A Bumpy Road to Power

The piercing scream startled Dirk Carter awake.

He sat up abruptly.

Still dazed.

A loud smack.

A slap landed on his face.

Holding his burning cheek, Dirk saw Sheryl Schultz's face full of "essences," and instantly understood what was going on.

"Miss Sheryl, last night..."

He didn't have a chance to finish.

Sheryl exclaimed, "Jerk, you scoundrel! I thought you were a good guy, but you're just like the others, boohoo..."

After speaking.

She jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.

Soon after.

Sheryl, now clean, returned from the bathroom.

By this time, she was already dressed.

Dirk hurriedly explained, "Miss Sheryl, it's not what you think, last night I didn't... didn't bully you. It was your... sleepwalking that caused it."

Sheryl snorted coldly.

Demanded, "You're saying the stuff on my face, I put it there myself?"

"No... that's not..."

Dirk was at a loss for words.

After all, no one could testify about what happened last night.

She glared at Dirk.

Said, "I should've known you'd do this to me. I shouldn't have let you save me in the first place. Now that debt is paid, there's nothing between us anymore."

"Miss Sheryl..."

Dirk called out anxiously.

Sheryl said, "If you won't leave, then I will."

With that, she angrily pulled the door open and left, ignoring Dirk's objections.

What a mess.

Dirk felt truly wronged.

He quickly dressed and rushed to the balcony.

Sheryl was already gone.

He chased to where they parked yesterday, only to find the car was gone as well.

He slapped his forehead.

Regret bubbled up inside.

If only he'd woken her up last night, he could've avoided this outcome.

Now, Sheryl must think Dirk took advantage of her sleep, smeared something on her face, and released all those essences on it.

Given the situation.

Dirk didn't know what to do next.

Sighing, he hailed a cab and angrily got in.

"Where to?"

The driver asked.

Dirk recalled where Sheryl had thrown her phone yesterday.

Thinking of trying to find it again.

Said, "Crestwood Avenue."

The driver chuckled.

Asked, "Boss, are you going to the Flower Beauty Competition too?"

Dirk was stunned.

"What Flower Beauty Competition? What do you mean?"

The driver looked surprised, then realized, "Today all my passengers are heading to Crestwood Avenue. I thought you were attending too, but it's okay if you're not aware of it."

This piqued Dirk's curiosity.

He quickly took out two hundred dollars and offered it to the driver, saying, "Sir, don't rush, tell me more."

Money makes the wheels turn.

The driver took the cash, inspected it in the sunlight, verified its authenticity, and cheerfully pocketed it.

Asked, "Boss, where are you from?"

"Helios County."

Dirk replied.

The driver nodded and said, "Things in Helios County have been chaotic lately. I even heard about The Photosynthesis King being dealt with by the new County Committee Secretary. Tsk tsk, this day's full of all kinds of things..."

"Sir, tell me about the Flower Beauty Competition."

Dirk interrupted.

The driver quickly snapped back.

Said, "Yes, yes, the Flower Beauty Competition. What's your last name, boss?"

"Carter."

"Carter? I'm Carter too. We were family five hundred years ago, ha!"

The driver said excitedly.

Dirk was speechless.

Speak slowly, "Sir, can we talk about the Flower Beauty Competition?"

"Oh, oh, sorry, in our line of work, not many people talk to us. When someone does, I just want to chat more. Don't be mad, Mr. Shaw..."

Dirk was speechless.

Reached out.

Said, "Return the money, let's just drive."

This made the driver anxious.

Quickly said, "I'll talk now, Mr. Shaw, do you know The Empyrean Palace?"

The Empyrean Palace?

Dirk had heard the name.

Nodded, said, "Seems like a nightclub, right?"

"Yes, yes, it's a nightclub, on Crestwood Avenue. This Flower Beauty Competition was organized by Kimball Brooks, the owner of The Empyrean Palace. So there are luxury cars lined up on Crestwood Avenue today. I heard many high officials and wealthy businessmen are coming. I thought Mr. Shaw was attending the Flower Beauty Competition too."

Driver said.

Dirk frowned and asked, "Isn't it just a nightclub gimmick? Can it really attract high officials and wealthy businessmen? Isn't that a bit exaggerated?"

Driver got anxious hearing that.

Said, "Mr. Shaw, you really shouldn't underestimate The Empyrean Palace. Though Veridia City is poor, this nightclub is the most luxurious and extravagant in Janton State. Even big bosses from the capital come over!"

Upon hearing this.

Dirk laughed.

Said, "Sir, you sure talk big. Saying it's Veridia City's most luxurious nightclub I believe, but Janton State's most luxurious? I'm not buying it."

"Ah, you really haven't seen anything. If you don't believe, let me show you. Otherwise, you'd think I'm bragging."

Finished.

The driver floored the pedal.

Headed towards Crestwood Avenue.

After driving a bit.

Dirk indeed noticed something unusual.

Veridia City's economy was poor, luxury cars weren't common on the streets.

But today was different; luxury cars were everywhere, Mercedes and BMW didn't count as much, even Porsches and Bentleys were common.

And none had local plates.

When vehicles reached Crestwood Avenue, they started to clog up.

After stopping at a traffic light.

The driver pointed at the luxury cars ahead and said, "See these? They're here for the Flower Beauty Competition. Have you ever seen such a scene in other cities?"

This left Dirk speechless.

After all, such cars in Veridia City indeed said something.

"Sir, head directly to The Empyrean Palace."

Dirk thought and said.

The driver was satisfied.

Said, "Mr. Shaw, let's not join the crowd. I bet ordinary people can't even get in."

"Can't get in? Nightclubs have thresholds?"

Dirk asked.

"Usually no, as long as you have money, you can enter. But today's different from usual. Such a grand event isn't for regular folks to see."

The driver sighed.

Dirk asked, "Is it expensive to spend at The Empyrean Palace?"

"Expensive! Definitely. Not like the flesh pits in Helios County. This place claims to be a gilded cage for the wealthy. Once you're inside, without tens of thousands, don't expect to walk out."

The driver clicked his tongue.

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