Chapter 123: Commanding the Room

The next morning, the White House was a storm of movement. Staff rushed through the halls, security doubled their watch, and the world watched as Christopher Blackwood prepared to lead his first official Oval Office General Meeting.

Inside the Oval Office, the most powerful figures in the country were gathered. Cabinet members, military officials, intelligence directors—each one holding decades of influence, yet today, they all answered to one man.

Chris sat at the head of the long mahogany table, dressed in a sharp black suit, exuding the same unshakable control that had brought him to this moment. His expression was unreadable, his fingers interlaced as he observed the room.

The murmurs stopped as Ethan stepped forward.

"The President is ready," he announced.

All eyes shifted to Chris. The room went silent.

Chris exhaled, his voice calm yet commanding. "Gentlemen. Ladies. Let's get one thing clear—this is not politics as usual."

A few exchanged glances, sensing the weight of his words.

"For decades, this country has been run on illusions—promises that never materialize, deals made in the shadows, power controlled by the same hands." He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp, his presence suffocating. "That ends now."

The Secretary of Defense cleared his throat. "With all due respect, Mr. President, change takes time. The system—"

Chris cut him off. "The system is built to resist change. I'm here to break that resistance."

Silence.

The Director of National Intelligence adjusted his tie, watching Chris carefully. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Chris smirked. The kind of smirk that sent a warning.

"By making sure that when I speak, the world listens."

He let that settle before continuing. "We don't negotiate from weakness anymore. We don't react. We dictate. The Blackwood Empire didn't rise by waiting—and neither will this administration."

Some nodded in silent understanding. Others stiffened, realizing that this presidency would be unlike any before.

Then, without breaking eye contact, Chris delivered the final command that made his stance clear.

"From this moment forward, every policy, every move, every strategy—we don't follow the game."

A pause.

"We rewrite it."

The room remained still, tension thick in the air. They understood. The Christopher Blackwood era had begun.