Metternich's actions filled Santa Anna with blazing fury. The first things to suffer after he returned to the Presidential Palace were the glassware and porcelain.
"That damned old bastard! Who does he think owns this turf?"
"Mr. President, shall I send someone to take him out?"
Diego made a throat-slitting gesture beside him, which only enraged Santa Anna further.
"Idiot! Use that pig brain of yours! If he dies here, what are we supposed to do?"
"Then we'll kill everyone who opposes you!"
Diego stared earnestly into Santa Anna's eyes as he spoke.
Santa Anna walked up and fixed Diego with a hard stare. Then, all of a sudden, he laughed.
"Very good! Full of spirit! Go collect your reward!"
Santa Anna was quite pleased with Diego's loyalty, but once Diego had left, he began to fret again.
"Jimmy, you've always been clever. Do you have any ideas?"
Santa Anna's sudden question caught Jimmy somewhat off guard.
"Mr. President, we..."
Jimmy had initially wanted to profess his loyalty as well, but he did not think that approach would work anymore. More than that, he feared Santa Anna might really send him to assassinate Metternich. Jimmy did not want to die yet.
Most importantly, Jimmy truly had no way to deal with a colossus like the California Colony. This was already beyond the scope of his abilities.
"We what? Spit it out!"
Santa Anna was beginning to grow impatient. He had not been this impetuous by nature, but after spending so long in an environment like Mexico's, a change in mindset was inevitable.
"Mr. President, why don't we agree to Metternich's terms for now? Renew it for a few years first, just to keep them steady."
"Bastard! Wouldn't that make me a traitor selling out my country?"
Jimmy thought, *You think