"I haven't received any news regarding this for the ti being…"
Hudson instinctively resorted to the standard bureaucratic evasion tactics—unaware, uninford, no comnt.
This strategy was almost universally effective.
When faced with urgent questions that are difficult to answer and any response could lead to undesirable consequences, the best approach is to claim ignorance and promise to comnt only after understanding the situation.
At the very least, this would buy so buffer ti to formulate a sound strategy.
"Mr. Hudson, are you going to say you don't know, don't understand, or have no comnts next?"
Feier didn't give Hudson a chance.
He imdiately switched to relentless pursuit mode.
Hudson's face shifted slightly.
Under normal circumstances, given his position, saying such words would at least ensure that the reporters allowed him to finish his statent.
But Feier wasn't one of those people.
Before Hudson could finalize his reply, Feier had already interrupted him.
Clearly, this behavior was impolite, even borderline rude.
Yet, oftentis, the ruder and less polite thods proved to be the most direct and effective.
Hudson secretly clenched his teeth, but his face still forced out a smile: "Feier, can't you let finish my sentence?"
"Of course, I can. But I want to hear the truth, not your evasive rhetoric. If I can predict what you're about to say to brush off, then what's the point of my asking questions?"
As he spoke, he waved the stack of photos in his hand again.
"I have full docuntation on these individuals. According to my findings, many of them clearly have connections to our military. As the President's security advisor, shouldn't you be aware of these situations?"
Hudson barely opened his mouth, intending to placate Feier.
As the President's security advisor, he had many responsibilities. The United States was vast; it was impossible for him to know everything.
But before he could even utter a single word, Feier interrupted him again.
"If you claim ignorance, does that an this secret operation in Siria was unsanctioned, carried out independently by certain intelligence agencies or the military?"
Hudson glared at Feier, simring with rage that could burn the man to ashes.
Yet his face still had to maintain a calm and amicable smile.
"Feier, you understand that soone in my position can't speak recklessly, especially regarding matters I'm unfamiliar with. I must first comprehend the situation before issuing a response…"
Before Hudson could finish, Feier picked up another stack of docunts and launched yet another fatal blow.
"Here's sothing even more intriguing. Based on information I've obtained, that night in Gelashuk Town, there was an extrely dangerous individual. This person—Baghdadi—was previously detained in Guantanamo Prison. Oddly, over two years ago, he was classified as 'low-threat' and suddenly released. Afterward, he returned to Illiguo, joined the I5I5 ard faction, and rose to the top leadership of the organization within a re two years. He declared allegiance to Laden and beca a branch of Al-Qaeda."
"And the individuals in these photos just so happened to be in Gelashuk that night, engaged in fierce combat with another rcenary squad…"
As Feier loudly questioned and openly exposed matters, Hudson's secretary and assistant stepped into the room adjacent to the podium, summoning a security office staff mber.
"Call Pence imdiately. Check the origin of Feier's information. He owes us an explanation as to how the supposedly concealed intel ended up in Feier's hands!"
"Understood, ma'am."
"Wait."
The female assistant stopped the staff mber who was about to leave.
"Get Pence on the phone right away. Ask him to co to Mr. Hudson's office after the press conference. We're going to have a talk."
"Yes, ma'am."
As the staff walked away, a security officer approached quietly, suggesting: "The situation in the press room is getting tense. I recomnd Mr. Advisor to leave now."
"Alright, I understand."
With those words, the assistant turned to an office spokesperson and said: "Tina, once Mr. Hudson leaves, imdiately step up to inform the reporters and announce the end of the press conference. Advise them that all questions will receive clear responses after due diligence."
"Okay."
The spokesperson was professionally trained.
She knew exactly how to handle the room.
After giving so instructions, the female assistant returned to the podium and whispered to Hudson, informing him that there was an urgent matter and that ti was up.
Hudson deliberately left the mic on and asked, "Is the eting important?"
The assistant raised her voice intentionally: "Very important."
Hudson imdiately faced the reporters and shouted: "Ladies and gentlen, I still have pressing matters to attend to today. This press conference was originally planned for to finish explaining the situation and spend only ten minutes on Q&A. My schedule is incredibly tight, and we're already five minutes over…"
He deliberately checked his watch to appear genuinely pressed for ti.
At that mont, the security advisor's office spokesperson quickly stepped onto the stage. The assistant threw a look at Hudson, signaling him to leave. Hudson caught on imdiately and turned away, disappearing through the side door of the podium within ten seconds.
"Mr. Hudson, are you unwilling to address my question directly? Can I write in my paper and website tomorrow that you refused to answer, showing 'dubious attitude'?"
Other reporters, never ones to miss stirring up drama, began murmuring and raising their voices with various challenges.
The spokesperson, acting like a speaker in the British Parliant, shouted over the noise: "Everyone, please maintain order. This is not a playground; it's a press conference. If anyone continues disregarding warnings, security will escort them out."
Timing was everything.
In the press room, initially, there were only two security guards. At that mont, seven or eight burly n entered through the hall entrance, scanning every journalist with intimidating gazes.
Two of the guards slowly edged closer to Feier, poised to act at a mont's notice.
Watching Hudson's humiliating defeat, Feier revealed a triumphant smile.
He relished monts like these, where bureaucrats were forced into public embarrassnt or a frantic retreat.
Every ti this happened, he felt an unparalleled satisfaction, like savoring the finest delicacies.
Having achieved his goal, Feier cheerfully retook his seat, refraining from further questioning.
The press room finally returned to its orderly yet mundane rhythm.
After asking so trivial questions, other reporters seed to run out of things to ask.
Following the dispersal of the conference, Feier was imdiately sward by colleagues.
"Feier, shall we head over to Dolcezza for a coffee and have a friendly chat? We're very interested in what you have, and we'd make it worth your while."
"Feier, I'd like to schedule a eting too. Are you interested? We could even feature you in an exclusive interview. Could we set a date in the next couple of days?"
...
The swarm of colleagues encircled him like flies drawn to a feast.
Feier was not about to part with his precious news materials so easily.
He felt a surge of euphoria at that mont.
The long-lost feeling of being the center of attention had returned.
The words Song Heping had said to him had long been cast aside.
"I'm quite busy; I don't have much ti. Sorry, everyone."
After saying that, he swiftly pushed through the crowd, parted ways, and soon vanished down the hallway.
Leaving the press conference venue, Feier rushed to the parking lot to retrieve his car. His next destination was his company office, where he planned to write up a news story for his website and local TV channel, aiming to make tomorrow's headlines or appear on his station's programs.
Although his TV station might have limited reach, the explosive nature of the news would likely attract other major stations to purchase broadcasting rights, raising the profile of his small local station. It could significantly benefit his dia company's future ventures.
Just as he unlocked his car door, a woman's voice suddenly ca from behind.
"Old friend, care for a coffee?"
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