Chapter 197: A Warning to the World

 (Skylar's POV)

The silence in the United Nations hall was suffocating.

The Chinese ambassador had just threatened war. And I had just made it clear that Chris would not back down.

I could feel the weight of every nation's eyes on me. They didn't just see me as the U.S. representative—they saw me as Chris's voice.

The French President was the first to respond. He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "This is madness. The United States cannot be allowed to set this precedent. If we do nothing, then no nation is safe from conquest."

The British Prime Minister nodded. "We must impose sanctions. Severe ones. All U.S. trade, all U.S. military alliances—frozen until Nigeria is liberated."

I tensed. Sanctions. That was only the first step.

The Russian President leaned forward. His voice was calm but laced with warning. "You have one last chance, Skylar. Tell your President to withdraw. If not—"

"If not, what?"

A new voice cut through the room.

The massive screen at the front of the hall lit up with a live transmission.

Chris.

He was sitting in the White House War Room, his expression unreadable. But his eyes… those cold, unshaken eyes scanned the room like a predator watching its prey.

The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

Chris had come to deliver his own message.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You all seem to have forgotten something."

His voice was smooth, deliberate. "The world does not run on treaties. It runs on power. And right now, I hold more power than any of you."

Murmurs spread through the hall. Chris wasn't here to negotiate. He was here to remind them of who he was.

The Chinese ambassador narrowed his eyes. "President Chris, if you do not withdraw from Nigeria, you will force us to act."

Chris smirked. "Then act. But understand—if you challenge me, I will respond with full force. And I promise you… none of you are ready for that."

My breath caught. Oh my God, Chris…

He wasn't just threatening them.

He was daring them.

The French President's face darkened. "Are you truly willing to risk World War III over this?"

Chris exhaled slowly, as if the question didn't concern him. "You're mistaken." He met their gazes through the screen, his voice lowering.

"The war has already begun."

The room erupted into chaos.

Leaders shouted, delegates scrambled to respond. I felt the blood drain from my face as I turned to the screen.

Chris had just declared war on the world.

And worst of all?

He looked like he had been waiting for this moment all along.