Chaos.
Everything had descended into chaos.
When he signed the document, the President had anticipated retaliation from Hua Nation, and his advisory team had even prepared tactics for a roundabout counteroffensive. Yet he had never expected those Hua Nation people to strike so swiftly—and so directly!
On the surface, it had caused them no substantive losses, much like the ongoing antitrust investigation and patent lawsuit that had yet to reach a verdict. But the fatal part was that these successive ultimate moves had dealt Wall Street a heavy blow.
It was not a tangible loss, but it was more than enough to give them a headache.
Of course, that was not what truly left him on the verge of tears.
It was that only now did this wise President suddenly realize just how terrifyingly deeply Hua Nation's high-tech companies had penetrated their industries.
They had merely brushed against the outside, and two national-level megaprojects with investments exceeding ten billion dollars had instantly collapsed, the kind that could not be pulled back up no matter what...
It was simply horrifying!
Just then, the office door was pushed open, and Chief of Staff Kevin walked in with a grave expression.
"California's state government just called. Local environmental groups and other civilian organizations are organizing demonstrations. Their demand is that the people of California need clean, affordable energy... If Hua Nation's reactor core cannot reach the West Coast this year, they hope we can find a solution."
"A solution, my ass!"
His right fist slammed viciously onto the desk. This helpless inability to fight back filled the President with frustration and rage.
After taking several deep breaths, he finally calmed down. After pondering for a long while, he spoke in a somewhat gentler tone.
"Perhaps we should restart the National Ignition Facility... Maybe