Chapter 1882 - 1403: Anxiety in the Oval Office (3)

It's only an hour's drive from here to Washington D.C., yet far enough away from the never-ending political gossip swirl by the Potomac River.

The phone on the dressing table vibrated.

Hillary glanced at the screen.

It was a message from the campaign manager: "Latest polls show we're ahead by 3% in Pennsylvania, tied in Ohio, and trailing by 2% in Florida. Tonight's fundraising target: eight million."

Eight million.

Enough to run two weeks of TV ads in critical swing states or pay hundreds of on-the-ground organizers for a month.

Politics is an equivalent exchange of money, a fact she understood better than anyone.

From the Governor's Mansion in Arkansas to the West Wing of the White House, from the Senate to the State Department, forty years in politics taught her one thing — principles require the backing of power, and power requires the fuel of funding.

"Red." She finally made her choice.

Carolyn smiled with relief, hung the blue dress back in the wardrobe.

Just then, another phone rang.

The encrypted black satellite phone, placed beside the velvet jewelry box, its screen flashing with an unsaved number—but with area code 202.

White House.

Hillary's eyebrows raised half a millimeter.

Leia sensitively stepped back, her makeup brush suspended in mid-air.

Carolyn, very tactfully, quickly put the dress on the chair back and silently exited the room, gently closing the door.

Five seconds later, Hillary answered the call.

"Good evening, Barack."

She called Obama by his nickname, showing the close relationship between them.

"Rodham, hope I'm not interrupting your preparations for tonight's event."

Obama also used Hillary's nickname.

As a political figure, Hillary's nickname or common reference mainly relates to her name and public image.

In informal occasions or in media, she is often referred to as "Hillary," directly using her name, which aligns with the everyday habits of English-speaking countries regarding names.

Furthermore, based on her marital status and surname changes, she is sometimes called "Mrs. Clinton," especially during Bill Clinton's presidency, emphasizing her role as the spouse of the president.

However, Hillary used her maiden name "Rodham" before marriage, briefly insisted on using "Hillary Rodham" after marriage, then switched to "Hillary Clinton" for political needs, but reverted to using her full name "Hillary Rodham Clinton" after Clinton assumed the presidency.

This, of course, relates to her attempt to portray an image of an independent woman.

Thus, those with close relationships privately call her by her maiden name—"Rodham."

"Never, Mr. President. Your voice always takes precedence."

She walked towards the window, her left hand unconsciously fiddling with a pearl necklace.

It was a gift from Bill when she was first elected as a senator, now serving as a kind of psychological comfort.

A brief silence.

They both knew this wasn't a routine courtesy call.

"Have you noticed the news?"

"Yes, that Lord Dong is threatening us."

"Horizon News Group released a preview." Obama got straight to the point: "They said what they have could 'change the game,' that's the phrase they used. You know what that means."

Hillary didn't immediately respond.

She looked out the window, a black SUV was making its way down the winding driveway, carrying the night's first batch of guests.

They were a few bankers from Wall Street and their wives.

Of course, she knew Horizon's preview.

Her press secretary had rushed into the study half an hour ago, holding a tablet, her face pale as a newly painted wall.

"We've all seen those documents." Obama continued, his voice deep and measured: "At least the parts that have already been made public. But if there's more...especially details about our operations in North Africa and the Middle East, if they contain certain 'unauthorized methods'..."

He didn't finish.

No need to finish.

Hinting was enough.

Everyone knew well.

Hillary closed her eyes.

She certainly understood.

Not only had she seen those documents, but some she had even personally signed.

Under the banner of the war on terror, some lines became blurred, some procedures were expedited, some approvals were made under the fluorescent lights of the Situation Room late at night, with a coffee cup nearby and a hastily drafted memorandum by legal advisors titled "Emergency Authorization: Protection of United States Interests and Personnel Safety."

"We're a nation of laws," she finally said, her voice drier than she'd anticipated: "All actions are within the legal framework."

"The legal framework is elastic, Rodham." Obama's voice carried its first hint of tension: "Especially in certain public opinion environments."

"Listen."

He changed his tone, becoming more direct.

"I don't like this situation, just as you don't. But we are now standing at the edge of a cliff. What exactly does Horizon have? Where did they get it? The CIA still hasn't given a definite answer. But one thing is certain: if at seven tonight, they release a second round of documents, especially if they involve 'certain sensitive methods,' I mean those the public isn't prepared for, then next Tuesday's election campaign will no longer be about economy, healthcare, or foreign policy."

Hillary's nails dug into her palm.

The sound of a doorbell echoed downstairs; the guests had arrived.

She could imagine Carolyn anxiously checking the time, hesitating whether to knock.

"It will become a national referendum on morality, legality, and war crimes."

Obama pronounced each word deliberately: "And you and your team will bear the brunt. Don't forget, you are the former Secretary of State; the final authorization of many of those actions went through the State Department. The opposition will pounce like sharks smelling blood."