Chapter 1835 - 1387: The Vanished Ghost (Part 3)

Hillary stood behind the podium, dressed in a tasteful sapphire blue suit, appearing radiant under the spotlight.

She was expounding on her economic policy, her voice transmitted through a high-quality sound system resonating throughout the venue, occasionally drawing waves of cheers and applause.

"...We will invest in infrastructure, creating millions of high-paying jobs! We will ensure every American child, regardless of background, receives a quality education! We will defend healthcare, protect women's rights, and build a fairer, stronger America!"

She gestured passionately, her voice powerful and resonant.

Suddenly, a young female assistant with a headset, looking tense, briskly walked to her side from the edge of the stage and whispered a few words in her ear.

Hillary's trademark smile, full of amiability and confidence, did not change in the slightest; she didn't even pause, continuing to speak into the microphone:

"And all this requires stable leadership, leadership that can unite rather than divide this country! Not a real estate mogul with no political experience!"

The audience erupted in cheers once again.

However, those standing nearby or the high-definition camera close-ups might capture the subtle change in her eyes for a brief moment.

It was a swift transition from a highly focused speech state to handling an unexpected crisis with sharpness and iciness, though only for an instant, it was soon replaced by an even stronger performative enthusiasm.

She discreetly nodded slightly to the assistant, who then quickly withdrew.

Hillary went on to complete her twenty-minute speech, finally waving to the supporters chanting "HILLARY! HILLARY!" and calmly exited the stage.

Two hours later, at a privately owned estate with tight security on the outskirts of Philadelphia.

Hillary had just entered the living room of the suite prepared for her, the smile on her face vanished instantly.

She suddenly slammed her expensive designer handbag onto the soft sofa armrest, making a dull thud.

"A bunch of incompetents!"

Her voice, though low, was filled with anger, yet still clearly audible in the quiet room.

"Lemont, the fool! How could he let a living person, a key figure, slip right under his nose! What kind of idiots is the CIA hiring now?!"

Three people were already waiting in the living room.

Two were her core campaign advisors, the other a senior supervisor from the Special Service Bureau responsible for peripheral security.

Additionally, on a table in the corner of the living room, an encrypted laptop was already on, displaying a waiting connection screen.

"Have we made contact?"

Hillary asked impatiently as she undid the scarf around her neck.

A nearby staff member promptly replied, "The connection is being established, Ma'am, we can start at any moment."

Hillary sat down in front of the computer, adjusting her hair and collar, and although her face still bore anger, she had already switched to another, more composed, and controlling demeanor.

Afterward, she nodded.

The staff member operated the computer, establishing the video connection.

Three split-screen images appeared on the screen.

In the center was the current National Security Advisor, Walter, with a serious expression.

The left was a former Deputy Chief of Staff of the White House, with graying hair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, a key player in the approval of the "Seeder" plan, now retired but still exerting considerable influence in both political and business circles.

The right showed a slightly blurred figure, with a processed voice representing some "parties with interests that prefer to remain unseen."

"Good evening, everyone."

National Security Advisor Walter was the first to speak, his tone somber: "The situation is urgent, we'll keep it brief. Lemont Harris sent an urgent report from Illiguo: Target A, code-named 'Podcaster' (referring to Misu), is still on the loose; the operation in Badi Town failed, unable to capture or eliminate. New variable: Key figure B, code-named 'Contractor' (referring to Song Heping), appears to have become aware of the 'Seeder' plan and has disengaged from the joint task force surveillance as of last night local time, currently missing, intentions unclear."

The former Deputy Chief of Staff adjusted his glasses: "How much does 'Contractor' know?"

"Uncertain," Walter replied, "but Lemont assesses he may have pieced together sufficiently dangerous information. This individual has a complex background, having close ties with Russian intelligence agencies as well as the Persian Revolutionary Guard, and has deep roots in Illiguo, with independent operational capability. His disappearance very likely means he is seeking 'Podcaster'."

"This is the worst-case scenario!"

Hillary interjected, unable to hold back, her voice transmitted through the microphone to all participants.

"If 'Podcaster' falls into his hands, or worse, if 'Podcaster' tells him what happened those years ago in exchange for protection... folks, we are facing not just the exposure of a failed intelligence operation! It would be a nuclear-grade political scandal!"

"The things involved in the 'Seeder' plan and the operational details, plus those 'necessary compromises' we made for the 'long-term strategic interests' back then..."

She scanned each face on the screen.

"Think about it, at the most critical moment of the campaign, if our opponents, if that boastful real estate mogul learns about them, how will he use it? He would nail us, nail our entire team and party to the pillar of treason and abetting terrorism!"

The room and the screen fell into silence.

Hillary pointed out the harshest stakes.

This went far beyond an intelligence error; it concerned the survival, even personal freedom, of everyone present's political life.