Chapter 45: Cornering The Governor

With David Lee's name crossed off the list and his loyalty now secured, my next target loomed large: Governor Elena Ruiz. Her name was whispered through the city like a ghost in a dark alley—feared, respected, but ultimately shrouded in secrecy. Her office was impenetrable, fortified like a fortress. Her schedule? A carefully guarded mystery. If I wanted to get close to her, I'd need to rely on my own skills this time.

Sitting in Edward's mansion, surrounded by maps, documents, and digital feeds, I tapped into the system. $100,000 was a steep price to pay, but I didn't hesitate. I navigated to the skill upgrade section and found [Investigation Mastery]. With a thought, I selected the max-level upgrade.

The system interface lit up, and I felt a sudden rush—like a cascade of knowledge and clarity pouring into my mind. Details that once seemed trivial now connected in my thoughts like pieces of an intricate puzzle. It was as if I could see the invisible threads tying events, people, and secrets together.

System Notification:

Skill Upgraded: [Investigation Mastery - Max Level]

Effect: Gain unparalleled ability to uncover hidden truths, predict behavioral patterns, and find connections between seemingly unrelated events.

I immediately put the skill to work, starting with a digital deep dive into Ruiz's history. Her public persona was polished—proclaimed as a beacon of progress, a staunch advocate for economic growth, and a crusader for "justice." But behind that mask? Her connections to Cassandra's criminal network were undeniable.

Ruiz had been careful—very careful—but no one is perfect. Over the next few days, I uncovered several key facts:

Ruiz's wealth had quietly ballooned over the past five years, with untraceable funds being funneled into her accounts from offshore corporations.Her security team was loyal but corrupt, with most members receiving bribes directly from Cassandra.Most intriguingly, there was one major weakness—her family. Ruiz had a younger sister, Marisol, who had been estranged for over a decade after a public feud. But records showed that Ruiz still sent money to Marisol regularly, keeping her afloat.

The real breakthrough came when I tracked down a leaked correspondence between Ruiz and Cassandra. The emails detailed Cassandra pressuring Ruiz to pass legislation favoring her operations in the city. Ruiz had reluctantly agreed but made veiled complaints about Cassandra treating her like a pawn rather than an equal.

I had what I needed.

The first step of my plan was to create a vulnerability in her security. With a few well-placed bribes and information drops, I exposed a mole in her protective detail. The man had been embezzling money from Ruiz's campaign funds. When he was removed, it created a gap in her security team—a gap my people could exploit.

The second step? Leverage her sister. I sent one of my operatives, disguised as a legal advisor, to meet with Marisol and deliver a message:

"Your sister is being targeted. She needs to meet with a trusted mediator who can protect her."

The operative gave Marisol my number, and within hours, she reached out to Ruiz directly, urging her to meet me. Ruiz, skeptical but unwilling to ignore the warning, agreed.

The meeting was set in a private room of an upscale restaurant, one Ruiz had reserved under an alias. She arrived with two bodyguards, their eyes scanning the room as if expecting an ambush. What she didn't know was that the restaurant was already filled with my people—disguised as patrons and staff.

I sat alone at the table, dressed sharply in a tailored suit to match the ambiance. When Ruiz entered, her piercing gaze locked onto mine.

"You're bold, William. Most people wouldn't dare summon me," she said, her tone icy.

"Most people aren't me," I replied with a calm smile, gesturing for her to sit. "Please, Governor. Let's talk."

She hesitated but took the seat across from me. Her bodyguards remained standing, their hands resting on their concealed weapons.

"I don't have time for games," she said sharply. "What do you want?"

I leaned forward, my smile fading. "To make you an offer you can't refuse."

Her eyes narrowed. "You're fifteen. What could you possibly have to offer me?"

I slid a tablet across the table, showing the incriminating emails between her and Cassandra, as well as financial records linking her to the money laundering schemes. Her face paled.

"You've been careful," I said. "But not careful enough. One press of a button, and this goes public. Your career, your freedom, everything you've built—it all disappears."

Ruiz's hands clenched the edge of the table. "You're bluffing."

"Am I?" I tilted my head. "You know Cassandra better than anyone. Do you think she'd lift a finger to save you? Or would she cut her losses and leave you to burn?"

The mention of Cassandra struck a nerve. Her jaw tightened, and for a moment, she looked away.

"You don't understand," she muttered. "Cassandra... she's not someone you can just walk away from."

I leaned back in my chair, exuding confidence. "That's where you're wrong. I've already taken half of her empire. Her law enforcement allies are mine now. And soon, her political pawns will be too."

Ruiz stared at me, her mask of confidence slipping. "What do you want from me?"

"Loyalty," I said simply. "Work with me, and I'll protect you from Cassandra. Betray me, and I'll make sure you go down with her."

She hesitated, torn between fear and survival. "And how do I know I can trust you?"

"You don't," I admitted. "But trust me when I say this: I always keep my promises."

She was silent for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Fine. But I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for me."

"That's good enough for now," I said, a satisfied smile returning to my face.

As she rose to leave, I added, "Oh, and Governor? One more thing. I'll be in touch."

With Ruiz under my thumb, the noose around Cassandra's neck was tightening. The chessboard was almost set.

As Governor Elena Ruiz left the restaurant, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, I leaned back in my chair and signaled John to join me from his position at a nearby table. He approached, his usual stoic expression giving nothing away.

"Think she'll stay in line?" John asked, sliding into the seat Ruiz had vacated.

"She doesn't trust me yet," I admitted. "But she's on the hook. Now I just need to reel her in."

Ruiz was a puzzle—her fear of Cassandra was genuine, but so was her loyalty. She wasn't driven by greed like the others; her alignment with Cassandra came from a place of respect, maybe even admiration. That made her dangerous and unpredictable. To secure her loyalty, I needed to dismantle whatever bond tied her to Cassandra.

I activated [Investigation Mastery], focusing on Ruiz's personal and professional history. Within hours, I uncovered files that painted a clearer picture of her relationship with Cassandra.

Years ago, Ruiz had been a struggling local councilwoman in a small district, constantly outmaneuvered by more influential politicians. It was Cassandra who had seen her potential and provided the resources to elevate her career. Cassandra funded her campaign, provided dirt on her opponents, and even orchestrated her rise to the governorship.

But the relationship wasn't built on friendship—it was transactional. Cassandra saw Ruiz as another pawn, valuable only so long as she followed orders. Despite this, Ruiz had convinced herself they shared mutual respect.

Digging deeper, I found the moment that shattered this illusion: a private memo Cassandra had sent to her inner circle, referring to Ruiz as "a useful tool." The document was laced with condescension, highlighting Cassandra's disdain for her so-called ally.

Armed with this information, I formulated my next move.

The following evening, I invited Ruiz to Edward's mansion under the guise of discussing strategies to handle Cassandra's retaliation. When she arrived, I greeted her with my usual calm demeanor.

"Governor," I said, gesturing to the seat across from me. "Thank you for coming."

"I didn't have much choice, did I?" she replied dryly, sitting down.

I ignored the jab and handed her a folder. "Before we proceed, there's something you need to see."

She opened it cautiously, her eyes scanning the memo I had uncovered. As she read, her expression shifted—confusion, anger, then a flicker of pain.

"Where did you get this?" she demanded, slamming the folder shut.

"That doesn't matter," I said calmly. "What matters is the truth. Cassandra doesn't see you as her equal. To her, you're expendable."

Ruiz shook her head, clinging to her denial. "You're twisting things. Cassandra and I have worked together for years. She respects me."

"Does she?" I countered, my voice sharp. "Or has she been feeding you just enough scraps to keep you loyal while laughing behind your back?"

Her hands clenched into fists, but she didn't respond.

"Look, I get it," I continued, softening my tone. "She gave you an opportunity when no one else would. She helped you rise to where you are now. But tell me this—has she ever treated you like an equal? Or has she always kept you under her thumb?"

Ruiz hesitated, her silence speaking volumes.

"Think about it," I pressed. "When was the last time Cassandra did something for you without expecting something in return? When was the last time she had your back?"

Her shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of my words sinking in.

"I don't know why I'm even listening to you," she muttered, more to herself than to me.

"Because deep down, you know I'm right," I said firmly. "Cassandra doesn't care about you, Elena. But I do. I see your potential—not as a pawn, but as a partner."

Her eyes met mine, searching for any hint of deception.

"What do you want from me?" she asked finally.

"Loyalty," I said. "True loyalty. Help me take Cassandra down, and I'll make sure you come out on top—not as a puppet, but as someone who can finally lead this city the right way."

Over the next few days, I backed my words with actions. Using [Investigation Mastery], I provided Ruiz with resources she never knew she needed—information on her political rivals, strategies to strengthen her administration, and even ways to clean up her public image.

I also arranged for Marisol, her estranged sister, to visit her. The reunion was tense at first, but seeing the two women reconnect was a step toward breaking Cassandra's hold on her.

Meanwhile, I continued to subtly undermine Cassandra in Ruiz's eyes. Leaks about Cassandra's operations "mysteriously" found their way to Ruiz's desk, each one further proving how little Cassandra valued her allies.

A week later, Ruiz requested another meeting. This time, her demeanor was different—calmer, more resolved.

"You've given me a lot to think about," she said as she sat down.

"And?" I asked, leaning forward.

She hesitated, then nodded. "I'm in. I'll help you take Cassandra down. But this better not be another game, William. If you cross me, I'll destroy you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," I said with a smile.

Governor Elena Ruiz's loyalty meter has reached 90%.

As she left the room, I couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The chessboard was almost complete, and the queen's gambit was about to begin.

After Governor Elena Ruiz declared her tentative loyalty, I knew the job wasn't done. Her acceptance was a crack in her defenses, but I needed to break them down entirely. She was a critical piece of the puzzle, and I couldn't afford even the slightest doubt about her allegiance.

Ruiz had given me access to her network and pledged her cooperation, but there was still something missing—genuine loyalty. Cassandra's influence lingered in the recesses of her mind, a shadow I couldn't ignore. It was time to finish what I started.

The day after our meeting, I invited Ruiz to Edward's mansion again. This time, it wasn't about politics or strategy. I set up a quiet room, adorned with a few personal touches that I knew would resonate with her—framed photos of her early political campaigns, clippings of her most significant achievements, and a dossier of initiatives she once dreamed of implementing but had abandoned under Cassandra's thumb.

When she arrived, her sharp gaze immediately softened as she took in the room.

"What's all this?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"It's your legacy," I said simply. "Or at least, what it could have been if Cassandra hadn't held you back."

She frowned but didn't argue. Instead, she stepped closer to the desk where the dossier lay open. She skimmed through the pages, her expression unreadable.

"You could have done so much more," I continued. "Affordable housing, education reform, healthcare access. These were your ideas, Elena. But Cassandra made sure they never saw the light of day."

Ruiz closed the dossier with a snap, her jaw tightening. "You don't know what it's like. She's—she's not someone you can just walk away from."

"You're right," I said, nodding. "She's dangerous, powerful. But so am I. And unlike her, I don't see you as a tool. I see you as a leader."

I activated [Master Manipulator], amplifying my words with a subtle but undeniable weight of persuasion.

"You've spent years telling yourself that you owe her," I said. "That your success is because of her. But it's not. You're where you are because of your own hard work and talent. Cassandra didn't create you—she just used you."

Ruiz's eyes glistened, but she quickly blinked away the tears. "Why do you care? What's in it for you?"

"I care because I know what it's like to be underestimated," I replied. "And because this city deserves better. With you truly free from Cassandra's grip, you can finally become the leader you were meant to be. But you have to trust me, Elena. Completely."

She stared at me, the conflict clear in her eyes. For a moment, I thought she might walk away. But then, she spoke.

"What do you want me to do?"

I reached into my jacket and pulled out a small vial—the Loyalty Bind Serum, Level 2.

"This," I said, holding it up, "is a symbol of trust. It's not just about loyalty; it's about ensuring we're on the same page. No doubts, no second-guessing."

Ruiz's eyes narrowed. "You want me to drink that?"

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "Not because I don't believe in you, but because I know how deep Cassandra's influence runs. This will ensure you're free from her forever."

She hesitated, her gaze shifting between the vial and me. Then, with a deep breath, she took the serum from my hand.

"If this is a trick…"

"It's not," I assured her.

With one final glance at me, Ruiz uncorked the vial and drank its contents in one swift motion.

The effect was immediate. Her posture relaxed, the tension in her face melting away. Her eyes met mine, and for the first time, there was no trace of doubt or resistance.

"I understand now," she said softly. "You're not just trying to take down Cassandra—you're building something better. And I want to be part of it."

System Notification:

Governor Elena Ruiz's loyalty meter has reached 100%.

Mission Complete: The Governor's Submission.

Reward: $50,000 and an additional spin at the Legendary Roulette Wheel.

As Ruiz left the mansion that evening, I watched her go with a sense of accomplishment. She wasn't just another pawn in my game—she was a queen, and now she was on my side.

John entered the room, a satisfied smirk on his face. "You pulled it off. Again."

I shrugged, a small smile tugging at my lips. "One step closer to the endgame."

"Who's next?"

I turned to the list, and only two names remaining. The Representative and The Senior Senator!