Building a Conglomerate in Another World

Chapter 197: Hearing of the Attack

The White House, Washington D.C.

The morning air in the White House was thick with tension. Matthew Hesh sat in the Oval Office, scanning through reports and briefing documents, his usual routine of handling state affairs. The hum of political discussions and bureaucratic meetings echoed through the halls.

But then—

A sharp knock on the door.

"Mr. President!"

Henry Collins, his Chief of Staff, burst into the room, his face pale and his breathing uneven. Behind him followed General Carter Hayes, his top military advisor. The urgency in their expressions sent a chill down Matthew’s spine.

Matthew rose from his desk, instantly alert. "What is it?"

Collins hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and placed a telegram on the President’s desk.

"Sir, we just received this from our embassy in Beijing. There’s been an attack. The Boxer rebels struck during the dam ceremony in Hanzhou."

Matthew’s heart pounded against his ribs. His hands clenched the edge of the desk.

"Amber was there."

Hayes nodded grimly. "Yes, sir. Reports say the attack was sudden and violent. There were heavy casualties. The situation is still unclear, but we do know that multiple foreign dignitaries, including Amber—Mrs. Hesh—were at the scene when the attack happened."

A cold dread crept over Matthew. His mind reeled, trying to grasp the implications of their words.

"Where is she now? Is she safe?"

Collins lowered his gaze. "We don’t know, sir."

The words felt like a gunshot to his chest. Matthew’s jaw tightened, his grip on the desk turning his knuckles white.

"What do you mean you don’t know?" His voice was low, dangerous.

"We’ve lost contact with the security detail," Collins admitted. "We don’t have any direct information on their status. The last transmission we received was incomplete—gunfire, shouting, and then... silence. Our embassy has been working to gather intelligence, but communications in the region are disrupted. The Chinese Imperial Army is still trying to assess the situation."

A sharp breath left Matthew’s lips. He turned away from the desk, pacing to the window. The weight in his chest felt unbearable. Amber was out there—somewhere. Hurt? Captured? Dead?

No. He refused to think that. She was alive. She had to be.

Zhou Wen folded his hands in front of him. "Mr. President, first allow me to express our deepest condolences. This tragedy was not something the Imperial Court wished for. The attack was unexpected, and our forces are already engaged in containing the Boxer rebels responsible."

Matthew leaned forward, his voice edged with steel. "That doesn’t answer my question. Where is Amber?"

Zhou Wen hesitated. "We do not have confirmation on the status of all foreign dignitaries. However, intelligence suggests that the rebels have taken hostages. Your wife... may be among them."

Matthew’s blood ran cold.

The ambassador continued, his voice measured. "His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, has ordered immediate action to suppress the rebels and rescue any captives. I assure you, Mr. President, we are doing everything in our power."

Matthew’s fingers curled into fists. "Not good enough. I want Amerathian involvement. I want my people on the ground, working with yours to retrieve my wife and any other hostages. And I will not accept bureaucratic delays."

Zhou Wen looked troubled. "Mr. President, we must tread carefully. If Amerathian forces operate within China’s borders without proper agreement, it could be seen as an act of aggression."

Matthew stood, looming over the ambassador. His voice was dangerously quiet.

"If anything happens to my wife because of delays, you will see Amerathian aggression. And I promise you, it will not be diplomatic."

A tense silence filled the room. The ambassador swallowed hard, shifting uneasily.

Finally, Zhou Wen nodded. "I will relay your demands to the Imperial Court. We will do everything within our power to ensure her safe return."

Matthew didn’t sit back down. He didn’t thank the ambassador. He simply gave a single nod.

"See that you do," he said coldly.

Zhou Wen bowed slightly before turning and exiting the office.

As soon as the door closed, Matthew turned to Collins.

"Prepare a war council. I want every option laid out on the table. If we need to force our way in, I want to know exactly how we can do it."

Collins nodded. "Yes, Mr. President."

Matthew exhaled sharply. His mind was set.

If China wouldn’t bring Amber back, then he would.

One way or another.