A Bumpy Road to Power

Feigning exhaustion.

He tapped his head with his hand.

Said, "I've indeed been too busy with work lately and accidentally fell asleep."

Then.

He glanced at Dirk Carter and said, "Comrade Dirk, I'm here today to seek your opinion on something."

"Mayor Ross, please go ahead."

Dirk Carter responded politely.

Norman Ross nodded.

Said, "The special campaign to eliminate organized crime and evil in Helios County has now come to an end. You've put in a lot of effort into this, and the leaders above have praised you highly, intending to have you work in the city. What do you think?"

As expected, this was indeed the issue.

Dirk Carter tentatively asked, "Mayor Ross, do you know what specific position it is?"

Norman Ross smiled slightly.

Said, "Vice Mayor Cliff Perry is about to be relocated, and his position will soon be vacant. The idea from above is to have you replace him. How do you feel about that? Confident?"

As the Secretary of the Helios County Committee.

The leadership team of Veridia City is naturally quite familiar.

Cliff Perry is a member of the Veridia City government party group and Vice Mayor.

Ranking fourth in the city government leadership team.

Although not a member of the Municipal Party Committee, he still has considerable influence in the city government.

Mainly responsible for natural resources, housing and urban-rural construction, transportation, state-owned assets, city management, central city construction, and other tasks.

From certain angles.

These departments are all lucrative positions.

Moreover, stepping into the deputy department-level series is an unprecedented advancement for Dirk Carter.

He paused and said, "Mayor Ross, I really appreciate the trust from you and those above, but as you know, Helios County still has a lot of work to do, and the main leaders aren't fully in place. If I leave now, wouldn't that be irresponsible?"

Norman Ross smiled slightly.

Said, "Comrade Dirk truly has the people's interests at heart. The leaders above haven't made a mistake in judging character. How about this—if you agree, you get to recommend who will take your place. How does that sound?"

"Well..."

Dirk Carter momentarily didn't know how to decline.

Norman Ross patted his shoulder.

Said, "Comrade Dirk, don't feel any pressure. I'm just here to have a chat. After all, the official order from the province hasn't come down yet. Head back and complete the handover of power as soon as possible. I'll be waiting for you at the city government."

After finishing.

Norman Ross stood up.

Stretched and said, "Alright, I have another meeting shortly, so I won't be accompanying you."

This clearly meant it was time to leave.

Dirk Carter nodded slightly, stood up, and bid farewell to Norman Ross.

Just as he reached the elevator.

Norman Ross's secretary happened to come out of the elevator.

Upon seeing Dirk Carter, he was shocked and didn't even greet him, hurriedly ran toward Norman Ross's office.

As the elevator doors closed on Dirk Carter.

He could hear Norman Ross shouting angrily.

But what exactly he was yelling was unclear.

No doubt.

It had to be about that woman's matter.

Upon hearing that Dirk Carter might be promoted to Vice Mayor.

Arlo Yarbrough was not pleased, but rather frowned and asked, "You haven't agreed already, have you?"

Dirk Carter shook his head.

Said, "No."

Arlo Yarbrough sighed with relief.

Said, "That's good, that's good. If you go to Veridia City as Vice Mayor, it'd mean getting closer to Rasco Shaw, making it easier for him to deal with you."

Dirk Carter's eyes were hazy.

He softly said, "I'm afraid my transfer to Veridia City is Rasco Shaw's doing."

"What did you say?"

Arlo Yarbrough asked, stunned.

Dirk Carter sighed deeply and said, "Cliff Perry's position is eyed by several deputy mayors below, and now the province suddenly gives such an important position to me. It's obvious they want to stir conflict."

"Moreover, Norman Ross said it was a conversation, but it was actually just notifying me, and to ensure I agree, they granted me the power to recommend Helios County's top leader. This clearly indicates they're afraid I'll refuse, so I feel that accepting this Vice Mayor position in Veridia City is a trap."

"But Rasco Shaw hasn't taken office yet."

Arlo Yarbrough remarked.

Dirk Carter sneered.

Said, "The person hasn't arrived, but the appointment has. With a quick word to those below, reorganizing a deputy department-level position is well within his capability. Otherwise, do you really believe the province values me this much?"

Originally, it was because he offended Vernon Houseman.

Dirk Carter was forced to move from Rexton City to Veridia City's Helios County.

If there had been a chance for deputy department-level promotion, it would have happened then.

The Brett Summers incident was merely part of his duty as County Committee Secretary, hardly an achievement, yet using this excuse to promote him felt atypical.

"So what do you think the trap is?"

Arlo Yarbrough asked.

Dirk Carter raised his head and said softly, "They're worried I'll find out about Rasco Shaw's arrival in Janton State and try to leave. They're enticing me with a taste of benefit, hoping I'll be unwilling to transfer away, making it easier for Rasco Shaw to deal with me."

Hearing this.

Arlo Yarbrough immediately became anxious.

Said, "If you already know, shouldn't you evade direct confrontation? We can give up on the deputy department-level promotion, just return to Serenity State. At least neither the Houseman Family nor Rasco Shaw could trouble you there."

"No, I've decided. I want to stay!"

Dirk Carter said resolutely.

Arlo Yarbrough touched his forehead.

Asked, "Are you okay? Are you feverish enough to be talking nonsense? Do you really believe you can fight against Rasco Shaw or the Houseman Family?"

Dirk Carter brushed his hand aside.

Smiled slightly.

Said, "Alright, enough about this. Did you see a woman rushing downstairs just now?"

"A woman..."

Arlo Yarbrough hesitated.

Suddenly remembered something and said, "Yes, yes, there indeed was a woman hurriedly ran out, hopped into a car, and sped away as if fleeing. Do you know her?"

Dirk Carter shook his head and said, "No, go get the car from the underground parking. I'll wait for you at the entrance."

Arlo Yarbrough nodded.

He rushed to the safety passage, ready to fetch the car.

Dirk Carter didn't think much of it.

Calmly walked to the entrance of the city government compound.

Just as he stood still.

In the distance, a white sports car suddenly darted out.

Screeched to a halt.

Stopped right in front of Dirk Carter.

The door of the passenger seat was pushed open from inside.

Revealing a face filled with anxiety and panic.

Dirk Carter was stunned.

The driver before him was none other than the woman he rescued in Norman Ross's office.

Her eyes darted around.

She shouted to Dirk Carter, "Quick, get in the car..."

Dirk Carter was also confused about the situation.

Pointed at himself, seemingly trying to confirm.

The woman shouted directly, "Get in the car quickly, if you don't, it'll be too late."

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