Mar-a-Lago was arguably the presidential candidate's most important residence besides Trump Tower.
During his previous term as president, he often entertained foreign dignitaries at the Mar-a-Lago estate. Because of this, it was also known as the Winter White House. Perhaps it could simply be called the Winter Palace.
Mar-a-Lago was built in a Spanish architectural style, and the entire estate covered approximately eighty thousand square meters. The main building included a ballroom, conference rooms, private living quarters, and various other facilities.
Whenever the presidential candidate was not staying there, the estate's facilities were available to members of his golf club.
Even ordinary members of the public could rent the venue for weddings or other events, as long as they were willing to pay.
It had to be said that this former president truly lived up to his reputation as a businessman. He would use everything he owned to make money.
Disguised as a blond European man, Toru arrived at the estate after arranging a meeting with the presidential candidate.
Inside one of the estate's reception rooms, Toru met the world-famous figure for the first time.
In addition to the former president, the current richest man in the world, Elon Musk, whose net worth had recently soared, was also present.
"Hello, Mr. Donald. Mr. Musk."
Toru maintained a humble yet confident demeanor as he shook hands with the former president.
The nearly eighty-year-old man was exactly as the rumors described. His handshake was remarkably firm, although such strength was naturally insignificant to Toru.
In front of the former president, even the world's richest man could only sit quietly off to the side and say very little.
Toru sat on the soft sofa and observed the elderly man before him, a man who was already advanced in age yet still full of energy and about to return to the pinnacle of power.
Since the assassination attempt, the elderly man had kept a low profile. He had only appeared immediately afterward to announce that he was fine and had merely suffered a minor wound to his ear. For the past few days, he had remained out of public view.
This made Toru admire him.
People truly did continue learning throughout their lives. Four years ago, this elderly man had seemed more like a businessman than a politician. Now, however, he had matured, and his political instincts had grown increasingly formidable.
Keeping such a low profile had only brought him another step closer to the presidency.
Toru habitually surveyed his surroundings. Security around the estate was extremely tight.
However, with Toru's abilities, if he truly wanted to act against the former president sitting before him, none of this security would be enough to save him.
It was precisely because Toru now possessed the ability to kill anyone at close range that there was no one left in this world whom he feared.
The only people Toru could not kill were the hidden schemers whose true identities remained unknown.
That was also why Toru was so eager to control intelligence agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency. As long as he gained control of the world's largest intelligence agency, and perhaps even brought organizations like MI6 under his influence, there would be no more secrets hidden from him.
No one would be able to escape his reach. He would rise from the shadows of the world and stand at its peak.
"Mr. Donald, I admire your courage in personally meeting someone of unknown origin like me."
Toru spoke with a confident smile, his tone carrying just the right amount of flattery.
On the surface, Toru was also a politician. Naturally, he knew how to adjust his words depending on whom he was speaking to.
When facing a man about to reclaim one of the most powerful positions in the world, acting arrogant or looking down on him would only create an enemy.
Toru understood perfectly well that he and the former president were not truly walking the same path.
For now, however, they were allies.
And Toru intended to use the former president's power to obtain what he wanted.
"Young man, meeting you doesn't require courage. You're the man who saved my life, aren't you? When meeting my savior, what I need isn't courage, but gratitude."
The former president stood and gave Toru a firm hug.
The elderly man's words were always filled with warmth and sincerity, while some of his unconventional behavior even gave him an almost childlike innocence.
Even when people knew it was only an appearance and that the man was far from easy to understand, they tended to show greater tolerance toward someone who behaved that way. It made him difficult to hate.
Toru felt somewhat emotional.
This elderly man truly possessed remarkable charisma. His words and actions could easily make others willing to follow him.
At the same time, his authority had also grown stronger, something clearly demonstrated by the world's richest man sitting obediently beside him.
Of course, none of that had any effect on Toru.
No matter how much power someone possessed, they still had a mortal body that could not withstand a bullet to the head.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Adam Spencer, and I formerly worked for the Central Intelligence Agency."
"Spencer?"
The former president raised an eyebrow in his usual distinctive manner.
The surname Spencer was very familiar to him. Wasn't that the name of the current director of the Central Intelligence Agency?
And this young man standing before him had previously sent a warning letter claiming that the CIA director intended to assassinate him.
This was also the same young man who had killed the assassin.
Interesting.
The former president immediately became more interested.
"As you may have guessed, I am the adopted son of the current CIA director, Spencer. I call myself a former CIA agent because I discovered some of his secrets and refused one of his orders. That forced me to leave the agency, and he has been hunting me ever since."
"What was the order?"
The former president's eyebrow twitched slightly.
Toru smiled without answering. He took out a USB drive and inserted it into the laptop in front of him.
A recording began playing from the computer.
The audio contained Spencer ordering him to assassinate the presidential candidate.
In the recording, Toru said that he would consider it, but he never directly agreed.
"Please forgive me for saying something that may sound presumptuous. It may be difficult for you to hear, but I still have to say it."
"Had I accepted that assignment, you would not be alive today."
"I was recognized as the CIA's strongest field operative. That isn't a title I gave myself. It was the agency's own assessment. Forget a distance of just over a hundred meters. Even from eight hundred meters away, I have never missed a shot."
"But I refused the order."
"I know Spencer too well. If I had carried it out, he would have made me the scapegoat."
"More importantly, I grew up in the United States, and I have watched this country decline."
"And you, Mr. Donald, I believe in your campaign slogan. I also watched what you did four years ago, including your work on the border wall with Mexico."
"You genuinely want to make America great again. I could not allow a man like you to die by my hand."
Toru's words were half true and half false.
Whether the former president believed him did not matter.
After all, Toru had spoken at least part of the truth. He had refused the order because he did not want to become the scapegoat. He had merely added a few flattering remarks for the former president.
As expected, the elderly man, whose emotions were often clearly visible on his face, immediately burst into laughter. He was obviously pleased by Toru's praise.
"Oh, I nearly forgot. A guest has come to my home, and I've been neglecting my duties as a host. Adam, what would you like to drink?"
The former president welcomed him warmly.
Regardless of what he was truly thinking, he appeared completely enthusiastic, as though he and Toru were close friends despite the difference in their ages.
"Coke is fine, with ice. But I only drink Coca-Cola, not Pepsi, just as I only eat McDonald's, not KFC."
Except when KFC had a good promotional deal, of course. Fifty dollars was fifty dollars.
Toru added that silently in his mind.
The former president beamed.
"Adam, you have excellent taste."
He immediately ordered canned Coca-Cola to be brought over. Not merely one can, but three, one for each person present.
Watching the elderly man happily drink the sugary soda, Toru could not help but admire him.
He truly did not seem worried about high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol.
(To be continued.)