"If you do that, not only will you fail to harm him in the slightest, you’ll turn him into the patron saint of that community. His voter base will become harder than steel."

"You’re fighting an air war while he’s fighting a tunnel war. No matter how loud your bombs are, you can’t hit him while he’s hiding in his cellar."

Leo felt a headache coming on as he listened to the analysis.

This was a true political fortress.

This defensive system, built on district divisions and a mutual election system, was harder to breach than Morganfield’s money.

"So, a direct assault won’t work," Roosevelt concluded. "Attacking the council will be seen as an attack on the democratic system itself, which will make you politically and morally bankrupt in an instant."

"We have to find an entry point."

"A reason he can’t refuse."

"Or external pressure so great that he’s forced to bring the agenda to the table."

Roosevelt paused for a moment.

"But before we bring out the heavy weapons, we need to try diplomacy first."

"It’s called offering an olive branch before drawing the sword."

"You go see him," Roosevelt said. "As the Mayor, pay a formal visit to the Speaker."

"Go see what his attitude is. Go hear his asking price."

"Even if you can’t reach an agreement, you have to let him know we gave him a chance."

Leo opened his eyes.

"Ethan," Leo said to Ethan, who was organizing some documents. "Get Moretti on the line for me."

"Tell him I want to see him."

"Sometime this week. The sooner, the better."

"He can pick the place, he can pick the time."

"I want to talk to him about the budget proposal."

Ethan was a bit surprised. "Are you sure? Going to see him now is basically a show of weakness."

"I know." Leo stood up and straightened his suit. "But it’s a necessary gesture."

"I’m more aware than anyone that the differences between Moretti and me are fundamental. They can’t be resolved over a single cup of coffee. He won’t easily give up the power he holds, and I won’t accept a neutered version of my reforms."

"But I have to go."

Leo walked to the mirror and made sure his tie was straight.

"I want all the citizens of Pittsburgh to see that their new Mayor is someone who, for the future of the city, is willing to swallow his pride and even endure humiliation to seek cooperation."

"I need to show everyone my sincerity, to show them the effort I’m making to push forward the revitalization plan."

"That way, when the negotiations break down and I’m forced to draw my sword, no one can accuse me of starting a war for my own personal gain."

"Just say I’m seeking the Speaker’s guidance," Leo said, turning to Ethan. "I want him to think I’m ready to kiss his ring."

Ethan nodded and picked up the phone.

He dialed the internal line for the City Council Speaker’s Office.

The person who answered was Moretti’s administrative secretary, a woman with a shrill voice and an arrogant tone.

Ethan conveyed the Mayor’s request for a meeting with the Speaker as soon as possible.

The sound of a schedule book’s pages being flipped came from the other end of the line.

The sound went on for a long time, as if to deliberately show off how busy the Speaker was.

After a full two minutes, the secretary’s voice finally came back on the line.

"Mr. Hawke, as you know, the Speaker’s schedule is completely packed recently."

"Between various committee meetings and community hearings, he really can’t find the time."

Ethan said patiently, "This is an extremely urgent matter regarding the next fiscal year’s budget. The Mayor hopes to hear the Speaker’s opinion before submitting it."

"The budget proposal?" The secretary let out a light laugh. "That’s not urgent. It has to go through a long process anyway."

"However, since the Mayor is so insistent..."

Her voice dripped with condescension.

"Next Tuesday at noon."

"From twelve-ten to twelve-twenty."

"The Speaker will be having lunch in his office. If the Mayor is willing, he can come by and chat for ten minutes."

"That is the earliest and only time we could squeeze in."

Ethan’s grip on the phone tightened.

Next Tuesday, and for only ten minutes.

During his lunch break, no less.

This wasn’t just a rejection.

It was a humiliation, a display of power.

Moretti was using this to tell Leo: ’Here, you’re not the Mayor. You’re just a subordinate who has to wait in line to be summoned.’

’Your time is worthless. My time is what’s valuable.’

’If I tell you to wait, you wait.’

Ethan covered the mouthpiece and looked at Leo, his eyes filled with rage.

"Leo, that old bastard..."

But Leo showed no sign of anger.

He just gave a calm nod, signaling for Ethan to accept.

"Fine." Ethan took a deep breath and spoke into the phone. "We accept. Next Tuesday at noon, twelve-ten."

The call ended.

Ethan slammed the receiver back onto the cradle.

"He’s practically grinding our faces into the dirt!" Ethan fumed. "Ten minutes? What are we supposed to do there? Watch him eat a sandwich?"

Leo walked to the window, looking at the annex building across the way that belonged to the City Council.

The building wasn’t tall, and it was old, but at this moment, the shadow it cast seemed even longer than that of Morganfield Tower.

"Don’t be angry, Ethan," Leo said calmly.

"Anger doesn’t solve problems."

"He wants to humiliate me. That’s fine."

"As long as I can get him to open the door—even a crack, even for just ten minutes."

"I can get my foot in."

Leo’s gaze turned icy.

"Besides, this confirms one thing for me."

"These people don’t deserve the kid-glove treatment."

"Since he doesn’t want to talk things over civilly,"

"Then we’ll be ready to end this conversation in a less-than-civil way."

Leo looked at Ethan.

"Go and prepare."

"Look into the situation in Moretti’s district."

Ethan quickly understood what Leo meant, nodded, and left the office.

Since the decision had been made to turn on Moretti and declare war on the City Council Speaker, sharpening one’s bayonets before the battle was only natural.

Leo sat back down behind his desk and picked up the thick budget proposal.

His fingers gently stroked the rough cover of the document.

’Moretti the gatekeeper.’

’Do you really think you can guard that door forever with a rusty old lock?’

’If you won’t open the door...’

’...then I’ll just tear down the wall.’