The Rise Of A Billionaire 1943-Chapter 52 - 54 – Maker of Presidents

He thought for a moment.

"It seems like he’s starting to think about his ticket."

Glancing at his wife, he added:

"But I’m not confident about it. My background is too thin—and there are many others more qualified than me..."

Looking at her husband’s deep insecurity, Mrs. Truman challenged him:

"Harry, what if... what if you’re exactly the kind of person President Roosevelt needs?"

Her words startled him. Then suddenly, he looked like a man who’d just had a lightbulb turn on over his head.

"Yes... that’s it. That’s exactly it! He’s running for a fourth term—why would he pick a rival as his running mate?"

Suddenly, Truman thought of all his peers in the party—those with impressive résumés and high prestige. Each one of them wanted to be VP, not to assist Roosevelt, but to build momentum for their own future White House runs.

But Roosevelt? He could run a fifth time, or a sixth... all the way until he either died or was thrown out by the public.

Why would he ever choose a VP who might challenge him?

He’d clearly pick someone safe—someone controllable.

Someone who posed no threat.

And just like that, Truman’s gears clicked into place.

"Could it be... Pierre saw that too? If so, that young man is incredibly sharp."

But... Could I really become President someday?

That night, Pierre had ignited a hidden ambition in a previously cautious Washington politician—leaving him with a glimmering new sense of possibility.

Their car continued down Pennsylvania Avenue, and under the bright spotlights, the Washington Monument loomed large.

This was a country that proudly called itself the "New Rome," and though it was only just stepping into its role on the global stage—no matter how ruthless, morally bankrupt, or hypocritical the Anglo-Saxon empire might be—one thing was clear:

It had already begun the internal transfer of hegemonic power.

And in the coming years, the old master would fade, while the new master stepped forward.

It was a time of unparalleled opportunity.

Back in their own car, Ava Gardner watched Pierre gazing out the window and asked, curious:

"Do you really think he’ll become President?"

She couldn’t help but wonder: Why was this man so sure? Could he really see the future?

"Who knows?"

Pierre lightly stroked the graceful curve of her neck and murmured:

"Some people... all they need is the right push. Then they’ll chase their dreams themselves. Today, I just gave him a little push."

"Ah!"

Ava gasped slightly at the realization, her eyes wide.

Then she suddenly exclaimed, as if it had just clicked:

"I get it now. You’re... you’re making a President!"

"...What?"

Before Pierre could react, Ava explained:

"When I was in acting school, our instructor used to say: ’People only see the glow of a star—they don’t know stars are manufactured. There are people who create stars.’"

"Pierre... are you making a President?"

"You gave him the courage to chase his dreams. If he really becomes President one day—it’ll be because you made it happen!"

For a moment, Pierre was stunned.

He’d never thought of it quite that way.

But... it did make a certain kind of sense.

"A Presidential maker..."

That title sounded... pretty badass.

Now that he thought about it, the next President after Truman was... who again?

Ah—Eisenhower.

Right now, the guy was Army Chief of Staff, already a 4-star general. No longer an up-and-comer—he was fully baked.

What about the one after him?

Right... the one with the wild imagination, currently commanding a torpedo boat in the Pacific. Not short on money, either.

And after that? Who was next?

Lyndon B. Johnson?

What was he doing now?

Should I go give him a little guidance too?

And then there’s the one who liked eavesdropping...

Wait—was he already eavesdropping right now?

And wasn’t there that other guy flying dive bombers, whose war buddy got turned into sushi by the Japanese?

As he counted them out, Pierre realized:

He absolutely had what it took to be a full-on maker of Presidents.

He could become a mentor to them all—guiding their paths, nudging history along...

Which meant—

He’d be the man behind the throne.

The one behind all future Presidents of the United States.

He broke into a weird grin.

No—a sage’s smile.

"I should start making a list of them all," he thought.

"Then go find them. Guide their lives. Light their path."

He turned back to Ava, a wise smile on his face.

"Ava, you might be more right than you know..."

And she was.

After all, when you hold the knowledge of a century’s worth of political and economic history, getting rich is the easy part.

Even just smuggling sugar during wartime could earn you a few "little targets"—as he liked to call them (referring to millions).

But money wasn’t the problem.

The problem... was the future.

Even if, with Truman’s help, he managed to gobble up North Borneo, how could he ensure his company’s long-term survival?

In the postwar chaos, how could he avoid being crushed by anti-colonial revolutions?

There was only one way:

Get stronger.

Because without real strength, he wouldn’t need a superpower to crush him—even the local natives could stomp him out.

But what if he had a superpower backing him?

Why would a superpower support him?

Well... what if he were friends with every President?

Not just any friends—close friends.

That kind of backing... would be unmatched.

It would make anyone think twice before touching him.

Even consider "zero-dollar acquisitions"? Forget it.

"Just a few grains of truth?"

Ava tilted her head, puzzled, as she felt his fingers stroking her neck.

Yes—it felt a bit like he was petting a puppy.

But she liked it. She really liked it.

Eyes half-closed, in a soft and sultry voice, she asked:

"What are you thinking about?"

"Me?" Pierre grinned, flashing eight teeth.

He looked into her eyes and replied:

"I was thinking about how to be a better life coach.

How to illuminate the paths of others.

How to give the lost... direction."

Then he added—

"Ava, are you sure you still want to be an actress?"

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