"In exchange."
Smith's tone left no room for doubt.
"I will be the representative for our seven cities. At the negotiating table, when we carve up that five-hundred-million-US-Dollar cake, I will speak to Leo Wallace on behalf of all of us."
"That way, we'll be a political force that can't be ignored. Leo Wallace will have to respect us. He'll have to treat us as equal allies, not as his underlings."
"This is a deal, gentlemen. I'm gambling my political career in exchange for having a real say in this future alliance."
"Do you agree?"
The screen was dead silent.
It was an incredibly brilliant political speech. Smith had not only solved the problem of who would stick their neck out, but he had also deftly established his leadership among the mayors of these smaller cities.
At that moment, everyone was scrutinizing the man in the center of their screens, a man with an exceptionally resolute gaze.
