Building a Conglomerate in Another World

December 24, 1896

The White House had been transformed into a place of warmth and celebration, a stark contrast to the political battlefield it had been just days ago. Wreaths of pine and holly adorned the grand staircases, while the smell of roasted chestnuts and spiced cider filled the air. The grand Christmas tree in the East Room stood tall, decorated with golden ribbons, delicate glass ornaments, and candle-shaped lights that flickered like stars.

Despite the grandeur, President Matthew Hesh found himself unable to fully embrace the holiday spirit. The last few weeks had been relentless—exposing Bradford’s conspiracy, dismantling a war that would have claimed thousands of lives, and now dealing with the fallout of political chaos that had consumed Washington. But tonight, he promised himself and, more importantly, Amber, that he would let it all go.

At least for one night.

A soft knock at the door of his study pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come in," he called, knowing exactly who it was.

Amber stepped inside, carrying a small tray with two cups of tea. She had dressed for the evening in an emerald gown, the color complementing her auburn hair, which was loosely pinned up. She smiled as she approached, setting the tray on the table in front of him.

"You’re thinking too much again," she teased, settling into the chair across from him.

Matthew chuckled, rubbing his temples. "It’s a habit at this point."

Amber took a sip of her tea, watching him. "For tonight, just for tonight, can you forget about the Senate, about impeachment threats, about Congress?"

Matthew met her gaze, seeing the quiet plea behind her words. She had been by his side through all of it—the long nights, the endless meetings, the uncertainty of whether he would survive the political war waged against him. And despite it all, she had remained his rock.

"You’re right," he admitted, exhaling deeply. "Tonight is for us."

A knock at the door interrupted them, followed by Collins, his ever-loyal chief of staff, stepping inside.

"Sir, the Christmas banquet is ready. The staff has finished the final preparations, and guests have started arriving."

Matthew straightened, glancing at Amber, who gave him a satisfied nod. "Everything in order?"

"Yes, sir," Collins confirmed. "The guest list includes several members of Congress, military officers, and their families. The First Lady’s arrangement for the children’s Christmas gifts has also been handled."

Amber smiled. "Wonderful. And the letters to the soldiers stationed abroad?"

"Sent out this morning," Collins assured her.

Matthew stood, reaching for Amber’s hand. "Then let’s enjoy the night."

The White House ballroom glowed under the soft light of chandeliers. A grand banquet table stretched from one end of the room to the other, covered in roasted meats, fresh bread, cranberry sauces, and golden candlesticks. A string quartet played a soft melody in the corner as guests moved through the room, enjoying the warm ambiance.

Matthew moved through the crowd, shaking hands and exchanging greetings. Despite the lingering political tension, tonight was a celebration, and he was determined to keep it that way. Military officers approached him, thanking him for preventing a war that would have sent countless soldiers to their deaths. Families of those who would have been deployed looked at him with gratitude.

But not everyone in the room was pleased.

Matthew noticed certain figures—senators and political allies of Bradford—standing in the corners, watching him closely. He could see the restrained hostility in their eyes. These were men who had been spared from the wave of arrests but had still played a role in the conspiracy. The Order of the Phoenix Society’s influence still lingered.

Amber, sensing his unease, squeezed his hand. "Matt, let it go. Just for tonight."

He exhaled, nodding. "You’re right. Let’s enjoy the evening."

As the night went on, Matthew made sure to speak with as many guests as possible. Laughter filled the ballroom as children played near the tree, their eyes lighting up as they received gifts arranged by Amber. It was a moment of peace, a rare reprieve from the battles he had fought since taking office.

As the banquet came to an end and the guests began to depart, Matthew felt a weight lift off his shoulders. For the first time in weeks, he wasn’t fighting a war—political or otherwise.

By the time the last guest had left, it was nearing midnight. Matthew and Amber retreated to their private quarters, where a smaller, more intimate Christmas tree stood in the corner. Unlike the grandeur of the East Room’s tree, this one was decorated with simple white candles and a golden star at the top.

Amber poured them each a glass of wine before settling onto the couch beside him. She let out a content sigh as she leaned against him. "That was nice," she murmured.

Matthew took a sip of his drink, nodding. "It was. A much-needed distraction."

Amber glanced up at him. "You did well tonight. No political debates, no dramatic speeches. Just Christmas."

Matthew chuckled. "That was harder than any speech I’ve ever given."

She smirked. "I could tell."

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the fire crackle in the hearth. The warmth of the room, the faint scent of pine, and the quiet company of each other made it easy to forget, just for a moment, the challenges waiting for them outside these walls.

Amber set down her glass and stood, walking over to the window. The snowfall outside made the city look peaceful, untouched by the chaos that had unfolded in recent months.

"Do you think things will ever be peaceful again?" she asked.

Matthew joined her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I don’t know. But as long as I have nights like this, I can hope."

She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Merry Christmas, Matt."

He kissed the top of her head. "Merry Christmas, Amber."

She turned in his arms, her fingers tracing over the buttons of his shirt. "Do you remember our first Christmas together?"

Matthew smirked. "How could I forget? We were in that tiny apartment, we burned the roast, and the tree nearly fell over twice."

Amber laughed softly. "And we stayed up all night just talking, listening to the radio."

He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "I remember every second of it."

She met his gaze, something unspoken passing between them. "Then let’s make tonight just as memorable."

Matthew didn’t resist as she led him toward their bedroom. The warmth of the fire faded behind them, replaced by something deeper, more intimate. Enjoy new tales from Freewebnovel

Outside, the world still waited for them—the battles, the conspiracies, the enemies lurking in the shadows.

But tonight?

Tonight was theirs.