Building a Conglomerate in Another World

January 5, 1897.

The White House, Washington D.C.

The weight of the decision settled fully on President Matthew Hesh's shoulders as he stood in front of the mirror in his private quarters, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. The day had arrived—the moment when he would officially declare his bid for reelection.

He had thought long and hard about this decision over the past weeks, debating whether the cost of another term was worth it. His family's safety, the threats lurking in the shadows, and the sheer force of his opposition were all reasons to walk away.

But walking away meant surrendering Amerathia to the very forces that had nearly pushed it into a manufactured war. It meant letting the Order of the Phoenix Society regain control from behind the curtain, undoing everything he had fought for.

He couldn't allow that to happen.

A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come in," he called.

Amber stepped inside, dressed elegantly yet simply. She had been his strongest supporter through everything, and today was no different.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

Matthew exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Amber walked over and fixed his tie, her touch lingering for a moment. "You're doing the right thing, Matt."

He met her gaze. "It won't be easy."

She smirked. "It never is with you."

A small chuckle escaped him. "That's fair."

There was another knock at the door—this time Collins.

"Sir, it's time."

Matthew gave Amber one last look before nodding. "Let's go."

The Press Conference

The East Room of the White House was packed. Reporters filled every available space, pens poised, cameras ready.

The entire nation was watching.

Matthew stepped up to the podium, his expression calm but resolute. He glanced at Amber, Collins, and his key advisors standing nearby, offering silent reassurance.

He cleared his throat.

"My fellow Amerathians," he began. "Six months ago, our nation stood at the brink of war. The decisions made in those days were some of the hardest I've ever faced. I was confronted not by a foreign enemy, but by corruption within our own government."

The room fell silent. Every journalist leaned in.

"I stood before you then and told you the truth—that certain individuals within our political and military institutions sought to manufacture a war, deceive the public, and send thousands of our sons to die for their own ambitions. They were arrested, but the fight did not end there. The fight against corruption, against those who believe power is theirs to wield without accountability, continues."

He let that settle before moving forward.

"And because of that fight, because of the work that remains unfinished… I am officially announcing my candidacy for reelection as President of Amerathia."

The room exploded. Camera flashes erupted, reporters shouted questions, and the energy in the space shifted instantly.

Matthew raised a hand, calming the room.

"I am running for reelection not for power, not for recognition, but because I believe in the promise of Amerathia—a nation that stands for truth, for progress, for its people. Over the last years, we have made strides in strengthening our industries, improving workers' rights, and defending this country from those who would seek to manipulate it from within."

He gripped the podium, his voice growing stronger.

"But our work is far from over. There are those who wish to see us fail. Those who will stop at nothing to reverse the progress we have made. I cannot, and I will not, allow that to happen."

A murmur ran through the room.

"I have heard the criticisms, the accusations, the attempts to discredit this administration. I am fully aware that the fight ahead will not be easy. But I do not fear the challenge."

He paused, scanning the crowd.

"I stand before you today not as a perfect man, not as a politician without flaws, but as a leader who has made hard choices and who will continue to fight for the future of this nation." Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire

He straightened.

"If you will have me, I will serve you again."

The room erupted once more. Some reporters scrambled to capture the moment; others shot sharp glances, already preparing the political attacks that would follow.

Matthew let them react, let the weight of his words settle before stepping back from the podium.

Collins immediately stepped forward, fielding the flood of questions as Matthew exited the room.

The battle had begun.

Collins entered ten minutes later, setting a fresh stack of reports on the desk. "The press is eating it up. Your supporters are rallying. The opposition? They're already sharpening their knives."

Matthew nodded, unsurprised. "I expected nothing less."

Collins sat across from him. "Your enemies isn't going to take this lightly. Your reelection means four more years of resistance against them."

Matthew leaned back. "Which is why we don't just play defense, Collins. We go on the offensive."

Collins raised an eyebrow. "How?"

Matthew tapped the desk. "Vaughn."

Collins immediately understood. "The private military?"

Matthew nodded. "He's building it as we speak. If our opposition tries anything—if they attempt to influence this election the way they have in the past—I want them stopped before they even get the chance."

Collins let out a slow breath. "That's risky."

Matthew met his gaze. "Everything about this presidency has been risky."

A beat of silence.

Then Collins sighed. "Alright. Then I'll make sure the funding is routed through the proper channels. Discreetly."

Matthew smirked. "Good."

Later that evening, Matthew found Amber in the sitting room, reading near the fireplace.

She looked up as he entered, setting the book down. "It's done, then?"

He sat beside her. "It's done."

She studied him for a moment. "And now?"

"Now," Matthew sighed, "we prepare for the election. We still have months left, and that means we are going to travel across different states, and travelling to different states would be exhausting, especially for you."

"You don't have to say that, I will help you win this reelection, Matt," Amber said softly.

"Thank you my dear."