Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 181: This is Our Time

November 8, 1892

The day had finally arrived. Across Amerathia, millions of citizens headed to polling stations in cities, towns, and rural communities. Election Day was in full swing, and the nation buzzed with anticipation. The race for the presidency had been fiercely contested, with Matthew Hesh facing off against veteran Senator Howard Grayson and a few other contenders.

Polling stations were packed from dawn to dusk. Factory workers cast their votes before starting their shifts. Farmers traveled miles to participate, while dockworkers and shopkeepers formed long lines, eager to have their voices heard. Campaign posters and banners adorned every major street corner, many of them bearing slogans like "Hesh for Progress!" and "A New Era for Amerathia."

Matthew and his team gathered in a large conference room at the campaign headquarters. The atmosphere was tense as results from various states began to trickle in. Large maps of the country were pinned to the walls, each one marked with key battleground states.

Amber stood by his side, reviewing reports from campaign advisors. "Early results are coming in from the east coast," she said. "Grayson has taken New York and Connecticut, but we’re ahead in Pennsylvania."

"Sylvania’s steelworkers are with us," Matthew replied. "If we win there, that’ll give us a significant boost."

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General Carter Hayes, who had joined the campaign as a security advisor, approached with a cup of coffee. "It’s going to be a long night, Governor. You’ve fought hard for this, but the race is closer than we expected."

"I knew it wouldn’t be easy," Matthew said, crossing his arms. "Grayson’s been in politics his entire life. People trust him to maintain the status quo. We’re offering them something different—change. That scares some folks."

Hayes nodded. "Well, from what I’ve seen across the country, you’ve got the working class behind you. That counts for a lot."

By 9 p.m., the election map was divided almost evenly. The eastern states had largely gone to Grayson, while Matthew dominated the industrial heartland, securing Ohio, Sylvania, and Illinois. The battle now hinged on key states in the Midwest and the western territories.

A campaign aide burst into the room. "We just got confirmation—Kansas and Nebraska have gone to Hesh!"

Cheers erupted among the staff. Amber smiled, squeezing Matthew’s hand. "That’s a good sign. The farmers came through for us."

Matthew allowed himself a brief smile. "We’ve got momentum, but it’s not over yet. California and Texas are still in play."

At his own headquarters in Amsterdam, Senator Grayson paced nervously. His advisors were equally on edge. Despite strong support in the eastern states, they hadn’t expected Matthew’s campaign to perform so well in the Midwest and South.

One of Grayson’s aides approached with a grim expression. "Sir, it’s looking worse than we thought. Early reports show Hesh gaining traction in California. If he takes that, he’ll have the electoral majority."

Grayson clenched his jaw. "How is this possible? He’s an industrialist, not a statesman."

"People see him as a problem-solver," the aide replied. "They believe he’ll bring real change to their lives."

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Grayson muttered under his breath but said nothing more. He knew the odds were no longer in his favor.

By midnight, the election reached a fever pitch. Both candidates were neck-and-neck, with only a handful of states remaining to report their results. The entire nation held its breath.

Matthew’s campaign room fell into a tense silence as the latest update came through.

"California has been called for Hesh!" a campaign manager announced.

The room erupted in cheers and applause. Staffers hugged each other, tears of joy streaming down some faces. The realization began to dawn on everyone—Matthew Hesh was on the verge of becoming the next president of the Great Amerathian Republic.

Matthew stood silently for a moment, letting the news sink in. Amber approached, her eyes shining with pride. "You did it. You’re going to be president."

He exhaled deeply, a mixture of relief and exhilaration washing over him. "We did it, Amber. All of us. But this is just the beginning. Now comes the hard part."

At 1:30 a.m., the final results were confirmed. Matthew Hesh had won with a narrow margin, securing a majority in the Electoral College. News spread rapidly across the country. Crowds gathered in city squares, celebrating late into the night. Fireworks lit up the skies in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.

In a historic speech broadcast by radio and reported in newspapers, Senator Grayson conceded the race.

"I congratulate Matthew Hesh on his victory," Grayson declared. "The people of Amerathia have made their choice, and I respect their decision. I trust that Governor Hesh will lead this nation with integrity and vision."

By early morning, Matthew addressed the nation from Chicago. Thousands of supporters filled the streets outside campaign headquarters, waving flags and chanting his name.

Standing before a sea of faces, Matthew began his speech. His voice was steady but filled with emotion.

"My fellow Amerathians, I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me. This election was not just about politics—it was about the future of our nation. Together, we have chosen progress, innovation, and opportunity."

The crowd roared in approval.

"Over the past months, I have traveled across this great land. I have listened to your hopes, your struggles, and your dreams. You have told me what matters most—your families, your livelihoods, and your communities. And I promise you this: I will not forget those conversations. I will not forget the trust you have given me."

He paused, letting the applause die down.

"Our journey is only beginning. We face challenges ahead, but I have faith that together, we will overcome them. We will build a future where every Amerathian has the opportunity to thrive. This is our moment. Let’s make history—together."

The crowd erupted in cheers once more. Amber stood nearby, watching with pride as Matthew waved to the people who had propelled him to victory.

As dawn broke, the campaign staff celebrated their hard-earned victory. Messages of congratulations poured in from around the world, including foreign leaders who recognized that Amerathia was now a global power under Matthew’s leadership.

But Matthew knew the real work lay ahead. The nation’s expectations were high, and he intended to deliver on every promise he had made.

For now, however, he allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. He stood on the balcony of his hotel suite, watching the city of Chicago come alive with celebration. Amber joined him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You’re going to change the world, Matthew," she said softly.

He smiled. "Not just me. We all are. This is our time."