A longer silence.
Obama could hear the faint sound of breathing on the other end of the phone.
"I need to discuss with my team," Angel finally said.
"You have no choice, and there is absolutely no need to discuss; you must do as I say. As the President, calling you personally isn't to negotiate with you, the CEO of a media group, but to pass on a message through you, understand?"
Obama glanced at the clock.
"Angel, let me say one final thing: freedom of the press in books is the cornerstone of democracy, but in reality, there is no true freedom; every freedom is limited by rules. Use it carefully, don't be too naive."
After saying this, he hung up.
5:52 PM.
Obama stood alone at the center of Roosevelt Hall.
In eight minutes, he would face cameras nationwide to deliver a brief statement containing only three points.
