A Bumpy Road to Power

A neat short haircut like a gentle breeze blowing over the mountain top at dawn, not a trace of excess.

Each strand exudes an unadorned natural beauty.

Fine strands softly rest on her forehead, forming a clever harmony with the glasses perched on her nose—the eyes behind the lenses are deep and bright, seemingly able to perceive the essence of all things in the world, yet inadvertently revealing a cold aloofness that keeps people at a distance.

When shaking hands with Dirk Carter.

It was just a brief touch.

Then she quickly withdrew her hand.

Not sure if it was a mistake.

In that moment, Dirk Carter surprisingly caught a glimpse of aversion in her eyes.

There was another more obvious detail.

Everyone stood lined up.

Almost shoulder to shoulder.

Except on Alexis Lewis's side, the people on both sides kept at least a fist's distance from her, seemingly afraid to approach her.

After the welcoming ceremony at the door was over.

Everyone entered the auditorium of the building on the left.

First, Durant Lewis announced the appointment of Dirk Carter.

Then, Secretary Thorne and Durant Lewis gave speeches respectively, emphasizing the next focus of organizational work in Silverwood City.

At four o'clock, the meeting concluded.

Secretary Thorne originally wanted to have Durant Lewis stay for a night before leaving, but Durant Lewis insisted on leaving as he had a meeting tomorrow morning, so there was no forced retention.

After the meeting ended.

After Secretary Thorne instructed a few things to the municipal secretary Brenton Sullivan, he hurriedly left.

The other attendees, none proactively approached Dirk Carter to chat, leaving the meeting room in twos and threes.

Brenton Sullivan approached Dirk Carter, saying, "Secretary General Carter, Secretary Thorne had an urgent matter and left suddenly. He asked me to take you to the office, and also address your accommodation arrangements."

"I'd appreciate it, Secretary Sullivan."

Dirk Carter replied.

On the way from the auditorium to the office floor of the Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Brenton Sullivan also made no attempt to engage Dirk Carter in conversation.

Even when the two were in the elevator, Brenton Sullivan remained very quiet.

The Silverwood City's Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection office area is located on the sixth floor of the main building.

Dirk Carter's office has a direct elevator, which is reserved for leaders, and others cannot use it.

Upon pushing open the office door.

Brenton Sullivan said, "I've instructed Rapp Carter from the office of the Commission for Discipline Inspection about specific arrangements. He'll be here shortly. If you have any questions, call me, and I'll handle them."

"Thank you, Secretary Sullivan."

After expressing his gratitude,

Brenton Sullivan just nodded and promptly departed.

It should be noted.

Back at the welcoming ceremony, Brenton Sullivan was quite enthusiastic.

Now with Durant Lewis's departure.

He seemed like a different person entirely.

Being new, Dirk Carter naturally didn't take it to heart.

The office's decor was rather fresh.

The desk, sofa, and bookcase seemed newly replaced, with no signs of use.

A flower pot on the windowsill appeared to have a rose growing, though it was now completely withered.

"Secretary General Carter, my apologies, truly sorry, I've cleaned the office three or four times, but forgot this pot of flowers, I'll take it away now."

A medium-built middle-aged man.

Rushed in hurriedly.

They had crossed paths earlier at the entrance.

This was Rapp Carter, the head of the office of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection in Silverwood City.

"Was this left by Secretary Xu?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Rapp Carter nodded somewhat guiltily.

He said, "When Secretary Xu was here, he loved tending to plants. Originally, there were many plants in the office, which I've moved out. This pot on the windowsill was overlooked. It's my oversight."

"No problem, leave it. When I have free time, I'll try planting something myself."

Dirk Carter said.

Rapp Carter hesitated for a moment.

In the end, he followed Dirk Carter's decision.

Standing upright, he said, "Leader, I've placed all the personnel files of the Commission for Discipline Inspection on your desk. Also, Secretary Sullivan mentioned about your accommodation, here's the key."

He was about to fetch the key.

Dirk Carter waved his hand, saying, "No need, I'll handle the accommodation myself, no need to trouble the organization. Please help me call the three deputy secretaries over, I'd like to chat with them."

Rapp Carter laughed and said, "Secretary General Carter, you've just arrived today, you must be tired from the long journey, and it's nearly the end of the workday, why not talk tomorrow?"

"It's fine, I'm not tired. Please call them over."

Dirk Carter said, sitting on the sofa.

Rapp Carter stood there, not moving.

Dirk Carter was taken aback.

Asked, "What's the matter? Is there any difficulty, Chief Carter?"

"No, no."

Rapp Carter waved his hand repeatedly.

His face showed a hint of dilemma.

Dirk Carter seemed to see through it.

He slapped the armrest and stood, walking directly to the desk, saying, "Alright, if Chief Carter doesn't want to help, I'll call them one by one."

"Secretary General Carter, Secretary General Carter..."

Rapp Carter immediately stepped forward.

Standing respectfully, he nervously rubbed his hands together.

Waveringly said, "Secretary General Carter, it's not that I don't want to help. You're the leader; if you ask me to do something, I must do it. However... all three deputy secretaries are not at their desks, they... have matters to attend to..."

"Matters? What matters?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Rapp Carter couldn't hold it in any longer.

Dejectedly said, "All three deputies have taken leave."

"All took leave? When did they ask for leave?"

Dirk Carter asked sharply.

With the conversation this far, everything had to be said.

Rapp Carter sighed, "All three took leave this morning, saying they had family matters..."

"So, did they take leave because of me?"

Dirk Carter quickly realized.

Asking Rapp Carter.

Rapp Carter dared not respond.

Waving his hand, he said, "No, no, don't misunderstand, Secretary General Carter, it might just be coincidental that they had matters to attend to, so they took leave..."

Given the circumstances.

Dirk Carter didn't press further.

Since the issue didn't lie with Rapp Carter, he said, "Alright, if they're on leave, let's talk tomorrow. Give me a name later, coordinate with the organization department, and help me assign someone as my secretary."

...

After Rapp Carter left.

Dirk Carter slumped on the sofa.

He recalled the situation he encountered after arriving in Silverwood City this afternoon.

Because he had mentally prepared beforehand.

He didn't pay much attention to what's happening now.

If breaking the ice were that easy.

Bohdan Sherwood probably wouldn't have sent him over.

The accommodation issue, Dorothy Zechariah had helped him resolve before he came.

Stansen Group has a branch in Silverwood City.

Although its size isn't large, arranging housing isn't difficult.

After work, Dirk Carter hailed a taxi, and when he arrived at the address given by Dorothy Zechariah, he was taken aback.

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