Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 202: Listen to Your Wife

Amber gripped the cold metal of the radio receiver, her hands steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. The room was dimly lit, the hum of telegraph machines filling the silence as Captain Foster stood nearby, arms crossed, watching her closely.

A crackle filled the air as the connection was established. Then, a familiar voice—tight with concern—came through.

"Amber?"

Her throat tightened at the sound of Matthew’s voice. She had longed to hear him, to tell him she was safe, but there was no time for that now.

"Matthew, listen to me. They only rescued me. The others are still there."

A pause. Then, his voice, controlled but firm. "The mission was to extract you. You’re safe now, that’s all that matters."

Amber’s grip on the receiver tightened. "No, it’s not." She took a breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "Matthew, those people were with me. They are diplomats, Chinese officials, civilians. The Boxers will kill them all because of my rescue."

"Amber, you don’t understand. We had one chance to get you out. A second operation risks everything."

She knew he wasn’t dismissing her; he was weighing the risks, just as he always did. But she couldn’t let him look at this as just another tactical decision.

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"Matthew, you are the President of Amerathia. You have the power to do something. Are you telling me that after all we’ve fought for, after everything we’ve stood for, we’re just going to leave them behind?"

A heavy silence. She could imagine him sitting in the war room, jaw clenched, surrounded by advisors telling him to stay out of it.

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"Amber, this isn’t just about our principles. If we send more forces, we’re risking war with China. The Imperial Court is already walking a fine line. If they see Amerathian troops operating inside their borders without authorization—"

"Then get the authorization!" Amber snapped. "Talk to the Emperor! Tell him we can work together to take the camp."

Another pause. "We already tried. The Imperial Court is divided. Some of them want to help, others fear the Boxers will retaliate against them for working with us."

Amber closed her eyes, frustration boiling inside her. "So what, we do nothing? Just let them die?"

"Amber..." His voice was softer now, but still uncertain.

She took a breath, her voice steady, unwavering. "Matthew, you know me. You know I wouldn’t ask for this unless I knew it was the right thing to do. If I were still there, would you have left me behind?"

The silence stretched.

Then—

"No."

She swallowed hard. "Then don’t leave them behind either."

Another long pause. She could hear muffled voices in the background—his advisors, his generals.

Then Matthew spoke again, his tone resolute. "Give me one hour."

Amber let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. "That’s all I ask."

The line went dead.

President Matthew Hesh stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. Around him, his top military officials sat in tense silence. General Carter Hayes leaned forward, arms crossed.

"Sir, with all due respect, a second operation is reckless. The first one barely got out without casualties. If we go back in, we’ll be facing a fully mobilized Boxer force, not a camp caught off guard."

Matthew tapped his fingers against the polished wood. "Amber is right. If we don’t act, we’ll be complicit in their deaths."

Secretary of State Richard Alden adjusted his glasses. "Sir, the British and French are preparing for a full-scale intervention, but they won’t move fast enough to save the hostages. If we go in now, we could set a dangerous precedent—Amerathian forces operating on Chinese soil without explicit approval."

Matthew turned to Ambassador William Thornton, who had just arrived from Beijing. "What’s the Emperor’s stance?"

Thornton sighed. "Conflicted. He wants the Boxers crushed, but he can’t be seen as siding with foreign powers. If we go in alone, it might force his hand, but if we wait for him to act, the hostages will be dead."

Matthew exhaled sharply. "So we have no choice."

General Hayes shook his head. "Sir, I have to object. Our men are exhausted, and the Boxers know we’re coming. This isn’t a stealth operation anymore—it’s war."

Matthew’s voice was calm but unwavering. "Then we fight."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Then he spoke again. "I want a joint operation with the British and Japanese. We hit the camp with precision—coordinated strikes. No hesitation."

Hayes clenched his jaw, but he nodded. "Understood, sir. I’ll inform the teams."

Matthew straightened. "This isn’t just a rescue. This is a message. The world needs to see that we don’t abandon our own. We move at dawn."

Beijing, British Military Outpost – 0500 Hours

Amber stood on the balcony of the outpost, watching the first light of dawn break over the horizon. She had barely slept, her mind racing with possibilities.

Foster approached, a fresh bandage wrapped around his forearm from the earlier skirmish. "Your husband gave the order," he said, leaning against the railing. "They’re mobilizing now."

Amber exhaled. "Thank you."

Foster gave a half-smile. "Don’t thank me yet. We still have to survive this."

The sound of approaching footsteps made them turn. A British officer stepped forward. "The operation is a go. Amerathian, British, and Japanese forces are assembling. We’re hitting the camp in three hours."

Amber nodded. "I want to be there."

Foster frowned. "That’s not happening."

"I’m not asking for permission." Her voice was firm. "I know the layout of the camp. I know where they keep the hostages. You need me."

Foster sighed. "You’re not trained for combat."

"No, but I am trained to survive. And I won’t sit here while others fight for me."

"Sorry Your Grace, but you are not really allowed in the operation as you are civilian. And don’t worry, we made our own observations."

Amber sighed. "Very well, if it’s the case then I won’t force myself. Good luck to you and your men and to your partners."