Chapter 2232 The Comeback Begins
The entire nation was glued to the screen.
It wasn’t just Mackenzie’s allies keeping a close eye on the election–power players like Ezra, Mason, and Catherine were watching just as intently.
They all understood that this vote would shape Chanaea’s future, and once the final count was in, they would need to adjust their strategies accordingly.
Despite Teddy’s commanding lead early on, no one was rushing to declare him the winner just yet.
Watching alone, Gautier clenched his jaw. His mind raced, already calculating his next move in case Teddy
lost.
Teddy leaned toward Mackenzie, his voice laced with false humility. “Ms. Quillen, congratulations! Two votes–just like my past competitors. You’re quite remarkable.”
He didn’t need to say the rest–Mackenzie knew precisely what he meant. Every “remarkable” competitor before she had vanished–and he was implying that she would be next.
Teddy was always careful with his words, never saying anything outright incriminating. His threats were always buried beneath charm and diplomacy.
Mackenzie didn’t flinch. Instead, she met his gaze with a smile. “I appreciate the compliment, Mr. Tanner. Soon, you’ll see–I’m not like them.”
Teddy’s eyes darkened for the briefest moment before his usual smirk returned. “I look forward to it, Ms. Quillen. I’m eager to see what makes you different.”
She didn’t bother responding. The real battle wasn’t in words–it was in the votes.
Then, it began.
“Nuthana’s representative, Ronnie Silverbane, votes for Mackenzie Quillen!”
“West End’s representative, Pippa Dinan, votes for Mackenzie Quillen!”
“Arendelle’s representative, Lorcan MacSanly, votes for Mackenzie Quillen!”
One after another, the tide turned.
Mackenzie’s two votes had skyrocketed to 29 in just a few minutes, nearly closing the gap with Teddy’s 31.
For the first time, Teddy looked unsettled.
The expected votes from Nuthana and West End weren’t what bothered him–those were predictable.
The problem was that the neutral delegate from Arendelle voted for Mackenzie.
One neutral vote could be dismissed as an anomaly.
Two in a row? That was a shift.
Teddy’s mind raced. He knew moderates leaning toward Mackenzie was dangerous. If this continued, it
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Mackenzie didn’t miss a beat. She turned toward him, eyes gleaming. “Mr. Tanner–oh, I mean, Mr. Tanner, the score is tied. Looks like you might finally get that retirement after all.”
She didn’t hold back.
This wasn’t a polite competition. This was a war–where the winner would take everything, and the loser would be erased.
Teddy’s mask cracked, just for a moment.
His charming facade slipped, replaced with something far colder. “Don’t celebrate too soon, Ms. Quillen. This game isn’t over yet.”
The cracks in his act were starting to show.
The moment his power was truly at risk, the real Teddy was beginning to emerge.
Mackenzie just smirked, perfectly calm.
She already knew how this would end.
She pondered, Ansel has flipped! Teddy must have gone too far with him. After years of being compelled to manipulate votes, capitulating to threats, and constantly looking over his shoulder, he’s finally cracking.
Haha! Disgust has triumphed over fear.
Rather than manipulating the vote as Teddy
referred, he allows the results to unfold naturally while discreetly steering
a few votes Teddy’s way–sufficient to maintain some suspicion.
Smart move.
Out of the five neutral votes, Mackenzie had already secured three. Teddy? Only two.
For the first time, she was pulling ahead where it mattered most.
The moderates weren’t just watching anymore. They were shifting.
Teddy’s camp took notice–and they didn’t like it.
“Mr. Morrison, why are most of the recent votes from Nuthana and West End?!”
“Yeah! This isn’t random at all!”
It was the usual disruption strategy–loud accusations meant to plant doubt and make Mackenzie’s comeback look suspicious.
Stanley laughed out loud, jumping in before Mackenzie’s camp could even react. “Oh, Now you have a problem with the voting order? Where was this energy when the first 30 votes all came from the Onza and Zovince? Didn’t seem to bother you then.”
His words drew chuckles from Nuthana and West End delegates, some of whom had already noticed the hypocrisy themselves.
Teddy’s lackeys weren’t done yet.
“That’s exactly why we’re questioning it! Doesn’t seem fair at all!”
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Ansel remained composed, his voice firm and steady. “The voting order is randomized. What happens, happens. The order doesn’t dictate anyone’s choice.”
His gaze swept over the room, sharp and unyielding. “This is a formal election. Conduct yourselves accordingly. Anyone causing a disturbance will be escorted out.”
The room fell silent for a beat–because Ansel had a point.
Teddy stood. Projecting his voice across the hall, he spoke, “As chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, I have to agree with Mr. Morrison–he’s absolutely right. The order of voting does not dictate the outcome.”
He paused. Then came the real message. “That’s why I encourage everyone to take their time. Think carefully before casting your vote. Make sure you don’t make a mistake.”
The threat was clear.
Teddy wasn’t hiding anymore. The charming mask had fallen away, exposing the cold and ruthless power broker beneath.
“I’ll repeat it–think carefully before casting your vote. Make sure you don’t make a mistake. Thank you.” His gaze locked onto the Arendelle delegates, the ones most likely to waver.
The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air.
Unlike the other factions, where loyalties were already set in stone, the Arendelle delegates had no such certainty. They weren’t just undecided voters–they were vulnerable ones.
Seeing Teddy’s cold, calculated stare, unease settled over them.
They understood exactly what he meant.
There were consequences for defying Teddy.
He had made examples out of people before. Those who stood against him in the past? They were no longer around.
No one wanted to be next.
Waiting for Teddy to sit down, Ansel wasted no time and declared, “Alright, let’s resume the voting.”
The momentum had shifted, and with the chaos unfolding in the election hall, all eyes–inside and outside -were locked onto the outcome.
Ansel knew his part was over. He had done what he could.
Everything he had orchestrated up to this point was his way of repaying Mackenzie for saving his family. That debt had been settled.
It was time to step back and let the process play out.
Playing it safe, Ansel truly randomized the remaining votes–no more interference.
“Zovince’s representative, Nadia Raferty, votes for Teddy Tanner!”
“Arendelle’s representative, Theo Kerrane, votes for Teddy Tanner!”
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Chapter 2232 The Comeback Begins
The numbers began stacking up for Teddy again, just as expected,
Before long, the tally hit 89 to 65 in his favor–a 24–vote lead over Mackenzie.
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The halfway mark had come and gone. Instead of closing the gap, it was widening once more.
Sensing the shift back in his favor, Teddy smugly leaned back in his chair. He patted his back as if dusting off the last bit of worry and mocked, “Ms. Quillen, it looks like fate has spoken. It seems I’m not retiring just yet.”
Mackenzie’s fists tightened slightly, and worry flicked across her face.
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