Chapter 587 - 273: Prisoner’s Dilemma

Within Pennsylvania’s top political circles, Monroe would be an isolated island, completely surrounded by the Republican Party.

From the Republican Party’s perspective, the benefits were immense.

They wouldn’t need to win the gubernatorial election to effectively control the state’s executive and legislative branches.

A Democratic Governor stripped of all power, with a Republican in the seats of the Vice Governor and the Speaker—it was the scenario they had always dreamed of.

If they were determined to destroy Monroe, even sitting in the governor’s chair, he would be trapped on an island of executive orders, unable to make a single move.

A governor who could do nothing was not an asset to the Democratic Party, but a massive liability.

And from the Democratic Party’s perspective, Raymond Walker faced a dilemma of his own.

If he didn’t accept Leo’s proposal, Monroe would be completely stonewalled by the Republicans after taking office. The entire state of Pennsylvania would descend into the chaos of legislative gridlock, and the blow to the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania would be devastating.

Worse still, there was Leo Wallace, who could mobilize the populace at any moment and ignite a confrontation between local authorities and the state and federal governments.

Walker knew that if he didn’t agree to Leo’s terms, the Democratic Party would be in serious trouble in Pennsylvania.

Leo had brought these two sworn enemies onto the same conference call precisely so they could see each other’s hands.

It was a public negotiation tactic, using each party to pressure the other.

Walker knew Taylor would certainly agree, because it served the Republican Party’s interests.

Taylor also knew that Walker had to guard against the Republicans kicking his party while it was down, so Walker had no choice but to cut his losses.

In this open bidding war, no one could use backroom deals to achieve an optimal solution born from asymmetrical information.

Their only option was the single Nash equilibrium: accepting Leo’s proposal.

The Republicans’ willingness to cooperate proved they had immense control over the legislature.

With no popular mandate and facing a complete blockade from the legislature, it would be impossible for Monroe to survive in his post for even a single quarter.

Walker was a smart man. He didn’t need to wait for Monroe’s political corpse to grow cold to understand this.

After a long pause.

Taylor’s voice was the first to break the silence.

"Deal."

"The Republican Party will cooperate."

Immediately after, Walker’s voice came through, tinged with deep resignation.

"Fine, Leo."

"You win."

"Get rid of that damned Monroe."

Leo hung up.

’This is politics.’

’No permanent friends, only permanent interests.’

’And now...’

’He was the one distributing the spoils.’

As he hung up, Leo could almost see Monroe, now completely isolated, swaying at the podium.

Monroe gripped the podium, barely managing to stay on his feet.

Turner rushed to his side, anxiously yelling something in his ear, but Monroe couldn’t make out the words.

"Get away from me."

Monroe took a deep breath and shoved Turner away.

He had no time to process what was happening.

The truth was laid bare before him: the Democrats had abandoned him, and the Republicans were attacking him.

His removal had become a bipartisan consensus.

Bathed in the glow of the emergency lights, he pulled himself upright.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

Monroe’s voice echoed through the hall, clear and distinct even without a microphone.

"Due to a sudden... and serious health issue."

"I find my heart can no longer withstand the current pressure."

"For the stability of Pennsylvania, and to ensure the continued, normal operation of the State Government..."

"I have decided..."

Monroe closed his eyes as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"...to resign from the office of Governor of Pennsylvania."

"Effective immediately."

...

「Pittsburgh, City Hall.」

Leo watched the figure slump down on the screen, his own face impassive.

"It’s over."

Ethan let out a long sigh and slumped into his chair.

"Just like that... it’s over?"

"Forty-eight hours."

Ethan glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Aston Monroe. The shortest-serving governor in the history of Pennsylvania. Forty-eight hours."

"He didn’t even have time to move into the Governor’s Mansion."

Leo stood up and walked over to the map.

He plucked out the flag representing Monroe and tossed it into the trash can.

"The greedy are always the first to fall," Leo said coolly.

"He wanted to take it all, but he forgot he was just an opportunist with no real power base."

’Mr. President,’ Leo thought. ’It’s all cleaned up.’

’Well done.’

Roosevelt’s mental voice carried a tone of chilling satisfaction.

’Don’t do it at all, or be absolute.’

’You left him no chance to retaliate. You used his own greed to bury him.’

’Now...’

Roosevelt’s tone grew lighter.

’The throne is vacant.’

’According to the constitutional line of succession, who’s next?’

Leo smiled.

He picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a number.

"Hello, William."

William Saint Cloud’s languid voice came from the other end of the line, with the melody of an opera in the background.

"Leo? What’s up? I’m trying on my new suit. It’s for the cocktail party tonight."

"Take it off," Leo said.

"Get something more formal ready."

"Black would be best. Something dignified."

"Why?" William asked, confused. "Did someone die?"

"No, nobody died."

Leo gazed out the window.

The sky over Pittsburgh was clearing. Sunlight pierced the clouds, shining down on the roof of City Hall.

"Someone just vacated a position."

"William, pack your bags."

"You’re moving."

"Moving where?"

"The Governor’s Mansion," Leo said, enunciating every word.

"Congratulations, Mr. William Saint Cloud."

"From this moment on."

"You are the new Governor of Pennsylvania."

A loud THUD came from the other end of the line, followed by William’s terrified shriek.

"What?! What did you say?! I’m not doing it! That place is haunted! And the food is terrible!"

Leo paid no mind to his shrieking.

He hung up the phone, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and gazed down upon the city.

Campbell was gone.

Monroe was gone.

Now, sitting in the highest seat in Harrisburg was a puppet who would obey his every command.

The legislature, the executive, the judiciary, the treasury.

All of it was finally in his hands.

"Ethan."

Leo turned.

"Notify the Board of Pardons."

"The new governor’s first act will be to sign a pardon."

"I want to see Luigi standing on the steps of City Hall."

"This time, no one can stop us."

Leo straightened his collar.

"Pennsylvania is ours."