The next morning, Hardy and Monroe arrived at the airport, where Hardy’s private plane was already prepared. They boarded the plane imdiately, with their assistant and security carrying their luggage behind them.
After settling into the spacious seats and fastening their seatbelts, the plane swiftly took off. Once it reached cruising altitude, Hardy and Monroe moved to the back room.
Seeing the bed, Hardy recalled sothing amusing. "Rember the first ti you were on this plane?"
That incident was sothing Monroe would never forget.
It had been so embarrassing.
She had fallen asleep, and when the plane landed, she was jolted and ended up stuck in a gap between the bed and the wall, unable to move. She even twisted her ankle.
The flight duration was around nine hours, so the two lay on the bed, chatting. In the afternoon, they held each other and napped. While she slept, Monroe felt soone caressing her.
They were about to part ways, possibly for several months. Although they’d shared a passionate night before, she wanted more. Ignoring the hand touching her, she grabbed the other hand, brought it to her lips, and gently sucked on Hardy’s fingers.
Before long, things escalated.
Outside, the sky was blue with white clouds.
Beneath him was Arica’s most stunning starlet.
Hardy relished the thrill of the mont.
After sending Monroe to New York, where soone was waiting to pick her up at the airport, they said a reluctant goodbye. Then, after refueling, Hardy’s plane departed again, heading straight for Fort Belvoir in Virginia, ho to the U.S. Army’s Defense Logistics Base. He was going there to et with Major General Williams. Continue your saga on .Côm
The flight from New York to Fort Belvoir took just over an hour, and it was completely dark by the ti they arrived. Major General Williams had received a call and was already waiting at the airport. As the plane landed and the steps were lowered, Major General Williams boarded.
Hardy didn’t leave the plane; instead, the two talked onboard.
There were so things Hardy didn’t want to discuss over the phone. Who knew if the FBI might be eavesdropping? Caution was essential.
Major General Williams started by discussing Lieutenant General Jensen’s situation. Jensen had suddenly fallen ill yesterday and had been rushed to the hospital. After more than two hours of ergency treatnt, he was finally out of imdiate danger. He had just regained consciousness, but it was evident that he would never return to his post.
Hardy and Williams had originally planned for Williams to step in after Jensen retired next year, but things had changed unexpectedly.
However, Hardy saw this as a good thing.
Thankfully, he was in the United States; had he been in Japan, this matter might have been delayed.
Williams then explained the current structure of the logistics bureau, ntioning that he had six deputy directors under him, each responsible for different areas. He also disclosed that one of them had close ties with a high-ranking military official, while another was closely connected to a political figure.
"The competition isn’t just internal," Williams remarked. "Historically, it’s more common for soone from outside to be appointed as the new director rather than promoting from within."
"Who has the final say?" Hardy asked.
"It’s ultimately the president and the secretary of defense. The final decision rests with them," Williams replied.
Hardy smiled.
"I’m heading to Washington right now. If all goes well, I’ll et with President Johnson tomorrow. I’ll recomnd you and hope for a positive outco."
"Hardy, thank you. Regardless of the outco, I’m grateful," Williams said sincerely, looking at Hardy.
After a conversation lasting over an hour, Major General Williams left the plane, and Hardy’s plane took off again for Washington.
By the ti they arrived in Washington, it was past 9 p.m.
Hardy checked into a hotel and imdiately called the White House. Upon hearing Hardy’s na, the assistant connected him directly to President Johnson.
"Hardy, it’s been a while since you called. I take it you’re back in the States?" President Johnson’s tone was warm and friendly.
"Not only am I back in the U.S., but I’m also in Washington. I just checked into a hotel and wanted to see if you have ti to et tomorrow. I’m ready to update you on the situation in Japan," Hardy replied.
"Hahaha, of course, I have ti. How about tomorrow afternoon? I have a crucial eting with Congress in the morning, but we can et in the afternoon and even have dinner together," President Johnson offered.
With the ti set, Hardy, feeling exhausted after a full day of flying—and two hours of intimacy with Monroe in between—quickly drifted to sleep.
The next morning.
Hardy took a good rest and ntally prepared for his eting with Johnson, reviewing what he wanted to say.
The conversation wouldn’t just cover Williams’ situation.
There was also the matter of managing and restructuring Japan.
And even Southeast Asia.
Planning for the future and considering how to convey it to President Johnson, there was much to contemplate, and the morning passed in the blink of an eye.
After lunch at the hotel, Hardy’s assistant and bodyguard drove him in a rented luxury car to the White House, where Michael was already waiting at the entrance.
Dressed in a suit, Michael was looking more like a politician every day. But when he saw Hardy, he smiled and gave him a warm hug.
In the President’s office.
Hardy t with President Johnson, who invited him to sit and had soone pour them each a glass of whiskey—setting the tone for a relaxed conversation.
"I’ve read the reports on the reforms in Japan. Honestly, Hardy, you’ve exceeded my expectations. I even told Michael once that you’d make an excellent politician. Your political acun is leagues beyond so of the idiotic mbers of Congress."
Hardy chuckled and waved it off.
"In Japan, I’ve focused on areas where I excel—economics and culture. If you asked to handle other aspects, I’d likely reach my limits. A true politician has far too many things to consider; I couldn’t possibly manage it all. For example, as president, you have countless matters to attend to and opinions to form on each one. Being a politician isn’t sothing just anyone can do."
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