Chapter 8: To Be Discussed Later

"Burning Atlanta and tossing crumbs to rebuild it, Should Southerners thank you for that?" Isabella crossed her legs ,her tone dripping with irony. "Surface gestures mean little, Texas appointed a Black mayor too—does that absolve anything?" 

"Appointed" not elected. The "mayor" hailed from a Black battalion once loyal to the Sheffields, granted land post-war. Like ancient Rome ,the "modern Republic" denied voting rights to slaves, women, and the destitute. Even white women lacked suffrage here—a fact that baffled Northerners, especially as Annabelle ruled unchallenged over a militia of Eastern European transplants. 

"It's been decades. We're one nation now," James pressed, shifting uneasily. "Mr. Rockefeller sent me in good faith." 

" We bear no grudges," Isabella replied while stirring her coffee. "But our kin exiled to Brazil? Less forgiving, Some may return soon." She paused letting the implication hang. "As for cooperation our heir will decide once he graduates. Mother's… retired." 

"Heir?" James's eyes narrowed. 

"Think us weakened without men?" Isabella's smile sharpened. "Your young Rockefeller just graduated too, no? Let the next generation negotiate." 

Skepticism flickered across James's face. "A stalling tactic?" 

"Necessity" Isabella set her cup down. "If we ally with You, Standard Oil will top the list. But everyone knows our… history with the DuPonts." 

James nodded grimly. The Sheffield's grip on the South—a Confederate relic was shielded by tariffs, smuggling, and 54,000 NRA members (in Texas alone) which made them untouchable. Even Rockefeller tread carefully. 

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Later, Annabelle debriefed her daughter. "Send William to greet the Brazilians in New Orleans. He must learn our old alliances." Her voice hardened. "As for oil… have scouts watch for Standard spies. Your father swore Texas hid treasures underground." 

"What if they force their way?" Isabella fretted. 

Annabelle scoffed "Let them try. The NRA has 90,000 members here. Texas militia outnumbers the entire U.S. Army. Not even DuPonts dare cross us." 

She reviewed William's Pacific Coast strategy approvingly. "His vision aligns with Edward's. But first—" Her gaze turned steely. "—he graduates from *me*." 

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**Author's Note:** 

Election cycles shift, but Texas remains red. 

*(End of Chapter)* 

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