Chapter 234: Public Outrage! Chuck Suffered an Unprecedented Setback!
"What should we do now?"
Jane, former FBI agent, interrupted, disliking the conversation.
"Round one paused,"
Chuck said.
"Round one?"
Jane looked at Chuck, puzzled. "Do you think Wernher von Braun will have a second round?"
"Wernher von Braun?"
Chuck shook his head. "This has nothing to do with him anymore—it's Francis Underwood!"
Without Congressman Underwood's intervention, Wernher von Braun, previously just a space hero, was powerless against Chuck's investigation.
This was Congressman Underwood's first move.
White moved first.
"That creepy guy who makes my skin crawl,"
Chandler muttered uncomfortably.
"He's a Washington veteran,"
Chuck said seriously. "Maybe he'll actually be standing behind you after you actually win the presidential election."
"Damn it!"
Chandler waved his hand behind his back again, trying to ward something off, his expression exaggerated yet serious. "That would be terrifying."
"Just let a murderer go unpunished?"
Jane murmured.
"What are you willing to pay for this?"
Chuck looked at her. "Everything?"
"..."
Jane was speechless.
She just felt it was wrong and was willing to work hard to uphold the justice of the law, but to say she was willing to risk everything for it was unacceptable.
"Aren't you upset?"
Jane asked curiously. "Is this how it ends?"
The others also looked over curiously.
They all knew Chuck had his particular ways.
"I said this is the first pause,"
Chuck said calmly. "It's not over yet. You should know very well that no one understands delayed gratification better than me!"
"To be able to brag so elegantly and uniquely—that's truly impressive!"
Chandler gave a thumbs up, but noticing the complicated expressions on Jane and Monica's faces, he couldn't help but tease. "Don't tell me this isn't bragging~"
Jane and Monica exchanged a wry smile.
They both hoped it was bragging and liked that it wasn't; there were pros and cons.
"Chuck, I've made up my mind."
Jane thought for a long time, then suddenly said. "I'm going back to the FBI."
"Why?"
Monica was surprised and a little embarrassed. "It's not because I went to the scene, is it? I really didn't mean to. I just happened to be there and wanted to take a look. I'm never going again. I haven't even seen a body yet, and I can't stand the smell alone..."
"It's not because of you."
Jane interrupted Monica, who was trying to explain. "It's because I feel that being Chuck's detective assistant wouldn't really help him. He doesn't need any help at all. This was supposed to be a short training stint.
What can really help him is my career development within the FBI. Imagine if I had led the FBI team this time. Even if the higher-ups gave the order, as the senior FBI agent in charge of the case, I could have handled the case under pressure. Director Kate's position is high enough, and she has a good relationship with you, but when it comes to crucial moments, she's not one of us."
"It's actually simple—just turn her into one of our own. Nobody knows this better than Chuck..."
Chandler instinctively tried to be clever upon hearing this, but before he could finish, he was intimidated by two menacing gazes and stopped speaking.
"Are you sure?"
Chuck looked at Jane for confirmation.
"I'm sure!"
Jane's eyes were firm, then she glanced at Chandler with a knowing look. "Of course, if you think what I'm doing is meaningless, and it's easier and simpler for you to just develop Director Kate into one of your own, then just pretend I didn't say anything."
"No, no, no!"
Chandler chuckled awkwardly. "You're right—what you're doing is both noble and meaningful. Just pretend I didn't say anything before, okay?"
"Kate is British."
Chuck said this and then stopped.
But Jane already understood what Chuck meant. Her expression relaxed, and her smile became much more sincere. Previously, because of the complete chaos in their situation, at her aunt's urging, she was preparing to quit the FBI to become Chuck's detective assistant, so that she could be by Chuck's side at any time.
But after arriving, instead of keeping Chuck close and keeping other women out, she herself got caught up in it, becoming so consumed that she almost didn't recognize herself anymore.
During this time, she was completely overwhelmed, in every sense.
Now, seeing Chuck blocked by the FBI, who should have been on his side, she suddenly woke up. Being by Chuck's side, besides emotionally exhausting herself to the point of collapse, meant nothing to him.
On the contrary, returning to the FBI and climbing the ranks would one day truly be of help to Chuck.
"What's wrong with the British?"
Chandler teased curiously. "Do they have some kind of issue?"
"You can ask your mother about that,"
Chuck glanced at him, not explaining the fact that he distrusted the British for various reasons.
"..."
Chandler's lips twitched, no longer daring to mock or ridicule, fearing it would elicit more unbearable dry humor from Chuck.
"It's true."
He didn't speak, but that didn't mean Randy wouldn't. The naturally oblivious Randy ignored Chandler's expression and chuckled to himself. "I saw Mrs. Bing's TV interview. Her classic story about what happened in England—she was even detained for it."
"Shut up!"
Chandler interrupted, his face dark. "Everyone on Earth knows that; I don't need you to repeat it!"
"Really? I don't believe it."
Randy, naturally oblivious, gave Chandler a very straightforward look and laughed. "I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I know Mrs. Bing is a world-famous author of romance novels. I just recently read some of her work... However, some of the content is indeed unsuitable for minors. Saying it applies to everyone on Earth is going too far, and even excluding children, there are definitely adults who don't know Mrs. Bing, like Monk—I guarantee he doesn't!"
"Are you sure?"
Chandler had already given up, and said with self-deprecation and sarcasm. "Adults who don't know her?"
"Yeah, Monk definitely doesn't know."
Randy, completely oblivious to Chandler's sarcasm, explained earnestly. "Monk is incredibly rigid. He not only loved only his deceased wife, but he also can't even look a woman in the eye if she's dressed even slightly provocatively.
Remember the sculptor who murdered his wife? If he were investigating and testifying in court, he wouldn't need the top criminal lawyer on the East Coast; any lawyer would struggle with him. Because he couldn't even look at the most important piece of evidence in that case—that nude sculpture.
So he definitely doesn't know your mother. If you don't believe me, I'll text his assistant Natalie right now and have her ask him..."
"..."
Chandler was completely speechless, looking at Chuck with a mournful expression, his eyes full of "Why did you bring this up?"
Chuck ignored him and looked at Jane, saying. "Don't go back to Las Vegas. There's no future there. I'll call Director Kate, and you can go with her."
"That's what I was thinking too,"
Jane smiled.
On one hand, Director Kate had enough status and was also Chuck's friend, which would provide her with significant support from the start.
On the other hand, New York is right next to New Jersey, so she can see Chuck anytime she wants.
Although she's determined to break free from the exhausting, relentless cycle of competition, it doesn't mean she'll completely distance herself from Chuck and focus solely on her career.
Just kidding.
She was Chuck's long-term strategic research partner, and this concerned important matters, so naturally she couldn't give up on that.
Chuck called Director Kate of the FBI's New York office, who readily agreed.
After hanging up, Chandler suddenly asked very seriously. "Chuck, you always say you want me to run for president someday—are you serious?"
"I've been thinking about that,"
Chuck nodded.
Chandler's potential was really good from a future perspective; with a little effort and some assistance, it could be very rewarding.
And don't underestimate the presidency; even if you only have the title and can't truly hold power, the benefits are self-evident.
Even for Chuck, it would be extremely useful.
Like this incident—if Congressman Underwood could get the FBI to do this, why couldn't President Chandler Bing do the same?
As long as he could offset the influence of the other party's interference and return to simply handling the case, Chuck would be unstoppable and wouldn't need to wait for a second round.
"Okay, I've decided!"
Chandler took a breath and said seriously after hearing this.
Clap clap clap!
Before he could finish speaking, the naturally oblivious Randy clapped and cheered with satisfaction. "I support you!"
"...I haven't even said what yet!"
Chandler retorted.
"We all know."
The naturally oblivious Randy put his arm around Chandler's shoulder, happy for this newfound friend. "I've even thought of a slogan for you, buddy—be yourself, Chandler Bing! You'll definitely make history! It's going to be a big hit!"
"Chuck, help me!"
Chandler couldn't take it anymore and looked to Chuck for help.
"Randy is very forward-thinking; this approach might work in the future, but not now,"
Chuck said.
"...Anyway, I've made up my mind. If I can, I really want to run for office someday!"
Chandler ignored his nemesis's enthusiasm and voiced his thoughts. "I used to joke about those people in Washington, but now I truly understand how corrupt they are. I feel like even a random person would be more beneficial to this country than they are. At least a random person wouldn't be so corrupt."
He shrugged self-deprecatingly. "And aren't I better than random?"
"Dude, of course you're better than random!"
The naturally oblivious Randy nodded repeatedly. "I absolutely believe you on that point!"
"...Anyway, I'll listen to you."
Chandler ignored his nemesis again and looked at Chuck, saying. "Do whatever it takes. I'll work hard too; it's better than living aimlessly."
"Okay."
Chuck looked at him for a while, and seeing that he wasn't joking, nodded to indicate that he understood.
Monica stared at Chandler in surprise. "What's going on? Why do you all seem more worked up than Chuck? Should I do something too?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Chuck, her eyes becoming serious.
In their eyes, this was Chuck's first setback, the kind that left him feeling helpless and powerless.
As his good friends, they all felt that although Chuck hadn't said anything, someone as amazing, capable, and proud as him must be feeling terrible inside. They couldn't help but want to do something to help him.
"Me too!"
The naturally oblivious Randy automatically joined in the atmosphere of being Chuck's good friends, looking at Chuck. "I'm just a small-town police chief right now, but I can try my best..."
"No need!"
Before he could finish, Chandler, Jane, and Monica interrupted him in unison.
"Nothing?"
Randy, usually so upbeat, paused, then his expression darkened slightly as he chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Are you all looking down on me?"
"No!"
"No!"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Monica, Jane, and Chandler quickly denied it. Chandler even mimicked Randy's earlier action, putting his arm around Randy's shoulder and teasing. "Whoever looks down on you looks down on me! Looking down on me means looking down on Chuck! Do you think anyone dares to look down on Chuck?"
"Of course not."
Randy's displeasure vanished instantly upon hearing this, and he smiled.
"Exactly,"
Jane added with a laugh, trying to smooth things over. "Chuck lives in New Jersey, and many cases are in New Jersey. Your presence as police chief here is already a huge help to Chuck, don't you think, Chuck?"
"Yes,"
Chuck nodded.
He knew what everyone meant. Even Monica, who was on the scene with Randy for the first time, was stunned by Randy's whimsical and adorably clueless thinking, let alone Chandler and Jane who had met him several times before. They deeply questioned how someone like him could have become police chief.
In everyone's eyes, Chief Randy Fischer was the epitome of Randy's natural obliviousness; any further involvement would only be a liability.
As friends, they naturally didn't want Randy to try any harder in that direction.
After chatting for a while, Chandler was dragged away by Randy amidst his complaints to listen to music with the eternally energetic young man.
Monica and Jane exchanged a glance and offered to leave, saying they needed to go back and see Paige, leaving Chuck, who was still processing the important events of the day, with time and space.
Jane gave Monica a grateful look.
Late at night.
"Chuck."
Paige's video call came through.
"No need!"
Chuck answered, rejecting Paige's idea before she could speak.
"Really not?"
Paige's face was full of determination as she looked at Chuck seriously. "I checked—he's giving a speech at Columbia University in a few days. I can make him confess in public then, so no one can say anything. As for Francis Underwood, we'll deal with him later."
"I said no."
Chuck looked at her expressionlessly. "Didn't you hear me?"
"Yes, yes."
Paige's intensity dissipated, and she smiled sweetly. "I just don't like people embarrassing you."
"I'll naturally come to you when I need something in the future."
Chuck said expressionlessly. "Until then, just focus on yourself. Don't make decisions for me. This is the first and last time regarding Monica."
He then ended the video call.
"Keep an eye on them."
Chuck adjusted his glasses, his watch vibrated almost imperceptibly, and a nine-grid screen appeared on his computer, displaying videos of Congressman Underwood and those around him.
Because the victim wasn't innocent in his eyes, this wasn't a big deal, much less a setback.
Congressman Underwood was different from the previous female senators, congressmen, and billionaires; he was a true power player in the American political world. If Chuck really wanted to take him down, he certainly could.
But there was absolutely no need.
Because dealing with such people, even if there were no trace, for those astute individuals, no evidence was needed; their own judgment was sufficient.
A Democratic female senator and a congressman had already attracted attention; now, with the near addition of a Democratic prospective senator, Congressman Underwood was taking a certain risk by personally intervening.
It was obvious that if Underwood got into trouble, Chuck's good days of rapidly accumulating points and gathering resources would be in jeopardy.
Just a congressman like Underwood—did he even deserve it?
However, seeing that everyone around him was even more agitated than he was, he naturally understood why. His condition made controlling his body and expressing emotions very challenging, but that didn't mean he couldn't feel the emotions others had for him.
Therefore, he decided to shorten the timeline of the second confrontation, begin gathering information, and start planning.
As long as he had enough time and his plan was perfect enough, the risk of being implicated by others would approach zero.
He did all this not for himself, nor even for those around him, because they wouldn't know it was him anyway; it was simply to honor the emotions of this moment.
(End of Chapter)
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