ve at the Wrong Table
Chapter 2228 Calling It Out!
The room erupted into chaos.
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The attention that had been focused on Teddy instantly shifted to Mackenzie as the accusation rang through the hall.
The voice belonged to a representative from Zovince–one that Mackenzie instantly recognized.
With her sharp memory, she could put a name to every delegate in the room, and this one was Enoch Ramsey–a seasoned politician with a commanding presence.
Enoch pointed at her, his voice dripping with accusation. “We all know what kind of person you are- ambitious, overconfident. If you want power, fight for it openly. Yet, resorting to deceit, terrorism, and backstabbing to force Mr. Tanner into submission? That’s disgraceful!”
It was a textbook political move–control the conversation before the other side had a chance to respond. As long as he played his part convincingly, he could turn lies into truth, fabricating reality itself–just like pointing at a deer and insisting it was a horse.
Mackenzie let out a sharp breath, finding it almost amusing how predictable it was.
Yet, before she could say anything, a surge of Teddy’s allies jumped in.
“Mr. Lestrange was a respectable man–how could you have him killed?”
“You think you can seize power by force? The people won’t stand for it!”
“If a woman like you leads the Chamber of Commerce, it will spell disaster for Chanaea’s economy!”
The hypocrisy was almost laughable.
These were the same people who had spent years benefitting from Teddy’s corruption, now twisting his crimes and throwing them at her.
Even with her usual composure, Mackenzie could feel her patience wearing thin. She thought, So that’s their game? Pin all of Teddy’s sins on me?
Just then, a firm voice cut through the uproar. “Enough of this barking!”
Jidrus had had enough. He stood up abruptly, his sharp glare scanning the room, his voice filled with righteous fury. “Stop this pathetic charade! Do you think shouting lies loudly enough will make them true? You’ve mastered nothing but manipulation–twisting facts and deceiving the public! All you’re doing is revealing how desperate you are!”
Jidrus had always seen Teddy for what he was. Unlike many others in the room, he had no fear of speaking the truth.
His boldness encouraged others.
Representatives from Nuthana and West End–many of whom had suffered under Teddy’s rule–finally stepped forward.
“He’s right! Trying to discredit Ms. Quillen is exactly the kind of dirty move Teddy always pulls!”
HTT.
T11..
:.L:.
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- 11.
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Chapter 2228 Calling it Out!
What had started as a one–sided attack against Mackenzie had quickly turned into a heated debate.
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Throughout everything, Teddy stayed calm. He didn’t respond to the criticism. In fact, he seemed satisfied, as this was exactly what he wanted.
Just then, Mackenzie’s voice cut through the noise. “That’s enough. Today is about the election, not empty accusations. Let’s not waste time.”
She saw right through the game being played. This wasn’t about truth; it was about spectacle. The real battle was between her and Teddy, while everyone else in the room simply played their roles in the distraction.
No one in the Chamber of Commerce was unaware of Teddy’s true nature. The delegates from Nuthana and West End, in particular, understood exactly what kind of man he was, regardless of how polished he tried to seem.
Still, many other representatives couldn’t say the same, and that’s where Teddy had the advantage.
By steering the conversation into a heated public dispute, he wasn’t just discrediting her–he was dragging her down to his level.
It didn’t matter if his accusations were baseless. The perception was reality. If he could make her look just as dirty as him, people would instinctively side with familiarity. Better the devil they knew than the one they didn’t.
It was a classic political strategy–deceptively simple yet brutally effective. Control the narrative, stir enough chaos, and let public opinion do the work for him.
Soon enough, Teddy let out a dramatic sigh as if weighed down by the situation. He began smoothly, “Ms. Quillen, although we haven’t interacted much, I’ve always admired you. I’ve heard how you wield influence in Nuthana–how men follow your lead so readily. You possess beauty, but more importantly, you possess power. I’ve always respected that…”
At first glance, it sounded like praise. Yet, everyone in the room understood what he was implying.
With a sorrowful shake, he continued, “Still, Mr. Lestrange had no personal quarrel with you… I struggle to believe you would order his death. Besides, the man who killed him–Quintus Lenoir–isn’t he your bodyguard?”
His voice was filled with false sorrow, his expression one of feigned disbelief.
It was an expert move–painting her guilty while pretending to remain neutral.
However, Mackenzie wasn’t going to let him control the narrative. She straightened, her gaze locked onto him before speaking.
“Mr. Tanner, I’ve heard plenty about you, just as you’ve heard about me. Yet, I don’t deal with hearsay. My knowledge of you comes from firsthand experience–when the Verkade Family and your so–called Great Four Envoys attempted to wipe out my family.”
Gasps rippled through the hall.
As Teddy accused her of killing one man, she accused him of orchestrating mass murder.
Even neutral delegates who had stayed silent up until now looked unsettled.
Mackenzie continued, “Your people slaughtered members of the Quillen Family. My mother–in–law was
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Chapter 2228 Calling It Out!
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among them. Still, even after such a tragedy, I never sought revenge in the shadows. I have always pursued justice the right way–through the law.”
A heavy silence fell over the room.
She turned to the assembly and added, “As for Mr. Lestrange, I did not send anyone to kill him. Let’s talk about what did happen. Last night, he personally came to our banquet and gifted me a piece of agarwood. Hours later, every single guest at that banquet was poisoned. Some are still recovering as we speak.”
A wave of whispers swept through the delegates.
The tension was suffocating. This would have made national headlines if outside media had been allowed in.
Teddy sighed, shaking his head as if in deep sorrow. He murmured, “Oh, that’s the story you’re going with. What a shame. To justify his death, you slander his name by accusing him of poisoning your guests.”
His voice dropped into a more serious tone. “I cannot sit by and let this injustice continue. I swear on my name–Mr. Lestrange was not that kind of man.”
Mackenzie felt a surge of frustration and disgust at Teddy’s tactic. Every word he spoke followed the same pattern–deny, deflect, and present himself as the rational voice in the room.
It was a textbook move, one every seasoned politician had mastered, which made it all the more infuriating -and far trickier to counter.
Just as the tension in the hall reached its breaking point, the doors burst open.
A man in a green uniform strode in, flanked by security personnel.
“That’s enough!”
The firm, commanding voice belonged to Ansel Morrison, the chief senior notary from the Notary Public of Chanaea. He had overseen the last two elections, ensuring order and transparency.
Ansel declared, “This is an election hall, not a courtroom or a police station. This discussion has gone far enough. Focus on today’s proceedings–further disruptions will not be tolerated.”
Teddy immediately switched gears. His lips curled into a polite smile as he nodded. “My apologies, Mr. Morrison. Thank you for the reminder.”
Ansel remained firm. “There’s no need for apologies. I have been watching closely, and this disruption did not begin with Mr. Tanner.”
He turned to address the room. “Now, all representatives, please take your seats. The election will proceed as scheduled.”
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