I am a necromancer, and I absolutely love America.

Theodore Baldwin's face turned cold. He stood up and faced him directly, saying:

"Brian, I could lift you up back then, but I can also smash you into the mud now! Don't push me, Brian, you know me, we've been friends for decades, don't push me."

"Old friends? Is this how you treat old friends?" Brian looked coldly at everyone in front of him.

Theodore Baldwin, his own supporter, even his benefactor, has now sold himself out in order to regain the mayoral seat.

Warren Carter, a friend of decades, even his college roommate, with whom he shared deep financial ties, has now betrayed him as well.

Max Conway, the police union president whom he had personally promoted, betrayed him.

Magnus, his most powerful political ally, has betrayed him.

They've all betrayed us!

He had no idea what kind of deal these bastards had made behind the scenes, or how long they had been secretly colluding.

Brian couldn't fathom what kind of bargaining chip that inexperienced Marty had offered to get all these people on his opposite side!

He no longer had time to investigate.

For the first time in his life, Brian stood up straight in front of Theodore Baldwin, his tone filled with determination:

"When I first ran for office, the whole world was against me. But I won that time. Now I'm facing opposition from everyone again, so what! I can win once, I can win a second time!"

"Brian?" Theodore Baldwin scoffed.

"Winning isn't that easy. Back then, if it weren't for me and Governor Vaughn helping you, the media would have dug up all your dirty secrets long ago."

Brian knew that Theodore was threatening to expose his dirty secrets, but he simply didn't have the guts to back down. His fear of Richard far outweighed his fear of the secrets, so he had no choice but to forge ahead!

Brian would rather die a social death than defy the will of God.

"Then let's give it a try."

Theodore Baldwin's face turned completely cold:

"OK. Since you won't surrender, I'll have no choice but to kill you myself."

After saying that, he picked up his phone and sent a message.

Brian felt a chill run down his spine and said coldly:

"Alright, you can leave now."

Now that things have turned sour, Brian is no longer interested in saving face.

"Brian, you'll always be a child in my eyes. You still have a lot to learn, like a little patience," Theodore Baldwin sneered.

"Alright, I'll be watching!" Brian faced the four men directly and without flinching, recalling all sorts of scandals about himself.

If a scandal is exposed, how should you respond to minimize the damage?

Just then, his phone rang.

The screen displayed a familiar name: Gilbert, a major financial backer!

"Take it," Theodore Baldwin sneered.

Brian sensed something was wrong, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer, speaking in his most affectionate voice:

"Hey! Gilbert, good evening, you..."

Gilbert interrupted Brian's pleasantries:

"I'm sorry, Brian, I'm facing some financial difficulties this year and can't invest in your Super Action Committee."

Brian's face darkened. How did that bastard Theodore manage to force his investor to withdraw his funding?

"Hey Gilbert, we made plans a long time ago..."

Gilbert's impatient voice came from the other end:

"You know why, don't force me to say it."

"Okay, let's work together properly when we have the chance." Brian forcibly suppressed his anger.

"A chance?" Gilbert chuckled.

"What chance is there? You're too old, Brian. Get off that damn position. We can still play golf together."

"I'll consider it." Brian barely managed to control his emotions as he hung up the phone, his face incredibly gloomy.

This is just the first one.

Brian received three more calls from major investors in quick succession, and his heart sank into despair.

Without these people's investment, his campaign funds amount to a mere $350 million, at most $400 million.

With that amount of money, if you're lucky, you might be able to snag a congressman in Alabama.

In New York City, where land is incredibly valuable, and especially in the most central District 6, there's no way he could possibly win the election!

Brian slumped into his chair, dejected.

Theodore Baldwin looked down at Brian, his eyes filled with coldness.

Max Conway, with his legs crossed, flicked the ash from his cigar onto the precious and fragile wooden table, burning black spots into it.

Brian kept his head down for a long time before finally raising it, his eyes red, and said:

"You are publicly executing me."

His fists were clenched so tightly they turned white, his nails digging deep into his flesh, and an overwhelming despair welled up from his heart.

Warren Carter couldn't meet Brian's slightly crazed gaze, and stood up with a sigh:

"End this, Brian. End this. You're old. It's time to retire. You've been very successful as the son of a worker."

After saying that, he patted Brian on the shoulder and left.

The others followed suit and went outside.

Theodore Baldwin was the last to leave, whispering in Brian's ear:

"You're a congressman now, but your term is about to end. Think of your children, think of your grandchildren, don't force me to do things I don't want to do, you know me, Brian!"

Brian didn't even blink, but his whole body trembled slightly.

After the four important figures left, the room fell silent.

Doug opened the door and walked in, asking nervously:

"How's it going, boss?"

Brian froze in place, motionless.

Doug immediately realized that the worst had happened, and his face turned serious.

Richard also came in; he had heard the entire conversation inside.

He simply walked in, stood quietly by the window, watching the lively banquet, and said nothing.

He was eager to see if Brian would still have the courage to fight in such dire circumstances.

If so, Richard is willing to wait a while.

If not, Richard would immediately abandon him and choose a new servant.

Brian rubbed his face after a long while, his voice hoarse as he said:

"They have put me in a public execution. No one in the party will support me anymore. They might even launch an attack, digging up dirt on me from decades ago. My four core financial backers have also withdrawn their funding. I only have four million dollars now, and my chances of winning are less than 10%. I must find new financial backers, preferably from the media."

Richard smiled:

"Very good, I'm glad to see a calm person."

Doug had fallen into despair.

In this situation, what's the use of staying calm!

Four million dollars might be a gamble, but with such limited resources, coupled with betrayal within the party, the Elephant Party would also seize the opportunity to attack. Brian would face attacks from both parties, caught in a pincer movement, an irresistible political assassination.

Richard was just a young man and had no idea that Brian was about to die.

The win rate is nowhere near 10%, it's not even 0.1%!

Doug didn't know why Anderson had involved this young man in such a confidential conversation, but he was too preoccupied to care about such things.

Richard looked out the window and asked:

"How much money do you need to win?"

Brian looked at Doug.

Doug called out a number:

"At least eight million, preferably ten million."

Brian sighed:

"Ten million is not enough. Now I have to face attacks from both parties, so I need at least twelve million, or even fifteen million."

This is an unimaginable sum of money. How could a congressman possibly attract so much investment in such a short time when he is abandoned by his own people?

The room fell into dead silence.

"Are you really broke?" Richard asked casually.

Brian paused for a moment.

Richard pointed out the window:

"What's the point of all this if we fail?"

A beautiful estate, elegant buildings, distinguished guests and ladies, clinking glasses and making merry—it truly is a beautiful estate.

Brian suddenly realized something.

If failure means death, then what's the point of keeping these things?

"I have money! I can mortgage all my assets and raise at least twenty-five to thirty million dollars." Brian seemed to have grasped at a last straw.

"If we act quickly enough, we'll definitely get bitten by the wolves on Wall Street, but we can at least raise $25 million."

I can win! I can definitely win! Brian snapped back to reality, the feeling of escaping death filled him with immense excitement.

Doug couldn't understand why Brian believed Richard so much, and said incredulously:

"Boss, this estate is your livelihood for the rest of your life. Are you planning to sell it?"

The rest of my life?

If I fail, I don't even know if I'll survive the next second, let alone the rest of my life.

Brian couldn't explain it.

Doug added:

"Boss, even if you have enough funds, how will you handle the attacks from both parties? Your dirt and negative news will reach the level of a gubernatorial election! Our media and public relations resources are insufficient to cope!"

Brian thought quickly:

"This dirt is definitely a big problem. Let me think... is it possible to get some dirt on Marty?"

Since the scandals can't be dealt with, let's drag Marty into it too, so everyone gets smeared and no one can say anything about anyone else.

"It should be possible, but it will take time." Doug began searching through the documents.

Richard laughed:

"Since you can afford to contribute so much money yourself, why take money from other people? If it were me, I would return all the money already raised and then adopt a new slogan: I don't take anyone's money, I only speak for the voters! Or... Voice For The People, how about that slogan?"

Brian froze on the spot, and after a long while, his eyes lit up as he said:

"That's a brilliant idea!"

With this slogan, all the negative rumors can be said to be slanders by capital against oneself!

I've even paid for my own campaign, and you still don't believe me? Are you going to believe those lackeys bought off by capital?!