A Bumpy Road to Power

"I can tell that Jasmine Summers might have some opinions about you."

Dirk Carter said.

Athena Meyer was taken aback.

Her eyes filled with incredulity.

After a pause, she nodded and said, "Actually, you can't really say she has opinions; more like I've stolen most of her spotlight..."

She and Jasmine Summers started working at the disciplinary committee at the same time.

Before they joined, the committee was almost entirely male, except for one woman older like an aunt, which was Yates Grant.

Athena Meyer was good-looking with a great figure, plus she had the backing of her husband, the County Committee Secretary.

She naturally attracted the attention of most men.

As for Jasmine Summers, her physical traits weren't as outstanding, and she got her position through her father's connections. Someone always held in high regard found herself overshadowed by Athena Meyer.

Thus, she had a natural hostility towards Athena Meyer.

"After my ex-husband was arrested, many male colleagues looked at me differently. Jasmine Summers has been gossiping behind my back, calling me a seductress, saying all I ever do is flirt with colleagues, and claiming I climbed the ranks with just my looks and body, that I have no other talents..."

As she spoke.

Athena Meyer became somewhat melancholic.

Dirk Carter asked, "Ex-husband? You... you divorced?"

Athena Meyer nodded.

"Actually, we divorced quite a while ago. Ever since Wade... Baxter Chadwick became County Committee Secretary, he changed completely, keeping company with many women outside. We became estranged from that point. I suggested divorce, but he disagreed, because he had just been appointed and his position was unstable. It was within half a year of his appointment that we divorced, but I hadn't mentioned this to anyone until now..."

Dirk Carter understood now.

No wonder the higher-level disciplinary committee found no evidence against Athena Meyer.

It turns out she had long since severed ties with Baxter Chadwick.

"Why don't you explain yourself when they humiliate you like this?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Athena Meyer smiled faintly and said, "Gossip is endless, and you get used to it. Moreover, some things become worse the more you try to explain. Would my explanation even help?"

It was indeed true.

Within the system, some matters can never be cleared up fully, not even by jumping into The Yellow River.

Athena Meyer sighed.

She said, "Enough of this unhappy talk, Dirk, tell me your next step, let me see if I can help you?"

"Sidney Lewis can confront Heriberto Sutton and now me because his biggest asset is the support from Erastus Hamilton and Channing Langdon. So, we just need to disrupt their relationship."

Dirk Carter said.

"Disrupt? Easier said than done; I wouldn't be so sure about Erastus Hamilton, but Channing Langdon? Not a chance. Although Channing Langdon is currently equal with Sidney Lewis, everyone knows he plays the role of Sidney Lewis's little brother at the unit. You want to disrupt their relationship? Impossible."

Athena Meyer said with determination.

Dirk Carter laughed and said, "There are no ironclad relationships in the bureaucratic system; all alliances and cooperation are founded on interests. So, if you want to disrupt them, just offer enough sincerity."

"You mean you want to buy off Erastus Hamilton and Channing Langdon?"

Athena Meyer asked.

Dirk Carter shook his head, "Have you heard the story of Two Peaches Killing Three Men?"

Athena Meyer nodded, "I've heard of it, but what does it have to do with your plan?"

Dirk Carter was full of confidence.

"You'll see. Tomorrow morning, the two of them will come to work..."

The story of Two Peaches Killing Three Men happened during the Spring and Autumn period in The Kingdom of Arinor.

Under King Arinor's rule were three warriors renowned for their bravery: Errol Gable, Kai Tanner, and Kenji Yeaman. Their achievements and disregard for rules became a potential threat to the state.

At this time, the Prime Minister Yanzi devised a clever plan.

Yanzi suggested to King Arinor that two precious peaches be given to these three warriors to distribute based on merit. The suggestion seemed simple but was laden with covert intent.

‌Errol Gable‌ was the first to choose. He considered himself mighty, having slain wild boars and young tigers, so he took a peach first.

‌Kai Tanner‌ followed, proud of his exploits defending the realm, believing no one else could match his merit, and took the other peach.

When it was ‌Kenji Yeaman‌'s turn, though slow in action, his words were sharp, recounting his brave deeds of escorting the monarch across The Yellow River, slaying a giant turtle in crisis to save the royal carriage. He claimed his deeds were greatest and deserved a peach, yet all were taken, so he drew his sword in anger.

Confronted by Kenji Yeaman, Errol Gable and Kai Tanner were deeply ashamed, realizing their merits paled in comparison but they had claimed peaches first, an act of injustice.

Thus, both put down their peaches and committed suicide to apologize to the world.

Kenji Yeaman was moved both by his colleagues' gallant actions and ashamed of his own behavior. He believed that his survival would be a betrayal to his comrades.

In the end, he too committed suicide, sacrificing himself for honor.

Of course, Dirk Carter didn't expect these people to heroically sacrifice themselves, but getting them to turn on each other like mad dogs was achievable.

Leaving the café.

It was already past ten in the evening.

Not because of the time, but because the café was closing.

The two returned to the roadside.

Just as they were about to part ways.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed across the night sky.

Torrential rain poured down.

Unprepared, they quickly ran under a bank's self-service ATM, drenched like drowned rats.

Dirk Carter was fine.

If wet, then wet.

Athena Meyer wasn't so lucky.

Her newly bought clothes, just a shirt.

As the rain soaked it, the fabric became semi-transparent, clinging to her body.

Even the black underwear inside was clearly visible to Dirk Carter.

More fatal still were the two peaks outlined by the wet fabric.

The full shapes had nowhere to hide, making it awkward for Dirk Carter to even glance at her.

The sudden downpour was overwhelming.

For a moment, there wasn't even a taxi available.

Originally, they thought such rain might stop after a short while.

Unexpectedly, they waited twenty minutes, and the rain was relentless, showing no sign of letting up.

"Dirk, where do you live?"

Looking at the situation.

Athena Meyer asked Dirk Carter.

"Uptown District."

"That far? It takes half an hour by car?"

Athena Meyer exclaimed.

Dirk Carter nodded with a look of resignation.

Athena Meyer paused in thought.

"Look at this rain; it probably won't stop anytime soon. And in rain, all are hailing taxis. In this remote location, who knows when we can catch one? I live not far from here, how about... you spend the night at my place?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!