Chapter 96: The Power Shift

As the rally reached its peak, Chris stood firm on stage, his presence undeniable. The crowd's energy surged like a tidal wave, chanting his name. Camera flashes flickered like stars in the night, capturing a moment that would be replayed across every news channel for days.

Ethan stood behind the scenes, watching with a knowing smirk. The groundwork had been laid, and the world was witnessing the rise of a force unlike any other.

Chris lifted a hand, signaling for silence. The noise gradually faded.

"The establishment will fight this. They will lie, manipulate, and try to discredit me. But I am not afraid. Because I do not answer to them—I answer to you."

A deafening cheer erupted.

"From this moment on, the power belongs to the people."

With that, he stepped back, leaving the stage to an explosion of applause. The rally had been a success, but this was just the beginning.

—

Inside Blackwood Tower – Midnight Meeting

Back in his private office, Chris sat at the head of a conference table, his inner circle gathered before him. Ethan, Victoria Hale, and his top campaign strategists were all present.

"Reactions?" Chris asked, his tone calm yet authoritative.

Victoria tapped her tablet. "The rally was a massive success. Your speech is trending worldwide. Poll numbers have surged, and donations are flooding in."

Ethan nodded. "But as expected, opposition forces are already moving. The political elite, the media, and even some of your competitors in business—they're all preparing to strike."

Chris leaned back, unfazed. "Let them."

One of the advisors, a former senator, hesitated before speaking. "Sir, they won't just use words. They'll dig up anything they can. If they don't find dirt, they'll create it."

Chris smirked. "Let them try. They'll find nothing."

He turned to Ethan. "Make sure our media allies control the narrative. Any attempt to smear my name dies before it spreads."

Ethan gave a curt nod. "Already on it. Also, we need to address a major issue—the political system is controlled by old money and corporate interests. If you want to win, we need to break that influence."

Chris's gaze sharpened. "Then we buy them out, cut them off, or destroy them. Whatever it takes."

A silence filled the room. They all knew—this wasn't just another campaign. This was a full-scale war against the system itself.

And Chris had no intention of losing.

—

The Opposition Moves

Across the city, in a heavily guarded estate, a secret meeting was underway.

A group of powerful figures sat in a dimly lit room. Business magnates, career politicians, and media moguls—all threatened by Chris's rise.

"He's dangerous," one of them said, slamming his glass on the table. "If he wins, we lose control."

A senator leaned forward. "We need to act now. Dig into his past. Find something—anything."

Another voice cut in. "And if we find nothing?"

The room fell silent.

Then, a shadowed figure at the head of the table spoke. His voice was cold, calculating.

"Then we create something."

The war had begun.