Ethan left, leaving Leo alone in his office.
Just a moment ago, he had received news that Moretti had convened an emergency closed-door meeting with the council members.
But not everyone attended.
Aisha Williams and Benji Cohen, the two allies who had clearly sided with Leo, did not go to the meeting.
It didn't matter.
Even without the two of them, Moretti still held seven votes.
Seven votes were enough to pass any resolution, enough to override any mayoral veto, enough to turn the entire city council into his personal rubber stamp.
"Mr. President."
Leo stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, his fingers tapping lightly on the glass.
"What if Moretti can keep them in line?"
"What if he can use his prestige, or more vicious methods, to force everyone to present a united front?"
"What if they'd rather bite the bullet and pay the damages, rather bear the infamy, just to fight me to the bitter end?"
It was a reasonable concern.
