Total pages in book: 189
Estimated words: 174749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 874(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 874(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
In a Machiavellian ploy, Ms. Ling details how Mayor Jeffries secured a promise by Naomi Boltiador to open several new factories in the economically hard hit town of New Kingston, New York. Those promises were secured apparently with full knowledge that the operation of those factories would fly in the face of recently passed environmental legislation that has been heralded by Governor Carter as necessary to improve the health and welfare of all residents.
The Mayor apparently began to negotiate with Ms. Ling immediately after instigating a political as well as physical fight with Governor Andrews in what is being viewed as a debate over jobs or the environment. At heart, Liam Jeffries was apparently looking for private donations from wealthy Chinese individuals as well as Chinese backed corporations doing business in the United States for his run for Governor in two years time.
Miss Ling asserts that had the mayor been successful in his plan, the factories would have opened in China with the Governor being blamed for preventing job growth in New Kingston and Liam Jeffries capitalizing upon the populist anger to sweep into the statehouse.
Ms. Ling further alleges that Senator Vivian Hawthorne has in fact been working with Liam Jeffries and has manipulated the Governor into nearly signing a deal by trading sexual favors.
The revelations are being met with near universal condemnation from leaders on both sides of the aisle who are stating that if true, Liam Jeffries may have destroyed his political career. Additionally, by engaging in such amoral bargaining, it is possible that he may have violated several tenets of campaign finance laws that could potentially lead to a felony.
Several prominent Republicans have already called for a Justice Department investigation into whether these allegations are true. The Daily Journal has stated and continues to state that these are currently allegations only. However, the damage has already been done in many quarters. Upon hearing of these allegations, the Mayor’s approval ratings in a state-wide poll dropped to the lowest ever recorded, at 34%.
This latest revelation is yet another twist in a scandal that has all the hallmarks of a made for TV movie—including a complex sex triangle between Senator Hawthorne, Governor Andrews, and the Mayor.
Sources close to Republican and Democratic party officials are now reporting that both sides are considering a bi-partisan effort to investigate the role of Senator Hawthorne in this matter. Should the allegations of sex for policy changes be true, all three could find their careers on at irredeemable risk.
When asked why she was coming forward at this stage, Ms. Ling commented, “It’s in the best interests of my country that we maintain a fair and level playing field. Corruption like this deserves to come out and be exposed to the light.”
Only time will tell what other secrets come out into the light in this rapidly unfolding scandal.
22 CARTER
"
T
ell her I'm busy," I say, shaking my head, "I'm not taking any calls from Vivian right now, and that's final."
I turn to look at my Press Secretary, Michele Von Cannon with her curly hair bouncing back and forth, exposing her emotions. They stare at me blankly before Michele decides to break the silence.
"But the image that's circulating in the public isn't a good one. We need to act quickly, Carter. My job is to get us back on track. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to speak with the Senator," Michele suggests.
“She’s right, Governor,” a voice says. “You need some friends.” I turn to see Tina Ling. I grimace.
“How did you get in when I basically said no damn calls and no damn
visitors?” I ask sharply. I look to Michele and she just shrugs.
Tina struts across the plush carpet of my office with her hands on her hips. I can't help but wonder what she's still doing here. Addressing me she says, "If your plan is to barricade yourself in this office and ignore the outside world like some child with his fingers shoved in his ears, I urge you to re-think your strategy. The world will eat you up, Carter. You have no idea."
Do she think I was born yesterday? I wave her off with a flick of my wrist and find myself clenching my jaw, but quickly relax it. I need to stay cool and calculated. I can't lose my shit right now. Between these two women trying to fill my head with what I should and shouldn't do, and the media hounding me day and night, I don't know what's worse. I need to shut them all out.
Right. One thing at a time. I stand up.
“I think you should leave whichever way you came in, Ms. Ling,” I say
coldly.
I look at the dark-haired Tina with a look in her eyes that says she's full of secrets.
“Are you sure?” she asks, taking a step closer to me. She doesn’t pay any attention to Michele as she places a hand and runs it down my bicep. Like she doesn’t exist. “It might be so much more enjoyable if we… collaborated?”