Carol woke up in her new mansion in Prince County and finished her chores quickly. She was supposed to register as a candidate for the Mayor position at noon. However, the beauty stayed awake all night thinking about it.
Ever since Victor’s will reading turned into a dramatic affair, Carol’s depression born from losing Victor dissipated. Now, she had fresh issues to deal with.
Sophia Baker, the cardiac surgeon who treated Edgar, was back. She returned with a one-year-old she claimed to be Victor’s son. While it was received with widespread disbelief, Sophia submitted her son, Niklaus, to a paternity test.
To everyone’s shock, the test came out positive. Since both the Atelier and Baker families claimed to have Victor’s successor, it was an odd situation. The executor of the will, Elsa Madison, deferred the will’s execution until it could be confirmed that the child in Carol’s womb was Victor’s.
Meanwhile, Carol accepted the mansion, cars, and millions of dollars Victor left behind for her. She decided not to be a spendthrift and to save money for her child’s future. Unfortunately, the Atelier family also moved with her to the new mansion.
“Carol, come to the TV room quickly!” Josh hollered from downstairs. “It’s an emergency!”
Carol descended from her bedroom at a steady pace. Josh was over-enthusiastic about almost everything. When she reached the TV room, she saw Josh, Martha, and Ronald huddled together, watching the news.
“What is so exciting in the morning news, guys?”
Josh turned to his sister excitedly. “You missed it! A general from the national army declared Springfield a military city!”
Carol rolled her eyes. She had already been informed of that from various sources, including Rose. “What’s the big deal about that? We go about our business as usual.”
“But look!” Martha exclaimed. “The new mayor-in-charge! You need to see him!”
Carol raised an eyebrow and turned her gaze to the television screen. The federal government was about to announce an interim mayor to preside over the city until elections were complete. She was curious about who was appointed to the position.
“Please welcome with a round of applause... Mr. Cromwell... The interim mayor of Springfield!” Lance declared.
A young, athletic man with dark brown hair stood beside General Lance Baker. He was rakishly good-looking, athletic, and wore an expensive Armani suit.
Carol’s thoughts weren’t deceiving her. The mayor was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Her heart skipped a beat, but guilt and regret immediately followed it.
‘What am I thinking?’ she scolded herself. ‘Victor just passed away, leaving me pregnant, and I am fantasizing about other men!’
“He’s so handsome and rich!” Martha exclaimed. “He’d be the perfect husband for our daughter!”
The women in the town square meeting were equally smitten, regardless of their ages or marital status. Even the men looked up at the mayor with admiration.
“Thank you, everyone,” Cromwell said, appreciating the applause and reactions. “I feel privileged to be the leader of this amazing city.”
He squinted at the memorial statue behind him. “It’s a strange coincidence. I happen to share my first name with the hero of Springfield. So, I will introduce myself again. I am Victor Cromwell, your interim mayor!”
More ovation followed along with cheers and hoots. His charming arrival had shifted the crowd’s mood from sad to hopeful.
“Thank you again for the wonderful reception. But I must immediately step into the shoes of the job entrusted to me. My first order of business would be to wipe out every mafia and organized crime group in the city! I will go into battle mode against them!”
The crowd began murmuring, but they listened intently to Cromwell’s speech. His incredible, overflowing charm made people want to listen and obey.
“Please don’t fear the military presence,” the mayor exclaimed. “Actually, I was in the army for a short service. I served with some of these young brave soldiers assigned to protect you. Please accept them into the Springfield family.”
The spectators nodded their heads like children. The tension that had hovered over them like a blanket over the past half an hour was lifted. Cromwell was a natural politician with a mesmerizing personality.
“Your safety will be my priority,” he continued. “The land and water borders will be patrolled regularly. Newly installed cameras will monitor city roads. Under my watch, no terrorism or any other form of violent crime will be allowed to happen. That’s a Cromwell guarantee!”
A light ovation followed from the gathering.
“Although the future may seem uncertain, and changes may appear scary, trust me to make the right choices for you. I will be there to help through this transition. My office will always be open to grievances and requests.”
Someone in the crowd yelled out, “Victor Cromwell for elected Mayor!”
The crowd broke into cheers, chanting his name. A standing ovation followed it.
“Thank you!” the interim mayor said. “A reminder for interested candidates-they can begin registering for the mayoral elections from noon onwards. That will be all!”
Victor Cromwell descended from the podium and proceeded towards an armored government car. The media followed him, shouting out a plethora of questions.
As the mayor’s vehicle drove off, Carol switched off the television. “He seems like a military plant,” she said dismissively. “It’s better to keep our distance.”
***
The mayor’s armored car screeched to a halt outside the city hall. Victor Cromwell emerged from the vehicle and walked into the government building.
As he stepped into his office, he found someone waiting for him. A man in a cloaked hood stood by the mayor’s high-backed chair.
“Atticus…” Victor Cromwell said. “Shouldn’t you dress normally now that you have come out of hiding?”
Atticus Mars smirked slightly from under his hood. “How did the event go? Did the people believe you?”
The interim mayor chuckled. “It was a bit strange to attend my own memorial.”
Atticus nodded and pointed at his face. “Your past is dead and lost. It has been turned into a symbol. Now, you are born again–this is your only identity.”
The young man settled into the mayoral chair and nodded. A serious expression replaced his smile as he interlaced his fingers thoughtfully.
“I understand I am no longer Victor Damone.”
“One of my thousand miraculous gifts is to change my physical appearance. It was useful in transforming into this new body.”
“Now, I am Victor Cromwell, a man who has plenty of work cut out for him. Let’s begin!”