Chapter Ten: The Next President
1065 Words
A week passed in the blink of an eye. It had been seven days since the three most powerful figures in Beguisra were gone—forgotten forever. Claire was still nowhere to be found, and Diamond was expected to take his seat as the new president. But when he arrived at the presidential office, he found Nolan already there, having replaced Sebastian’s men with his own.
Fortunately, old Mr. Rutherford had spoken to many high-ranking officials in the cabinet, securing their support for Diamond. Still, some harbored doubts. Nolan had been close to Sebastian and was more familiar with the routines of the presidential office. Although Mr. Rutherford had assured them that Diamond had been well groomed and trained, a lingering uncertainty remained.
An argument broke out as the cabinet members gathered around the massive round table in the national conference hall to discuss who should be the next president.
The national secretary asked, “Do we really need to debate this? The late President Rutherford personally announced Mr. Diamond Rutherford as his successor. Why question his decision?”
The vice president replied, “We all know who should be next.”
Another member added, “Exactly. The eldest son should take the seat. He’s been by the president’s side for years—he’s more eligible.”
One official looked at Diamond pleadingly. “Mr. Diamond, why not take the initiative to step down and spare us the trouble?”
The secretary glanced at Diamond with concern. He preferred Diamond over the arrogant, spoiled Nolan and wished he had the power to support him. But the final decision rested on how Diamond handled the situation—it would prove his capability.
What they didn’t know was that the chief judge, who had remained silent, was observing closely. He was watching who opposed his best friend’s favorite grandson and how Diamond would respond.
All eyes turned to Diamond.
He took a deep breath and cast a commanding gaze across the room. Those who had opposed him shrank back into their seats. His eyes locked on Nolan as he asked in a firm tone,
“So what exactly are we here for? A swearing-in—or something else?
Who among you wasn’t present the night the late president declared me his successor?
And who among you opposed it?”
Nolan smirked, an evil grin flickering at the corner of his lips.
He cleared his throat and said righteously,
“Yes, little brother, we didn’t oppose it when Dad announced you. We saw no issue with it—until you were caught in a r**e scandal. Even though Dad hid it, do you think it will stay hidden forever?”
Nolan watched with satisfaction as faces around the table shifted—some of his supporters now uncertain. Only the chief judge remained calm.
Nolan sneered inwardly. “So what if he’s the chief judge? He won’t decide the outcome alone.”
He had already made it his mission: once he took office, he would remove the chief judge and the secretary.
Feeling smug, Nolan sat back and watched Diamond.
The hall erupted in uproar. Questioning glances turned toward Diamond.
Only the chief judge remained composed—his friend had already told him everything.
Diamond took a deep breath, having anticipated this moment. He sneered inwardly and spoke clearly,
“I wonder where my big brother got that information. Could it be that he did something behind my back I’m unaware of?”
Diamond had planned ahead. He’d asked Arnold to hide the girl in the secret room of the presidential suite. With his mother gone, he was sure Nolan didn’t know about it. He had changed all the suite’s passwords and reviewed the camera footage—which had been wiped. It took great effort to find a computer expert to retrieve it.
He continued,
“Because I truly don’t know what my brother is talking about.”
Nolan was caught off guard. He had only installed cameras in Diamond’s suite, never expecting Diamond to outsmart him and use the presidential suite instead.
They still hadn’t found the girl. Diamond must have hidden her—and Nolan had no proof.
Seeing the questioning glances now directed at him, Nolan cleared his throat, less confident than before.
“Well… I only heard that his fiancée caught him cheating and disappeared.”
The chief judge interjected,
“And where did you hear that? We’d like to meet this person.”
Nolan, cornered and without evidence, knew that if he named Claire Wyatt, he’d have to produce her—and she would testify against him.
So he said through gritted teeth,
“My mom.”
The chief judge and those supporting Diamond exhaled—relieved.
The chief judge then addressed the room,
“Does anyone else have anything to say?”
The vice president, realizing he had offended Diamond and hoping Nolan would still be chosen, said,
“I still suggest Mr. Nolan. He is the eldest son…”
Diamond couldn’t hold back his frustration.
“Nolan is not an option. He has no blood re—”
“Diamond Rutherford! Don’t go too far,” someone interrupted.
Diamond raised an eyebrow, anger rising. He suspected Nolan might have had a hand in his father’s death.
He spoke clearly,
“Let’s remove Nolan from the presidential cabinet. He is not a Rutherford.
And since the late president’s final wish was for me to lead, we must honor the dead and grant his wish.”
The room fell silent. Shocked expressions turned into hesitant nods.
Nolan recovered and glared at Diamond with hatred.
“So what if I’m not a Rutherford by blood? I called Seb ‘Dad,’ and he recognized me!”
Unable to hide his anger, Nolan nearly shouted Sebastian’s name.
The chief judge sighed.
“According to the constitution of Beguisra, only descendants of the Rutherford bloodline are entitled to the presidency.”
He turned to Diamond.
“By the power vested in me, I appoint you, Diamond Rutherford, as the acting President of the Republic of Beguisra.”
He shook Diamond’s hand and handed him the gold medal and staff.
“Your swearing-in and inauguration will take place in three months.
Make sure you have your First Lady by then.”
The others stood, shook Diamond’s hand, and began currying favor—knowing he planned to restructure the cabinet.
- Writer
