Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 227: Declaring War on Bradford

The White House communications team had worked tirelessly through the night. Camera crews were stationed, radio channels secured, and every major newspaper had been alerted that the President of Amerathia would be addressing the nation. The announcement alone had sparked a frenzy, with speculation running wild.

Would he declare war? Would he resign under pressure?

Or—unthinkable to many—would he defy Congress and veto the war declaration outright?

Matthew Hesh stood in the mirror, adjusting his tie. He looked exhausted. Deep lines creased his face, and his eyes were bloodshot from days of sleepless nights. But none of that mattered now. The only thing that mattered was what he would say next.

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Collins entered, his face as tense as ever. "Sir, we’re live in five minutes."

Matthew turned to face him. "How’s the reaction?"

Collins hesitated. "Mixed. Pro-war senators are furious. Some are already calling this a desperate attempt to stall. But the people—well, they’re watching."

"Good," Matthew muttered. He straightened his back. "Let’s begin."

The cameras clicked on. The radio broadcast reached every corner of the nation. Millions of Amerathians, from factory workers to senators, stopped what they were doing to listen.

Matthew sat at the Resolute Desk, hands folded in front of him. He took a slow, deliberate breath before speaking.

"My fellow Amerathians, tonight, I come before you not as a politician, nor as a commander-in-chief, but as a man faced with a terrible decision—one that will shape the course of our history."

The room was dead silent.

"In the past few weeks, we have been told that war is necessary. That war is justified. That war is the only way forward. We have been told that Mexico is our enemy, that they have struck us at Fort McKinley, and that they must be punished."

A pause. His voice grew firmer.

"But I ask you this: where is the proof?"

A ripple of confusion ran through the listeners.

"The weapons found at Fort McKinley—could they have been planted? The documents blaming Mexico—why did they appear so conveniently? Why were the newspapers so quick to declare war, even before an official investigation had begun?"

The tension in the room was thick.

"My duty is to you, the people. Not the warhawks in Congress. Not the voices that seek conquest under the guise of security. I have spoken with the Mexican government. They deny any involvement. And while I do not take their word lightly, I refuse to take our own government’s word without scrutiny."

His voice sharpened.

"We are Amerathians. We do not go to war on assumptions. We do not send our sons to die based on rushed votes and fabricated outrage. We are better than this."

Silence across the nation.

"I will not sign the war declaration."

Gasps erupted across the room. Collins inhaled sharply. The press corps whispered furiously among themselves.

But Matthew wasn’t done.

"And I challenge Congress: If you truly believe this war is just, then prove it. Show me the undeniable, irrefutable evidence that Mexico is guilty. Until then, I refuse to be the President who marches Amerathia into a war built on deception."

His expression was firm.

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"We do not need more territory. We do not need more bloodshed. What we need—what we must have—is the truth."

He stared into the camera, unblinking.

"And I will not let that truth be buried."

The screen faded to black.

The moment the cameras shut off, the White House erupted into chaos.

Collins turned to Matthew. "Sir, you just declared war on Congress."

Matthew exhaled, rubbing his temples. "No, Collins. I just declared war on the lie."

Outside, the press scrambled. Reporters sprinted to telegraph offices. Radio hosts rushed to dissect every word. And in the streets, the reaction was split.

Some cheered. Others raged.

At the Capitol, Bradford sat in his office, hands clasped together, his jaw tight. He had underestimated Hesh. The President had flipped the narrative. The people were now asking questions instead of demanding war.

Damn him.

Bradford turned to Macias and Carter, both equally stunned.

"What do we do now?" Macias muttered.

Bradford leaned forward. His mind raced. Hesh’s veto would hold, but only temporarily. If Congress could secure enough votes, they could override it.

"We push forward," Bradford said, his voice cold. "We don’t stop. The people are questioning now, but questions don’t last. They want action. We make sure the pressure keeps building."

Carter narrowed his eyes. "You mean more attacks?"

Bradford smirked. "I mean more reasons. We need more reasons for the people to demand war. If they begin to waver, we give them something they can’t ignore."

Macias nodded. "Another incident."

Bradford leaned back, his smirk widening. "Or two."

Matthew sat alone in his office, staring at the city lights.

He had bought time. But he knew it wouldn’t last.

Collins entered, a telegram in hand. "Sir, it’s from the Mexican government."

Matthew took it, his pulse quickening.

It was a simple message.

"We have found something. But we need more time."

Matthew exhaled. There was still hope.

But how much time did he really have?

Because now, he wasn’t just fighting against war.

He was fighting against those willing to create one.

Matthew folded the telegram and set it on his desk. His mind raced. Time—he needed more of it. But the warhawks were closing in, and Bradford would not wait for Mexico to dig up the truth.

He turned to Collins. "Bradford is orchestrating this, but we have no proof. If we’re going to expose him, we need to find out what he’s planning before he moves again."

Collins frowned. "You’re suggesting espionage? Spying on a government official?"

Matthew met his gaze, his voice steady. "We don’t have a choice. Bradford is fabricating reasons for war. He won’t stop until he gets what he wants. If we sit back, Amerathia marches into an era of conquest, and we will never be able to turn back."

Collins hesitated. "This is dangerous, sir. If it gets out that the President ordered surveillance on a high-ranking official, the backlash—"

Matthew cut him off. "It’s a risk we take. We need someone close enough to Bradford, someone who can get into those meetings. Someone who can find out what he’s planning before he sets the next fire."

Collins sighed. "I may have a name."

Matthew straightened. "Then bring them in. We don’t have much time."

Because if Bradford was planning another incident—Matthew needed to know before it was too late.