Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
As soon as Carter stood still, his secretary appeared beside him, her expression calm and meticulous, her tone concise and clear. "Mr. Carter, please follow me."
She led Carter through the bustling Campaign Headquarters, making their way to a row of Black SUVs parked at the entrance. The vehicles were sleek and shiny, their windows tinted dark enough that no one could see inside. They exuded a sense of stability and discretion, yet carried an undeniable aura of authority.
The secretary opened the rear door and gestured for Carter to get in. "Sit here, and when we arrive at the rally venue, be ready to step out and share your story with everyone."
Carter paused for a moment but eventually nodded and stepped into the back seat of the SUV.
The interior was spacious and quiet, with excellent soundproofing that contrasted sharply with the busy atmosphere outside. The seats were soft, and a faint scent of leather filled the air. The overhead light cast a gentle glow, seemingly designed to calm one's nerves.
The door remained open as the secretary stood by it, not rushing to close it. Instead, she hesitated for a moment, seemingly assessing Carter's state.
She let out a soft sigh, reached out to pat Carter's shoulder, her tone unusually gentle. "Don't be too nervous; it's just about sharing your story."
Carter glanced up at her in surprise at this sudden display of concern but simply nodded in response. "I understand."
Only then did the secretary close the door and turn to leave quickly.
Carter was left alone in the vehicle, leaning back against the seat as his palm subconsciously rubbed against the fabric of his jeans, feeling his fingertips tense slightly.
This was the first time in his life he would speak in front of a large audience. Even if it was just to tell his own story, he still felt an indescribable pressure weighing on him.
He lifted his head and looked out the window.
Through the darkened glass, he saw Rain getting into the front SUV, surrounded by several assistants. His expression was as steady and confident as ever, as if this were just another ordinary engagement.
Behind their vehicle were several others following closely in an orderly fashion, their headlights flickering in the night like a patrol squad ready for departure.
Carter took a deep breath, his gaze slowly sweeping across the convoy before settling back on his own hands.
In that moment, he truly realized that he had embarked on a path in life completely different from his past.
The convoy drove steadily toward the city center, and Carter sat quietly in the back seat, watching as the familiar streets gradually transformed into a bustling crowd.
As the vehicle turned the final corner, he immediately spotted a massive temporary stage set up in the center of the square, brightly illuminated by lights. Red and blue campaign banners hung high, emblazoned with Rain's name and slogan: "Make Tomorrow Better!"
The area in front of the stage was already packed with people. Supporters waved flags and held up signs, engaging in lively conversations as they awaited the event to begin.
Among the crowd, many volunteers wearing campaign vests busily distributed flyers and arranged seating. Some elderly individuals sat in the front row on folding chairs, chatting with young people beside them, exchanging hopes for the future.
But Carter quickly noticed that there were not just supporters present.
On the other side of the crowd, small groups of protesters donned vests of different colors, holding signs that read "Against Populism" and "Economic Scam." They shouted loudly from time to time, clashing verbally with Rain's supporters. The atmosphere was tense, charged with an undercurrent of pressure.
Journalists were also on-site; cameras from various news outlets were already set up, photographers adjusting their lenses while reporters stood at the edge of the crowd, whispering to members of the campaign team, clearly preparing to capture key moments of the night.
In addition to this, Carter spotted several local politicians and business representatives who had also arrived. They stood to the side of the stage, exchanging pleasantries with Rain's aides, sharing smiles and handshakes. This was not just a rally; it was a clash of political power.
All of this felt somewhat surreal to Carter.
He had only seen such scenes on television before.
Those candidates stood under bright lights, waving at crowds while delivering passionate speeches. Supporters chanted slogans, and media captured every moment as if everyone carried a certain mission. Yet today, he found himself becoming a part of this spectacle.
The convoy slowed down and came to a stop in the designated area behind the stage. Volunteers rushed over to assist in opening the car door, preparing for Rain's entrance.
Carter clenched his fist and took a deep breath as his heart began to race.
He knew that when the door opened, he would no longer be just an observer—tonight, he would step before the crowd and share his story, making sure those gathered here would hear him.
As the door swung open, a cool night breeze mixed with the fervent voices surged into the car.
Carter took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, his feet landing firmly on the ground. In that moment, he was no longer a hidden observer in the shadows; he had stepped into the spotlight.
His gaze quickly scanned ahead, where Rain was immediately surrounded by a throng of reporters. Microphones, cameras, and phone lenses were thrust toward him as questions bombarded from all directions—
"Mr. Ryan! The latest polls show that your support still lags behind your main opponent. What are your thoughts?"
"Some have criticized your past policy proposals as populist hype. How do you respond?"
"What is your assessment of the crowd protesting tonight? Is your campaign dividing society?"
Rain stood amidst the reporters' chaos, maintaining his usual calm and confidence. He smiled and raised his hand, signaling for everyone to settle down. "Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to go up on stage to meet my supporters first, and I will answer your questions afterward, alright?"
The reporters continued their clamoring, camera flashes popping incessantly, but Rain remained unfazed. He skillfully commanded the scene, walking toward the stage with a smile while his campaign team worked hard to clear a path for him.
Carter stood by the car, watching it all unfold. This was a world he had never encountered—cameras, bright lights, reporters, politicians. His past life had never required him to face any of this, and now he found himself part of this game.
"Carter, hurry up."
His secretary suddenly appeared at his side, her tone leaving no room for argument as she gestured for him to move quickly. "We're getting ready to go on stage. Sit over there in those chairs and wait for instructions."
She pointed to a row of chairs set aside for special guests on the side of the stage, signifying that Carter was no longer just an "audience member," but part of the event.
Carter said nothing more; he simply nodded, adjusted the angle of his hat, and followed his secretary through the crowded throng toward a stage he had never imagined stepping onto.
He hurriedly squeezed up the crowded steps behind Rain.
The noise around him was overwhelming; reporters relentlessly tried to get closer, microphones and recording devices almost shoved into Rain's face while camera flashes flickered continuously, the bright light making Carter's eyes uncomfortable.
"Mr. Ryan! Regarding campaign funding—"
"May I ask how you respond to the latest remarks from your opponents?"
"Does tonight's speech imply that you will change your policy direction?"
Questions surged like a tidal wave, pressing Rain for answers.
Yet Rain was not overwhelmed by the pressure; he maintained his confident smile. Even when he was nearly squeezed to immobility, he effortlessly raised his hand, making a calming gesture towards the reporters. "Everyone, please be patient. We'll talk after the speech, alright?"
This commanding presence was something Carter was witnessing for the first time.
What surprised him even more was the frenzy of these reporters.
He had previously thought that journalism was just an ordinary profession. Now he realized that these individuals were like sharks sensing blood; once they latched onto a target, they would not let go easily.
A few security personnel formed a wall, firmly blocking the reporters trying to push forward. The scene had almost turned into a tug-of-war, with the relentless media on one side and Rain's campaign team striving to maintain order on the other.
Carter was somewhat astonished; was this the kind of madness Rain faced every day?
This was not a battlefield he was accustomed to. There were no gunshots or explosions here, but the chaos and sense of oppression reminded him of those moments on the battlefield when enemies launched fierce assaults—only this time, the weapons were words instead of bullets.
He furrowed his brow slightly, took a deep breath, and made an effort to adapt to this entirely new environment. Then he continued upward until he reached the final step of the stage.
Comment 0 Comment Count