America 1919

Chapter 773: 265, President’s Secret News_2

In the banquet hall, Harding introduced Donnie, saying this was his girlfriend Joanna.

“Donnie, now it’s only when I come here that I really relax!”

Harding sat on the sofa, his expression a mixture of helplessness and anger, “Do you know what that woman wants to do?

She actually hired my friend to investigate my private life, that’s just despicable!”

The friend mentioned by Harding was Gaston Mince. In 1930, Gaston Martin had published a bestseller “The Mystery of President Harding’s Mysterious Death.”

The book claimed Florence had hired him as a private investigator to look into Harding’s extramarital affairs and Gaston Mince even suggested in his book that Florence poisoned her husband, and Harding’s personal physician Sawyer was also involved.

Not long after Harding’s death, Dr. Sawyer suddenly passed away, and Florence also died in November 1924.

Therefore, Gaston Mince’s conjecture was actually an unverifiable claim.

Of course, the public loves to hear such gossipy scandals, and with Gaston Mince’s logical analysis, many people believed his statement.

According to Gaston Mince, Florence had two motives for murdering Harding: first, Florence discovered Harding’s affair with a woman from South Brenton and their illegitimate daughter, and out of pain, she intended to kill.

Second, she saw Harding being used by his corrupt cronies for their personal gain, and not wanting her husband to be a villain in American history, she thought that only by poisoning Harding could she save him from posthumous condemnation!

But in fact, both of these conjectures are very unrealistic. If Florence had discovered Harding’s affair with the woman from South Brenton, she should have killed South Brenton, not Harding.

After all, Harding’s position as President not only could bring her more fame… Having met Florence, Donnie knew that she was a woman who greatly enjoyed the sense of being in a high position.

As for the second reason, it was even more absurd. Not wanting Harding to be a villain in American history, she would assassinate her own husband?

You have to understand that Harding’s presidency, while elevating those close to him to high positions, also brought substantial benefits to Cleveland’s financial syndicate behind Florence. How could she possibly poison Harding just for the sake of reputation?

Was Florence a saint?

Clearly, Florence was not!

The reason supporting Gaston Mince’s statements was due to Harding’s cause of death and the series of actions Florence took after his death.

Initially, doctors believed that Harding’s death was caused by food poisoning, as the presidential entourage had consumed suspect contaminated and spoiled crab meat during a banquet upon returning from Alaska. However, subsequent investigations found that all other guests at the banquet were unharmed.

Moreover, in his last moments, Florence was the only one by Harding’s side, and she actively obstructed the autopsy of the body, making her a prime suspect.

But as for the actual truth, Donnie didn’t care, nor did he want to delve into the matter.

For Donnie, it really didn’t matter.

While Harding was alive, Donnie could use his current relationship with Harding to continue his business.

Once Harding died and Coolidge succeeded him, then the relationship Donnie had built with Coolidge would ensure that Donnie’s business would encounter no issues.

So facing Harding’s venting, Donnie just smiled and said, “Whatever she does, hasn’t it all become known to you? So there’s nothing to worry about!”

Harding still spoke indignantly, “I’m not worried, but I’m angry, Donnie…”

At this point, Harding suddenly looked around mysteriously, and Donnie, understanding, laughed, “Mr. President, you can rest assured, nothing said here will leave this room!”

Only then did Harding nod, but still whispered, “Donnie, maybe you could really develop your business well, our cooperation could become even closer in the future!”

Donnie understood Harding’s intention.

As President of the United States, one of the most powerful figures in the world in name, Harding must be nearing his limit with Florence’s controlling behavior, so now he wanted to divorce Florence!

But divorcing Florence would mean a direct conflict with the Cleveland financial syndicate.

So Harding was looking for an alternative to the Cleveland financial syndicate, and Donnie was one of the partners he had chosen!

After all, Donnie’s own development was doing exceptionally well, almost forming the beginnings of the New Jersey financial syndicate!

“If that’s the case, I naturally have no issues, but Mr. President, have you really made up your mind?”

Donnie naturally did not object to the olive branch thrown by Harding, but he knew Harding well.

Others called this man the Scholar President, and indeed, before taking office, Woodrow Johnson, the prior President, also held that title, which was perhaps a bit too idealized, but he was very assertive nonetheless.

In contrast, Harding was very indecisive and lacked conviction!

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been controlled by Cleveland’s financial syndicate and still be unable to handle his confidants effectively.