Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO
The Aftermath of Assassination
Accept it! Emmanuel, you have to accept it! Sage and Eve thought.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Emmanuel closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath to steady himself. When he opened them again, determination had replaced hesitation. With a crisp movement, he snapped to attention and saluted.
“Emmanuel Lowe, accepting the appointment,” he declared, his voice unwavering, collective sigh of relief filled the room as Sage and Eve felt the burden of uncertainty lift from their shoulders. Their faces lit up with joy and pride as they enthusiastically saluted Emmanuel.
“Sage Payne, Northern Region’s 3–Star Lieutenant General of Field Forces, reporting to the Commander!” Sage proclaimed, his voice filled with pride.
“Eve Thompson, Northern Region’s 3–Star Lieutenant General of Logistics, reporting to the Commander!” Eve followed suit, her voice ringing with equal enthusiasm.
Emmanuel’s heart swelled as he watched his trusted allies express their support. He nodded appreciatively, acknowledging their loyalty with a respectful salute.
Once the excitement had subsided, Emmanuel turned to Santiago, his brow furrowing with concern. “What’s the deal with the Wolf Warrior Unit? I remember it was disbanded by presidential order back then. How can it be reinstated now?”
Santiago’s expression grew somber, the lines on his face deepening. “That’s exactly why I was in such a hurry to reach you. Fortunately, you made it back just in time!”
From his grave expression, Emmanuel sensed that something major had occurred. Years ago, the Northern Region suffered devastating losses due to his earlier decisions. In response, the furious president ordered the permanent dissolution of the Wolf Warrior Unit.
A year ago, when Santiago asked him to return to the Northern Region, he had mentioned that even if Emmanuel agreed, restoring him to his previous rank would be nearly impossible. Yet now, Santiago was reviving the Wolf Warrior Unit and reinstating Emmanuel’s title as a 5–Star Honored Bottle General. Such a drastic turn of events could only mean one thing–powerful forces were at play behind the scenes.
Santiago confirmed Emmanuel’s suspicions with his next words. 24 days ago, the president was assassinated. Although he survived, he was severely injured and is now in a vegetative state in the ICU. This incident has shocked the world.”
“What?” Emmanuel’s mind raced, quickly calculating the timeline. The date of the assassination attempt coincided with their departure by ship to return to Chanaea. Could there be a connection?
“Commander Adkins,” Eve interjected, “wasn’t there a top–tier bodyguard assigned to the president? With such protection, how could anyone have managed to assassinate him?”
Eve’s curiosity was palpable. National secrets were tightly guarded, and she struggled to get detailed information. However, Santiago was different. As the highest–ranking general in Chanaea’s military, he had access to almost all classified information.
Sage, too, was intrigued. Although it was widely known that the Southern Lannister and Northern Wolf Warrior were the most formidable martial forces in Chanaea in recent years, the president’s bodyguard was reputed to be equally impressive. They had never faced this legendary figure themselves, so they wondered about his true capabilities.
Santiago’s tone grew somber. “Indeed, the president’s bodyguard was renowned for his skills. But even the mightiest warriors are not immune to the ravages of time. Eventually, the old guard must give way to the new.”
His implication was clear–the once–legendary bodyguard had passed away. The gravity of the situation settled over the room like a heavy cloak. Santiago pressed on, outlining the political ramifications of the assassination attempt.
“The country cannot be without leadership. In light of this crisis, Congress has passed a resolution to elect a new president within three months to handle national affairs.”
He paused for effect, ensuring he had their full attention before continuing. “There are three candidates for the presidency. The first is Ethan Hale, the former president’s personally appointed Prime Minister. He’s a trusted confidant who has dedicated his life to serving the nation and its people.”
Santiago moved on to the second candidate. “Catherine Adams, the Secretary of the Treasury. Her name might not immediately ring a bell, but her background is significant.”
Emmanuel’s curiosity was piqued. “What is her background?” Santiago replied solemnly, “She comes from the Zelinsky family of Zovince and is married to Teddy Mole.”
Emmanuel’s eyes widened. “Teddy Mole’s wife?” he exclaimed, his mind already racing to connect the dots between the assassination attempt and this revelation.
Santiago noticed Emmanuel’s growing agitation and raised a hand, “Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. There’s still the third candidate to consider,”
“Who’s the third candidate?” Emmanuel asked. “Could it be someone connected to the Holy Trinity?” A glimmer of pride flashed in Santiago’s eyes at his disciple’s astute guess.
“You may seem naive, but you’re quite sharp!” He chuckled. “The third candidate is Mason Morgan, the Secretary of Agriculture.
“Mason Morgan?” The name caught Emmanuel off guard. He wondered if he should have brought that half–dead Blake along–could this Mason Morgan be another of Blake’s brothers?
Santiago confirmed Emmanuel’s suspicions. “According to our intelligence, Mason Morgan is likely the younger brother of Freya Morgan, Queen of the Dark Night Islands, and the third eldest among the Morgan family siblings.”