Building a Conglomerate in Another World

Chapter 225: The Pressure is Real

The moment the Vice President uttered "YES", the Senate Chamber erupted.

The pro-war senators stood in triumph, clapping and cheering as their voices filled the grand hall. Senator James Macias pounded his fist on the podium, his face flushed with satisfaction. "Amerathia will not be weak! We will stand tall! Justice for Fort McKinley!"

Others joined in the chant, their voices reverberating through the chamber: "Justice for Fort McKinley! Justice for Fort McKinley!"

The gallery above roared with applause. Spectators waved small Amerathian flags, their patriotic fervor reaching a fever pitch. The newspapers had done their job—public sentiment was boiling over. The people wanted war, and now, Congress had given it to them.

On the opposite side of the chamber, the anti-war senators sat in stunned silence.

Senator Joseph Langley slowly removed his glasses, exhaling as the reality of their loss settled in. He glanced at his colleagues, many of whom looked equally defeated. Some shook their heads, while others slumped in their chairs, unable to hide their disappointment.

"God help us all," Langley muttered under his breath.

Senator Wallace Briggs, another anti-war advocate, leaned toward him. "It’s not over yet. The President still has to sign it."

Langley sighed. "After all the pressure he’s facing? Do you really think he’ll stand against the Senate and the public?"

Briggs frowned but didn’t answer. The chamber, still drowning in celebration, felt like a foreign world to those who had fought against war. The decision had been made—but the battle was far from over.

The news reached President Matthew Hesh within the hour.

Collins stormed into his office, a newspaper clutched in his hands. His face was pale. "Sir, it’s done."

Matthew barely looked up. "How bad?"

Collins hesitated before speaking. "The Senate voted in favor of the war declaration. The Vice President broke the tie."

Matthew let out a slow exhale, gripping the edge of his desk. "Damn it."

Collins placed the newspaper in front of him. The headline had already been printed, bold and impossible to ignore:

"WAR DECLARED: AMERATHIA ANSWERS THE CALL!"

Matthew slammed his fist against the desk, rattling the glass of water beside him. "They didn’t even wait for me to sign it! They’re treating it like a done deal!"

Collins nodded grimly. "The public is already celebrating. There are crowds outside the Capitol, cheering. Bradford’s men are using this moment to pressure you into immediate action."

Collins interjected. "Sir, the problem is that delaying will only make the war hawks louder. Macias, Carter, and Bradford will use every minute to push public pressure against you." He gestured to the latest reports. "They’ve already started. Newspapers are running editorials calling you weak, saying you’re afraid to lead."

Matthew clenched his jaw. "Damn them all." He turned back to Whitaker. "What about an executive order? Can I suspend the declaration entirely?"

Whitaker hesitated. "That’s dangerous territory, Mr. President. While you have the power to execute wartime decisions, Congress controls the authority to declare war. If you attempt to override them outright, you’ll provoke a constitutional crisis."

Matthew sank into his chair, rubbing his temple. "So my options are veto and hope they don’t override it, or sign it and be forced into war."

Whitaker gave a slow nod. "That is the reality, sir."

The room fell silent.

Then, Collins spoke carefully. "Sir... if Mexico can provide undeniable proof that they weren’t involved, will that be enough?"

Matthew looked up. "It has to be." His voice was determined. "If Mexico delivers that proof before the ten-day window closes, I’ll have a reason to reject the war outright." He turned back to Whitaker. "Would that hold up legally?"

Whitaker nodded. "If the evidence is credible and undeniable, yes. You could present it as justification for your veto."

Collins exhaled in relief. "Then we have a chance."

Matthew looked at both men. "Then we buy ourselves time. I will not let this country be dragged into a war over a lie."

Elsewhere in Washington – Midnight

Bradford sat in his office, surrounded by newspapers and telegrams. The war declaration had passed, but Hesh wasn’t signing it. Enjoy more content from novelhall.Côm

Collins’ message had reached him through his sources—the President was stalling.

Bradford smirked, leaning back in his chair. "So, he’s still resisting?" He exhaled, his mind already racing. "No matter. If he won’t move, we’ll move him."

He turned to his assistant. "Send word to Macias and Carter. Tell them to double the pressure. Get more senators on board for an override."

His assistant hesitated. "And if that fails?"

Bradford’s smirk returned. "Then we force his hand another way."

He stood, looking out over the city. "The clock is ticking, Mr. President. And you’re running out of time."