The Wolf of Los Angeles.

Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC.

This hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue is one of the favorite venues for the leaders of the Elephant Party to hold rallies.

More than 20 years ago, Ronald Reagan was assassinated here. John Hinckley, who claimed to be a star-chaser and a die-hard fan of Jodie Foster, shot Reagan in the lung outside the hotel and became a famous guest of the mental hospital.

George Walker chose this hotel for his victory party.

Those who can be here tonight are all people who played a key role in the election.

In a way, this is also a thank-you party.

Hawke and Brian entered the hotel together.

Chief of Staff Andy Card came up to them immediately, shook hands with them, led them into the banquet hall, and said specifically, "Your seats are in the first row. George specially arranged them."

Hawke said politely: "Mr. President is too enthusiastic."

Andy's face was full of enthusiasm: "Because we are allies."

Brian buttoned up his suit and said, "First row, very stressful."

When they entered the banquet hall, campaign manager Melman came over, shook hands with Hawke and Brian respectively, and together with Andy, led the two to the first row.

Many people are curious about who these two people are. They look a little strange.

In the front row, Tom Emmer and his wife Claire Emmer all looked toward Hawke and Brian.

The former knew the new mayor of Los Angeles and asked, "Who is that person next to Brian?"

Claire is in business and has contacts with Mary Ferguson. She said, "Hawk Osmond, the founder and chairman of Twitter, is the new rich man in the technology circle."

Tom Emmer gets it: “George Walker calls him the man who controls the internet.”

"He is also Mary Ferguson's prospective son-in-law. Hawke and Brian are the key to your comeback in California this time." Claire suggested sincerely: "He is good at promoting and creating public opinion, and he also has one of the largest Internet media. You'd better have a good relationship with him."

Tom Emmer is now the third-ranking official in the party, has allies among conservatives and the establishment, and serves as the party whip.

In this election, he was an important ally of George Walker, who had promised to make him Secretary of State if he was re-elected.

There was a black woman sitting on the other side, also looking at Hawke and Brian.

Someone beside her whispered in her ear.

Hawke and Brian sat in the first row.

Brian had attended the party's national conference and knew several people here, so he greeted them one by one.

Hawke quickly scanned the first two rows and spotted a familiar face, a black woman he had seen many times on the news in his previous life, Condolee Rice, George's second Secretary of State.

The Emos came over and chatted with Brian for a few words.

Brian made introductions for both parties.

Tom Emmer was like a smiling tiger, and his words always carried some other meaning: "California's 55 votes established George's advantage and became the key to this election."

“We’ve paid a lot of price in California to get to where we are now,” Bryan said.

"Yes, California was about to fall into deep blue, but you pulled it back." Tom Emmer continued Brian's words: "Not only did you stop the downward trend, you also successfully pulled it toward the red side."

He asked: “When will it ever be completely red state?”

Brian smiled and said, "We are working on it."

Tom Emo turned to look at Hawke: "I have noticed that the younger generation of voters are greatly influenced by online media. I have heard many people say that Twitter leads Internet public opinion, and you are the one who really controls Internet public opinion."

Hawke is also a smiling tiger: "I am a staunch supporter of the red camp, and so is Twitter."

Tom Emmer pointed and said, "You must come to the inauguration. George has sent invitations to many people. Did you receive them?"

"Got it, thank you." Hawke said casually.

Tom Emo said: "We can talk privately sometime. Brian knows my contact information."

Hawke wouldn't take the other man's word for it: "You can always call Brian's number."

Tom Emo nodded slightly and went back with his wife.

Bryan and the others left, whispering, “This guy helped George win Pennsylvania, and George promised him the position of Secretary of State.”

Hearing this, Hawke subconsciously glanced at Condoleezza Rice, a black woman sitting in the first row. If there were no major changes, this person would be the Secretary of State.

In his previous life, he had also read gossip about George and a black woman, saying that the two had been hooking up together for a long time.

Black women were also an important part of this election, winning a lot of black votes for George.

Hawke also read an unreliable rumor that Rice was once the dream goddess of Colonel Ka.

He was the one who pointed at the noses of the five good people and cursed them at the United Nations General Assembly.

Doesn't he know that the United Nations exists because of the five great good men? More and more people filled the banquet hall, and it gradually became quiet.

George Walker and his wife Laura, along with their daughters Barbara and Jenna, appeared in the banquet hall and toasted everyone one after another.

The banquet hall erupted in warm applause, and various congratulations could be heard.

On the stage, George Walker gave another speech.

Looking at George's two daughters who were in their early 20s, Hawke asked, "In our covenant with them, it's not one of these two that will marry your cousin, right?"

"No." Brian clapped his hands and whispered, "It's another granddaughter of George Sr., their cousin, named Lauren. She's a model, honorary spokesperson for the UN World Food Program's anti-hunger campaign, and she's also had a scandal with Leonardo."

Hawke was sure of one thing: "She is definitely prettier than George's two daughters."

Brian agreed: "Yes, you can doubt Leonardo's character in this regard, but you must trust Leonardo's vision."

As George Walker's speech ended, the party quickly turned into a freestyle drinking party.

Brian is pulled away by his future father-in-law, Mr. Hughie.

George Walker and his wife Lauren came to Hawke and said, "You should stay in Washington. The atmosphere here is more suitable for you and you can show your talents."

Washington is like hell, and Hawke is not interested for the time being because he is not strong enough: "Twitter has thousands of employees who need me. It would be irresponsible for me to abandon them in Los Angeles."

The two of them exchanged a few polite words and someone came over.

George Walker introduced: "This is Henry Paulson, CEO of Goldman Sachs, my next Secretary of the Treasury."

Hawke shook his hand: "Congratulations."

Henry, who had a typical middle-aged baldness, said, "I haven't promised George yet. The job at Goldman Sachs is more suitable for me."

"You guys chat." George Walker went somewhere else.

Henry said directly: "The Los Angeles wildfire in California and this election have shown the powerful power of the Internet and social media. Last time, Goldman Sachs was slow to respond and missed the opportunity to raise funds from Twitter. Next time you raise funds, you must notify Goldman Sachs."

Hawke did not refuse to cooperate with other companies, saying: "There is a premise I need to clarify. Twitter has a dual-class equity structure."

Henry understood immediately and said, "Goldman Sachs has never pursued management rights." He added, "If Twitter needs it, Goldman Sachs can help operate the IPO."

Hawke seemed to be considering it.

Henry said: "Goldman Sachs has evaluated Twitter and found that as long as the right partner is chosen, Twitter will reach a market value of $1000 billion in five to six years."

Hawke thought for a moment and said, “Twitter’s next board meeting will focus on discussing public financing next year. After determining the time and method, we will contact Goldman Sachs.”

When Henry heard the word "public", he understood that Twitter naturally wanted to maximize its profits.

But Goldman Sachs has internally assessed that it is a sure win if you get on board at this stage.

Not far away, there was a woman in a golden and red evening dress, looking at Hawke.

She has been waiting for an opportunity.

But there was a constant stream of people coming to talk to Hawke, including the black woman Rice and George's deputy Cheney.

These politicians continue to demonstrate the importance of media platforms through practical actions.

Finally, when there was no one there, the red-haired woman walked over quickly.

She came up to Hawke and introduced herself: "Elizabeth Carter, a strategic planner."

Hawke looked at her quickly. She was wearing high heels, a black evening dress that revealed her fair skin, flaming red lips, and an extremely sharp look in her eyes.

This woman doesn't look very old, but she has a mature and sophisticated temperament.

Elizabeth said something shocking: "You are Hawke Osment. I have heard that someone is planning to harm you in Washington. Be careful of women, especially beautiful women."

Hawke deliberately took two steps back and said, "That person can't be you."

Elizabeth simply shook her head: "I'm not beautiful."

Although he didn't know whether it was true or not, Hawke politely said, "Thank you."

Elizabeth said, "This matter is related to California."

Hawke deliberately put on a puzzled expression.

"I am the strategic planner for this election. California was not originally within my planning scope, but suddenly two amazing things happened." Some politicians may not be very smart, but those who do strategic planning are undoubtedly smart people. Elizabeth was also puzzled: "Then, we just mobilized some media and political resources to win California."

She looked at Hawke and said, "Although Brian is not a fool, he is not good at these things. You first worked in crisis public relations and strategic planning. Could this matter be related to you?"

Hawke would not admit it, but instead said nonsense in all seriousness: "I am a businessman and I don't do anything that has nothing to do with profit."

Elizabeth stopped dwelling on the topic and talked about Twitter: "Washington, especially those directly involved in the election, all know that you are the one who controls online public opinion. You control one of the largest and most influential online media in the United States. You can make the wind blow in whichever direction you want." (End of this chapter)