[Chapter 578: Heading to Washington, Response Strategy]
It wasn't until 9 a.m. the following day that Linton and his harem's wild, exhilarating party finally came to an end. After freshening up, Linton went straight to his study to fire up his computer and surf the internet. What he saw shocked him: online discussions had escalated into a frenzied storm.
No wonder he'd felt an unprecedented surge in his popularity energy last night -- far surpassing even the spike he experienced the night of his big Los Angeles concert.
Across virtually every major forum, the hottest trending topic screamed: [Shocking! The most ruthless killer in history -- the perpetrator behind the massacre of over 1,000 lives across the Johnson, Pfizer, and AbbVie pharmaceutical empires!]
The thread soared to the very top in terms of attention, leaving all other discussions trailing far behind. On Yahoo's forums alone, replies soared past 10 million posts, dwarfing even threads debating Linton's extraordinary abilities.
Thankfully, most replies called for an FBI and local police investigation to unearth the true culprit and bring them to justice swiftly. It was apparent that many paid internet trolls had been hired to steer public opinion, casually throwing around accusations that Linton was either the killer or the mastermind behind these atrocities.
But Linton's loyal fans -- and the online army led by Bella -- fought back fiercely. They slammed the trolls relentlessly, hurling invective and labeling their claims as baseless slander.
Overall, the public atmosphere was hostile but hadn't spiraled out of control.
Linton then opened the newspaper delivered by his assistant Li Xiaoran. As expected, the mainstream press mostly ignored the story.
One surprise, however, was that The Wall Street Journal had published a piece covering the heated online debate. More tellingly, they reprinted the entire controversial post without editorial comment -- an implicit indication of their stance.
As for the tabloids, no need to wonder. With such a juicy story sure to boost sales, they wouldn't let it go unreported. Fortunately, none had been recklessly bold enough to offer explicit commentary.
Linton made a mental note to remember The Wall Street Journal for later.
Li Xiaoran brought more news: Dozens of reporters and paparazzi had already congregated outside the Hilton Hotel, eager for interviews with him and the women.
...
Once the ladies finished getting ready, Linton gathered them together and informed them of the overnight media storm.
They were all visibly alarmed, asking if he was okay, what measures had been taken, and if they should do anything to support him.
"You don't have to worry about a thing," Linton reassured them calmly. "Just keep your spirits high and don't answer any questions from reporters. I've got this -- all of it. I'm heading to Washington today to settle this once and for all."
Then, recalling the six snipers spotted during last night's concert, Linton's mood darkened.
He sternly warned the women, "For your safety, if you don't have pressing work commitments, return to the farm and lay low for a few days. If you do have to work, make sure you bring extra bodyguards and beef up your security."
His rare show of seriousness made the women nod obediently. By mid-morning, they boarded two private jets bound for the Montana farm.
Linton then called Madonna, Catherine, and Charlize in Los Angeles, ordering them to tighten their security.
...
During breakfast, an unexpected call came through from Bill Clinton.
"Linton, the situation's not looking good."
"What's wrong?"
"You've seen the online uproar, right?"
"Yes. It's not a serious problem, is it?"
"The online backlash is just the beginning. This morning, Deputy Attorney General Eric Gorelick and FBI Deputy Director Maslow Lawrence officially petitioned the White House and Congress, demanding a full investigation into the murders of Hoffman Martin, Robert Gavin, Gittens Cooper, and Kester Joseph's families. And all fingers pointed at you."
"Do they have evidence beyond that one online post?"
"Absolutely not. Otherwise, the Department of Justice and FBI would have moved long ago instead of sending formal petitions."
"But the real threat isn't just them," Bill added grimly. "Three senior senators -- Roger, Carol, and Cody -- are lobbying hard to push for a congressional hearing to grill you before all the other senators."
"That's nothing. I'm going to Washington today and end this."
"You're coming in person?"
"Is that a problem? Don't you want me there?"
"Of course we want you here. I'll call Al Gore, Warren Christopher, and Leon Panetta so we can all strategize together. Tell me your arrival time, and I'll arrange a pickup."
...
After finishing breakfast, Hillary also phoned, her voice laced with concern over the online frenzy. She wanted to meet to discuss response plans.
Linton told her there was no cause for worry; he'd be in Washington soon to handle the matter decisively.
She asked to accompany him -- but Linton, considering she was three months pregnant, adamantly refused. This trip was going to be a bloody battle, and she couldn't risk the trauma.
"You need to focus on your health and the baby right now. Stay out of this."
Still, he assigned her a crucial task: compile detailed background files on Roger, Carol, Cody, Maslow, and Eric -- including three generations of family info, all relatives' residences, and work locations.
'If you're going to play rough,' he mused, 'then let's make it clear -- you won't get off with just killing you. Your entire families will be wiped out. That's the only way to clear your sins and send the harshest message to the world.'
Hillary warned Linton to beware the Jewish influence. The Wall Street Journal was firmly in Jewish hands, and this unusual reporting was suspicious, especially since both the Douglas and Bronfman families involved were Jewish.
'They're financial vultures. They came to me several times, trying to get me to help finance my health company, Universal Group, and Linton Media Group's IPOs. I refused every time. Now they're stirring this mess. I hope they won't be fooled or blinded by greed, or else they might find themselves fried.'
...
By the time the women finished packing and were ready to leave, it was already noon.
After lunch at the hotel, Linton led them to the underground garage, where hotel town cars awaited to shuttle them to the airport.
Somehow word leaked out; paparazzi swarmed like sharks smelling blood, tailing their convoy in cars.
Linton ignored them completely.
At LaGuardia Airport, the vehicles drove directly to the private jet terminal, leaving the paparazzi stranded outside.
The women boarded two planes bound for the Montana farm, while Linton took off for Washington with Danny and Li Xiaoran.
...
An hour and a half later, their plane touched down at Reagan National Airport.
White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta was already waiting with a motorcade on the tarmac.
They sped out through a VIP corridor straight to the White House.
From afar, a sea of reporters and paparazzi clustered at the airport's exit, straining to catch a glimpse.
Leon Panetta raised the partition separating the front seats and joked, "Linton, you're a walking headline these days. Look at all those reporters -- they're literally waiting to grill you."
"Let them. I'm not bothered."
"Sure, you can ignore them. But I'm hearing that Roger, Carol, and Cody are rallying for a congressional hearing against you."
"That's just a bunch of small-time players. No big deal."
"Don't underestimate them. Over 20 senators have publicly backed the investigation, including Oversight Committee Chair Orix Vico. They might call a full Senate vote soon. If more than half vote 'yes,' you're in real trouble."
"Who are these senators?"
"Mostly Republicans. And half of them are Jewish."
"Republicans and Jewish senators... Didn't they get the Vitality Pills and Beauty Pills?"
"Of course. They're all veteran senators. By the second month, every senator already received them."
"Then why support Roger, Carol, and Cody? Don't they want the Vitality Pills anymore?"
"The problem is, your health product company is already in normal production and operation."
"So, all of you think my absence won't hurt pill production and your profits."
"No. Trust me, the Commander, Al Gore, Warren Christopher, and I share your interests. If something happens to you, the distribution of Vitality Pills will become unpredictable -- that's unacceptable. Those senators backing this investigation want to topple you so they can control the pill supply."
"Because they supposedly care about justice?" Linton scoffed. "Well, knowing that takes some weight off my mind."
"What's your plan?"
"Send me detailed info on Roger, Carol, Cody, Maslow, and Eric Gorelick -- including photos, addresses."
"It's ready. I'll have it delivered once you arrive. But remember, you can't act recklessly here."
"What does that mean?"
"These are high-ranking officials. Maslow and Eric Gorelick live in ministerial compounds; Roger, Carol, and Cody reside in congressional districts with tight security. Washington hosts 1,600 troops who can lock down the city at a moment's notice. Andrews Joint Base, just 13 kilometers away, houses the 82nd Airborne Division -- a rapid response unit that can arrive in ten minutes. If they catch you in the act, it's game over."
"Relax. I know what I'm doing."
...
Upon hearing news of Linton's arrival, Commander Bill Clinton, Deputy Commander Al Gore, and Secretary of State Warren Christopher dropped their work and convened with Linton in a secure White House conference room to devise countermeasures.
Leon Panetta updated everyone: their opponents had launched a fierce attack focusing on three fronts.
First, the online backlash had stirred public outcry, leading citizens to flood the White House, Congress, and FBI with calls demanding justice.
Though the Attorney General and FBI Director belonged to the Democratic Party -- and were Clinton's allies -- they couldn't stop Maslow and Eric Gorelick's vocal public stance, nor their formal reports to the White House and Congress.
More worrying, Roger, Carol, and Cody had started lobbying fellow senators the night before, securing over twenty public supporters for a congressional hearing against Linton.
Warren Christopher posed the question many feared: "Linton, these five -- Roger, Carol, Cody, Eric, Maslow -- have clearly formed an alliance against you. Do you know why?"
Linton, reading between the lines of Warren's careful phrasing, answered honestly.
"Since we're all on the same side, I won't hide it from you. Roger, Carol, Cody, Eric, Maslow, Hoffman, Robert, Gittens, and Kester -- they've long conspired to undermine me and take over my health company."
He shared intelligence from Kester with his political allies in detail.
"I caught wind of their plot. Since they're trying to betray me, I'm going to eliminate them directly."
"No wonder," Warren Christopher said, "I always found their sudden frenzy suspicious."
Warren Christopher pressed, "What's your approach in Washington?"
"Do you have any advice?"
"Online chatter and Maslow and Eric's statements are manageable for now. The key is to prevent the hearing from happening."
"How do we stop that?"
"Those senators supporting Roger, Carol, and Cody are dissatisfied with receiving only one bottle of Vitality Pill per year. They think if they remove you, they can get more. If possible, increase the White House's pill order this year. Meanwhile, we'll lobby senators, telling them that if they oppose the hearing, their pill allotment could be doubled -- or even tripled for influential ones."
"How many extra bottles?"
"About 30 more per month. Don't worry, the price remains standard -- it's a purchase, not a handout."
"Are you confident?"
"We have a good chance. If we swing over half the Senate, the hearing gets canceled."
"So no guarantees?"
"There's at least a 60% chance."
"With no certainty, I'll hold off for now and handle it my way."
"What's your plan?"
"Top secret. Wait and see -- I promise you'll be surprised."
"Please don't resort to murder here. These are senior American officials, and killing Roger, Carol, or Cody would make things uncontrollable. We need a solution within the law. Besides, Washington's law enforcement and military will respond instantly to any major incident -- you couldn't get away with it. Such action would play right into their hands and be your undoing."
Linton thought to himself that they clearly didn't understand him or his true methods. They naively assumed Washington was a safe haven. 'Well then, tonight, I'll shatter that illusion with bloodshed and carnage. They'll finally know real fear.'
Without elaborating further, he said, "Alright, I'll think it over and get back to you tomorrow morning."
*****
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