CHAPTER 314: CHAPTER 8: AFTERMATH

As Admiral Alvin’s body collapsed limply, the skin on his neck and face turned a purplish-black, a result of blood congestion from strangulation, looking shocking under the bright lights.

Next to the yacht’s luxurious teak table, the atmosphere was oppressive and tense.

The "invited" guests sat stiffly like frozen sculptures, careful even with their breathing, their eyes nervously darting side to side.

A four-star admiral, that’s the pinnacle of the military pyramid, with merely seven or eight in all of the United States military.

To execute a four-star admiral in such a private and violent manner without trial, its shock is akin to dropping an atomic bomb on Washington D.C.

This could very likely lead to severe turmoil within the military, possibly spiraling out of control. If mishandled, its impact will far exceed the world-shocking fire explosion on the "Ford" aircraft carrier.

When the guests received the invitation, they carried a subtle delight in their hearts, believing this was a rare opportunity to get closer to Mr. Harden, the Minister of the Ministry of Efficiency.

However, at this moment, they only felt their hearts pounding like drums, deeply regretting their situation. Their gazes slowly converged on Zhou Qingfeng seated at the main seat, internally screaming in fear:

"Your actions are too extreme, you’ve caused such a huge mess, even with the vice president’s backing, it’s hard to emerge unscathed!"

As the guests sat on pins and needles, believing Harden had set this up to threaten them, proposing some unacceptable demand.

Zhou Qingfeng merely waved his hand casually and said in an understated tone, "Everyone, you can leave."

What... leave? Just let us go like that?!

Among the guests, a senator from the Senate was the first to regain composure, his face turning livid, angrily shouting, "Mr. Harden, if you have any requests, just say them!

You killed the assistant minister of the Department of Justice before our eyes, now you’ve taken out the Chief of Naval Operations. Once this heinous crime is publicly known, it’ll be enough to send you to the electric chair!

Since you’ve invited us here, each of us has some leverage in your hands, we’re willing to hear your demands and cooperate without needing these unsettling psychological games."

An official from the United States Department of State also took a deep breath secretly, striving to stay calm. He cautiously glanced at the lifeless Admiral Alvin and sighed:

"Admiral Alvin wasn’t a good person.

This guy consecutively removed two groups of accountants sent by the Audit Office, secretly transferring billions of US dollars in military expenditure into the private accounts of hundreds of officers, creating a complex interest community.

Mr. Harden removing this parasite is, in a sense, also eliminating harm for the nation.

His death is just death, but the real trouble is the hundreds of officers benefiting from him, they surely won’t let this go easily. How do you plan to deal with this group?"

Evidently, the high-ranking officials present didn’t believe Zhou Qingfeng would let them leave so easily, especially since the unfortunate one who attempted to leave forcibly was already packed into a body bag, with the cleanup work nearing completion.

Inside and outside the guests’ words was the clear intent—"what’s done is done, there’s no turning back, so let’s think about how to handle it?

We’ve all been tied to the same boat by you, now we just want to know how you, the initiator, plan to clean up this mess?

As long as your plan is comprehensive enough to minimize its impact, we might cooperate in its execution."

Zhou Qingfeng’s lips curled into an amusing smile, his gaze swept over everyone’s faces: "Since you are all so enthusiastic, why not help me mull it over and package Admiral Alvin’s death well, how about it?"

Hearing these words, everyone instead breathed a sigh of relief, having a sense of post-crisis survival.

They immediately realized that Zhou Qingfeng was asking them to present their "pledge"—the act was done by him, but everyone needed to share in the blame.

Yet this may not be a bad thing, at least it indicates they still hold value for use and won’t be silenced on the spot, besides, forming an alliance of benefits from this could turn disaster into a blessing.

Lieutenant Colonel Dick already had no way out, promptly said: "The Ministry of the Navy is desperate to find a scapegoat for the fire explosion incident on the ’Ford’ aircraft carrier.

Admiral Alvin Benson can certainly be portrayed as dying by suicide out of fear."

An official from the Department of Energy shook his head, frowned, and said: "A suicide out of fear needs supporting details.

It’s obvious General Alvin was strangled, the marks on his neck and the blood congestion on his face can’t be covered up, forensic autopsy will definitely find issues."

"Details are indeed crucial." , a Commerce Department official said leisurely, "But we are the biggest details.

With everyone’s connections and departmental influence, isn’t it possible to arrange an autopsy report favorable to us?"

"Oh everyone, I think you’re overthinking this." , an official who had remained silent suddenly spoke up, with a fawning smile on his face.

"Alvin is just human, merely with a higher rank. Generally, his death is hard to handle, but we have the vice president supporting us, there’s significant operational space in this.

I believe Mr. Harden certainly has a comprehensive plan in place. Though, I do have an idea... arranging an accident, like a car crash, self-immolation, or post-pandemic complications, isn’t impossible."