Chapter 32 Chapter Thirty-One

President Paul Ellison calls from White House: "I refuse to accept your resignation..." "Forgive me, Mr. President, there is nothing I can do." "Mary, I deeply understand the countless disasters you have experienced, but I still implore you to stay in office." I deeply understand the countless disasters you have experienced.Does anyone else know this too?I remember when I first took office, my mind was full of lofty ideals and beautiful hopes, how innocent I was.She is the symbol of this country, the embodiment of the national spirit, and she will show the world the best qualities of Americans.She turned out to be a puppet, the president used her, the government used her, everyone around her used her, put her family in the center of the death spiral, and killed the innocent Edward.She thought again of Louis, his lies and his tragic death.She thought of the conspiracy that Angel had planned so hard to realize.

I am no longer the person I was when I first came here, Mary thought, the childish and ignorant me who has gone through the process of suffering and finally matured.I've done a few things here too: I've saved Hannah Murphy from prison; I've negotiated a grain deal; I've saved the life of the President's son; I've gotten loans for this country; "Hey, are you still listening?" "Yes, sir." Her eyes flew across the desk and fell on Mike Slade.He leaned back in his chair, looking at her. "You've done a great job and we're so proud of you. Have you read the papers?" the president continued.

She has always been dismissive of newspapers. "Honey, we need someone like you now, and you will definitely make great contributions to our country." The President is waiting for my answer, Mary thought.She weighed it up: I've been told I've made a great ambassador, but there's still a lot of trouble and a long way to go. Finally she said: "Mr. President, if I agree to remain in office, I ask my country to grant Corina Sokoli asylum." "Excuse me, Mary. I have explained why this cannot be done, it will annoy the government of Country A, and..."

"Mr. President, I know this country. They will restore calm quickly. They are using that girl as a bargaining tool at best." Silence, the silence of deliberation. "How did you get her out of her country?" "A military transport plane is coming this morning, and I'll let her take that plane." The president agreed after a short pause: "I see, well, I'll ask the State Department to deal with it. Is there no price to talk about?" "And one more thing, Mr. President," Mary said, looking at Mike Slade. "I'm asking Mike Slade to work with me. I need him. We work together."

Mike looked at Mary, with a secret smile creeping up the corner of his mouth. "That can't be done," replied the President firmly. "I'm going to transfer Slade back. He has other tasks." Mary held the phone receiver and just sat there without saying a word. The president added: "We will send you another person, and you will choose the person you need." Still silent. "Mary, Mike is really inseparable from here." Mary stared at Mike. The president panicked. "Mary? Mary? What's the matter?—Another blackmail?" Mary sat still and waited silently.

Finally, the president said helplessly: "Well, it seems that you really can't do without him. Well, let him stay with you for a while." Mary was overjoyed and said with a relaxed mood: "Thanks to the President, I will happily stay here as an ambassador." The President finally gave her a shot: "Ambassador, where did you get that skill? You are a terrible negotiator. Now I have another interesting idea. When your term is over, I will ask you to do it again. Good luck and don't cause any more trouble." The phone hangs up. Mary put down the microphone solemnly and gazed at Mike Slade affectionately. "You will stay here and the President told me not to cause any more trouble."

Mike smiled: "He has a great sense of humor." He stood up and approached Mary: "Do you remember the first day I saw you and I said you could give ten?" How could she forget this sentence?After a while, she said guiltily, "I remember." "Actually, I was talking nonsense. You are very good now!" She felt the blood surge in her body, and the tenderness flowed in her chest. "Oh, Mike..." "Since you want me to stay, Madam Ambassador, it is best to discuss the issue between us and the Minister of Commerce of the government of country A."

He met her eyes, and he asked meekly and sincerely, "Coffee?"