America: From a Fallen Child Star to the Head of the University of the West

None of them seem very good!

Sean paced back and forth in his hotel room, his brain never stopping working. He felt that his computing power had exceeded 5090.

Next, the speech?

It's probably pointless now; he's already given a speech in Vandenberg, and it was quite effective. But that was when he still had the upper hand.

Now, the prosecutor is about to indict him, the FBI has announced that it has obtained key evidence, and the victims are tearfully pleading their case on television.

Damn, they really have a clear division of labor.

In this context, any speech will be interpreted as sophistry.

He can't keep doing this kind of performance art; he needs another path.

Thinking of this, Sean stopped, closed his eyes, and began to sort out the resources and current situation at hand.

This offensive came too fast and too fiercely. This indicates that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes, and that this person, or rather this group of people, is eager to bring him down in a short period of time.

Why the rush? It must be because they're afraid!

They were afraid he actually had that list, afraid he would continue to expand his influence after the New Year, and afraid he could really establish himself in Pennsylvania.

Therefore, they chose to strike on New Year's Eve to achieve a fatal blow.

But impatience often leads to mistakes.

"It seems the advantage is in my hands."

Sean picked up his phone and, with his powerful search skills, scoured various websites for information about the Pennsylvania Attorney General.

The prosecutor, Robert Harrison, is a member of the Democratic Party and has been in office for eight years. His political career has been relatively smooth, without any major scandals or outstanding achievements.

But one piece of information caught Sean's attention.

Harrison's political campaign committee has been raising funds, a significant portion of which comes from several large unions in Philadelphia.

These unions were precisely the ones that Catherine Donovan had been trying to win over.

He continued his search and found another clue half an hour later.

Three days earlier, on the day he arrived in Philadelphia, former Senator Richard Brennan met with Harrison in a private setting.

The news came from a gossip website, accompanied by a photo of the two shaking hands in front of an upscale restaurant. Although both parties vehemently denied it, sometimes you can't completely trust what gossip reporters say.

It is common knowledge that journalists are often involved in organized crime, and many of them solicit bribes from politicians to ensure that their so-called public image remains clean.

Since reporters have already captured the two's private conversation, it suggests that the whole thing may be based on hearsay, but it's not entirely unfounded.

Sean happened to recognize the name Richard Brennan. He was a veteran Democrat in Pennsylvania, and although retired, he still held some influence within the party.

If this person met with Harrison on the same day he arrived in Philadelphia, and then three days later Harrison announced he would sue him...

There's a hint of conspiracy in this!

Sean checked the time: nine o'clock in the morning.

There are still six hours until the prosecutor's press conference.

He must find a breakthrough within these six hours.

……

At 10 a.m., Sean appeared in front of Philadelphia City Hall. It wasn't that he wanted to linger there, as it was a few minutes' walk from the state attorney general's district office in Philadelphia.

But a number of reporters and protesters had already gathered there. When they saw Sean passing by, they immediately surrounded him.

"Mr. Pan, what is your response to the lawsuit that the prosecutor is about to file?"

"Mr. Pan, the FBI says they have crucial evidence. What's your opinion?"

"Mr. Pan, do you still insist that you are a victim?"

Sean didn't answer the questions. His gaze swept across the crowd, and the system began displaying the numbers above each person's head.

The reporters' favorability rating was mostly between [10] and [30]. They were just doing their jobs and had no particular hostility towards him, but they also didn't have any goodwill towards him.

The protesters' favorability ratings were mostly negative, ranging from -20 to -60.

But Sean noticed that one person in the crowd had a different level of popularity.

He was a middle-aged man in a suit. Although he was standing at the edge of the group of reporters, he was still very conspicuous, perhaps because he was so tall. And this person's favorability rating towards him was [-85].

This number is too low, abnormally low. Just how much must this person hate him? Did he sleep with his wife, or kill his father?

Ordinary protesters or victims typically have a favorability rating between -30 and -60. Only those with a direct conflict of interest will have a favorability rating below -70.

Sean observed him discreetly.

The middle-aged man seemed to notice Sean's gaze and turned slightly to avoid it.

But Sean had already memorized his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not here today to respond to those accusations," he told a group of reporters. "I'm here to see someone."

The reporters were taken aback.

"Who are you going to see?" someone asked.

"Mr. Attorney General Harrison," Sean said, "I'd like to ask him a question in person."

"What's the problem?"

"I want to ask him, who told him to sue me on New Year's Eve?"

A commotion arose in the crowd.

"Mr. Pan, are you implying that this prosecution has political motives?" a reporter pressed.

“I’m not implying anything,” Sean smiled. “I just wanted to speak with Mr. Harrison. After all, in a democracy, the accused should have the right to face their accusers, shouldn’t they?”

Then, he turned and left...

……

Sean had arrived at his true destination in front of the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office in Philadelphia.

However, the building's security guards tried to stop him, so Sean calmly said, "I'm here to turn myself in. Didn't the prosecutor's office tell me to turn myself in before 10 a.m. tomorrow? I'm doing it early. There's no need to trouble the police officers; isn't it more convenient for me to go directly to the prosecutor?"

The security guards looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Finally, a middle-aged woman who looked like the person in charge came over.

"Mr. Pan, please come with me."

Sean followed her into the city hall, through a long corridor, and into the reception area of ​​the prosecutor's office.

"Please wait here while I inform Attorney General Harrison."

"Okay," Sean said, then sat down on the sofa without any hesitation.

There were several other people waiting in the reception area, mostly lawyers or civil servants in formal attire. They all looked surprised when they saw Sean.

Sean's gaze swept over everyone, and the system displayed their favorability ratings.

[15], [-10], [22], [8]...

They're all ordinary people, nothing special.

But just then, an office door opened and a person walked out.

Sean looked up and saw that face.

It's Catherine Donovan.

She clearly hadn't expected to run into Sean here; the fleeting surprise on her face was the best proof, but her politician's composure allowed her to quickly regain her composure.

"Mr. Pan," she said with a smile as she walked over, "I didn't expect to see you here."

Sean stood up and looked at the numbers above her head.

【32】.

It's down by more than ten points compared to when we last met.

"Congressman Donovan," Sean replied with a smile, "what a coincidence. Are you also here to see the Attorney General?"

"Just some routine procedures," Catherine said. "And you? I heard the prosecutor is going to indict you."

"Yeah, I heard about it too! That's why I turned myself in!" Sean's tone was as relaxed as if he were talking about the weather. "Instead of waiting to be caught, I might as well cooperate. That shows I'm more sincere, doesn't it?"

Catherine stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly trying to read his mind.

"You're quite calm."

"What's there to be unsettled about?" Sean shrugged. "Franklin said, 'A clear conscience fears nothing.' I believe the law will clear my name."

"Do you really believe in the law that much?"

“Yes,” Sean’s lips curled up slightly, “but I actually believe more in the truth. And the truth will always come to light one day.”

As he spoke, he leaned closer to Catherine and whispered to her:

"Congressman Donovan, you know what? I've been wondering who's behind this indictment. Attorney General Harrison is a cautious man; he wouldn't pull something like this on New Year's Eve for no reason."

"Unless someone gives him enough motivation."

Catherine's expression didn't change, but Sean noticed that the number above her head dropped from [32] to [28].

"Mr. Pan, what are you implying?"

"I wasn't implying anything." Sean took a step back, restoring his normal voice. "I was just thinking. After all, there aren't many people in this city who can influence the prosecutor."

"Mr. Pan, I hope you won't make wild guesses." Her tone remained calm, but it had changed. "I have nothing to do with this lawsuit."

"Of course, of course," Sean nodded. "I was just saying."

Just then, the middle-aged woman returned.

"Mr. Pan, Attorney General Harrison has agreed to see you. Please come with me."

So Sean said to Catherine, "Congressman Donovan, let's talk another day."

Then he turned around and followed the woman toward the prosecutor's office.