last meeting, the main people of this banquet were seated at the table in the very center of the restaurant.

Of course, the surrounding tables, where gunmen weren't sitting haphazardly, had already been cleared out.

Tos was not the only one seated at the head of the table; he had hosted the banquet, inviting current city councilors from the five electoral districts, along with their partners.

Tom and Penny, on the other hand, were invited by Anna through Toss.

Of course, Anna came too.

Tom initially wanted to refuse, but he couldn't be bothered to waste words with Tos. Once he won the city council seat, Tos would be worthless except for a letter of recommendation.

But Tom still wanted to come because of Anna.

There was no special feeling involved, but Tom himself had said that he "had done nothing wrong and was upright," so naturally he couldn't go back on his word.

Tom still needs Anna to be a vanguard, to report on his glorious achievements and the dark and ruthless nature of his opponents.

No politician in the entire United States could refuse Anna's interview.

When Anna saw Tom, her eyes lit up, as if she had seen hope and a glimmer of light.

While others didn't notice, Tos and Denise keenly spotted the anomaly.

Although there was no romantic feeling in Anna's eyes, Denise still felt uncomfortable all over.

It felt as if a part of myself had been stolen away.

After Tom took his seat, Denise sat between him and Anna, separating the two of them.

Tom was the last to arrive. After everyone had arrived and they were waiting for the food to be served, Toth preemptively spoke up:

"Mr. Tom."

"Our idea is that you and your friends shouldn't be in this cohort yet."

"You should withdraw from the election first, and let things settle down."

"After all, you and many of your friends are not yet ready to step into the limelight."

"Next time, once you've sorted out the mess, we can stand on the stage for you and give you our full support."

Toth's words were barbed; he was using the black background to threaten Tom.

But Tom wasn't buying it; as long as he could win, none of that mattered.

Is this just a delaying tactic to secure support for the next election?

Tos first gave a harsh lesson, then offered a sweet reward, and continued:

"Of course, the five of us are not unreasonable either."

"Each of us can receive compensation in the form of business, money, or even real estate and land."

"Tom, what do you think?"

Tom listened and then laughed.

If someone still has this kind of attitude when you ask them for a favor, then you're definitely owing them 7.62.

But Tom also understood that now that he had entered politics, he couldn't bring himself to kill unless absolutely necessary.

Denise got angry too, "How dare you look down on me?"

But the first to fire was not Tom and Denise, but Anna.

Anna looked at Tos and questioned him directly:

"Uncle Toss, what do you mean?!"

"American elections are the people's choice."

"How did you come to describe it as an item that can be freely transferred or given away?"

After saying that, Anna took out a small notebook from her bag and waited for Tos's reply.

Anna has made up her mind; no matter what Tos says, she will publish it in the newspaper!

Tos glanced at Anna, then at Tom, and thought to himself:

That shouldn't be the case. Why is Anna so protective of Tom?

They've turned their backs on us.

Wait, could it be that this little girl also likes Tom?

Toth realized that Denise and Tom hadn't gotten married, and the Vanderbilt family's heavyweight hadn't met his end either.

My cousin isn't without a chance.

If his cousin's marriage were to happen, it would be far more important to the Carnegie family than a city council seat of their own.

But even if the head of the Carnegie family intervenes today, he will still fight Tom.

Family is family, and you are yourself.

Tom reached out, stepped over Dani, and tapped Anna's pen, saying:

"Anna, not everyone."

"Don't use such methods to threaten him, just like I did. It will ruin your own reputation as a journalist."

Anna nodded in agreement.

Although Anna was a journalist, she leaked what politicians said at the banquet.

Her reputation within the journalism industry would be completely ruined.

Anna reluctantly put the pen and notebook away, and then Tom said to everyone:

"Mr. Toss, things aren't as complicated as you think."

"It's just a city council seat."

"I estimate that our votes will be split, with one side getting first place and the other second."

"In my opinion, if we're going to fight over a single legislator, then let's just have two."

"Each of the five major constituencies has two members of parliament."

"This way, you're good, I'm good, and everyone's good."

The five city councilors were genuinely moved upon hearing this.

If there are really ten seats, what are they fighting for?

But suddenly, they realized that the city council was unlikely to agree.

There were only 25 seats in total, and everyone felt that the benefits were not high enough.

Now, if we add five more seats, how could the other city councilors possibly agree?

Tom is playing a trick on them!

Tos led the way:

"Tom, what you're saying is difficult."

"Adding five council seats would require more than 80% of the council members' approval votes."

Tom chuckled, stood up abruptly, leaned down, and said:

"You know it's difficult, right?"

"If it's too difficult, then let's not do it."