[Chapter 507: Employing All Means]

Washington D.C.

As soon as the workday began, a powerful quartet -- Clinton, Gore, Christopher, and Panetta -- convened to allocate the first batch of Vitality and Beauty Pills according to their previously agreed distribution plan.

Sixty percent of the pills went straight to the top-tier politicians currently holding the most influence in America. As for the remaining 40 percent? Naturally, that was reserved for their personal benefit.

Once these politicians received the pills, they wasted no time consuming them. Almost instantly, each experienced incredible effects that seemed almost miraculous.

This swift transformation sparked major unrest among lower-ranked politicians also eligible for the distribution. When media outlets flooded the airwaves with reports on the brisk sales at the specialty store, anxieties mounted. By mid-morning, once news broke that all the Vitality Pills had been sold out, the others grew desperate, fearing their own shares might be jeopardized.

...

Whether it was Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Warren Christopher, Leon Panetta, or William Perry, subordinates showed up at their work places with all sorts of pretexts to report in.

But the core demand was unanimous: pressure Linton to prioritize and speed up the deal with the White House. Some hardliners even pushed for Linton to halt all shipments to the specialty store until the White House's quota was fully met and all production dedicated to them.

What was especially surprising was the sudden unity between the two houses of Congress. Everyone knew Senate and House members were either diehard conservative or liberal partisans, constantly at odds in brutal political battles. Yet this time, opinions were strikingly aligned.

In the Senate, Republican senators proactively approached Warren Christopher with suggestions; in the House, Democratic representatives did the same with Newt Gingrich. Such collaboration between opposing parties was unthinkable under normal circumstances.

It was clear the Vitality and Beauty Pills were now pulling at every thread of America's power elite. Their shared goal was singular and urgent: secure their own supply as soon as possible.

...

Ultimately, all input funneled back to Clinton. But since Linton had previously marked Clinton with a Soul Slave Mark, the idea of Clinton pressuring Linton was out of the question.

Still, Clinton had his office chief, Leon Panetta, call Linton to see if he could increase supply to the White House.

Of course, Linton refused. If he diverted everything to them, his own specialty store would shut down completely, destroying his credibility with the public -- the very foundation of his growing influence and power cultivation.

Yet he promised Leon Panetta that he would always prioritize the White House's monthly quota, ensuring they received theirs before the specialty store officially launched.

...

Meanwhile, California, Los Angeles, and even Montana were experiencing similar situations, but none had caused much uproar, nor did the complaints reach Linton.

Other states, however, were struggling -- especially economic powerhouses like New York, the redneck states, and the big-money states. Governors and legislative leaders there wrestled with how to get in Linton's good graces and secure priority contracts.

...

In a prosperous small city on the outskirts of New York called Rockefeller City -- the stronghold of the Rockefeller family, which held full control over local decisions -- tensions were boiling over inside the largest estate.

An elderly man sat rigidly in a high-backed chair, his face cold as ice, brimming with fury. Before him knelt two trembling men.

The enraged elder was none other than David Rockefeller, the current patriarch of the Rockefeller family. Though over eighty, he looked remarkably healthy -- rumor had it he'd undergone two heart transplants.

The two men at his feet were his most loyal lieutenants, sent days earlier to Los Angeles on David's orders to secure the Vitality Pills.

Yet because of their carelessness -- or rather, waking up just a bit late -- they only arrived at the specialty store's doorstep at six a.m.

To be fair, these men were usually polished, high-ranking figures widely respected -- no one would willingly endure sleepless nights just to stand in line. Getting up just after five had seemed early enough.

But by the time they arrived, hundreds of people were already queued up.

They had even considered buying their way to the front, offering as much as $10,000, only to be flatly refused.

They hadn't anticipated the Vitality Pills would be this hotly sought after and were unwilling to pay exorbitantly for preferential treatment.

When their turn finally came, the Vitality Pills were already sold out. All they managed to buy were the Beauty Pills.

After leaving the store, they tried to buy Vitality Pills on the secondary market, with offers climbing as high as $12 million per bottle.

Yet with prices so staggering and this being the first official release, no scalpers had the means to purchase in bulk. Those who did manage to buy them were backed by top-tier tycoons or powerful factions -- nobody dared to speculate or resell.

On the other hand, Beauty Pills were heavily scalped. After selling out in the afternoon, their price skyrocketed, with many paying up to $150,000 per bottle.

Now facing David's wrath, all they could feel was overwhelming regret and fear.

"I sent you two to Los Angeles three days early. Explain why you failed to get the Vitality Pills," David's voice was icy and unforgiving.

"Sir, we're sorry. It's our fault. After arriving, we inquired at the store daily, but they didn't take reservations. On May 6th, the grand opening day, we lined up before five a.m., but there were already many ahead of us..." one whispered apologetically, trailing off.

"No explanations needed. Effective immediately, you're relieved of all duties and sent to work as oil rig laborers in Iraq."

"Please spare us, Sir!" they cried out in panic.

But the verdict stood. One simple mistake nearly cost them everything. From prestigious positions, they were cast down to the desolate oilfields in Iraq, grinding away at the lowest level.

Similar scenarios unfolded in the households of America's wealthiest -- Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Carnegie, and other titans.

Regrettably, many loyal lieutenants failed to secure the Vitality Pills, settling only for the lesser Beauty Pills. Consequently, they all bore their bosses' relentless wrath and were severely punished.

Though anger had been vented, the underlying problem persisted -- next month's competition promised to be even fiercer.

One urgent question pressed on everyone's minds: how to contact Linton in advance and secure early purchase rights.

...

Over in the British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth, upon hearing from her trusted steward who had gone to Los Angeles that they failed to get the Vitality Pills and faced uncertainty for next month, couldn't sit still.

After some thought, she picked up the phone and called Bill Clinton.

"Good morning, Mr. President," she said.

"Good day, Your Majesty. How may I assist you?" Clinton responded politely.

"I have a request. Are you familiar with the Vitality Pills?"

"Of course. They're the pride of America's latest scientific achievements."

Elizabeth internally scoffed, thinking, 'Latest scientific achievement my ass. They're just damn lucky, favored by some divine hand. Why not the Brits?'

Still, she kept the diplomatic tone.

"Yes, I sent someone to Los Angeles today, but the supply was too limited; we got nothing. Can you help procure some? Don't worry, I'll pay you a 10% commission above market price as a token of gratitude."

"How many do you need?" Clinton's mind raced with the prospect of profit.

"Three bottles."

"I'll see what I can do. Wait for my call." He couldn't promise immediately -- had to make her feel he was working hard behind the scenes.

Two hours later, as the Queen Elizabeth waited anxiously, Clinton's call came through.

"It's arranged. You transfer the money to this charity fund, then come to Washington and contact this person. They'll deliver the Vitality Pills to you."

"Thank you."

Not just Elizabeth -- Britain's Prime Minister and other world leaders were also contacting Clinton, Gore, and Panetta. These men were soon swimming in profits as they flipped the pill allocations the same day, garnering favor while raking in big money.

Of course, the payment accounts were always charitable foundations or Swiss offshore bank accounts, carefully insulated to prevent any direct links back to them.

*****

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