I have to admire good planning, but sometimes someone is able to see so far and plan so well that it is more terrifying than anything else. You would think that the Illuminati would not be worried about people working in the shadows to manipulate them- because they are the people in the shadows, the man behind the curtain, so to speak. But Wang’s foresight is enough to make me question if she does not already run the world herself and that this is all part of a plan I can not even conceive of…

  Why? Because she did not need to send anyone over to help me, Kate was already with me! She was just as much a ‘news reporter’ as she was a fish- her knowledge about media, and manipulating it, was damn near encyclopedic. She was precisely the kind of person I needed, and I could not help but be a little suspicious. But all that did was cause her to laugh.

  “For someone who grumbles so much about being blackmailed,” Kate said when she finally caught her breath after a laughing fit. “You really do not seem to mind giving me more material to blackmail you with!”

  In retrospect, it seemed obvious that Kate- who despite what I said, actually did have experience as an investigative journalist- would be able to plant a hidden camera, but who ever really expects that kind of thing? Or someone doing it multiple times?

  “You know, we had a whole team of psychologists comb through every appearance you ever made and analyse the best way to reach this point,” Kate mused. “But I never really expected the untouchable Mr. Sterling to lose his composure quite so quickly- or to just throw it out the window after that composure cracked a little.”

  This was the first I had heard of a team of psychologists, what the fuck Wang? I mean, clearly they did their job, but how much time and money did you pour into this honeytrap? For that matter, am I can not be the only one of the group caught like this- that Chinese woman was probably damn close to ruling the world! That does not bother me too much though, aside from her manipulating me, overall she is an incredibly positive influence in the world.

  “I would not say I threw it away…”

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  “That is not a very convincing statement right now.”

  Well- the only thing she was wearing was one of my shirts, so I suppose that line of argument would go nowhere. Time to change the subject.

  “These articles you have written,” I spoke as I skimmed one of them on my tablet. “They are quite well written, and some of them appear more up to date on Brazil than I am. Your research was superb.”

  “Thank you, a knowledge of the situation and audience are the two most fundamental parts of convincing them of your point of view.” She grinned, then became a little more serious, “The situation will evolve though, we will need a team to monitor and adapt to the changes.”

  “Easy enough if it is phrased correctly. The loopholes the governments of the world left in after that bullshit last decade are wide enough to drive a truck through.”

  Direct political interference from foreign powers was heavily watched for by the governments of the world, even in places with a great deal of turmoil. However, that only covered ‘direct’ interference, and there was so much more you could do than that. In this case, I had my legitimate businesses begin to offer real and legitimate services and advertise them in an above board legal manner.

  Sounds fine, right? But here is where Kate comes in. The products on offer only made sense in unpleasant situations that could theoretically arise from the secession of those parts of Brazil. Not that those situations would arise, but they could, and legally that is enough to get by with. By heavily advertising these services, and doing so with some rather brilliant ideas, it would create the same effect as a political ad- no, it would be more effective.

  Kate had even been able to get advertisement spaces on things like billboards and signs- just to make sure that even those without access to the internet would still see the advertisements and still contribute to the general feeling that the ads were meant to accomplish. Hell, she had even managed to rope in newspapers and magazines- there would not be a single place in the country free of these ads or their influence.

  “Are you sure I would not be able to hire you? Whatever she is paying, I would happily double it.” It would be a bargain with this level of skill, but she only laughed and crossed her legs over my lap- a move I should resist, but wouldn’t.

  “Nope, I enjoy making you squirm too much.”

  I sighed and considered the following truth- women will be the death of me.

  Click here for more of my work!

  AN: Thank you for reading! Want to read the next chapter early? You can! Donating to my Patreon allows you to read the next three to four chapters early, and you can find it here:

  Want to support me without spending a dime? Please, please, please rate and review my story! Rating my story can help it trend, which will let a lot more people see my story and help me greatly! Comments, follows, and favorites are greatly appreciated as well, and you could also check out my other stories here on RoyalRoad!

  “Mystic Ink” Releases: Thursday and Sunday

  A grimdark fantasy adventure following Cass, a homeless orphan abducted off the streets of Tyine and subjected to magical experiments. Join her in a journey through blood and magic in a treacherous world that strives to warp her very mind! In my opinion, this is my most well written story, and it is certainly my highest rated!

  “A Broken World” Releases: Thursday and Sunday

  A summoned hero tale where a biologist is called into a world of demons and magic! He must use his knowledge to save humanity from extinction and hopefully find a way back home, all the while avoiding political and literal deathtraps! My most popular story here on RoyalRoad!

  “R.A.D.E.” Releases: Sunday

  Set in the future where governments have collapsed and corporations have claimed the lands for themselves, the remnants of nations fight back against the encroachment of these giant companies in a special operations shadow war. Reduced to its original thirteen colonies, the United States employs the Elite R.A.D.E. squad to take on missions no one else can. Recon, Assault, Demolition, and Espionage, all fall under the purview of this elite squad!

  “Pathos” Releases: Saturday

  Set in a province of Imperial Rome, Pathos is our world and yet not. Emotions leak out from people to affect the very air itself creating an Emotional Atmosphere. This atmosphere can range from prosperous to destructive, and some powerful individuals can use the strength within it to produce magical abilities and miracles. Marius, the son of the Governor of Germania Inferior, is taking over for his father while he is away in Rome. However, internal strife, trouble across the border, and hurricanes of emotions will make his easy life far harder than he ever imagined!

  “The 212 Crisis” Releases: Friday

  Thomas Savery invented the steam engine, and in this alternate history world, he did not stop there! A steampunk slice-of-life story set in the London of the late 1700’s where steampunk automations are a common sight and have even begun to push people out of jobs! Follow Mary and Alan as they live life in this constantly changing world and try to make their own way through!

  “The Illuminating Heroes” Releases: Monday

  Set in the near future, Kevin Sterling, a billionaire owner of a giant tech company can no longer stand to watch the governments of the world destroy it. Environmental disasters, violence both domestically and internationally, economic struggles… All caused by bumbling fools at the top who care nothing but for keeping their fat asses in their seats. Sterling has had enough, and so have his friends and colleagues. The movers and shakers of the world, business leaders from every industry and sector, artists and scientists, all gather together to form The Illuminati! And they will work to save the world from the destruction corrupt and inept governments have brought down on it. They may not be the heroes we want, but they are the only ones we are going to get! A slice-of-life, overpowered protagonist (overpowered pocketbook that is), comedy focusing on Sterling’s work to start a New World Order!

  “A Dungeon Core”

  Releases: Tuesday

  The main character dies and is resurrected as a dungeon core. So far, so normal. But he has no intention of staying as a crystal for eternity. Join this Core on his path to regain his body and his life while building up his defenses against people who would plunder and kill him!

  All releases are at 6pm UTC.

  And a special thank you to my Patreon contributors!

  -Top Tier Patrons!-

  Tyraelll, Mira, Julien, Pavante, Roy, Hroar, Damien

  -Patrons!-

  Kappa, Romen, Ethan, James, Ion, Todd, John, Nikolas, Sebastian, Mia, Antoine, Todd, William, Hjortur, Marshal, Noah L., Harken, Glowy3, Convalescence, Jess, Reid, ejcook