Demokracy: Nation Awaits

Chapter 65: Madam Vice President

The Felora'n Palace was eerily quiet as Vice President Imelda Watson approached the Green Room, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floors. She frowned, noting the absence of staff and security personnel in the usually bustling corridors. Something wasn't right. She cast a glance around, her senses on high alert, but her face remained composed. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Inside, President Denver Brooks sat calmly on a green velvet sofa, his face inscrutable. He rose as she entered, greeting her with a nod.

"Madam Vice President," Brooks said, his voice carrying a formality that made her stomach twist. "Thank you for coming. I scheduled this meeting because I wanted your opinion on something." He gestured for her to sit across from him.

Watson arched an eyebrow, masking her wariness with a cool smile. "Of course, Mr. President. How may I assist?"

Brooks leaned forward, folding his hands as he held her gaze. "It's about the death of Limuel Johnson," he began. "It was sudden, wasn't it? Shot right on the steps of the Remdant Capital Police Headquarters. An unfortunate coincidence, don't you think?"

Watson's face didn't falter, but a flicker of something flashed in her eyes. She nodded, her tone smooth. "It was indeed tragic," she replied. "Johnson's death has certainly complicated our efforts to bring justice for the Remdant Market victims."

Brooks tilted his head, scrutinizing her. "Complicated, yes. But I can't help but wonder—was his death truly just a matter of bad timing, or was someone silencing him?" His voice was calm, but there was an underlying tension that hinted at his suspicion.

Watson let out a soft laugh, though it sounded hollow. "Mr. President, if you're implying that someone orchestrated his death, I assure you, it wasn't anyone in my office or under my direction."

Brooks leaned back, feigning a casual stance, yet his eyes never left her. "Of course. But you've always been so well-connected, haven't you, Imelda? Especially with some... interesting people, like Gerald Tarn."

Watson's jaw clenched, barely perceptibly. "Gerald Tarn? Surely you aren't listening to those old rumors again, Denver."

"Oh, I remember how you assured me that Tarn was the mastermind behind the Remdant Market Massacre," Brooks replied, leaning forward. "And yet, he was exonerated, and now Johnson—the only remaining link—ends up dead. Doesn't that strike you as peculiar?"

She let out a scoff, but her voice betrayed a note of unease. "Denver, with all due respect, conspiracy theories won't help the people who lost loved ones at the market."

"True. But uncovering the truth about those who orchestrated the massacre will." He paused, his gaze hardening. "Imelda, do you remember EITN Industries? The company your running?"

Watson blinked, caught off guard by the shift. "Of course I do," she replied. "I ran it successfully for years before entering government."

Brooks raised an eyebrow, pressing further. "Then perhaps you remember the scandal that rocked EITN. The investigation into funding irregularities and its suspicious ties to Ulgarian interests?"

Watson's composure faltered momentarily, her carefully rehearsed expression slipping. "Those allegations were baseless, Denver. You know as well as I do that they were cleared after extensive investigation."

"Cleared, yes," Brooks replied, his tone cool. "Or rather, someone ensured they were swept under the rug. And now, with Johnson's death, it seems like history is repeating itself." He paused, watching her reaction. "Tell me, Imelda, did you have a part in orchestrating the massacre? Did you protect Johnson to cover your own tracks?"

Her face contorted with anger, and she narrowed her eyes at him. "How dare you accuse me, Denver? You appointed me as Vice President! If you had any real evidence, you wouldn't need these baseless questions."

Brooks smiled, a humorless, cold smile. "You're right, Imelda. I wouldn't need questions if I already had the evidence. But you know what? In the last week, we've gathered enough to raise alarms."

He held her gaze, his voice steely. "Your ties to Johnson. Your funding from Ulgarian sources funneled through EITN. Your manipulation of our security agencies to divert suspicion toward Gerald Tarn. It's all starting to fit, isn't it?"

Watson's hands trembled slightly, but she clenched them, straightening her shoulders. "This is outrageous! You're attacking me without proof. You'll regret this, Denver."

As her voice rose, a sudden noise caught her attention. The doors at each entrance of the Green Room swung open simultaneously, and a line of EIA agents and RCP officers flooded in, surrounding her. They pointed their guns in her direction, their faces stern, leaving no room for escape.

One of the agents spoke firmly, his voice echoing in the large room. "Imelda Watson, you are under arrest by the authority of the President of Eldoria, for your involvement in the Remdant Public Market Massacre, leading to the death of forty citizens and the injury of over a hundred others."

Watson's face paled, her eyes darting from Brooks to the agents. "This... this is madness!" she shouted, struggling against the officers as they moved closer. "Denver, you can't do this! You need me. The people need me!"

Brooks stepped forward, his expression one of pure disdain. "I trusted you, Imelda. I appointed you as the CEO of EITN Industries, and later as Vice President, believing you were loyal to Eldoria. But you were manipulating us all along. You were the one who planted evidence to frame Tarn, to steer us away from Johnson. And now, you've betrayed the very people you swore to serve."

She glared at him, her fury boiling over. "This country wouldn't be where it is without me! I've been the backbone of your administration, Denver!"

Brooks let out a bitter laugh. "The backbone? You've been the cancer, eating away at everything we've tried to build. You didn't just betray me—you betrayed every single citizen of Eldoria, especially those who died in the massacre you engineered." He took a step closer, his face hard. "You will face the full weight of justice, Imelda. And let me tell you something—justice in Eldoria doesn't take kindly to traitors."

Imelda struggled against the agents' grip, her eyes wild. "You're making a mistake! You're throwing away the only person who's kept your administration running. You think you can replace me?"

Brooks sneered. "Yes, I can, and I will. You're a parasite, Imelda. And Eldoria is about to purge you from its system."

As the agents began to handcuff her, she thrashed, her voice a desperate scream. "You're the one who's corrupt, Denver! This whole administration is built on lies! And when this comes crashing down, remember that I warned you!"

Brooks didn't flinch. He crossed his arms, watching as she was restrained. "Enough with your theatrics. The country doesn't need your deceit any longer. We need people who stand for Eldoria, not who sell it out to the highest bidder."

As she was led toward the door, Watson turned, her face twisted with hatred. "I hope you enjoy your victory, Mr. President. Because without me, you'll have no one to shield you from the storm that's coming."

Brooks shook his head, his voice calm yet fierce. "The only storm that's coming, Imelda, is the one that's taking you down. Goodbye, Madam Vice President."

With that, the agents led Watson out of the Green Room, her shouts echoing through the silent halls of the Felora'n Palace. The door swung shut behind her, leaving Brooks alone. He let out a long breath, the weight of the confrontation settling in.

Agent Erktun stepped in from a side door, nodding at him. "Well done, sir. She didn't see it coming."

Brooks gave her a tired smile. "Let's hope that's the last of it. We need to clean this mess up and let the people know the truth."

Agent Erktun nodded. "Understood, Mr. President. The agents are already coordinating statements for the press. Eldoria will know the truth."

Brooks sighed, sinking back onto the sofa, feeling a rare moment of peace as the reality of the victory settled in. The Republic of Eldoria was safe once more, but the scars left by betrayal would linger.