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Chapter 2233 The Turning Point
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“This can’t be happening! What do we do now?” Beatrix shot up from her seat, pacing in circles, her nerves unraveling.
She wasn’t just anxious–she was terrified. This wasn’t just about an election; this was their entire future on the line.
Losing meant more than defeat. It meant retribution. Teddy wasn’t the kind of man to let things slide. This wasn’t a simple competition–this was a battle for survival.
Shane’s face darkened. “The gap keeps widening. If this keeps up, we won’t be able to catch up.”
His chest tightened. The thought weighed heavy in his mind. What happens to me if the Quillen Family falls? Will I still get to marry Sonia? Or would Teddy erase that possibility altogether–like it was never meant to exist?
Frederick tried to ground them, but he wasn’t confident either.
“We started with 277 votes. With Ken and Anthony presumed dead and several poisoned delegates missing, we’re already at a disadvantage. If Teddy reaches 130, it’s game over…” Laura turned to Claudette, her voice tight with worry.
Still, Claudette stood her ground. Her fingers pressed deep into her palms, but her voice remained steady. “Mackenzie is going to win. No doubt about it.”
She had faith in Emmanuel, and because of that, she had faith in Mackenzie. The woman Emmanuel chose couldn’t be anything less than the best.
Terence let out a chuckle, amused by her conviction. “Well, not much we can do now but trust her. Let’s see how this plays out.”
Despite the anxiety looming over them, his words helped slightly settle the tension.
They turned back to the screen, watching as the following vote was cast.
Teddy locked in another vote inside the hall–this time from a neutral delegate.
The gap widened even further.
So far, Teddy had claimed 14 of the 50 neutral votes, while Mackenzie had only managed four.
His men didn’t waste the opportunity to rub it in.
“Well, Ms. Quillen, getting nervous?” one of them sneered.
Laughter rippled through Teddy’s camp.
“We love watching people act all confident–only to get crushed by reality!”
“No, no. The real fun is watching her climb, thinking she’s won, only to crash back down where she belongs.”
“She actually believed she could take on Mr. Tanner? How delusional.”
“Alright, that’s enough, guys. Someone get her a tissue–it looks like she’s about to cry. Wouldn’t want her throwing a punch at us, huh? Hahaha!”
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Their mocking taunts filled the election hall.
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Mackenzie kept her composure, but the Nuthana and West End representatives had already clenched their fists. They were one insult away from throwing punches.
Bang!
Then, the doors swung open with force.
Every head in the election hall snapped toward the entrance.
Security jumped into action, expecting an intruder.
Yet, standing in the doorway were several men–cach wearing a representative badge.
Teddy’s brow creased. A sense of unease rippled through him.
One of the newcomers stepped forward.
“Did we miss the vote?”
Another shook his head. “No, there’s still time.”
Their gazes landed on Teddy.
“You tried to poison us–but you failed. Now, we’re here to cast our votes for Mackenzie.”
All eight of these were the poisoned representatives, the ones everyone assumed would not make it back in time.
Their votes alone wouldn’t tip the scales, but their sudden arrival and the determination in their expressions sent a shockwave through the room.
Teddy’s jaw clenched. He kept his voice calm, but the tension in his body was undeniable. “Hmph. You lot are full of accusations.”
A smirk twitched at the corner of his mouth, but it was forced. “Your poisoning has nothing to do with me.”
It wasn’t the words that unsettled people. It was the way he said them.
The smugness. The slight amusement in his eyes said it all, ‘Go ahead, cast your votes. Do you really think Mackenzie can beat me with just that?‘
Just then, another furious voice rang out from behind the eight representatives. “If eight votes aren’t enough… let’s make it ten. Oh, let’s not forget our accusations.”
The words cut through the election hall like a blade, sending a jolt through everyone in the room.
Teddy froze. His head snapped toward the back of the room.
Standing tall and very much alive–were Ken and Anthony.
Gasps rippled through the delegates.
Teddy’s face finally changed. His mind raced. Impossible… How are they still alive? They were supposed to be dead.
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Chapter 2233 The Turning Point
“Isn’t that Ken Willy from West End Chamber of Commerce?”
The room buzzed with whispers.
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Everyone recognized him–Ken wasn’t just a delegate. He was the chairman of the West End Chamber of Commerce, Teddy’s right–hand man.
The realization settled heavily among Teddy’s followers.
Ken had been one of them. He had received privilege and trust, unlike the rest of Teddy’s lackeys.
Ken stepped forward, locking eyes with Teddy. His voice thickened with anger. “For years, I followed you. I did everything you asked. What did I get in return? You tried to erase me.”
Teddy’s eyes narrowed. “Have you been bribed by Mackenzie? You dare stand here and accuse me?”
His mask was slipping.
The murmurs intensified, rippling through the election hall like a rising tide.
They saw a crack in Teddy’s usual composure for the first time.
The man who was always in control, always calm and calculated, now wore an expression that hinted at something else–unease, maybe even anger.
People exchanged glances, whispering among themselves. Is Teddy Tanner finally losing his temper?
Ken scoffed, his voice cutting through the tense silence.
“Everyone here knows exactly who you are, Teddy. They always have. The only reason no one speaks up is because they’re afraid.”
His gaze swept across the room, landing on delegates who had spent years under Teddy’s thumb.
Then, his voice rose with conviction. “If you don’t want to end up like me–if you don’t want to be the next one he discards–then vote for Mackenzie Quillen. The time for fear is over!”
Ken took a breath, then drove his point home. “Mackenzie risked her life for West End. She fought for us when no one else would–bringing disaster relief, eliminating the bandits, standing up for what’s right. Those who stand by her do so by choice. Even if it costs me my life, I will vote for her.”
If these words had come from just anyone, they might have been dismissed.
Yet, coming from Teddy’s most trusted enforcer? It was a bombshell.
The room fell into stunned silence, delegates exchanging uneasy glances.
For the first time, the people who had lived in fear of Teddy for years were beginning to question everything.
Ansel stood by, silent but watchful. He didn’t need to intervene–he could feel the shift in the room.
The time had finally come. Teddy’s grip was slipping.
Before today, no one had dared to challenge him outright. Even those who disagreed with his rule had kept their heads down, too afraid of retaliation. too wary of the Four Great Envovs.
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Now? With Mackenzie standing strong and Ken exposing the truth, the West End and Nuthana delegates were no longer silent.
The moderates were stirring.
This was the only chance to bring Teddy down.
This time, no one could afford to stay quiet.
“Yes! We came to Zovince to support Mackenzie at the risk of our lives!”
“We won’t let Teddy buy this election!”
Their voices grew stronger.
Meanwhile, the representatives from Onza and Zovince exchanged uneasy glances. Unlike the fired–up delegates from West End and Nuthana, they hesitated.
The pressure was mounting.
Teddy’s iron grip on the election was slipping for the first time in nine years.
Watching the feed outside, Gautier felt it as well. His gut twisted. This is bad. A storm is coming. I need an exit plan.
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