Chapter 315 – Solving Trouble
Dallas, Texas.
George W. Bush defeated Democratic Governor Ann Richards with 54% of the vote against 45%, successfully becoming the 46th Governor of Texas.
Bush had campaigned heavily on reforming the juvenile justice system, welfare policies, and Texas tort law.
Although Ann Richards remained personally popular, the rising wave of conservatism sweeping across Texas—combined with strong anti-incumbent sentiment—ultimately propelled George W. Bush to victory.
Aaron specifically flew in from California with Jennifer Connelly to attend Bush's victory celebration at his Dallas residence.
Texas conservatism remained deeply rooted, especially among the state's powerful oil families.
"Jeb Bush also ran for governor of Florida this year," Jack Wells remarked casually as he clinked glasses with Aaron.
"But he lost."
"To be honest, most people actually thought Jeb Bush had the brighter future."
Jeb Bush had failed.
Yet George W. Bush—the brother few people truly favored—had managed to win the Texas governorship instead.
Aaron smiled faintly.
"The Bush family still has enormous political resources."
"Jeb becoming governor of Florida is only a matter of time."
Then Aaron suddenly shifted the topic.
"Oh right."
"There's been some trouble over at Houston Post."
"Karen McKee has run into problems."
Karen McKee was the head of the Houston Post Group.
Jack Wells immediately frowned.
"What kind of problems?"
The Houston Post was the only major regional newspaper currently controlled by Dawnlight.
And during George W. Bush's campaign, the paper had worked hard to support him.
Aaron took a sip of wine before replying:
"Houston Chronicle has started publishing a lot of dirt on us."
"They're accusing the Houston Post of distorting facts, spreading false reports, and manipulating coverage."
"It looks like someone's preparing to file a lawsuit against the paper."
"And Judge Greg Abbott from the Houston district courts has close ties to the Hearst Corporation."
Ever since Dawnlight acquired the Houston Post, its rivalry with Hearst-owned Houston Chronicle had become increasingly intense.
With Dawnlight and Aaron's resources backing it, the Houston Post quickly gained major advantages in entertainment and sports coverage.
Circulation numbers had continued climbing steadily.
And now, with George W. Bush winning the governorship thanks in part to their support, Hearst was clearly beginning to feel threatened.
Jack Wells drank from his glass and nodded slowly.
"When the time comes, I'll accompany Karen McKee and have a talk with the relevant people."
If problems couldn't be solved directly, then you solved the people creating them.
Either way, the outcome was the same.
Aaron nodded before leaning closer to Jack Wells and lowering his voice.
"There's a former reporter from The Washington Post."
"He probably knows quite a lot."
Jack Wells smiled faintly.
"Don't worry."
"He'll keep his mouth shut."
Not long afterward, a flushed and jubilant George W. Bush approached them.
"Aaron, my friend," Bush said enthusiastically, "it's great to see you here…"
---
After leaving Dallas, Aaron Anderson brought Jennifer Connelly to his ranch in Brenham.
Aaron leaned back on the sofa with a glass of whiskey in hand, the flames from the fireplace illuminating his face in flickering orange light.
The rivalry between his Houston Post and Hearst-owned Houston Chronicle had grown increasingly fierce.
But now, with the support of Texas oil capital represented by the Bush family, Aaron no longer feared the old newspaper dynasties.
George W. Bush was about to introduce a sweeping tax-cut plan across Texas, and Aaron intended to expand his investments and businesses throughout the state as well.
"What are you thinking about, darling?"
A soft fragrance drifted through the room as Jennifer Connelly approached in a silk nightgown, leaning down to kiss Aaron gently on the cheek.
Aaron set down his whiskey, pulled her onto his lap, and smiled.
"I was just thinking…"
"If someone like George W. Bush can become a state governor…"
"Then becoming President of the United States someday probably wouldn't be that difficult for me either."
Jennifer laughed softly.
"There's already been one Hollywood man who became president."
"You want to be the second?"
She was referring to Ronald Reagan, the former Hollywood actor.
Aaron chuckled and shook his head.
"The President of the United States…"
Everyone understood how the system really worked.
American presidents were ultimately representatives.
The true power still belonged to the financial interests operating behind the scenes.
Aaron leaned in and kissed her softly.
"Tomorrow we'll head back to Houston."
"We can watch a Rockets game."
"And it's Thanksgiving too—we should celebrate a little."
Jennifer wrapped her arms around him.
"Mhm."
"By the way, with the Federal Reserve raising interest rates this year, will Dawnlight's acquisition of MCA become more difficult?"
"It's manageable," Aaron replied while lazily caressing her voluptuous figure.
"The Fed is probably worried about the economy overheating and is using rate hikes to curb inflation."
As the U.S. dollar strengthened, global capital had begun flowing back into America.
Large amounts of money were already fleeing regions like Mexico and Latin America.
Mexico especially had become unstable during its election year.
The ruling party faced fierce opposition challenges, one presidential candidate had already been assassinated, and political turmoil was accelerating capital flight even further.
"Mmm…"
Jennifer suddenly kissed Aaron deeply, her silky nightgown slipping from her shoulders.
---
Thanksgiving night, 1994.
A car slowly pulled up outside a remote estate on the outskirts of Houston.
Former Houston Post reporter Rudolph Harrison stepped out nervously.
Beside him, a lawyer smiled reassuringly.
"Relax."
"It's just an agreement."
After undergoing several layers of security checks, Rudolph Harrison was finally escorted before Jack Wells.
Jack sat on the sofa and glanced up calmly.
"You brought the materials?"
Rudolph nodded quickly.
"Everything's here."
Jack accepted the documents and briefly looked toward the lawyer.
Only after the lawyer nodded did Jack turn back to Rudolph.
"One hundred thousand dollars."
"Sign the nondisclosure agreement."
"You understand what this means, don't you?"
"Of course," Rudolph answered immediately.
"No one will ever hear about this."
He knew perfectly well that violating an agreement like this would bring consequences he could never afford.
Jack nodded slowly.
"This came from people connected to Hearst, didn't it?"
Rudolph lowered his head silently.
But his silence was answer enough.
Jack laughed quietly.
"This kind of material might damage the Houston Post a little."
"But did you really think it could force the paper to shut down?"
"And you…"
"How much do you even make in a month?"
"Was risking your life really worth it?"
"The fight between the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post…"
"isn't something someone like you should've gotten involved in."
Rudolph's body trembled violently before his legs gave out beneath him.
Security personnel from Angel Company quickly caught him and helped him back up.
Under the lawyer's supervision, Rudolph signed the nondisclosure agreement, accepted the money, and was eventually escorted away from the estate.
(End of Chapter)
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